France

Grattamacco Bolgheri Vermentino 2014, Tuscany, Italy (£25 Laithwaites) Rich and juicy but always vibrant, with pithy lemon and rounder muskier pear fruit joined by notes of herbs and pine, and a tense finish to hold it all together. Very good. S Cave de Turckheim Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Brand 2011, Alsace, […]

Assorted Aromatic Whites from Italy, France & Argentina

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Château d’Esclans Garrus Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014, France (£70-£80 check Wine-Searcher for stockists) Delicate but persistent style, shows the slightly salty tang, along with touches of spice, smoky oak and vanilla to start with but these fade with time allowing the peachy but precise flavours tinged with herbs to […]

A selection of wines from Château d’Esclans in Provence

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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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Sauvion Crémant de Loire NV, France (£13.99 Oxford Wine Company, Flagship Wines) Balances a bracing green apple tang against honeyed richness to good effect, crisp zesty finish. B(+) Terroir La Baume Saint Paul Crémant de Limoux Brut* NV, Languedoc, France (N/A in the UK) Quite a plush, rich style, with […]

Four sparkling French wines – but no Champagne…

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Château Haut-Mouleyre Bordeaux Sauvignon 2015, France (~£10 H T White) It’s mostly Sauvignon Gris here, which could explain why alongside the more conventional gooseberry, lime and grapefruit flavours there’s more exotic characters such as juniper and aromatic bark, and a weighty but still lively finish. S- Miguel Torres Las Mulas […]

Two Sauvignons (and not just Blanc) from Bordeaux & Chile

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