Same price, same region, but not same flavour… Château Haut Courneau Graves 2011, Bordeaux, France (£10.00 Oddbins) I like the sweet fleshy plummy berry flesh and hint of cedar; I’m less keen on the touch of greenness and slightly baked character, and I don’t think it’s going to get any […]
Grapes
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 […]
Two reds from Priorat
Viña Real Rioja Crianza 2011, Spain (£11.05 Lea & Sandeman Company Ltd, Fortnum and Mason Plc, Cranbrook Wines, D.Byrne & Co, Ann et Vin Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, York Wines, Pimlico Dozen Ltd, Field and Fawcett, Cheers Wine Merchants, Wino’s Ltd, Bin 21 Limited, The Clifton Cellars, The Drinkshop.com Ltd, Dickens […]
Five Tempranillos (-ish) from Spain & Australia
Viñalta Chardonnay 2014, Mendoza, Argentina (£8.00 Marks & Spencer) A slightly disjointed style, with overrichness – creamy toffee, slightly confected pineapple and fig – set against underrichness -grapefruit pith. And doesn’t seem to settle down with time… C Andeluna 1300 Chardonnay 2014, Mendoza, Argentina (~£11-12 Anglia Wines, Smoking Jacket, Strictly […]
Five Chardonnays from Argentina
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 […]
Spicy Reds from the Languedoc & Australia
Domaine Saint Gayan Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2014, France (£10.50 Yapp Brothers) Bright and breezy style with juicy apple and strawberry flavours, and a slightly salty edge to the finish. Not hugely complex, but it’s a decent fresh quaff. B- Père Anselme La Grivelière Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2014, France […]