Recent Posts

Château de Fonbel St Emilion Grand Cru 2010 (£18.30 Lay & Wheeler) Youthful, plummy style, just on the right side of overripeness, with some crunchy blackcurrant flavours alongside the more voluptuous blackberry flesh, and notes of brine and graphite in there too. Overall a plush, polished style, very tasty. S […]

Wine Tasting Video: Bordeaux Reds, 2009 & 2010

October 29, 2013 by Simon

Badenhorst Family Wines Secateurs Red Blend 2011, Coastal Region (£11.50 Swig, Oxford Wine Co, Harvey Nichols, Good Wine Shop, St Andrews Wine Shop, Woodwinters, Handford, Roberson, Stone Vine & Sun, Philglas & Swiggot) Smells as if it’s going be a little jammy – remember Jammie Dodgers? – but it’s actually […]

Wine Tasting Video: Three Rhône-inspired Red Blends from South Africa

October 21, 2013 by Simon

Luis Pato Natural Baga 2012, VR Beira Atlantico (£17.99 Raymond Reynolds Ltd) This is gushing joyful wine, reminiscent of a winery at vintage, with heady violet and perfumed dark berry earthiness, a mouthful of exuberant fresh pleasure with just the right amount of rustic honesty. S Asda Extra Special Dão […]

Wine Tasting Video: Red Wines from Spain & Portugal

October 7, 2013 by Simon

Tesco Finest Denman Vineyard Semillon 2012, Hunter Valley (£8.99 Tesco) Starts off rather lean and green, with Grannie Smiths, greengage and green pepper flavours and noticeable acidity, but then a richer custard edge comes through – good but needs more time to lose that shrieking edge. B+ Moss Wood Semillon […]

Wine Tasting Video: Australian Semillon

October 4, 2013 by Simon

Vignobles Roussellet Pinot Noir NV, Vin de France (£4.49 Aldi) Maybe a little jammy, but the sweet, slightly smoky briar, bramble and strawberry flesh is quite appealing, especially at this price. C(+) Undurraga TH Pinot Noir 2011, Leyda, Chile (£15.99 Majestic) A weird wine, there’s decent enough black cherry, raspberry […]