Villa Blanche Terret Blanc 2016

From - Languedoc, France
Grape - Terret Blanc
Alcohol - 12%
Available from - Waitrose (selected stores)
Price - £8.49

Appearance - Clear, medium- intensity

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, herbal (nettle), green fruit (apple, gooseberry), citrus (lemon), mineral (smoky). Youthful.

Palate - Dry, medium alcohol, high acid,  medium+ length, medium+ intensity medium+body,  medium+ length.  As above, emphasis on the fruit.

Drink now.  Very good quality.

What excites me most about wine is the variety.  And this is something genuinely different.  Waitrose believe that this is the first varietal Terret Blanc widely available in the UK for a very long time.

It has a great nose, surprising complexity and pleasing length.  It is easy on the alcohol, and I think would appeal to drinkers of acidic, aromatic varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc.  I really enjoyed it, and I think it delivers a lot for the price.

Here is the (empty) bottle next to a Chameleons album with which it shares similar artwork!

Chateau de Berne Provence Rose 2016

From - Provence, France
Grape - Grenache, Cinsault
Alcohol - 13% abv
Available from - Waitrose, Majestic
Price - £10.49 - £11.99 (currently £8.39 at Waitrose until 8 August)

Appearance - Clear, medium- intensity, pink

Nose - Clean, medium intensity, red fruit (raspberry), floral, youthful.

Palate - Dry, high acid, medium+ alcohol, medium+ body, medium+ length, medium intensity.  Red fruit flavour of raspberry and cherry, stone fruit flavour of peach.

Very good quality. Drink now.

This is a fine example of Provence rose, at a great price.  If you are a fan of Provence rose, as all right-thinking people are, then this is for you.  Chill it, but allow it a little time after it comes out of the fridge, to allow the subtlety of the flavour to express itself.  I would pour this out as an aperitif, or serve it with lighter foods, or lightly spiced snacks (nuts, bhajis etc). 

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2015

From - Beaujolais, France
Grape - Gamay
Alcohol - 13%
Available from - Waitrose,  Tesco
Price - £10 (currently £7.50 in Waitrose)

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, purple.

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful.  Red fruit (cherries, redcurrants, raspberries); black fruit (blackberries), plus a touch of floral (violets) and earthiness.

Palate - Dry, medium intensity, medium+ alcohol, medium+ acidity, medium body, medium- tannin.  Lots of red fruit and violets.

This is excellent value, even at full price.  It is very smooth and has surprising intensity and more than its fair share of complexity.  I could see it matching up with a whole host of dishes.

Whispering Angel Rose 2014

From - Provence, France
Grape - Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino
Alcohol - 13%
Available from - Waitrose
Price -£16.99

Appearance - This wine is clean, with a pale, pink appearance.

Nose - The nose is clean with a youthful, medium- intensity aroma of grapefruit, raspberry and cranberry.

Palate - The palate is dry with medium intensity, high acid long length, medium+ alcohol, medium body.  The flavours reflect the aroma with maybe a touch of green apple.

I am drinking this as it was recommended to me.  A typically classy, elegant and food-friendly wine from Provence, who do rose so well.  It ain't cheap, but it's beautiful.

Calvet Sancerre Rose 2014

From - Sancerre, Loire, France
Grape - Pinot Noir
Alcohol - 12.5% abv
Available from - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £15.99

Appearance - The appearance is clear, pink with medium intensity.

Nose - The nose is clean and youthful, with medium intensity aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries.

Palate - The palate is dry, with high acidity, medium alcohol, medium- intensity and long length.  It has flavours of red fruit, raspberries and strawberries, and maybe a touch of cherry.

As you might imagine, a lovely wine.  With a subtle aroma of ripe red fruit, the palate seems slightly more tart at first, and therefore reminiscent of raspberries, but the ripe red fruit from the Pinot Noir comes through on a surprising length, in view of the subtlety of flavour.  This is a great option for a warm afternoon or evening.  I would not imagine that this would be suitable for ageing, but it is a classy and highly satisfying 'drink now' wine.

