Calmel & Joseph Les Terroirs Corbières 2014, Languedoc, France (£10-£11 Richard Granger, Martinez, Old Chapel Cellars, Ellie’s Cellar) A lovely combo of generous fruit flavours – Victoria plum , apple and blackberry pie, even pomegranate – with perfumed, herby notes and a cool fresh backbone of tannin and fresh acidity. […]
Mourvedre
Cape Heights Shiraz 2015, Western Cape, South Africa (£5.69-£6.95 Rannoch Scott, D&D Wine, Worth Brothers, Connollys) Dark earthy chocolate, gentle generous berry and plum, very much in that soft warm earthy South African feel, with a bit of the Cape bake and a savoury plum/tomato edge. Maybe the finish is […]
Spicy reds from Australia, France, South Africa & Spain
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
Clefs du Pontif Grenache/Syrah Pays d’Oc 2014, Languedoc, France (£9.99 Averys) Young, crunchy wine, juicy berry and plum with a hint of spice, I can’t fault its intensity, but it just feels a bit correct, too ‘made’. C+ Ess & See Mataro 2013, McLaren Vale, Australia (£15.99 Virgin Wines) Boisterous […]