Author Archives: richardgore1200

Hacienda, Casa del Valle, Syrah, 2016, Spain

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Hacienda, Casa del Valle, Syrah, 2016, Spain

Hacienda, Casa del Valle, Syrah, 2016, Spain

Red wine from Spain is a favourite of mine and this Syrah from Hacienda is great, but for all the wrong reasons!

Aged for over 6 months in French and American oak, it’s dry but quite light with lack luster aromas of red fruits that follows through in the taste. So what makes this great? Drink it, just  that. No complexity, no messing around with amazing flavours and aromas. It’s a drink, enjoy wine and less chance of a hangover too. Some wines are wines for a moment and this is a drink and don’t think wine, which is what you just need after s crap day at work. Oh at £5 a bottle it’s great value.

Baigorri, Belus, 2013, Rioja, Spain

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Baigorri, Belus, 2013, Rioja, Spain

Baigorri, Belus, 2013, Rioja, Spain

Rioja is a regular wine in our house and this one from Baigorri shows why.

Dry, high in tannins and pretty bold all round this red wine has lots of aromas and flavours of oak, vanilla, spice, black fruits, plum and a smokey undertone. Its a good red wine although at £15 a bottle its a bit pricey, not only for a Rioja but for a red wine. It will go well with red meat and tomato based pasta and as the summer is coming up and BBQ’s are the order of the weekend, its one to try.

 

Nederburg, Sauvignon Blanc, Auction Reserve, 2015, South Africa

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Nederburg, Sauvignon Blanc, Auction Reserve, 2015, South Africa

Nederburg, Sauvignon Blanc, Auction Reserve, 2015, South Africa

Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa is generally good, more french than New Zealand but this Auction Reserve from Nederburg is superb. Suble aromas of lemon, pineapple and hints of gooseberry and minerality and added flavours that include lime and peach.

There’s lots here but all in harmony and working together. Excellent, truly excellent.

 

 

 

Chateau Mercian, Hokushin Chardonnay, 2016, Japan

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Chateau Mercian, Hokushin Chardonnay, 2016, Japan

Chateau Mercian, Hokushin Chardonnay, 2016, Japan

It’s been a few years since I tried a Japanese wine and I understand why when trying this white wine. It’s not that this wine is terrible but 5 years on it’s still very green with sharp green apple has the main flavour. It’s dry and quite acidic so it would be ok with seafood but on its own it’s just that bit too much.

An interesting wine but probably not one I’d want to go back too.

Peterlongo, Privilege, Brut, Brazil

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Peterlongo, Privilege, Brut, Brazil

Peterlongo, Privilege, Brut, Brazil

Can you make decent sparkling wine in Brazil? well this one from Peterlongo makes a good stab at it.

Its not what you would call elegant or refined. Its a dry, medium bodied sparkling. There’s plenty of flavour in there although not much aroma wise. There’s masses of lemon, with hints of pineapple and peach with a yeasty background.

Its not bad and better than lots of Proseccos but I would go for a french cremant such as one from Bouvet Ladubay.

 

Alpha Estate, Assyrtiko Ecosystem, Aghia Kiriaki, 2017, Greece.

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Alpha Estate, Assyrtiko Ecosystem, Aghia Kiriaki, 2017, Greece

Alpha Estate, Assyrtiko Ecosystem, Aghia Kiriaki, 2017, Greece

Wine from Greece is not the first choice for many wine drinkers but this one from Alpha Estates is very good. It has mid yellow colour, going towards straw.

Its a concentrated wine both in smell with citrus and stone fruit coming though. The taste is clean with good length and a decent balance on the flavour front with lemon, peach and flint notes working together.

This is a good wine.

Château Pierre-Bise, Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu, Clos de la Soucherie, 2005, Loire, France

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Château Pierre-Bise, Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu, Clos de la Soucherie, 2005, Loire, France

Château Pierre-Bise, Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu, Clos de la Soucherie, 2005, Loire, France

Sometimes there’s a wine that is so good, so yummy that you savour every drop and this Château Pierre-Bise, Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu, Clos de la Soucherie, a desert wine is one of these.

Its got aromas of baked fruits, raisins and these just hang there. The taste is rich all round with the baked fruit coming though, its not overly sticky but each drop is full of flavour. I could go on about who fabulous this is but I would just drink it.

Wonderful with cheese or on its own.

Domaine de Pouzac, Grand Jacquey, 2013, Languedoc, France

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Domaine de Pouzac, Grand Jacquey, 2013, Languedoc, France

Domaine de Pouzac, Grand Jacquey, 2013, Languedoc, France

Domaine de Pouzac and its Grand Jacquey is a solid red wine from the Languedoc.

Dry with firm but soft tannins and aromas of black fruit and and earthiness, that at first puts you off but taste it and its a different matter. That smoothness is what puts this part from the rest. I had this with a tapas meat selection and it was a great balance.

At £15 a bottle its not cheap but its pretty good.

Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue, 2010, Grès de Montpellier, France

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Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue, 2010, Grès de Montpellier, France

Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue, 2010, Grès de Montpellier, France

Dry, bold and really smooth is first impression s on this red from Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue.

There’s aromas of oak and earthy notes with hints of black fruit. The taste is plummy with black fruit and spice with firm tannins. Its 14% but seems like more. Its not “in your face” big and bold but its got flavour and its well integrated which is really appreciated.

Later vintages are selling for Eur18 a bottle which is well priced, sure not cheap but good value. I loved this on its own but it will go well with red meat and the first BBQ of the year. Treat yourself.

 

Tenute Cadorin Le Favole, Vigneti Bosco Bando, Malvasia, Italy

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Tenute Cadorin Le Favole, Vigneti Bosco Bando, Malvasia, Italy

Tenute Cadorin Le Favole, Vigneti Bosco Bando, Malvasia, Italy

This dry white wine from northern Italy went very well with lobster. Not my usual start to a review but it did go very well.

There are aromas and flavours of pineapple and citrus with light oaky notes. Its a reasonably bold wine with good acidity levels, flavours are well balanced and great with seafood.

Its a very good italian white wine.