Domaine Rochou, Les Chateliers, 2014, Loire, France
Another great red wine from the Loire this Domaine Rochou, Les Chateliers shows French wine at its best. It’s not particularly complex or out of this world but it’s very good all round with good length, plenty of black fruit, blackcurrant, plum and hints of blueberry. There’s oak, leather, earthiness and smoothness which makes this a red wine that you want to drink with or without food. At about £15 a bottle it’s excellent value.
Marks and Spencer, classics No 24, Zinfandel, California, USA
This is a really good red that u think Marks and Spencer can be proud of, A bold, soft wine ggat has plenty of black fruit flavours and aromas. There’s hints of vanilla and spice but the best is how easy it is to drink. Sure have it with stew or a strong curry but it goes well on its own. At under £10 a bottle it’s get value.
Finca La Celia, Heritage, Malbec, 2012, Argentina
This is another excellent Malbec from Mendoza in Argentina, Finca La Celia with their Heritage, Malbec shows that they’re top notch producer. There loads of long length flavours of black fruit with leather and chocolate notes and hints of a herby undertone. Dry, smooth and well integrated firm tannins its a great wine.
We had it with brisket thst was slow cooked for 10 hours and it went very well. At £30 a bottle it’s reasonable value given the quality
Agrelo, Gran Enemigo, Cab Franc, 2014, Argentina
You don’t see as much Cabernet Franc as you should given how amazing this grape is and this Agrelo, Gran Enemigo from Argentina is flipping brilliant. Its dry, smooth, good tannins which are well integrated with plenty of red and black fruit flavours that last so long. There’s oak and earthiness that balance just so beautifully.
Its not cheap but for special occasions just perfect. We had it with slow cooked brisket which was amazing.
Domaine Charles Joguet, Chinon Les Varennes Grand Cru, 2013, Loire, France
The Loire Valley has amazing red wines and this Domaine Charles Joguet, Chinon Les Varennes Grand Cru, is a cug above thd best, truly wonderful. Its dry, well integrated tannins and plenty of red and black fruit aromas and flavours. The length is long and there are notes and hints of tobacco, oak, chocolate, leather and a little earthiness th
Grape Passions, Coastal Reach, Pinot Noir, Rosé, 2021, England
English Pinot Noir is pretty good but when it’s rose it’s even better. Grape Passions is a wind merchant just douth of Colchester znd this is their own brand wine. It’s fresh and crisp with plenty of flavour and good length. You have strawberry and raspberry with red fruit hints all the way through. At about £15 a bottle is not cheap but its pretty good.
Fleur de Lise, Saint Mont Rosé, France
Marks and Spencer does have some good wine and this Fleur de Lise, Saint Mont Rosé, France af £8 a bottle is pretty good. A dry Rosé wine it’s a fairly simple wine with decent strawberry and raspberry flavours. It’s crisp and so easy to drink that it’s easy to finish the whole bottle in one go.
Paul Schneider, Pinot Gris, 2012, Alsace, France
I went to Eguisheim in Alsace and it was one of the most fabulous wine places I have been too. There are maybe 30 producers in a village that takes no more than 5 minutes to go from one side to the other and the people were so friendly with the wines so amazing. This 2012 shows how good they last, it has amazing ripe citrus fruits and a slightly thicker texture that makes you just want a sip rather than guzzle. At about £10 a bottle its super value.
Solomonar Reserve Red 2019/20, Romania
Romanian wine doesn’t always get a good press and this is a shame because it can be actually rather good, in fact it could be said to be excellent and this red from Majestic Wine proves it. Rich and bold this is smooth and has good length. Plenty of red fruit flavours and aromas this is an easy drinking wine. At £10 a bottle it’s good value.
Rupert and Rothschild, Classique, 2018, Paarl, South Africa
Rupert and Rothschild, Classique, 2018 from Paarl, South Africa It’s a truly staggering wine for it’s got so much flavour and depth and balance that it will just blow your mind. There’s plenty of dark red and black fruits with hints of chocolate and tobacco with an undertone of oak with firm tannings to bind everything together. At about £30 a bottle it’s not cheap but then again this is fantastic wine