Oenomancy Red Blend 2014, Paarl, South Africa (£12.99 Laithwaites) Warm and ripe with a dusty plummy character and a touch of chocolate wafer biscuit. There’s also a slight edge of volatility when you smell it, but while this blends in with the fruit flesh, the tannins are just a touch […]
Syrah/Shiraz
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. […]
Two Languedoc reds from Calmel & Joseph
Tons de Duorum Red 2014, Douro, Portugal (£8.90 Tanners) Young, juicy style, fleshy berry to the fore, notes of liquorice, vanilla and herby in the background. Should appeal to Argie Malbec fans. B+ Ramos Reserva 2014, VR Alentejano, Portugal (£6.99 Majestic) A plusher, plummier wine than the above, still spicy, […]
Two reds from Portugal
Marques de Casa Concha Merlot 2012, Peumo (Rapel), Chile (~£12 for current vintage) Impressive style, balancing plummy berry richness with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins, plus just the right amount of toasty oak and notes of mint and chocolate to add further layers. Very tasty now, but still bags of […]
Two Marques de Casa Concha Chilean reds
Boutinot ‘Les Cerisiers’ Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2015, France (£8.50 Hercules Wine Warehouse, Highbury Vintners) Juicy yet precise style, with rounded red berry, ripe red apple and rosehip flavours kept in check by crisp acidity. B+ Chapoutier ‘Belleruche’ Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2015, France (£12.50 Hanging Ditch, Wined Up Here) […]
Two Côtes du Rhône Rosés
Esk Valley Syrah 2011, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (£17.15 Barrica Wines, Famous Wine UK, Hoults Wine Merchants, North and South Wines, DeFINE Food and Wine, Wright Wine Company, The Drinkshop.com, The New Zealand House of Wine) Quite pale in colour, light to medium body, has the classic peppery clove, blackcurrant […]