Cabernet Franc


Same price, same region, but not same flavour… Château Haut Courneau Graves 2011, Bordeaux, France (£10.00 Oddbins) I like the sweet fleshy plummy berry flesh and hint of cedar; I’m less keen on the touch of greenness and slightly baked character, and I don’t think it’s going to get any […]

Two Bordeaux reds from Graves


Château de Ricaud Bordeaux Supérieur 2012, France (£9.99 Booths) Honest, juicy style, ripe plummy red berry flavours backed up by chewy but never harsh tannins, plus a refreshing finish. Good midweek quaff. B Château Fonguillon Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2012, Bordeaux, France (£9.99 Tesco) Deeper, darker style with plummy blackberry and blackcurrant flesh […]

Three 2012 Reds from Bordeaux


No videos for the next fortnight – I’m doing a catch-up of wines I’ve tasted in the last few months but which for some reason didn’t make it onto film (or SD card). So here goes… Chateau Tayac Margaux 2007, Bordeaux, France (£14.99 31dover.com) Gentle and juicy, now mature, but there’s […]

Some Bordeaux-inspired reds



…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…


Sturdy stuff, perhaps not the perfect wine for this time of the year unless you’re in the southern hemisphere Plaimont Producteurs Madiran Réserve des Tuguets 2012, South West France (£11.99 Tesco) Smells soft, fruity and puddingy – think warm berries and cherries, with a hint of eggy sponge – and while […]

Plaimont Producteurs Madiran Réserve des Tuguets 2012


Grand Mayne Côtes de Duras Merlot/Cabernet 2012, South West France (£6.95 www.domaine-du-grand-mayne.com) Perky young wine, with slightly jammy red berry and fresher blackcurrants flavours, a hint of leafy tobacco, and a hint of toffee. B- Domaine du Grand Mayne Côtes de Duras Cuvée Prestige 2011, South West France (£9.50 www.domaine-du-grand-mayne.com) […]

Three reds from Domaine du Grand Mayne, Côtes de Duras