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.
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.
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.
Aldi bring some great wines to the masses and this Cairanne from the Cotes Du Rhone is reasonable. Dry, yes but it’s not what I would say is intense or full bodied as said on the bottle. Its smooth with plenty of red berry flavours and very drinkable but a little lacking for what it’s meant to be. That said at under £8 a bottle it’s worth half a dozen bottles for easy drinking.
Maison Roche de Bellene, Vieilles Vignes, Volnay, Burgundy, France
Good French Pinot Noir is very hard to beat and this one from Maison Roche de Bellene in the Volnay region is excellent. Dry, soft with excellent balance and flavours of cherry and raspberry with notes of oak and slight hints of earthiness. At £40 bottle its rather pricey but worth a try. Its like buying a second hand Rolls Royce, on my wish list 😉
Ramon Bilbao, Crianza, 2021, Rioja, Spain
Another Crianza fron Rioja, Spain and a decent one too with a Silver medal from the IWC. Dry, firm but well integrated tannins and plenty of length of dark fruits. It’s like VW Polo, decent all round and nothing bad. At £12 a bottle its good value, well done.
Maison Fortant, Minervois, 2022, Languedoc, France
This blend of Syrah and Grenche is full of Blackcurrent and spice flavours with a note of chocolate and long length. Dry with tannins that are well integrated and you have a great wine. At £15 a bottle it show cases Languedoc’s excellent red wine perfectly, it’s like a Mercedes E class at Ford Puma prices.
Chartreuse de Bonpas, 2022, Cotes Du Rhone Villages, France
Chartreuse de Bonpas from the Cotes Du Rhone Villages area of France is a quality dry red wine that you won’t want to guzzle but sip. Long length with black and red fruit flavours, oak, tobacco and a little chocolate sit in the background. Firm but well integrated tannins and a softness that’s just rounds the package off. Delightful. At £12 a bottle it’s a bargain.