Patient Cottat, Pouilly-Fumé, Anciennes Vignes, France

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Patient CottatPouilly-Fumé Anciennes Vignes

Patient Cottat
Pouilly-Fumé Anciennes Vignes

 

Pouilly Fume is quite wonderful when made right, by that I mean there’s complexity, subtlety and elegance which this one from Patient Cottat gives a good stab at. It’s not outstanding, it’s dry and light with plenty of flavours of citrus, honey and notes of stone fruits with a splash of smokiness. It does lack subtlety and it’s not got that french elegance but it’s only £16, which for Pouilly Fume is reasonable. Summer BBQ’s and sipping in the sun are recommended to go with this wine.

Moon Valley, Chardonnay, 2021, China

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Moon Valley, Chardonnay, 2021, China

 

Wine from China is getting better, although this Moon Valley, Chardonnay, while drinkable is rather lacklustre. It’s white wine but doesn’t seem to give any reference to this noble grape, it could be from any grape. Acid, dry and non descript is the best I can put it. There are better chinese wines out there.

 

Brightwells, Oxford Regatta, 2013, England

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Brightwells, Oxford Regatta, 2013, England

Brightwells, Oxford Regatta, 2013, England

 

At 11 years old this red wine by Brightwell Vineyard in Oxfordshire is very good. It proves that English wine can last and doesn’t have to be drunk young.  Made with Dornfelder grapes it’s dry, light in texture but with flavours of hedgerow red fruit, hints of raspberry and a little earthiness. I’m generally not a fan of a wine just made with Dornfelder but the finish is silky and structure is good. Well done.

Chapel Down, Union Red, 2014, England

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Chapel Down, Union Red, 2014, England

Chapel Down, Union Red, 2014, England

 

English red wine was a standing joke at one stage and it was not undeserved, but this Union Red by Chapel Down proves that a cheap English Wine can be good, even at 10 years old! Made with Pinot Noir,  Rondo and Dornfelder, it’s dry, light but with decent flavours of cherry, violets and just a touch of oak poking through. The length is good and its still fresh, although the colour is fading. What do you expect after 10 years.

 

Reguta, Pignolo, 2020, Northern Italy

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Reguta, Pignolo, 2020, Northern Italy

Reguta, Pignolo, 2020, Northern Italy

 

What a wonder red to sit in the garden and just relax. Reguta certainly knows how to make a great red wine with this pinolo grape. Its smooth, subtle, rich and yet light. Redcurrant, blueberry and hints of cranberry give long lasting flavours that dance in the mouth. Its one of the best reds of the year or even the 2020’s. At about £20 a bottle it’s amazing value too.

Hawkers Hill, Solaris, 2022, Norfolk, UK

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Hawkers Hill, Solaris, 2022, Norfolk, UK

Hawkers Hill, Solaris, 2022, Norfolk, UK

Solaris is a great understated grape which this white wine from Hawkers Hill in Norfolk, UK shows. Off dry, rounded with a full fat milk thickness this wine coats the mouth with nectar. Well maybe not nectar but there is richness and a concentration of ripe citrus, pineapple, with a hint of sherbet or cream soda that pokes through. It’s a sipping wine, but that’s not bad. A definite silver medal in my view.

 

Veuve Ambal, Cremant de Bourgogne, Grande Cuvee NV, Burgundy, France

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Veuve Ambal, Cremant de Bourgogne, Grande Cuvee NV, Burgundy, France

Veuve Ambal, Cremant de Bourgogne, Grande Cuvee NV, Burgundy, France

 

I like crémants because they tend to be fresh and vibrant, more fruit driven rather than toasty notes driven. This one from Veuve Ambal, Burgundy in a good example. Clean and fresh with citrus and just a hint of grapefruit it’s lovely to sip in the sun, watching the world drift by. At £30 a bottle it’s not cheap, more silver than gold, but worth trying.

Torreon de Paredes, Carmenère, 2020, Chile

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Torreon de Paredes, Carmenère, 2020, Chile

Torreon de Paredes, Carmenère, 2020, Chile

 

Chile makes great Carmenère but this Torreon de Paredes from 2020 is outstanding. Soft and silky the tannins are subtle just doing their thing in the background. Aromas and flavours of plum, blackcurrant and hints of chocolate and tobacco with a little oak and smoke rounding it off. At £26 a bottle it’s not cheap but worth it.

50th Parallel, Pinot Noir, 2013, Okanagan Valley, Canada

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50th Parallel, Pinot Noir, 2013, Okanagan Valley, Canada
50th Parallel, Pinot Noir, 2013, Okanagan Valley, Canada

 

Another great Canadian Pinot Noir, juicy but light, this Pinot Noir is silky and smooth. With Blackberry and chocolate coming to the fore there is a note of truffe and spice that pokes though. At about CAD50 a bottle its not bad value and one to buy again.