Chateau Ste Michelle, Syrah, 2017, Columbia Valley, USA
The U.S. can produce up notch wine and this Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle in the Columbia Valley is a good example. It’s a bold, dry red with aromas of black fruit, oak and chocolate with earthy notes. The flavours are well integrated with softness of plum, cherry and blackberry with licorice and herb hints.
Easy drinking yet perfect with a steak and under £20 it’s a compelling wine to try.
California wine is pretty good in general and this Lynx Petite Syrah, Zinfandel is very good example of a very drinkable red wine. A good deep red in colour with aromas of red fruit and hints of smoke and oak. There are flavours of red and black fruits, strawberry, berry, plum, blackcurrant and its very well rounded.
Soft, fresh with decent length and so easy drinking, Great and its only £7
Lynx, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, 2017, California, USA
Majestic, Parcel Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA
I am a big fan of majestics parcel series wines and this Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is a classic example why. For this particular wine it’s best to leave its open up so decant beforehand. Initially the aromas and flavors were quite lacking when we tried it on the second day it opened up there was a huge difference, much much better.
There are aromas and flavours plum and black fruits with some vanilla, and chuck of spice which adds to the dry smooth finish which on day 2 was a decent length. Its one of the better Cabernet Sauvignons out there, from anywhere. At £25 a bottle on a single bottle price it’s expensive but on a mix 6 it comes to a very reasonable £16.
Dark purple/ruby in colour and massive black cherry aromas with pepper and spice undertones, dry but not like its sucking your mouth total dry which is a very good balance. The flavour matches the aroma of black cherry and vanilla and soda hints, subtle but there.
Its lacking something that I really can’t think what is or may be its the amount black cherry you smell and taste.
Its pretty good and at £10 its a decent red wine. It would go well with beef stew or a cheese board if you don’t want port or desert wine.
Carnivor, Zinfandel 2015, California, USA
If you like red wine then Zinfandel is a hard variety to beat. With aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant and white pepper this is a smell sensation. Flavours of cherry, plum and oak join the aromas with firm medium tannins. If you want to drink this consider red meat or if you are prepared to sip it in front of an open fire it’s great. At £17 a bottle not cheap but good value.
Edmeades, Mendocino Zinfandel 2015, California, USA