wine

If only all young Bordeaux Rouge were like this Jeroboams Bordeaux Rouge 2016 (François Thienpont), France (£13.45 Jeroboams) Young, fresh plummy claret, with juicy blackcurrant fruit in abundance, sympathetic use of oak, and a vibrant, perfumed finish. Rounded and appealing, but carries its 14% alcohol well. S-

Jeroboams Bordeaux Rouge 2016

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Tesco Finest* Viñas Del Rey Albariño 2016 (Felix Solis), Rias Baixas, Spain (£8 Tesco) Age has given a hint of creaminess but this is still lip-smackingly fresh, with pear and custard apple flavours pepped up by pithy citrus acidity and a hint of herbs. B+ Marimar Estate Albariño 2015, Russian […]

Albariño from Spain & California

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Jeroboams Rioja Reserva 2013 (Marques de Reinosa), Spain (£13.95 Jeroboams) 2013 wasn’t the greatest of Rioja vintages, and there’s a slight earthy greenness in the background here. But thankfully, it’s reasonably concealed by classic vanilla/coconutty oak notes, and generous orange peel, red berry and plum flavours. Good, and even better […]

Tempranillo from Rioja & South Australia

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Bouchard Père & Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay La Vignée 2014, Burgundy, France (£13 Penistone Wine Cellars, Just in Cases, Hailsham Cellars, Sandhams Wine Merchant, Wine Direct, Amazon) A bit shy initially but then slinks out of the glass with bracing lemony edge and ripe green apple crispness balanced by an almost […]

Chardonnays from Burgundy and Australia

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Seresin Estate Leah Pinot Noir 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand (£21.99 The NZ Cellar, The Wine Society, Wholefoods, Davy’s Wine Merchants, New Zealand House of Wine, Noble Green, Handford Wines, Hay Wines, Cheers Wine Merchants) Lovely lithe, relaxed and confident wine, wonderfully aromatic with red berry & cherry fruit (fresh and […]

Two Pinot Noirs from New Zealand & California

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Fabre Montmayou Reservado Cabernet Franc 2015, Mendoza, Argentina (£15.99 Laithwaites) I don’t mind the cocoa-dusted dark berry and blackcurrant flavours and light leafy character, but it’s a little too controlled for my liking, with not enough of the Cab Franc fragrance. I thought it might open up with time but […]

Two Argentinean Cabernets

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