Domaine Begude Terroir 11300 Organic Chardonnay

From - Limoux, France
Grape - Chardonnay
Alcohol - 13%
Available from - Waitrose,
Price - £9.99

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, golden.

Nose - Clean, medium intensity, youthful, green fruit (apple and pear), stone fruit (peach), minerality (stone)

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, medium+ body, medium  alcohol, medium+ length.  Green fruit (apples and pears), citrus (lemon), minerality (stone).

Organically produced Chardonnay from a relatively cool part of the Languedoc, which allows slow ripening, and retention of acidity.  This is a classy one and ideal for an aperitif.  Really good, and well worth a tenner.

Chateau Roumieu Sauternes 2009

From - Bordeaux, France
Grape - Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Alcohol - 13.5%
Available from - Christopher Keiller Fine Wine
Price - £116 for 6x 37.5cl

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, gold

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; citrus (lemon); candied peel; marmalde; kernel (hazelnut).

Palate - Clean; luscious; medium+ alcohol; full body; pronounced; long in length; marmalade; tropical fruit (pineapple); citrus (lemon).  A nicely balanced wine.

Outstanding; can be drunk now, but potential for ageing.

Chateau Brane-Cantenac Margaux 2006

From - Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Alcohol - 13% abv
From - www,thewinesociety.com
Price - £19/35cl

Appearance - Clear; deep intensity; ruby.  Legs observed.

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; black fruit (black cherry, blackcurrant); pungent spice (black pepper).  Developing.

Palate - Dry; medium+ acid; medium tannin; medium+ alcohol; medium+ intensity;  black fruit (cherry); maturity (leather, tobacco).  Long length

Conclusions - Very good; can drink now but potential for ageing.

A concentrated and tasty Bordeaux, developing extremely interesting mature flavours and aromas.  The Wine Society sell this in half bottles so it will mature quicker, and it is an exciting prospect for ageing.

The Society's Monthelie 2010

From - Burgundy, France
Grape - Pinot Noir
Alcohol - 13.5% abv
Available from - thewinesociety.com
Price - £17.50

Appearance - Clear, light, ruby

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity; developing with red fruit (redcurrant, cherry) and spice (cinnamon)

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, medium tannin, medium intensity, medium+ alcohol and body, long length.  Red fruits and spice also on the palate, and a touch earthy.

Silky tannins, good body, flavour and length, Very good quality.

Chateal La Pointe Pomerol 2011

From - Bordeaux, France
Grape - Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Alcohol - 13.5% abv
Available - www.corkr.com (from Suffolk!)
Price - £18-20

Appearance - Clear; medium+ intensity; garnet

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; developing; dark cherry, floral, truffles.

Palate - Dry; medium acid; medium+ tannin; medium+ alcohol; medium+ intensity; medium+ length; plums, raspberry, floral, cassis, cloves.

Balance - 8  Length - 8  Intensity - 8 Complexity - 7.5

A splendid Bordeaux blend that is very smooth but still plenty of ageing potential.

 

Calvet Pouilly-Fume 2013

From - Loire, France
Grape - Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol - 12.5%
Available from - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £15.49 (currently £9.99)

Appearance - Clear; lemon-gold; medium intensity

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing; herby, lime, apple, mineral.

Palate - Dry; medium+ acid; medium intensity; medium body; medium alcohol; medium+ length; lemon& lime, mineral, apple on the finish.

Balance - 7.5  Length - 8  Intensity - 6 Complexity - 7

Pouilly-Fume comes from the opposite bank of the Loire from Sancerre, made with the same grape.  This is all you would expect of a good quality French Sauvignon Blanc.  It doesn't have the big boquet that you get from Marlborough SB, but is more restrained and elegant.  It does have the high level of acid that you will always get with SB, and is a really lovely and interesting combination of flavours.  A great aperitif drink, but would combine well with the usual fare - salads, seafood etc.

Mas Amiel Maury 2011

From - Rousillon, France
Grape - Grenache
Alcohol - 16%
Available from - bancroftwines.com, theperfectcellar.com
Price - £21.99

Appearance - Clear; medium+ intensity, tawny

Nose - Clean, medium- intensity; developing;  Bramble, nutmeg, pepper.  Very pleasant nose.

