Crossroads Merlot 2008, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (£11.50 Mentzendorff) Ripe, but with some leafy freshness to its bright blackcurrant & berry flavours and tinges of chocolatey oak, OK, but just a bit simple & fruity. B- Crossroads Talisman 2008, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (£19 Mentzendorff) More of that chocolate wafer […]
Wine Education
Kuentz-Bas Riesling Tradition 2008, Alsace, France (£9.50 The Wine Society) Clean and fresh, yet quite full, lots of green apple and citrus tang plus an undercurrent of spicy minerality, full but dry finish. S- Crossroads Medway Vineyard Riesling 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand (£9.50 Mentzendorff) Just too simple, with lemon & […]
Riesling from Alsace, Australia & New Zealand
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Margaret River, Australia (£15.99-£18.99 Domaine Direct, Fortnum & Mason, Highbury Vintners, House of Menzies, Luvians Bottle Shop, Uncorked, Winedirect) Quite light in body but full of flavour – smoky, nutty tinned pear, like Bordeaux Sauvignon, plus tangy, flinty Loire-like gooseberry character. Crisp but luscious, […]
Sauvignon Blanc from Australia, New Zealand & South Africa
Asda Extra Special Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand (£9.20 Asda) Appealing and refreshing young Pinot, with juicy red berry, cherry and plum flesh, a hint of tomato some smoky oak and a silky finish. Maybe a touch simple but very gluggable. B(+) Crossroads Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand […]
Beaujolais, New Zealand Pinot Noir & South African Pinotage
Hartenberg Merlot 2007, Stellenbosch (£17.50 Waitrose, D Byrne, Lea & Sandeman, Noel Young, The Vineyard, Cooden Cellars) There’s some juicy blackberry and blackcurrant flesh, but more dominant is the classic South African baked-on berries and woodsmoke, OK but lacks bounce and freshness. B- Engelbrecht Els Proprietor’s Blend 2007, Stellenbosch (£20.99-£21.99 […]
South African reds, including a trio from Ernie Els
Riccardo Prosecco Treviso Brut NV, Veneto, Italy (£15 Gastronomica Pimlico) A nice tension between tangy and tender, with crisp green apple flavours (like apple foam), floral notes and some honey, not hugely complex but dry and satisfying. B(+) Riccardo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy (£20 Gastronomica Pimlico) […]