South Africa


Cape Heights Shiraz 2015, Western Cape, South Africa (£5.69-£6.95 Rannoch Scott, D&D Wine, Worth Brothers, Connollys) Dark earthy chocolate, gentle generous berry and plum, very much in that soft warm earthy South African feel, with a bit of the Cape bake and a savoury plum/tomato edge. Maybe the finish is […]

Spicy reds from Australia, France, South Africa & Spain


I didn’t taste these side by side, but I’ve ended up giving them all similar marks – would happily drink them all, but none had me jumping out of my seat and shouting ‘Whoopee!’ Vergelegen Premium Chardonnay 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£12.49 Majestic, Roberts and Speight, Stewart Wines, Liquid Treasure, Noble Green […]

Chardonnays from France, South Africa & USA


Etoile de Mer Luberon Rosé 2015, Rhône, France (£8.99 Majestic) Smart presentation, and smart wine to match. Pale in colour, but packs in the red berry and herb flavours, but finishes in crisp and precise fashion. Would drink a lot of this at a barbecue. B   Delaire Graff Cabernet […]

Two Pale & Interesting Rosés



Delaire Graff Estate Shiraz 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£9.99 31dover.com) Juicy young style showing sweet spicy berry and plum fruit, a savoury/tomato-like character and a touch of chocolate on the finish. Rich but always fresh, good for a few years to come. S- Mont Rochelle Syrah 2008, Franschhoek, South Africa […]

South African Syrah – or is it Shiraz?


A fascinating contrast between this pair – both are very tasty. Clos du Gaimont Vouvray Sec 2014, Loire, France (£10.99 Virgin Wines) Starts off all elbows, with taut, slightly bruised green apple and pear flavours tinged with notes of herbs and pebbles, and with its zingy acidity front and centre. […]

Chenin Blanc from the Loire & South Africa


And still another of the catch-up-on-tasting-notes posts (see intro HERE if that doesn’t make sense) Cantina Bolzano Eisacktaler Isarco Silvaner 2011, Alto Adige, Italy (£10.20 Mondial Wine) There are some apricot and ripe citrus flavours here, but it’s one of those wines where fruit takes second place to other characters. It reminds […]

An assortment of whites plus a lone rosé from Italy, ...