Author Archives: richardgore1200

LaSelva, Prima Causa, Rosso Toscana, 2018, Italy

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LaSelva, Prima Causa, Rosso Toscana, 2018, Italy

LaSelva, Prima Causa, Rosso Toscana, 2018, Italy

Made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot this blend from LaSelva in Itlay isn’t bad. Its a dry red with firm tannins and decent lengh. There’s the typical black fruit flavours with licorice and a little oak in the back ground.  I can’t help feel that there’s something missing from this wine and I can’t think what. All the components are there but the pulling together is missing something.

A good wine but not one to go back to in a hurry.at about £10 a bottle it’s decent value.

St. Michael-Eppan, Montiggl, 2017, Riesling, Italy

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St. Michael-Eppan, Montiggl, 2017, Riesling, Italy

St. Michael-Eppan, Montiggl, 2017, Riesling, Italy

Riesling is not a wine that I would expect to come out of Italy but this one from St Michael Eppan is pretty good.   It’s a dry wine, fairly bold with good length on flavours. On the flavours and aromas side  rheres peach, green Apple, lemon, hints of grapefruit and undernotes of minerals with a little honey in a background, a very pleasant surprise.

At £25 a bottle it’s to much at recommend, good but not that good.

The King’s Desire, Pinot Noir Rose, 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand

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The King's Desire, Pinot Noir Rose, 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand

The King’s Desire, Pinot Noir Rose, 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand

New Zealand Pinot Noir has a very good reputation, but things are changing and cheaper wines, especially pinot noir from New Zealand, are starting to come on the market. This is good if the quality can keep up with the lower price but I think this is an example where it’s slid in the wrong direction.

Its dry and crisp.  You get aromas and flavours of raspberry and redcurrant but it’s a little bit on a flat side and a bit one dimensional. Normally New Zealand Pinot Noir has been at a much higher standard. At £13 a bottle, for a single bottle at majestic, its way over priced but at £8 bottle mix it’s fair value it’s hard to fault it at that price.

Chateau De Targe, Clos de Moulin, Cabernet Franc, 2017, Loire Valley, France

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Chateau De Targe, Clos de Moulin, Cabernet Franc, 2017, Loire Valley, France

Chateau De Targe, Clos de Moulin, Cabernet Franc, 2017, Loire Valley, France

Tried at the 40th anniversary of the Colchester Cellar Club this is Chateau De Targe Clos de Moulin is a very grown up Cabernet Franc. There’s the usual red fruit, plum, with oak and vanilla but it’s all very smooth, dry and structurally tight. It’s very good but you need food to get the best out of it and at £35 a bottle it’s not cheap.  The cuvee Ferry Cabernet Franc that they do is better for me.

Recanati, Special Reserve White, 2018, Israel

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Recanati, Special Reserve White, 2018, Israel

Recanati, Special Reserve White, 2018, Israel

Israel is not known as a hot bed of wine making, but it can make decent wine which this Recanati, Special Reserve White shows. Made with Roussanne and Marsanne its a good blend producing a medium bodied, dry white with decent length. You get aromas and flavours of stone fruit, pineapple and citrus with a slightly nutty undertone.

At £40 a bottle not many will try it and that’s understandable because at that price you should get more than this offers.

Aldi, Bowler and Brolly, sparkling wine, England

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Aldi, Bowler and Brolly, sparkling wine, England

Aldi, Bowler and Brolly, sparkling wine, England

Is this another great wine from Aldi, a sparkling wine from England that is a trophy winner? Not quite but it’s rather good and for the summer a great alternative to champagne.

It’s dry and crisp with plenty of acidity and reasonable length. Theres citrus fruit at the front with a bit of yeast in the background but this is a fruit driven wine which I personally like very much. At £20 a bottle it’s on the mark for English sparkling wine.

Great with seafood and salads sitting in the garden.

Harrow and Hope, Vintage 2017, Buckinghamshire, England

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Harrow and Hope, Vintage 2017, Buckinghamshire, England

Harrow and Hope, Vintage 2017, Buckinghamshire, England

Harrow and Hope, Vintage 2017 is their flagship sparkling wine and at £38 a bottle it needs to be excellent and I must admit it is. It dry crisp with an excellent length of finish there’s richness in all parts of the palate. The citrus notes come through without being harsh and the acidity is just right, perfect on its own or with seafood.

It’s on a par with top notch champagne, although it’s a shame that it’s £38 a bottle as it will put people off trying it.

Clonakilla, Shiraz Viognier, 2018, Canberra, Australia

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Clonakilla, Shiraz Viognier, 2018, Canberra, Australia

Clonakilla, Shiraz Viognier, 2018, Canberra, Australia

Wine from Canberra, the capital of Australia is pretty rare yet this is one from Clonikilla is one of the best new world wines out there. It’s dry, bold and pretty smooth. There are aromas and flavours of plum, blackberry, raspberry, pepper and spices with hints of oak and tobacco all in perfect harmony.

It’s a wine to go with food and a steak is perfect. The price tag of £90 a bottle is pricey and that’s a shame as it will put people off trying it.

Jordan Vineyard, Nine Yards, Chardonnay, 2019, South Africa

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Jordan Vineyard, Nine Yards, Chardonnay, 2019, South Africa

Jordan Vineyard, Nine Yards, Chardonnay, 2019, South Africa

South Africa’s Western Cape is an amazing place that does fantastic wines at all levels and although this Nine yards vintage is on the pricier side it’s flaming brilliant.

It’s dry but bold with good acidity and flavours and aromas of peach, citrus, honey with vanilla and oak with hints of green apple and a softness that makes it absolutely delicious.

I would definitely have this with fish or a summer salad with a fresh zingy dressing and enjoy this in the sun. About £30 a bottle is not cheap but you should try this.

 

Albert Lucas, Chablis Premier Cru, 2018, Chablis, France

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Albert Lucas, Chablis Premier Cru, 2018, Chablis, France

Albert Lucas, Chablis Premier Cru, 2018, Chablis, France

Here are a lot of cheap Chablis out there and sometimes you just need to spend a little more and drink and little less like is this one from Albert Lucas. It’s rich, luxurious with plenty of  freshness. There are aromas of citrus and stone fruit with additional flavours of honey and apple with grass under notes and mineral hints.

Great with fish or zesty salad anc at £20 a bottle it’s about right for this quality.