Milea Estate, Blau Frankisch, 2021, New York State, USA
This Blau Frankisch fron New York State is dry, light and rather refreshing. Cherry flavours with a hint of spice and served alittle chilled, it’s perfect sitting in the garden in the sun. At USD35 a bottle it’s abit pricey which is a shame as its very good.
Vinha do Fava, Reserva, 2021, Portugal
This family run vineyard produces a rather excellent red wine, primarily made from Touriga Nacional grape it’s dry, full bodied with plum, cherry and spices coming forward and lasting in the mouth. It’s smooth and subtle, quite beautiful. At £16 a bottle nicely priced too.
Wine from China is getting better, although this Moon Valley, Chardonnay, while drinkable is rather lacklustre. It’s white wine but doesn’t seem to give any reference to this noble grape, it could be from any grape. Acid, dry and non descript is the best I can put it. There are better chinese wines out there.
J. de Villebois, Sancerre Rosé, 2021, France
Can you get a bad bottle of Sancerre? well this rosé from J. de Villebois is not going to let the side down. Dry, crisp but nice and light it has refreshing flavours and aroma of strawberries and hints of raspberry and citrus with a minerality which pins it all together.
The downside is its price which at £25 a bottle is rather steep. its good but not £25 a bottle good
You can get excellent Greek wine, its out there but this orange wine is not one of these. Its not terrible, but its quite bland with very little flavour and a little acidic. Not much else I can say.
Delaire Graff, Chardonnay, Banghoek Reserve, 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Rather good is this Chardonnay from Delaire Graff in Stellenbosch. Its a solid dry chardonnay with plenty of flavour’s. Balanced acidity shows off the components with citrus, lime, lemon, pear and melon all showing up. There’s a little creaminess/butter and subtle oak in the back ground.
The downside is the £30 price mark which is a little steep but is worth trying.
Marcelo Pelleriti has produced a first class Malbec with this red wine from Mendoza. Its Dry, pretty bold with integrated tannins and a softness that’s welcome. There’s plenty of red and black fruit flavours with red cherry in the main followed by blackcurrant. Notes of oak, leather and spice sitting in the background with a hint of chocolate.
At £10 a bottle it’s great value and worth a few bottles in anyone’s Cellar.
Aurora Creek, Rock Ferry, Pinot Noir, 2021, Marlborough, New Zealand
Aurora Creek, Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand is good example of where New Zealand Pinot Noir is at the moment. Dry with light tannins, flavours of cherry, redcurrant with a little oak and earthy note poking through. It has good length but it’s £22 a bottle which for me is far to expensive.
Herdade De Comporta, Rosé, 2021, Portugal
It had to happen one day, a Portuguese wine that failed to impress. Unfortunately this rose from Herdade De Comporta is non descript on all fronts. Aromas and flavours are lacking, there’s a tartness and acidity but nothing to recommend it. Sorry, it’s a shame as the colour is pleasant. At eur24 a bootle is a definite no from me.
Videla Aranda, Malbec, 2021, Mendoza, Argentina
Videla Aranda, Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina is a pretty good red wine. Its typical of the style snd quality of of a mass produced malbdc from Mendoza and that’s not a bad thing. Dry, smooth, reasonable tannins with decent length. There’s blackcurrant, redcurrant and notes of oak, and vanilla. It’s a wine to just drink and enjoy and not think to much about. At £7.50 on a mix 6 bottle offer at Majestic Wines It’s very good value and worth a few bottles in the wine store.