Esporão Reserva Tinto 2014, Alentejo, Portugal (£19.99-£21.99 Cambridge Wine Merchants, Define Food and Wine, Tanners, Great Grog) It’s still a pup but this gentle giant has a very promising future. Rich, dark damson and berry fruit which veers towards the overripe but just stops in time, leaving bold flavours infused […]
Alicante Bouschet
…even though neither of them is labelled St Chinian. And they say Domaine de Viranel rather than Château Viranel on the label… Domaine de Viranel Trilogie Cessenon Rouge 2014, Languedoc, France (£10.05 Bancroft Wines, Cambridge Wine Merchants) Bouncy young red, with jolly, juicy blackberry, plum and blackcurrant flavours tinged with […]
Two reds from St Chinian estate Château Viranel…
Think I’ve had better vintages of this… Marques de Borba Alentejo Tinto 2012, Portugal (£8.99 Classic Drinks, Tanners, Adnams, MacBrayne Wines, Halifax Wines, Bowland Forest Vintners, Borough Wines) I like the generous plummy berry fruit and the nuances of vanilla and tobacco, but the hard finish puts me off – might […]
Marques de Borba Alentejo Tinto 2012, Portugal
Marquês de Borba Tinto 2011, Alentejo (£9.60 Tanners) Vibrant, honest glugger, plenty of dark plummy berry fruit just on the right side of jamminess, and with earthy floral spice to pep up the finish. S- Tons de Duorum Red 2010, Douro (£8.99 Tanners, The Wine Society, Real Wine Company, Duncan […]