Wine Tasting Video: Cabernet and Merlot from southern France, plus a sparkling Australian red


The last in a series of three videos on red wines that – according to a range of wine merchants in the Yorkshire Dales – might not be averse to a spell in the fridge, and which could be served in Spring with lamb. The first and second are here. and here. This selection sees the Bordeaux grapes pressed into action…

Moulin de Gassac Merlot Pays d’Hérault 2011, Languedoc, France (£8.75 Terroir Languedoc)
Big, plump & plummy but still with a fresh herbal edge to the dark berry fruit, not afraid to show a little tannin but ends up refreshing and perky. S

Foncalieu Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Saint Marc Pays d’Oc 2011, Languedoc, France (£6.30 Yorkshire Vintners)
Reasonable berry and blackcurrant flavours, but let down by a clumsy, dusty sawdust and vanilla oak edge which smothers the juiciness of the fruit. C(-)

Domaine Mas Barrau Cabernet Franc Pays du Gard 2011, Languedoc, France (£6.99 Booths)
Starts off in sulky, sulphury fashion. This dissipates after a while, allowing the tar and berry flesh to come through, but while there’s some of the Cab Franc fragrance, there’s also a baked character, and not enough freshness – it’s 15% alcohol… C(+)

Grant Burge Sparkling Shiraz Cabernet NV, Barossa Valley, Australia (£22.50 Nidderdale Fine Wines)
Fascinating style combining the mature soft leathery toffee characters of traditional Barossa reds with something softer and more perfumed, almost as if there was Moscato or Viognier in the blend. Maybe not as brawny as some sparkling Aussie reds, but as a result all the more gluggable. S-


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