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). 

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.

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.