Palate - medium sweetness; medium+ acid; medium- tannin; medium+ alcohol; medium+ intensity;  full body.  Blackberry, cassis, candy, coffee, cloves, raisins.

Balance - 6.5  Length - 7 Intensity - 7.5 Complexity - 9

We attended a tasting at Arlington's in Ipswich last evening, presented by Neil McAndrew of Bancroft Wines.  It was great as usual, and this wine was particularly enjoyable.  Although a dessert wine, it was not very sweet, I have captured it as medium sweetness, and it had a thrilling combination of flavours as each mouthful passed slowly by.  It was the most expensive of the evening but you could tell it was a very well made wine.  It was served lightly chilled which was very agreeable.

We were informed that this wine is made in the same way as Port, in that spirit is pitched into the wine when it reaches the right level of residual sugar, the spirit then raising the alcohol level.

My next favourite from the evening, if you're asking, was Bourgogne Blanc Vielle Vignes, from Christophe Cordier, France.  A very dry white Burgundy with apples, mineral and smoke, and plenty of body.  It would be a good food wine.  Cool bottle and label, too.

Domaine des Homs Viognier 2013

From Pays d'Oc, France
Grape - Viognier
Alcohol - 13.5%
Available from - languedocwineshop.com; de Druiventros, Wassenaar NL
Price 10-14 euro

Appearance - Clean; medium- intensity; lemon

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; developing; floral, apple, stone fruit; nettle.

Palate - Dry; medium+ body; medium acid; medium+ alcohol; medium+ length; apple, floral, smoke

Balance - 7.5  Length - 8  Intensity -7  Complexity - 6.5

Viognier is well known for its aromatics and often features in blends with other grapes to add aroma.  Very enjoyable although the alcohol felt a bit to the fore.  This would be great for an aperitif, and it has more body than I expected, and great length.

George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2014

From - Beaujolais, France

Grape - Gamay

Alcohol - 12%

Available from - Waitrose

Price - £7.99

Appearance - Clear; medium intensity; ruby

Nose - Clean; medium- intensity; cherries, redcurrants, a touch floral

Palate - Dry; medium acid; medium alcohol; low tannin; medium length; medium body; sour red fruit, slightly earthy.

Balance - 8  Length - 5.5  Intensity - 5.5 Complexity - 5

Beaujolais Nouveau is a 'harvest to table' wine that is produced quickly to a good standard, but must be drunk promptly, as the vibrant fruit will simply fade and it will go off before very long.  Around this time of year, every year, this wine drops on a specific date which is rather hyped, but the buzz encourages people to drink a drop of wine, so I'm all for it.

Georges DuBoeuf's Beaujolais Nouveau has won a rather prestigious gong, it seems.  Namely, the Lyon-Beaujolais Gold Medal.  BN is generally light and fruity, but this seems to have something just a touch extra. It is going down really quickly!  

Chateau de Fesles Chenin Sec 2011

From - Loire, France
Grape - Chenin Blanc
Alcohol - 13.5%
Price - £13.99
Available - waitrosecellar.com; Ocado

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, golden

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing; floral, pear, honey

Palate - Dry; medium+ acidity; medium+ alcohol; medium+ body; medium intensity; pears, limes, smoke, savoury spice.

Balance - 7.5 Length - 7  Intensity -7  Complexity - 7

An acidic white with silky mouth-feel, and a good length.  This would be a good aperitif and worked well with the Thai curry we had.  Pleasant enough, although I am not sure it'd be one I'll be looking out for, in the future.  High acid should make it last well and I think that it would improve with age.

Dourthe St Emiilon Montagne St Emillon 2012

From - Bordeaux, France
Grape - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - £11.79
Alcohol - 13%
Available - Waitrose; Ocado

Appearance - Clear; medium intensity; ruby-garnet

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developed; fruits of the forest, sweet spice.

