Collard-Picard, Archives Millesime, 2012, Champagne, France
There are champagnes that are frankly overpriced and take more than just the biscuit as the English would say and this is where this Champagne from Collard Picard comes in. It’s a good Champagne as far as they go with good acidity and flavours of lime and citrus fruit but at about £240 a bottle it’s takes more than a bit of biscuit.
Cakebread Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley, USA
I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I try a Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon and this 2013 vintage is no exception. Dry, bold, smooth and with plenty of aromas and flavours of plum, blackberry, tobacco and oak with a hint of earthiness and vanilla. The only down side to this is the price of about £60 a bottle
Chateau Cardinal Villemaurine, Grand Cru, 1975, Saint-Emilion, France
An old Bordeaux is always something to try and this Chateau Cardinal Villemaurine, Grand Cru, 1975, Saint-Emilion is a good wine to see why. At 47 years old theres still complexity and flavours to find but with softness and soothing that has a decent length. The red and black fruit, hints of tobacco and oak are all subtle and mellow but that’s not a problem.
At £120 a bottle it’s not one to get in by the case.
Eradus, Sauvignon Blanc, 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is pretty much in gained into British wine drinking society now and for good reason which this one from Eradus shows. Tropical flavours of pineapple, lemon, grapefruit and peach with a little green apple and gooseberry all nicely tied together. It’s dry, crisp and perfect for summer.
At £15 a bottle it’s possibly a little over priced but it’s a good solid Sauvignon Blanc.
Asda, Extra Special Fiano, 2020, Sicily
Supermarkets like Asda in the UK sell some really good wines and this Extra Special Fiano from Sicily is a good example. It’s made with the Fiano grape as per the name and this may be new to people and throw them off side. Theres a definite freshness with flavours of lemon and hints of peach but it’s pretty aromatic and this not always what people expect.
At £6 a bottle it’s hard to fault it and went well with mixed bean salad sitting in the garden.
Fat Cat, Cat amongst the pigeons, 2019, Eden Valley, Australia
Fat Cat, Cat amongst the pigeons from Eden Valley in Australia has a striking name and a striking taste. Dry and crisp, it’s got plenty of flavours and aromas. Grapefruit, lime, lemon, green apple, ripe pineapple with a kerosene high light binding them together.
It’s refreshing and perfect sitting in the garden on a summer’s evening with a big plate of salad, a lump of fresh fish. Quite frankly speaking it’s wonderful.
Marco Scolaris, Ribolla Gialla, 2018, Collio, Italy
With aromas and flavours of citrus, lemon and grapefruit, apple and melon with a richness in the mouth this is quite a white wine from Marco Scolaris. It’s a wine to sip or have with food rather than to be guzzled. Pair it with fish, soft cheeses or cured meats.
I’m not sure it’s worth the £15 or more per bottle, but then again it’s an interesting wine.
Villabella, Fracastoro Riserva, Amarone Della Valpolicella, Italy
I’m sure you can get bad Amarone but this one from Villabella is not one of them, quite the opposite. Decanter wine magazine save this 90 points and I can see why.
It’s a bold wine but pretty smooth and also not necessarily particularly dry, there’s softness and sweetness in this bottle too. You get flavours and aromas of plum and blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate and tobacco. Theres oak and a smokiness in there.
Drink with food, BBQ in the garden is a good starting point. At £20 a bottle it’s reasonable value for what you are getting.
Harrow and Hope, Rosé NV, Buckinghamshire, England
Harrow and Hope, Rosé NV Harrow and Hope, Rosé NV, Buckinghamshire, England is a very good sparkling rose which after tasting the white NV was a relief. It’s not that the white was bad but this Rosé is so much better. It’s dry and crisp with subtle flavours of red fruit that poke through with a good long finish and at only £2 more than the white NV it’s much better value I think.
A great drink in the summer ehen sitting on the garden.
Harrow and Hope, NV Brut, Buckinghamshire, England
Harrow and Hope from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England produces some fantastic sparking wine but unfortunately this NV falls a little short. It’s not as good as it was when i last tried the NV white in 2019. It’s a shame, it’s not bad but there is a definite fall off on the back palette and this becomes apparent when you try the other sparkling wines
It’s nice and crisp and dry and with decent citrus flavours, the length is OK but it’s outshone by the others in their range. At £30 a bottle you should get more for the money.