Vinea Domini, Cesanese Del Puglio, 2018, Central Italy
A rather good italian red wine is best how to describe this Vinea Domini, Cesanese Del Puglio, Central Italy. Although it’s 8 years old, it has good structure, defined black fruit flavours with oak and spice notes. It’s a like a VW Golf car, good around with no downside.
Berton Vineyard, Winemakers Reserve, Fiano, 2017, Australia
Wow, this 2017 Fiano from Berton Vineyard in New South Wales is not what I was expecting. Although i have been told that Fiano can be aged, its usually drunk young . It’s 8 years old yet still fresh and zingy. Loads of citrus flavours, pineapple, lemon, lime with a solid petroleum flavour underlining it all. It got a bronze medal at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards (89 points). 6 years after that marking it seems very stingy. We loved it, great grown ups white wine.
Super Nanny Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2018, Central Otago, New Zealand
Wonderful, fantastic, amazing are words you could use to describe this Pinot Noir from Super Nanny Vineyard in Central Otago. Solid red fruit flavours with superb integrated tannins and structure. Soft and subtle with a presence of greatness. It only got a bronze medal (89 points) at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards which is very stingy, although at £35 a bottle it’s not cheap. Its like VW Golf 😀
Felsina, Berardenga, Chianti Classico, 2006, Italy
We first had this Chianti Classico about 15 years ago from a sale by Grape Passion in Witham, Essex. This was the last bottle that was hidden away from that order. It’s still pretty good, dry, soft and very integrated. Subtle red fruit flavours that make it understated but very drinkable still. At £25 a bottle for the latest vintages it’s classic Chianti. Its like a classic Porsche, when drive slowly.
Ferrari, Maximum, Sparkling wine, Italy
Chardonnay from Italy is not something that the average consumer would get to try. This Ferrari, Maximum, Sparkling wine from Italy is a Chardonnay which will rival most French offerings. Dry, crisp, it’s classy and refined. Its very Chardonnay is the best I can say. Its like a Jaguar car when its working perfectly, excellent.
Ventua, Mencia, 2022, Bierzo, Spain
I don’t believe that I have tasted wine made from the Mencia grape before but it’s rather good. Balanced, good length with plenty of red fruit, soft tannins and an easy drinking style, it’s an excellent wine. A Silver medal winning wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards it’s great value at Eur20 a bottle.
Maison Bouachon
Le Moulin Teyroud Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Casale del Giglio, Matidia, Cesanese, 2022, Lazio, ItalyI was intrigued by this wine made by Casale del Giglio, with the Cesanese grape, from Lazio, Italy.
A dry red wine with red cherry and redcurrant flavours it’s an easy drinking wine, quite light in body and flavours though. It’s not bad but at £22 a bottle I would expect much more.
Thorrington Mill, Bacchus, 2022, Essex, UK
Nestling in the Essex countryside is the Thorrington Mill Vineyard. While not a massive producer it does make some excellent wine. This 2022 Bacchus is a classy wine. A dry, refined Bacchus with subtle flavours of grapefruit, citrus with a little peach and hint of flint, it’s well worth trying. A well deserved gold received at the 2024 Essex wine awards, see www.essexwineawards.co.uk and at under £20 a bottle very reasonably priced.
Le Mont Terre, Sauvignon Blanc, 2024, Western Cape, South Africa
Zesty and fresh sums up this Sauvignon Blanc wine from Le Mont Terre in the Western Cape in South Africa. It’s OK, dry and with citrus, lemon and a touch of lime it’s a summer’s white wine made to be drunk while watching a sunset or with a proper Zesty salad. At £5 from Aldi it’s very good value. It’s no Gold medal winner but as a drinking wine, spot on.