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 […]
Malbec
A dozen wines from Naked Wines arrived on the doorstep – here’s what I thought of the first six… Château Lagrave Cissan Listrac-Médoc 2005, Bordeaux, France (£12.99 www.nakedwines.com) Gentle, tender claret, with touches of gravel, tobacco and cedar to its blackcurranty fruit, and a refreshing finish. S- Ocaso Malbec 2007, […]
Naked Wines Reds – Part 1
Argento Malbec 2009, Mendoza (£5.99 Majestic) Lovely juicy ripe fresh bouncy berry and blackcurrant, a touch of violet and a finish that is bold yet refreshing. Excellent value. B(+) Renacer ‘Punto Final’ Malbec Clasico 2008, Mendoza (£8.49 Liberty Wine) Ripe, floral and tender, hint of parma violet, rounded voluptuous berry […]
Argentina = Malbec
TTH – it’s a term I often use in my tasting notes for wines that are Trying Too Hard to impress. Most of the time, they’re just too loud, with the excess volume coming through in either boisterous oak, overripe fruit or OTT extraction (and in some instances all three). […]