Wine Tasting Video: Sauvignon Blanc from Chile & New Zealand

Posted by Simon on June 7, 2012

Yali Wetland Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Lolol, Colchagua, Chile (£7.49 Majestic)
Very ‘green’ aromas – grass, nettles, herbs – plus abundant lime and gooseberry flavours tinged with green pepper, quite rounded and generous then some citrus bite on finish. B(+)

Casa Silva Cool Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Paredones, Colchagua, Chile (£15 Averys, MW2 Wines, Amps, D Byrne & Co, Stainton Wines, Wine Rack)
Powerful youngster, brandishing Lilt-like pineapple and grapefruit flavours backed up by notes of catty elderflower, herbs and green pepper, and smoky, flinty minerality. S-

Caliterra Tributo Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Leyda, Chile (£10.99 Leamington Wine Company, Ann et Vin, Bacchus et Al, Eagle Wines, Gwin Llyn Wines, Partridges of Sloane Street, Peake Wine Associates)
Quite rich and almost mellow, still with lots of citrus and herb bite (plus a touch of pear), but with not so much of the Sauvignon shriek, still finishes in fresh and fragrant style. S(-)

Craggy Range Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Martinborough, New Zealand (£14.99 Quaff Fine Wines, Whole Foods Market, Slurp, Raeburn Fine Wines, Majestic, North and South Wines)
Another wine showing the laid-back side of Sauvignon, rounded and confident, and unfurling to show apricot, pear, nectarine, apple and ripe citrus, and with the herbaceous notes tempered by an almost Burgundian creamy nuttiness. S

Wine Tasting Video: New Zealand Pinot Noir from Nelson, Central Otago & Martinborough

Posted by Simon on April 10, 2012

Another video featuring some Marlborough Pinots is here.

Nelson Pinot Noir (Seifried) 2010 (£9.99 Marks & Spencer)
A strange mix of stewed and raisinny fruit with the bitter green edge of underripeness of both fruit and tannin, rather scrawny finish. 0

Waimea Pinot Noir 2010, Nelson (£11.49 Majestic)
More vibrant fruit here, with decent raspberry and cherry fruit, some raspberry pastille notes too, but then the warmth of alcohol kicks in – it’s 14% – and the finish could be juicier. B-

Tesco Finest* Pinot Noir 2010, Central Otago (£10.29 Tesco)
Firm, fleshy and fruity style, has a structure of earthy terroir character and quite prominent tannins, but there’s also bold berry, plum and black cherry flesh, plus truffley mushroomy undergrowth notes. Very good, and its best is still to come. S(-)

Taste the Difference Penguin Sands Pinot Noir 2010, Central Otago (£9.99 Sainsbury’s)
Again the firm berry and plum flavours, but this lacks the fragrance and freshness of the Tesco version, and the finish is a little stewed. B

Alana Estate Pinot Noir 2009, Martinborough (£22.50 Grape & Grind, Latitude Wine, Eton Vintners, Slurp.co.uk)
There’s an almost Rhône-like mellow meatiness here, with the fruit more on the dark berry and plum side, and a spicy, gamey warmth to the finish. Maybe lacks the elegance and brightness of great Pinot, but the warm lush flavours are quite appealing. S-