Domaine d’Escausses ‘La Vigne de l’Oubli’ Gaillac Blanc Sec 2010 (£14.39 Caves de Pyrene) Rich but floral (honeysuckle), has oak but it’s a framework rather than a dominant force – it’s the juicy citrus and pear fruit that takes centre stage, along with a nutty, just-cooked cake mix character. S(-) […]
Syrah/Shiraz
Tinpot Hut Steam Wharf Road Syrah 2008, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (£14.99 Tesco) As with many Hawkes Bay Syrahs, this starts well with lovely aromas of clove, pepper and vanilla, but then you wonder whether there is enough fruit to prop up the aromas. Here, there is – blackberries, plums […]
Wine Tasting Video: Five Syrah-based wines from New Zealand, Chile, ...
Wind Gap Syrah 2008, Sonoma County, California (£27.72 Vineyard Cellars) Combines a smoky bacon-fat note with gentle berry and plum fruit, wonderful herby freshness and streak of minerality. Would be hard pushed to spot this as a Californian red. S(+) Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah 2010, Columbia Valley, Washington State […]
Wine Tasting Video: US Syrah from California & Washington State
Fratelli Classic Red 2011, Maharashtra, India (contact Hallgarten Druitt) Buoyant young wine with vibrant plum and raspberry flavours and plenty of freshness – wouldn’t object to half an hour in the fridge before serving. B- Ridgeback Vansha SGMV 2010, Paarl, South Africa (£9.99 The Real Wine Company) Full and ripe […]
Wine Tasting Video: Syrah/Shiraz from South Africa & India
Yali Wetland Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2011, Colchagua, Chile (£6.99 Morrisons) Not much to start with but then opens up to show fresh but gentle red berry, blackcurrant and redcurrant fruit freshened up by notes of citrus and baked apple. B(-) Guerrieri Rizzardi Bardolino DOC Chiaretto 2011, Veneto, Italy (£12.99 Harrods, […]
Wine tasting Video – Rosé wines from six countries
Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Single Vineyard Syrah 2010, Chile (£19.99 Averys) Full bodied style, quite aromatic with notes of sage-tinted sausage meat and lavender, but there’s that tell-tale reduced blackcurrant pastille feel, and the finish is rather dry and lacking charm. B Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2009, Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, Australia (£16.99 […]