Château d’Esclans Déesse Astrée Côtes de Provence Blanc 2015, France (see Wine Searcher for price & stockists) Lovely rich but fresh style, showing the typical pine/herb citrus edge of Vermentino/Rolle alongside bolder ripe pear and passionfruit flavours, with a touch of slightly dough-like cake mix in there too. Very tasty […]
Vermentino
Taste The Difference Bordeaux Rosé 2016, France (£7 Sainsbury’s) Not the most complex of wines, but the juicy red berry flavours and crisp, lightly tangy finish are quite appealing. B- Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé 2016, France (~£17.50 see wine-searcher for stockists) Subtle, slinky pink, slightly peachy […]
Three French rosés
Grattamacco Bolgheri Vermentino 2014, Tuscany, Italy (£25 Laithwaites) Rich and juicy but always vibrant, with pithy lemon and rounder muskier pear fruit joined by notes of herbs and pine, and a tense finish to hold it all together. Very good. S Cave de Turckheim Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Brand 2011, Alsace, […]
Assorted Aromatic Whites from Italy, France & Argentina
Château d’Esclans Garrus Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014, France (£70-£80 check Wine-Searcher for stockists) Delicate but persistent style, shows the slightly salty tang, along with touches of spice, smoky oak and vanilla to start with but these fade with time allowing the peachy but precise flavours tinged with herbs to […]
A selection of wines from Château d’Esclans in Provence
Vignobles Jeanjean Mas Neuf Pays d’Oc Muscat Sec 2014, Languedoc, France (£9.99 Majestic) Sprightly young style, with grapey intensity but also notes of apple, citrus and Gewürz-like lychee and spice. Very tasty. B+ Domaine d’Aupilhac Coteaux du Languedoc Blanc ‘Les Cocalières’ 2014, France (£14.95 The Wine Society) Rich, heady, exotic […]
Two white wines from southern France
Clos Rocailleux Gaillac Blanc 2013, South West France (£11.99 Red Squirrel Wine) A wine of two halves, the bracing citrus and herb aromas and bready/yeasty character seem promising, but when you come to taste it, it seems to be lacking freshness, offering up bruised green apple flavours with nutty overtones. […]