More wines to celebrate the week in which Australia Day falls. This time, it’s Shiraz, with a European version making its way into the line-up… Smart Dog Syrah 2013, Alentejano, Portugal (£8.99 Adnams) Sweet, almost smoky notes alongside the cinnamon and clove aromas, but while there’s no shortage of flavour, […]
Syrah/Shiraz
Aquitania is the Maipo winery established in 1990 by Bordeaux big-wigs Paul Pontallier (Château Margaux) and Bruno Prats (ex- Château Cos d’Estournel), along with Chilean winemaker Felipe de Solminihac. The first wines were released under the Paul Bruno label, but they’re now called Aquitania. Since 2002, Ghislain de Montgolfier of […]
Two reds from Aquitania in Chile’s Maipo Valley
Great winter warmer – although maybe next winter rather than this one… Wakefield Estate Shiraz 2013, Clare Valley, Australia (£12.99 Majestic, Eden Fine Wines, Hammonds of Knutsford) On the young side – the toasty oak ideally needs another few months to calm down – but this is lovely warm hearted […]
Wakefield Estate Shiraz 2013, Clare Valley, Australia
Bit of a backlog in the video department at the moment, let’s see if we can rectify that with this collection of three sub-£10 reds from southern France Coin des Coquins Mourvèdre/Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Pays d’Oc, France (£7.99-£8.99 Old School Wines, The Salisbury Wine Store) Reasonable fruit and freshness, but […]
Three Pays d’Oc Reds
Château des Sarrins Côtes de Provence Rosé 2013, France (£15.99 Bibendum, TheDrinkShop.com) A previous bottle of this was extremely awkward and pongy, like it was having a really bad hair day (see here). This one – tasted just a fortnight later – was better. There’s still a light sulphury whiff […]
Three Rosés from Provence, Chile & Portugal
Bit of a bargain… Tagus Creek Shiraz/Trincadeira 2012, Alentejo, Portugal (£4.50 Asda Direct) I think of Trincadeira as being a bit like Carignan, and here, it gives similar peppery violet and blackcurrant notes to the sweet berry-roundness of Shiraz, with a note of vanilla making its presence felt too. B+