Crossroads Merlot 2008, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (£11.50 Mentzendorff) Ripe, but with some leafy freshness to its bright blackcurrant & berry flavours and tinges of chocolatey oak, OK, but just a bit simple & fruity. B- Crossroads Talisman 2008, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (£19 Mentzendorff) More of that chocolate wafer […]
Cabernet Sauvignon
Hartenberg Merlot 2007, Stellenbosch (£17.50 Waitrose, D Byrne, Lea & Sandeman, Noel Young, The Vineyard, Cooden Cellars) There’s some juicy blackberry and blackcurrant flesh, but more dominant is the classic South African baked-on berries and woodsmoke, OK but lacks bounce and freshness. B- Engelbrecht Els Proprietor’s Blend 2007, Stellenbosch (£20.99-£21.99 […]
South African reds, including a trio from Ernie Els
Washington Hills Merlot 2008, Columbia Valley (£6.49 The Co-op) Overripe with rather hard baked blackberry character, concentrated but overdone, should have been picked earlier and made with less force. C(-) Powers Merlot 2006, Columbia Valley (£10.99 – £11.49 Handford Wines, Wines of the World, Bottle Apostle, Hennings Wines, Rodney Densem, […]
Washington State reds with a nod to Bordeaux
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 […]
Four red Bordeaux all made with TLC from Olivier Dauga
McHenry Hohnen Cabernet/Merlot 2008, Margaret River (£9.99 Majestic) Surprisingly forward, rounded wine, showing just the right amount of leafy mint and eucalyptus character alongside juicy plummy fruit, hints of leather and tobacco and smooth ripe tannins. B+ Averys Pioneer Barossa Shiraz 2007 – made by Yalumba (£8.99 Averys) A lovely […]
Three Australian Shirazes + a Margaret River blend
There is a video down below somewhere but first, let’s talk brett. Brettanomyces to give it its full name is a strain of yeast that has been around for centuries, but which began to appear on the wine radar around 20 years ago, and has really sprung to prominence in […]