Marcelo Pelleriti has produced a first class Malbec with this red wine from Mendoza. Its Dry, pretty bold with integrated tannins and a softness that’s welcome. There’s plenty of red and black fruit flavours with red cherry in the main followed by blackcurrant. Notes of oak, leather and spice sitting in the background with a hint of chocolate.
At £10 a bottle it’s great value and worth a few bottles in anyone’s Cellar.
Idiom, Sangiovese, 2015, Western Cape, South Africa
In 2017 we went to South Africa and did a little wine tasting at Idiom. Its quite a place with amazing views and excellent food in the restaurant they have at the vineyard.
Its a solid red wine, not to heavy with very soft balanced tannins and a hint of sweetness. Lots of red cherry and raspberry with notes of tobacco, oak, leather and vanilla with a little smokey undertone that pops through.
Pair with beef or a tomato pasta dish for a perfect match.
Greenhough, Road Block, Chardonnay, 2019, New Zealand
We use to drink a lot of the Greenhough Sauvignon Blanc at one stage, so I was eager to try the Road Block, Chardonnay. Unfortunately it’d not as good. This Chardonnay dry but is very green and acidic, lots of green apple, grass notes but the acidity is too much unless you have food. A tried it with a ripe brie cheese and it took the edge off quite well. At under £10 it’s just a no, on all levels from me
Bürgerspital, Würzburger, Silvaner, Kabinett 2008, Germany
Wow, after 15 years this German white wine from Burgerspital still tastes pretty good, excellent in fact. Dry with decent acidity. It’s still quite light though but the wine has matured and that’s reflected in the flavours. Ripe citrus and lemon with hints of grapefruit that cling to the mouth with great length.
This is a great wine to drink in front of the fire and just enjoy. For the record I have no idea where we got it from nor the price.
Vasse Felix ‘Filius’ Cabernet-Merlot, 2020, Margaret River, Australia
Another Australian red wine at £10 a bottle, another average red, well no. This is a step or 2 above most in the under £15 bracket. Dry and pretty bold but not sledge hammer bold. Black and red fruits with a bit of spice and rounded but firm tannins. Great with red meat or pasta. Alternatively in front of the fire watch TV.
Domaine du Bicheron, Mâcon-Péronne, 2020, Burgundy, France
If you don’t like Chardonnay then try a good white Burgundy because you can see the grape at its best and this one from Domaine du Bicheron is pretty good, not amazing but at £16 a bottle it’s a good starting place. Dry, light with high acidity and has citrus flavours and a little apple poking through. There’s a minerality, cleaness and freshness with good length. Great with fish or a zesty salad.
Vina Ardanza, Rioja Reserva, 2016, Spain
A standard Rioja or something super? Well this Reserva from Vina Ardanza is a cut above the usual. Dry, firm but well integrated tannins you get a pretty intense red wine with plenty of red fruit flavours, spice, cloves and liquorice all in a soft warm fizzy feeling package. Its a grown ups wine to be savoured. At £25 bottle it’s a little pricey but rather good.
Villa Schinosa, Moscato di Trani, 2019, Italy0
Don’t be seduced by the sugar a head judge once said to his young judges on their first judging competition and this dessert wine from villa schinosa is a good example. Loads of honey and rich tropical fruit flavours with good length it goes a little over the top on its components. It’s a little too rich and too sugary taking away any delicacy it could have. Sure at yhe end of a mesl with the wine flowing all night this may not be an issue especially with the right dessert. At £19 per 500ml bottle it’s not massively expensive but for me the LFE dessert wine from Majestic Wine at £7 per half bottle is much better.
Haskell II, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa
2 big grapes from Stellenbosch mean this red from Haskell II was always going to big and ballsy. Dry, rich, smooth, very smooth with black cherry and plum, leather and spice sitting in the background. It’s only problem is the price at £23 a bottle. Knock the price in half and you have a excellent wine at a decent price.
Camel Valley, red sparkling wine, Cornwall, England
There a number of vineyards in Cornwall with Camel Valley being the best known, even serving their sparkling to the British Royal family. This red sparkling wine is rather good. Its dry, quite light and refreshing. There are subtle flavours of redcurrant and hints of raspberry. For a first try of sparkling red wine it’s excellent as the Australian versions can be rather heavy and off putting for many. The down side is the price at £30 a bottle.