Bodegas Murviedro, Pasion, Monastrell Garnacha, Spain
Dry, firm tannins with dark fruits, spice, oak and hints of eucalyptus make this Bodegas Murviedro, Pasion, Monastrell Garnacha from Spain. It’d rather good and at about £12 decent value.
Bodegas & Viñedos Polo, Herencia La Palabra, Malbec, Argentina
This is a very good, excellent malbec from Mendoza in Argentina. A pretty bold, dry red which is smooth and has good integration of tannins that makes this a joy to drink. Long length of the flavours of red and black fruits, oak, chocolate, tobacco.
It’s a wine to be enjoyed with a steak or a burger. Drink and enjoy and you’ll feel those flavours come through.
Cattier, Premier Cru, Champagne, France
Not all Champagnes are created equal Nd this Cattier, Premier Cru shows Champagne at its best. It’s not a yeasty or bready Champagne but it’s more fruit driven with freshness and softness which reminds me of a cremant, not a bad thing at all.
At £30 a bottle it’s a good price for such a lovely wine.
Ronc Soreli,
Schioppettino, Italy
A half decent red wine from northern Italy made with Schioppettino it’s a good wine. Its got decent flavours of red fruit, with hints of spice but it’s a little light on the length and body for me. It’s not bad but not one that you would get a case in.
Made in the traditional, just like Champagne this New Hall, Brut Rose is a classic easy drinking sparkling wine from central Essex. There’s hints of strawberries and raspberry. It’s got a good hit of acidity and pretty dry but very drinkable. At a bit over £20 its decent value.
Croft Quinta da Roeda, Vintage Port, 2004, Portugal
I love port and vintage port is the best. This single quinta vintage by Croft is pretty good. Vintage port is softer and much more delicate than your average Ruby Port. Its soft, with flavours of blackcurrant and plum, chocolate, vanilla, raisins and excellent integration.
At £20 a bottle it’s great value and a great choice for winter evenings.
Château Tamagne, Brut, 2013, Russia
Russian wine makers are not the Russian government and with that in mind they shouldn’t be tarnished as is the government is. This sparkling wine is dry with good length and flavours of apple, pear, citrus and hints of pineapple. It’s a good sparkling that is very easy to drink.
Cillar de Silos, La Viña de Amalio, Tempranillo, Spain
This tempranillo from Cillar de Silos is quite a surprise. Bold and pretty dry with medium tannins with very good length. There are plenty of flavours of blackcurrant and plum, chocolate and oak notes with licorice and mint hints in the background.
At £60 a bottle it’s a bit overpriced. Then again when you go over £30 a bottle it probably won’t make sny difference, the only question is, is it any good and yes this is very good. Have with red meat or a tomato pasta dish to drink out the best.
Trump, New World Reserve, 2016, Virginia, USA
President Trump may be tea total but his wine maker can make a very good wine.
Madd with Cabernet Sauvignon this is a bold, dry red with good integration and fitm tannins. There’s plenty of black fruit with oak, chocolate, smoke and earthy undertone. At USD60 a bottle it’s expensive, good but too much. Then again it’s from an unconventional man.
Cà dei Maghi, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy
At £40 a bottle this Cà dei Maghi, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from Italy is not cheap but its flipping great, there’s plenty of red fruit with notes of chocolate, oak, vanilla, dried fruit, raisins and cherry. It’s on the sweet side but there’s boldness and smoothness overflowing with great length.