Fritz, 1635 Cuvee, 2019, Hungary
This Bordeaux blend of Cab Sav, Cab Franc and Merlot is half decent. Dry, bold with robust tannins there are flavours of dark red and black fruits, tobacco, chocolate and oak that are all easily picked upon. The subtle flavours are missing, its a big red and one for food to accompany it.
Lyrarakis located in Crete, Greece is an interesting example of a red wine from Greece. It’s dry and reasonably light with small amounts of tanning. Its ok as a wine to go with food but just lacks character on its own. At £20 a bottle it’s way over priced.
Averys, Fine White Burgundy, 2019, France
Averys is a well known and respected wine supplier and I was so looking forward to their own label Fine White Burgundy. The smell was wonderful, creamy lees with citrus hits the nose. The wine is dry, soft and unfortunately lacking is any real taste. It just tastes flat and pretty non descript. This is a wine you expect at £4 not at over £20.
Berton vineyard, Coonawarra Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019, Australia
There’s a lot of cheap Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia that is pretty poor and it show that it pays to go up a notch or 2 in price. At £15 a bootle it’s reasonable value. Dry, firm but well integrated tannins and decent flavours of blackcurrant, black plum, chocolate and tobacco hints and a pinch of eucalyptus coupled with decent length make this and enjoyable red.
Domaine de la Bressande, 2019, Mercurey, France
The french do know a thing or 2 about Pinot Noir and this one from Domain de la Bressande is a classic. There’s plenty of red fruit with a hint of raspberry and the typical earthy undertone with oak and vanilla poking through. On the light side with smooth tannins and
Greenhough, Road Block, Chardonnay, 2019, New Zealand
We use to drink a lot of the Greenhough Sauvignon Blanc at one stage, so I was eager to try the Road Block, Chardonnay. Unfortunately it’d not as good. This Chardonnay dry but is very green and acidic, lots of green apple, grass notes but the acidity is too much unless you have food. A tried it with a ripe brie cheese and it took the edge off quite well. At under £10 it’s just a no, on all levels from me
Villa Schinosa, Moscato di Trani, 2019, Italy0
Don’t be seduced by the sugar a head judge once said to his young judges on their first judging competition and this dessert wine from villa schinosa is a good example. Loads of honey and rich tropical fruit flavours with good length it goes a little over the top on its components. It’s a little too rich and too sugary taking away any delicacy it could have. Sure at yhe end of a mesl with the wine flowing all night this may not be an issue especially with the right dessert. At £19 per 500ml bottle it’s not massively expensive but for me the LFE dessert wine from Majestic Wine at £7 per half bottle is much better.
Duplico, Puglia Rosso, 2019, Puglia, Italy
This red from Duplico in Puglia is very good. It’s best wine I’ve tasted all month.Dry, medium acidity with fine tannins theres plenty of black and red fruit flavours with spice just sitting in the background. It’s rich in depth and soft giving you a warm cosy feel when you drink it. Pair it with a joint if beef or a rich pasta dish. At £15 a bottle it’s not a bad price.
Le Quattro Terre Bianco, Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, 2019, Piemonte, Italy
This is a different blend than many white wines from Italy with Chardonnay making up 60 % and Nebbiolo making up 40%. Dry and crisp with rich aromas it’s fresh and ‘pointed’ in that its flavours ard there from the beginning but fade a bit quick. Lemon and citrus are thd main flavours with a hint if nuttiness in there.
At £15 a bottle it’s too expensive.
Terra Argillosa, Syrah, 2019, Marche, Italy
Yep another italian red wine, granted its rather good, in some ways quite excellent. Reasonable dry, solid tannins but not overly so with a “presence” that’s comforting. With red and black fruit flavours and smoke and oak notes it’s all well integrated It’s no Gold medal winning wine but that’s where I think it scores. It’s a wine that red drinkers will like, not have to think about and be happy to open a second bottle. 😊
At about £18 a bottle it’s a bit pricey and that’s the down side.