Domaine de la Jasse, 2011, Languedoc, France
We use to drink Domaine de la Jasse blend in the past like there was no tomorrow and for good reason. Its a classy Languedoc blend but at £12 a bottle it’s not going to break the bank. Dry with now, soft mellow tannins theres loads of ripe black fruit with notes of tobacco, chocolate coffee and hints of oak and vanilla. This just got better at 12 years old than I remember it.
Pontenari, Toscana Rosso, 2020, Florence, Italy
Marks and Spencer sell some excellent wine and this is one of them and at £12 a bottle it’s decent value. Loads of black fruit flavours with notes of spice in the background. It’s a big bold wine that would benefit from food, a jiucy steak or big bowl of pasta.
Le Chemin des Reves, Pic Saint-Loup ‘La Soie’ , Languedoc-Roussillon, 2012, France
This red from Le Chemin des Reves, in the Languedoc is a classy wine, full of red nd black fruit flavours and aromas with depth and smoothness and warmth that makes you want more. It’s handled it’s age well and was excellent with a steak. At £20 a bottle it’s decent value too.
Chateau de Fesles, Cabernet Franc, 2016, Loire, France
This Chateau de Fesles Cabernet Franc is quite stunning. Theres plenty of ripe, soft, black fruit flavours. It’s dry, bold and not overly complex, meaning it’s an easy red to drink with or without food. Excellent with steak and a cheese board.. At £20 a bottle it’s very well priced.
Domaine La Suffrene, Bandol, 2018, Provence, France
Lashings if black fruit, rich, elegant, with earthiness and leather under tones and well integrated oak and vanilla hints make this province red a delicious treat. Granted at £25 a bottle it’s not cheap. Great with red meat or rich tomato pasta.
Tenuta, San Giorgio, ‘Ugolforte’, Brunello di Montalcino, 2016, Tuscany, Italy
This could be described as the typical Tuscan quality red wine. At £35 a bottle it’s not outrageously expensive either. What it is though is too young. At 6 years old it needs another 3 to 6 years in the bottle to develop further. There’s nice black fruit flavours and notes of oak, blueberry vanilla and some freshness but it’s all a little lacking. All it needs is time and this will be great
Domaine Rochou, Les Chateliers, 2014, Loire, France
Another great red wine from the Loire this Domaine Rochou, Les Chateliers shows French wine at its best. It’s not particularly complex or out of this world but it’s very good all round with good length, plenty of black fruit, blackcurrant, plum and hints of blueberry. There’s oak, leather, earthiness and smoothness which makes this a red wine that you want to drink with or without food. At about £15 a bottle it’s excellent value.
Domaine Charles Joguet, Chinon Les Varennes Grand Cru, 2013, Loire, France
The Loire Valley has amazing red wines and this Domaine Charles Joguet, Chinon Les Varennes Grand Cru, is a cug above thd best, truly wonderful. Its dry, well integrated tannins and plenty of red and black fruit aromas and flavours. The length is long and there are notes and hints of tobacco, oak, chocolate, leather and a little earthiness th
Duca di Salaparuta Calanica, Syrah, 2020, Southern Italy
This southern this southern Italian red wine is really rather good. It’s dry, bold but smooth. There’s plenty of red and black fruit flavours and works well on its own znd with food such as pasta or red meat dishes. At £13 a bottle it’s not bad value.
Calvet, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2020, Southern Rhone, France
It’s hard to get a bad Châteauneuf-du-Pape and this one from Calvet is no exception. This good aromas and flavours of black fruits, oak, vanilla, with notes of licorice and coffee. At £10 a bottle it’s a good and well worth trying. Sure there are better ones but at £10 is very good value.