Recent Posts

A wine that shames several rather higher-priced Malbecs Trivento Malbec Reserve 2013, Mendoza, Argentina (£8.99 Tesco) Vibrant young wine, initially a bit shy, with the spicy vanilla-scented oak taking centre stage, but with time, the deep dark fruit flavours – blackcurrant, black cherry, damson, and blackberry – come more to […]

Trivento Malbec Reserve 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

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Most Grenache/Garnacha is red, but it also comes in pink-skinned (Grenache Gris in France, Garnacha Roja or Garnacha Dorada in Spain) and white (Blanc/Blanca) guises. Viñas del Vero Garnacha Blanca La Miranda de Secastilla 2012, Somontano, Spain (£8.95 Saddleworth Wine Vault, Gonzalez Byass UK) Rich, fleshy and quite voluptuous, with […]

Viñas del Vero Garnacha Blanca La Miranda de Secastilla 2012, ...

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Made for Tesco by Baron de Ley, this 100% Tempranillo Rioja is pretty decent grog Viña Mara Rioja Reserva 2008, Spain (£9.49 Tesco) Calm, mellow and relaxed Rioja, with classic velvety vanilla sheen and coconutty allure adding extra layers to the gentle red berry and orange peel flavours. Mature, but still […]

Viña Mara Rioja Reserva 2008, Spain

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A bit less blatant than many a Torrontés, and all the better for it Dante Robino Torrontés 2012, Mendoza, Argentina (£7.95 Saddleworth Wine Vault) Quite a dainty and fresh style, with ginger-tinged apricot and peach flavours, a light floral character and zesty citrus acidity to keep it all perky. B(+)

Dante Robino Torrontés 2012, Mendoza, Argentina

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Think I’ve had better vintages of this… Marques de Borba Alentejo Tinto 2012, Portugal (£8.99 Classic Drinks, Tanners, Adnams, MacBrayne Wines, Halifax Wines, Bowland Forest Vintners, Borough Wines) I like the generous plummy berry fruit and the nuances of vanilla and tobacco, but the hard finish puts me off – might […]

Marques de Borba Alentejo Tinto 2012, Portugal

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