Bit of a bargain this one, lovely by itself, but would be great with fruit puddings and blue cheeses too Domaine des Forges Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume 2011, Loire, France (£8.99 per half Waitrose) Unctuous but fresh style, like liquid tarte tatin, with hints of lemon curd and stewed […]
France
Les Songeurs Cabernet Franc 2015, Pays d’Oc, France (£10.49 Laithwaites) I like the sweet blackcurrant and blackberry flavours, and the leafy-fresh fragrance and tar-like character of Cab Franc, but there’s too much of an oak imprint (with a green edge too) for it to be a real success, and this […]
Les Songeurs Cabernet Franc 2015, Pays d’Oc, France
La Grille Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Loire Valley, France (£8 Majestic) Brisk, bracing style, tangy citrus fruit pepped up by hints of herbs and elderflower, with a light ‘feline’ edge adding further interest – in a good way… B(-) Masson Blondelet Pouilly Fumé 2015, Loire, France (£15.99 Ocado) The richness […]
Three wines from the Loire Valley, France
The Society’s Exhibition Sancerre 2015 (Serge Laloue), Loire, France (£12.50 The Wine Society) Succulent Sancerre, showing some of the flesh of a warm vintage but still with flinty citrus tension and a light floral touch too. S- Domaine Gadais La Grande Réserve du Moulin Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie […]
Three Loire Whites (and all from different grapes)
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
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 […]