Yali National Reserva Cabernet Franc 2009, Colchagua (£8.19 Morrisons) Has the typical Chilean blackcurrant pastille character, along with quite rich, earthy, chocolatey richness, but ultimately misses out on the Cab Franc fragrance, and feels just too warm and rich. B- Torres Cordillera Carmenère/Merlot/Petit Verdot 2007, Central Valley (£11.99 Partridges, Gales […]
Cabernet Franc
Château Le Barrail Médoc 2009 (£7.11 Tesco) Firm, fruity young wine, with plenty of blackcurrant and damson favour, and a slightly briny edge, but structure of smoky oak and hard tannins just a bit OTT. B(-) Château Prieuré Les Tours Graves 2006 (£9.99 Majestic) More of that savoury/briny character, benefiting […]
Wine Tasting Video: Five Left Bank Bordeaux reds
Been in France for most of the last fortnight, but managed to find time last week to host a tasting of Henschke wines for the enterprising West London Wine School. Afterwards I sat down with proprietor and professional hat-wearer Jimmy Smith to talk about what we’d been tasting. First three […]
A range from Henschke with West London Wine School
Four wines, all made under the guidance of consultant winemaker Olivier Dauga. Based on this quartet, the Dauga style seems to be less flashy, less oaky, less ripe, less malo-in-barrel-y than that of Michel Rolland. This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing, merely a matter of personal […]