Etoile de Mer Luberon Rosé 2015, Rhône, France (£8.99 Majestic) Smart presentation, and smart wine to match. Pale in colour, but packs in the red berry and herb flavours, but finishes in crisp and precise fashion. Would drink a lot of this at a barbecue. B Delaire Graff Cabernet […]
Grenache
After yesterday’s white duo, here are five red gems from southern France – does anywhere in the world offer better value? Domaine Bertrand-Bergé Fitou ‘Origines’ 2013, Languedoc, France (£7.95 The Wine Society) Gentle herby ripe berry and plum, tangy and lifted flavours, very easy to drink, but with some earthy […]
Five delicious Southern French reds
A friend who used to work for a well-known UK High Street chain said that before its wine buyers were able to put a name to brettanomyces, they used to say to potential suppliers that they weren’t interested in reds with ‘that Rhône character.’ Both of these could do with […]
Two southern Rhône reds
Nice quartet of wines, you may find some of them soon in Oddbins & Cambridge Wine Merchants Domaine Le Clos du Serres ‘Le Clos’ Terrasses du Larzac 2013, Languedoc, France (N/A in the UK) Juicy and refreshing style, a bit dumb to start with but then opens up to show […]
Four wines from Terrasses du Larzac
Viña Real Rioja Reserva 2010, Spain (£18.45 Hailsham Cellars, Clifton Cellars, Planet of the Grapes) Rich and knowing style of wine, battle-scarred, but still very much alive, with meaty red berry and plum flavours, and spicy orange peel notes on the finish. Very tasty, and still on the young side. […]
Tempranillo from Rioja and Toro
Frares Priorat 2013, Catalunya, Spain (£13.00 Marks & Spencer) Plenty of burly plum and damson jam flavour plus dark berry flesh, but there’s still freshness form somewhere, despite the 15% alcohol. Add in warm dustiness, some smoky bacon and a wild, spicy element and you have a fascinating young and […]