Domaine La Suffrene, Bandol, 2018, Provence, France
Lashings if black fruit, rich, elegant, with earthiness and leather under tones and well integrated oak and vanilla hints make this province red a delicious treat. Granted at £25 a bottle it’s not cheap. Great with red meat or rich tomato pasta.
Domaine Rochou, Les Chateliers, 2014, Loire, France
Another great red wine from the Loire this Domaine Rochou, Les Chateliers shows French wine at its best. It’s not particularly complex or out of this world but it’s very good all round with good length, plenty of black fruit, blackcurrant, plum and hints of blueberry. There’s oak, leather, earthiness and smoothness which makes this a red wine that you want to drink with or without food. At about £15 a bottle it’s excellent value.
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
Fleur de Lise, Saint Mont Rosé, France
Marks and Spencer does have some good wine and this Fleur de Lise, Saint Mont Rosé, France af £8 a bottle is pretty good. A dry Rosé wine it’s a fairly simple wine with decent strawberry and raspberry flavours. It’s crisp and so easy to drink that it’s easy to finish the whole bottle in one go.
Paul Schneider, Pinot Gris, 2012, Alsace, France
I went to Eguisheim in Alsace and it was one of the most fabulous wine places I have been too. There are maybe 30 producers in a village that takes no more than 5 minutes to go from one side to the other and the people were so friendly with the wines so amazing. This 2012 shows how good they last, it has amazing ripe citrus fruits and a slightly thicker texture that makes you just want a sip rather than guzzle. At about £10 a bottle its super value.
Calvet, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2020, Southern Rhone, France
It’s hard to get a bad Châteauneuf-du-Pape and this one from Calvet is no exception. This good aromas and flavours of black fruits, oak, vanilla, with notes of licorice and coffee. At £10 a bottle it’s a good and well worth trying. Sure there are better ones but at £10 is very good value.
Cattier, Premier Cru, Champagne, France
Not all Champagnes are created equal Nd this Cattier, Premier Cru shows Champagne at its best. It’s not a yeasty or bready Champagne but it’s more fruit driven with freshness and softness which reminds me of a cremant, not a bad thing at all.
At £30 a bottle it’s a good price for such a lovely wine.
Grand Crès, Cuvée Majeure, Corbières, France
This Cuvee Majeure from Grand Cres is a typical south french red wine. Its dry, bold with decent length of tannins. There’s plenty of red, black fruit flavours with oak and spice in there.
Its a good blend of syrah and grenache that won’t disappoint but there is something missing that I can’t quite pinpoint. At £15 a bottle it’s a little bit to expensive.
Pinot Gris, Hengst, 2011, Alsace, France
Ooohhh was the general comment when this was brought out to drink followed shortly afterwards by aaahhh. A Grand Cru is not to be rushed and one by Albert Mann should have extra care. Aromas and flavours of ripe citrus, pineapple, a solid body and a creamy undernote makes this a wine to sip and take pleasure in. Prices for earlier vintages start at £35 and are recommended, getting 2011 vintage is harder, buy later ones and age yourself is my recommendation.
Loire Rosé is pretty good and this one from Majestic is a bit sweeter than the dry Rosé you normally come across. There’s enough red fruit flavours and aromas to stop it from being lack luster but there is something just not there, maybe the sweetness throws you, the price of £7.99 on a mix six price is OK but not one I’ll try again.
Feu, Rosé d’Anjou, 2020/21, Loire, France