Vallée Blanche Malbec 2010, Pays d’Oc, France (£7.49 Majestic) Reasonable violet-scented plummy fruit and soft spice, but the muddy vanilla character from use of oak destroys the delicate flavours – think of someone with too much foundation… C+ Carmen Reserva Carmenère 2010, Colchagua, Chile (£9.49 Majestic) More of that clumsy […]
USA
Some wines I filmed before Christmas when I’d been banished to one of the darker rooms in the house… Wakefield Estate Merlot 2009, Clare Valley, Australia (£9.99-£10.99 Cheers, Constantine Stores, Majestic, Nidderdale Fine Wines, Oliver’s Beer and Wine, Saxty’s, Sommelier Wine Co) Reasonable ruddy berry and plum fruit with a […]
Wine Tasting Video: Cabernet & Merlot from Australia, Italy and ...
Alain Grignon Cuvée Chasseur 2010, Vin de France (£4.29 Waitrose) Smells decent, like a slightly leafy Bordeaux propped up with a draught of the warm south, but while the blackcurrant and blackberry flavours are reasonable, it would be far better without that touch of sweetness. C+ Parducci Zinfandel 2009, Mendocino […]
Wine Tasting Video: Spicy reds from France, California & Australia
The second batch from a set of eight whites split extremely scientifically according to the height of the bottles – these are the stubbiest four (and the other four are here – the Furmint is a stunna) Gaba do Xil Godello 2010, Valdeorras, Spain (£9.25 The Wine Society) Young, tender […]
Wine Tasting Video: Three Spanish Whites + a lone Californian
Panamera Cuvée Napa 2007, Napa Valley, California (N/A in the UK) OK dark deep baked berry, but overdone smoky bacon oak, which lingers when the fruit has begun to fade, ripe but overblown and clumsy, with nothing in the way of freshness. C- First Drop ‘Mother’s Ruin’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, […]
Wine Tasting Video: Cabernet-based reds from Chile, California, Australia & ...
Marmesa Cabrillo Peak Pinot Noir 2007, Santa Lucia Highlands, California (£15.55/£7.20 Bibendum – sale price valid until Aug 1st 2011) I like the savoury/meaty warmth here and the lush plummy flesh with touches of tomato and toasty oak, but it’s let down by a slightly baked, overripe raisinny edge and […]