Author Archives: richardgore1200

Framingham, Sauvignon Blanc, 2018, New Zealand

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There are 2 types of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, cheap and expensive and this one from Framingham is the later. At £15 a bottle its not Greywacke Wild Sauvignon price but a lot of people will see this at twice the price of what they would expect when they taste it. At £15 you are into the standard Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc which is far superior.

There are aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry which are joined by flavours of lemon and hints of green apple. Its all a bit harsh and acid based rather than elegant. Its more like a £6.99 bottle from Tesco. Its not terrible but get a bottle of Greywacke and see the light.

Framingham, Sauvignon Blanc, 2018, New Zealand

Framingham, Sauvignon Blanc, 2018, New Zealand

 

Dr Hermann, Urziger Wurzgarten, Riesling, Spatlese, 2007, Germany

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Germany makes great Riesling and this Riesling Spatlese from Dr Hermann is a great example. 13 years on and its wonderful, amazing, fabulous. Its good in other words.

There are aromas and flavours of honey, blossom, ripe tropical fruits and hints of spice and minerals. A rich yellow in colour and a little heavier in weight than many Rieslings this is a delicious, magical wine.

We tried to have this with a chinese meal but drank it far before the meal was ready. At £12 a bottle its amazing value too.

Dr Hermann, Urziger Wurzgarten, Riesling, Spatlese, 2007, Germany

Dr Hermann, Urziger Wurzgarten, Riesling, Spatlese, 2007, Germany

 

San Marzano, Vindoro Negroamaro, 2015, Italy

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Italian wine gets a lot of mixed press and this red from San Marzano shows why.

This is a bold, dry red wine which is smooth and fruity. There are aromas of plum, blackcurrant, tobacco and leather with jammy fruit flavours. Its here that the wine for fails for me. The flavours are overtaken by the jamminess and this masks what should be a complex and fine wine. As it is its an OK red for a party in an impressive bottle.

At £20 a bottle its over priced.

San Marzano, Vindoro Negroamaro, 2015, Italy

San Marzano, Vindoro Negroamaro, 2015, Italy

Matías Riccitelli, Malbec, 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

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I have a fondness for Malbec and Mendoza produces some of the best in the world and this one from Matías Riccitelli is flippin great.

A wonderfully deep purple in colour with aromas of cassis, blackcurrant, spice, leather and hints of violets it opens up with flavours of vanilla and caramel with a long lasting taste that is both elegant, pretty complex. This is a wine for a fillet steak or sipping in front of an open fire. Its grown up plonk, which at £30 is fortunate.

Matías Riccitelli, Malbec, 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Matías Riccitelli, Malbec, 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Marks and Spencer, Alta Luna, Gewürztraminer, Italy

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Marks and Spencer do some excellent wine and this Alta Luna, Gewürztraminer from northern Italy was a silver medalist at the Decanter World Wine Awards and I can see why. For £10 a bottle you get a dry white wine which is golden in colour and has aromas of lychee, tropical fruits with grapefruit and hints of floral undertones, a freshness and additional flavours of stone fruits and a little spice. Although dry where is sweetness in the body because of all the fruit flavours coming through.
We had this with an indian meal and its was great, really enjoyed the freshness and fruit. Quite excellent.
Marks and Spencer, Alta Luna, Gewürztraminer, Italy

Marks and Spencer, Alta Luna, Gewürztraminer, Italy

 

Majestic, Parcel Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

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Majestic, Parcel Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

Majestic, Parcel Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

I am a big fan of majestics parcel series wines and this Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is a classic example why. For this particular wine it’s best to leave its open up so decant beforehand. Initially the aromas and flavors were quite lacking when we tried it on the second day it opened up there was a huge difference, much much better.

There are aromas and flavours plum and black fruits with some vanilla, and chuck of spice which adds to the dry smooth finish which on day 2 was a decent length. Its one of the better Cabernet Sauvignons out there, from anywhere. At £25 a bottle on a single bottle price it’s expensive but on a mix 6 it comes to a very reasonable £16.

Château Bonnet, Vieilles Vignes Chénas, 2017, Beaujolais, France

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Get a good Beaujolais because otherwise you are likely to be put off for years as it was in my case, this one from Château Bonnet is decent and a good one to start with.

Light, smooth and dry are 3 words i would start with to describe this wine. There are aromas and flavours of red fruits such as raspberry and cherry and also of plum and blueberry with a bit of pepper in there. Its not a complex wine but is very pleasant and easy drinking which is what a lot of consumers want. It reminds me of Australian wines 15 or 20 years a go when they had got it right, right what the consumer liked and wanted. Its just a shame that it costs about £18 a bottle.

Pair with pasta and lighter meat dishes, such as chicken.

Château Bonnet, Vieilles Vignes Chénas, 2017, Beaujolais, France

Château Bonnet, Vieilles Vignes Chénas, 2017, Beaujolais, France

Morrisons, The Best Priorate, 2016, Spain

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Morrisons and the other supermarkets can do some excellent drink now wines, Morrisons ports have won gold and silver medals at Decanter. This Priorat is bold, dry and pretty smooth with well integrated tannins. Aromas of blackberry, chocolate and herbs and flavours of cherry, plum with a bit of raspberry.

Its not the greatest red Priorat but that said for £10 its very good, solid bronze medalist in my humble opinion.

Morrisons, The Best Priorate, 2016, Spain

Morrisons, The Best Priorate, 2016, Spain

 

Kelly Washington, Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand

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Kelly Washington have produced this organic Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough, New Zealand and its very good, nee excellent. Decanter gave it 92 points which is spot on, its a fresh youthful looking pale lemon in colour with plenty of sparkle. There are aromas of flint, lime, honey and a bit of smokiness in there, subtle. its not your typical sauvignon blanc from New Zealand but more french. You get flavours of gooseberry but the citrus notes and mineral freshness are what you pick up on more and its delightful.

We went to the Smokehouse in Maldon, Essex as their food is amazing and they allow BYO so the £20 a bottle retail made it worth the money, sure its not cheap but its worth it.

Kelly Washington, Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand

Kelly Washington, Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand

 

Domaine Huet, Vouvray Petillant, 2014, Loire Valley, France

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Domaine Huet know how to make a great Loire Cremant. At £30 a bottle it should be great, is it?

Made with Chenin Blanc this has lots of small bubbles and subtle aromas of lemon and blossom with pear in there. These feed into the taste with hints of green apple and a bit pineapple in the background. Its classy i’ll give it that. £30 is a little steep though.

Domaine Huet, Vouvray Petillant, 2014, Loire Valley, France

Domaine Huet, Vouvray Petillant, 2014, Loire Valley, France