La Belle Angèle, Pinot Noir, 2021, Languedoc, France
A cheap pinot noir is always worth trying because to get a good one is hard and this one from La Belle Angèle from the Languedoc, France is cheap at £7.50. Dry, and easy drinking it’s OK but there’s too much sour cherry at the expense of structure and other flavours. Better when having with food, cheese in my case, it’s one to consider for a BBQ or party.
Rhonea, Notre Dame des Vignes, Visan, 2020, Rhone, France
This is a typical Rhone style red wine made with the Grenache and Syrah grapes. It has depth and length, its dry with good balance acidity and lots of black fruit flavours with hints of Violet and the smackering of pepper. At £10 a bottle is excellent value
Aluado, Alicante Bouschet, 2021, Portugal
Thus is one of fruitiest wines I have tasted this year with huge amounts of black fruit with a velvet texture. It’s a bit like Ribena for adults which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but the structure and finess is lacking. At £11 a bottle it’s not an outrageous price but there are better fruitier wines under £10.
Rinomata Cantina, Tombacco, Rosso Piceno, 2020, Italy
Madd with Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes with red wine from Tombacco in central Italy is just great. Reasonable bold, dry but with lots of black and red fruit flavours and aromas. There are underlying notes of chocolate and tobacco and our earthiness which is very very subtle it makes this wine superb to go with red meat or to sip on its own. At £12 a bottle it’s excellent value
Aldi, Pierre Jaurant, Bordeaux Blend, 2020, France
At times Aldi delights the wine drinker with a cheap wine that does what it’s meant to do, allow you to enjoy it without thinking about it and this Pierre Jaurant, Bordeaux Blend does that.
It’s a half decent dry red wine with firm tannins and lots of black fruit flavours. It’s uncomplicated and meant to just be drunk. At £5 a bottle it’s excellent value.
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.