Burgundy

…including some biggish names that weren’t quite as good as I’d have hoped… Clotilde Davenne Bourgogne Blanc 2014, France (was £10.95 From Vineyards Direct) From vineyards close to Chablis, so the pert, minerally character and mix of crispness and creaminess come as no surprise. Lovely balanced style, excellent value, the […]

Four Chardonnays from four countries

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William Fèvre Petit Chablis 2014, Burgundy, France (£16.60 Wine Importers, Hailsham Cellars, Bubbles and Wine, The Wine Shop, John Hattersley Wines) Forget the Petit bit, this is fresh, vibrant wine with a light nectarine note alongside the floral citrus flavours and a crisp mineral note on the finish. Good for […]

Chardonnays from France & Chile

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Guigal Gigondas 2011, Rhône, France (£24.26 Chordale Wine Merchants, Bubbles And Wine Ltd, Roberts and Speight Ltd, Portland Wine Company, Fenwick Ltd, R Campbell & Sons Ltd, Clifton Cellars, Hailsham Cellars, Liquorice) Dumb initially, this opens up over the course of a couple of hours to reveal its core of […]

Assorted reds from France, South Africa & Portugal

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Not sure about this one… Clotilde Davenne Saint-Bris 2014, Burgundy, France (£12.95 From Vineyards Direct) There’s the zesty herb and citrus edge of Sauvignon and there’s the creamier lees-y notes but taut finish of Chablis, with some flinty tautness thrown in for good measure. However, are these flavours making beautiful […]

Clotilde Davenne Saint-Bris 2014, Burgundy, France

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I didn’t taste these side by side, but I’ve ended up giving them all similar marks – would happily drink them all, but none had me jumping out of my seat and shouting ‘Whoopee!’ Vergelegen Premium Chardonnay 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£12.49 Majestic, Roberts and Speight, Stewart Wines, Liquid Treasure, Noble Green […]

Chardonnays from France, South Africa & USA

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Blind Spot Pinot Noir 2014, Yarra Valley, Australia (was £9.50 The Wine Society) Soft, gentle, quite mature and very moreish, this is made by the talented Mac Forbes, whose wines seem to have retained the freshness they’ve always had, but now seem to offer a little more joie de vivre. […]

Pinot Noirs from Australia, Austria & France

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