Morrison’s does excellent port. Thus LBV port got a silver decanter medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2018. Rich and elegant its a wonderful cheap port that’s worth getting in by the case.
Morrison’s LBV port 2013
Brightwells, Oxford Regatta, 2013, England
At 11 years old this red wine by Brightwell Vineyard in Oxfordshire is very good. It proves that English wine can last and doesn’t have to be drunk young. Made with Dornfelder grapes it’s dry, light in texture but with flavours of hedgerow red fruit, hints of raspberry and a little earthiness. I’m generally not a fan of a wine just made with Dornfelder but the finish is silky and structure is good. Well done.
Another great Canadian Pinot Noir, juicy but light, this Pinot Noir is silky and smooth. With Blackberry and chocolate coming to the fore there is a note of truffe and spice that pokes though. At about CAD50 a bottle its not bad value and one to buy again.
Wildekrans, Cape Blend, Barrel Select Reserve, 2013, Bot River, South Africa
Wildekrans vineyard in the Bot River, Westerncape, South Africa is a must visit place. Their wines are amazing across the range and this blend is no exception. Made with 48% Pinotage, 36% Shiraz, 8% each of Cab Sav and Pinot Noir a lot of thought has gone into this. Rich and silky on the platte its dry with flavours of plum, blackberry and licorice. Hints of chocolate and oak with a little leather and nod to the soil of the estate its truly a great wine and at £25 a bottle amazing value. One of the best wines I’ve ever tasted.
Camel Valley, Bacchus, 2013, Cornwall, England
Camel Valley know how to make great wine but this Bacchus from 2013 is something else. Drink Bacchus young has been the saying but at 11 years old thus is still great. Dry, balanced acidity with crisp citrus and a slight hint of grapefruit is a wine to enjoy watching a sunset. At about £15 a bottle for current vintages it’s one to just buy.
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
Sparkling wine from South Africa has come along way in the last 15 years. This Jacques Bruere, Brut Reserve, 2013 shows how good it can be. There’s a freshness znd ziggyness to it, lots of fruit, peach, grapefruit, lemon and balanced acidity. Pair it with seafood or just enjoy with friends. At £15 a bottle it’s great value.
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.
Cakebread Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley, USA
I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I try a Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon and this 2013 vintage is no exception. Dry, bold, smooth and with plenty of aromas and flavours of plum, blackberry, tobacco and oak with a hint of earthiness and vanilla. The only down side to this is the price of about £60 a bottle
Tenuta Carretta, Canorei Romero Arneis, 2013, Italy
It’s my first time having this Tenuta Carretta, Canorei Romero Arneis, 2013 from Italy and it was quite wonderful. It’s quite a boldwine, dry with reasonably acidity.
There are massive amount of flavours in here with a melon, apple, citrus – limes and lemons with an open vanilla, buttery undertone and frankly it’s magic.
It’s £15 to £20 for bottle but it’s worth it it really is.