Palate - Dry; medium+ acidity; medium tannin; medium to medium+ alcohol; medium body; medium intensity; medium length;  black cherry, blueberry.

Balance - 8 Length - 6  Intensity - 6 Complexity - 6

This is a pleasant, fairly smooth Bordeaux blend.  It is a good bottle, but I don't rate it quite as highly as the Douro and Les Dauphins recently reviewed.  It will be a good match for meat, so those of a carnivorous persuasion can certainly bring your Dourthe to the slaughter!

St Emilion vineyard shown in the picture below.

Les Dauphins Cru des Cotes du Rhone Vinsobres 2013

From - Rhone, France
Grape - Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
Alcohol - 14%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £13.99 although currently £8.99

Appearance - Clear; medium intensity; purple to rim, more ruby to core.  Persistent legs due to higher alcohol.

Nose - Clean, medium intensity, developing, cherries, raspberries, alcohol

Palate - Dry, medium acid, medium tannin, medium+ alcohol, medium+ length; medium+ body, medium intensity; very fruity, strawberry, cherry, blackberry, some spice.

Balance - 7 Length - 7.5 Intensity - 6.5  Complexity - 7

This is a lovely, smooth, very moreish bottle of Rhone red.  Grenache is the dominant grape in the blend, which means it has lots of red fruit, with perhaps a little more alcohol and less tannin than if Syrah was dominant.  The length is very good, smooth and subtle, probably the highlight for me.

This is the type of wine that would work well with stews, we had it on its own to start with and then with a slightly spicy beetroot stew and it seemed to bring the blackberry to the fore.  As it is so smooth and fruity I imagine it being fairly adaptable to food.

I will definitely buy more.  Pass the bottle.....

Esprit de Buganay Rose 2012

From - Provence, France
Grape - Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol - 12.5%
From - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £10.49

Appearance - Clear; medium- intensity; salmon

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; strawberry

Palate - Dry; medium to medium+ acid; a touch of tannin; medium intensity; medium length; medium alcohol; strawberry, raspberry, cherry.

Balance - 8 Length - 6  Intensity - 5 Complexity - 5

A typically restrained and elegant Provence rose, with an interesting blend of grapes.  I was recommended to try this wine by the owner of a Brasserie in Colchester and it is, as he promised, very pleasant.  It would be great on a summer's day, for a picnic or before a meal.

Waitrose Brut Special Reserve Vintage 2004

From - Champagne, France
Grape - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Alcohol - 12.5%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £30.99

Appearance - Clear; lemon-green; medium intensity.  Significant viscosity shown when swirling.

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing; autolytic aromas (yeasty), apples, limes.

Palate - medium+ acid, medium intensity, medium+ length, medium body; medium alcohol medium mousse.

Balance - 7  Length - 9  Intensity - 6  Complexity - 7

Decanter.com (wine enthusiast's magazine) gives 2004 Champagne 4 out of 5, and describes wines from that year as of 'outstanding quality with excellent balance and fruity acidity'.

It was exciting to have the opportunity (albeit at my own expense!) to taste and analyse a 2004 Champagne.  Although typically for Champagne this is rather dry and acidic, so would not be to everyone's taste, but I am enamoured by the lovely, warm, autolytic flavours and excellent length.  This is a high quality wine at a good price.

Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune 2011

From - Burgundy, France
Grape - Pinot Noir
Alcohol - 13%
Bought from - Waitrose
Price - £15.99

Appearance - Clear; medium intensity; garnet

Nose - Clean; medium- intensity; developing; redcurrant, cherry, pepper

Palate - Dry; medium+ acid; medium alcohol; medium body; medium- tannin; medium intensity; cherry, raspberry, redcurrant.

Balance - 5, Length - 8 Intensity - 6  Complexity - 5

A Burgundian Pinot Noir with lovely, fruity length.  Organic and bio-dynamically produced, it doesn't score high on anything but length but is really delicious and very easy-drinking, and justifies its higher price.  As a typical Pinot Noir, it works well served cool or even slightly chilled, and is great to drink on its own or with lots of different types of food (as long as it isn't sweet).