Calmel & Joseph Crémant de Limoux NV, Languedoc, France (£11.95-£16.95 Viader Wines, Raffles Wines, Haslemere Cellar, South Down Cellars, Richard Granger Wines) Young, fresh style, green apples – fresh and baked – to the fore, with hints of nuts and citrus fruit behind, and a light saline/mineral edge to add further […]
Chardonnay
Champagne Jean Diot Cuvée Sélection NV, France (£19.95 Richard Dawes Fine Wine) Attractive mix of ripeness and freshness, young and lively, with toasty brioche notes alongside the raspberry, apple and citrus fruit, and a clean mineral tang to the finish. Not hugely complex but an appealing dainty style, and a […]
Champagne Jean Diot Cuvée Sélection NV, France
Marimar Estate Acero Chardonnay 2014, Russian River Valley, California (~£22 winedirect.co.uk) Young fresh, honest style, with plump nectarine and tinned peach flavours, decent but a touch simple. B Miguel Torres Cordillera Chardonnay 2013, Limarí, Chile (£12.99 Hoults, Partridges of Sloane Street, Portland Wine Company, Mitchells Vintners, Swift Wines, Blyth Valley […]
Two Chardonnays from Torres
I didn’t taste these side by side, but I’ve ended up giving them all similar marks – would happily drink them all, but none had me jumping out of my seat and shouting ‘Whoopee!’ Vergelegen Premium Chardonnay 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£12.49 Majestic, Roberts and Speight, Stewart Wines, Liquid Treasure, Noble Green […]
Chardonnays from France, South Africa & USA
Slightly tardy in some of posting these but got there in the end… Domaine Cheysson ‘L’Exception’ Beaujolais Blanc 2014, Burgundy, France (£13.99 Laithwaites) There’s and almost salty tangy to this wine, which is crisp, brisk and reminds me more of Burgundies from further north. Taut citrus, light peach, very tasty […]
A raft of Chardonnays
Really enjoyed these two Mas Lavail Terre d’Ardoise Carignan Blanc Vieilles Vignes Côtes Catalanes* 2014, Languedoc, France (£11.99 Majestic) Yes, White Carignan. Gentle, relaxed style, with lightly floral, herby overtones to the pear and quince flavours and a sappy salty bite on the finish, like Sauvignon without the shriek. S- […]