Quinta Do Couquinho, Reserva, 2020, Douro, Portugal
Another Douro red wine? Yep but that’s hardly a bad thing. Dry, medium bodied with plenty of red fruit flavours, grippy tannins that integrated well. It’s a good red wine.
Simpsons, Rabbit Hole, Pinot Noir, 2020, UK
English Pinot Noir has in the past been a little lack luster, but this one from Simpsons is rather good. Red fruit flavours with soft well integrated tannins, notes of tobacco and leather with a slight earthiness and oak make this a classy Pinot Noir. At £25 a bottle its fairly priced too for english Pinot Noir. It’s like an old fashion Rolls Royce.
Quinta Vale D Maria really knows how to make good red wine. This is pretty good although at £45 a bottle it should be. This is an issue as many people won’t try what is an excellent dry red wine. Red and black fruit are here in bucket loads, hints of strawberry and spice poke through with an under note of Vanilla. Its all very well integrated and make as a wonderful package.
I did like this dry, smooth red italian wine. 90% Sangiovese with a bit of Merlot and Canaiolo. Its a juicy wine with plenty of black cherry that has long length and while not as complex as many Chianti Classico’s its very easy drinking and at £16 a bottle its very good value and one to try.
London Cru, Chardonnay, 2020, California, USA
Made in the USA, Santa Barbara this is a clean, crisp and flavour full Chardonnay which is absolutely cracking. At £30 a bottle it should be but excellent. The wine has great length and the citrus is soft with a buttery under tone that is a great example of Chardonnay at its best. Pair with fish, zesty salad or just on its own, Stonking.
Mazza Vineyard, Cabernet Franc, 2020, Lake Erie, USA
This dry red wine from the Lake Erie region, USA is pretty good. Good length and depth of red and black fruits with a note of spice. Its USD20 a bottle which is good value and is what I call a first party wine, opened first with friends and just enjoy.
Ermacora, Schioppettino, 2020, Italy
You can’t really go wrong with Italian red wine and this one from Ermacora in Northern Italy almost proves it. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it, its just a dry red wine. Red fruit and pretty light is the best any of us that tried it could say. When tasted one evening with 2 other reds, it was left limping into 3rd.
Ensamblados, Blend de Terroirs, Malbec, 2020, Mendoza, Argentina
It’s another Argentinian Malbec, but this one is actually really rather excellent. There’s black plum and blackberry and smooth tannins. Hints of oak, leather and a bit of mint poking through for a long lasting taste. It reminds me of a VW Pola, solid with a chunk of quality all the way through. At about £15 a bottle it’s very good value.
Martin, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020, Croatia
Croatia makes Some great wine and this isn’t a bad example. It’s not gold medal by any standards, but for a dry red wine., it’s very pleasant. It’s got enough flavour dark and red fruits to keep you drinking, there’s some reason tannins, and it’s very easy to drink, especially with food. At about Euro 30 bottle, it’s a bit on the pricey side, that said, nice wine.
Reguta, Pignolo, 2020, Northern Italy
What a wonder red to sit in the garden and just relax. Reguta certainly knows how to make a great red wine with this pinolo grape. Its smooth, subtle, rich and yet light. Redcurrant, blueberry and hints of cranberry give long lasting flavours that dance in the mouth. Its one of the best reds of the year or even the 2020’s. At about £20 a bottle it’s amazing value too.