Calmel & Joseph, Les Terroirs, 2019, Languedoc, France
Made with Syrah Grenache and Carignan this is a full on red which packs plenty of aromas flavours. It’s a bold dry my red with decent hit of acidity. There’s aromas of tobacco and chocolate and and sour cherry, you’re getting additional flavours of BlackBerry and redcurrent.
At £12 a bottle us a bit expensive but it’s well made with good length.
Coteaux du Vendômois, Cuvée Prestige, 2014, Loire, France
This Cuvée Prestige from Coteaux du Vendômois is an interesting red. It’s made from Pineau d Aunis, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc and has soft flavours of red fruits such as raspberry and redcurrant and is pretty dry but the tannins are soft and this makes it a very easy wine to drink, no food needed with this red. Try with lamb, duck or tomato sauce based pasta if having with food.
It’s only Eur6 a bottle which makes it great value.
The late Jessica with a bottle of Chateau Saint Martin, De la Garrigue, Gres de Montpellier, 2010, Languedoc, France.
This chateau Saint Martin is another cracker from the Loire. Dry with a great deep purple colour and Aromas of stewed plums, spice and caramel and these follow through into the flavours. The flavours are full with well integrated tannins and excellent length.
At £20 a bottle it’s not cheap but you get what you pay for.
Coteaux du Vendômois, Montagne Blanche, 2016, Loire, France
Coteaux du Vendômois, Montagne Blanche is a rose from the Loire, France and it’s quite typical of the roses from the region this is not to say a bad thing but it does differ from the typical Provence roses that people see in the market in the UK. This has a copper colour which would normally indicate big bold flavours but the flavours quite subtle and you get hints of raspberry, strawberry and red currant but the crispness and dryness is what is immediate.
This is a drinking wine and probably should have been drunk a year or two ago so I’m not going to put it down too much. It’s a easy drinking summer wine either with salad or on its own.
Domaine Richou, la Grande Selection, Loire, France
I like Domaine Richou wines and this desert wine is interesting. It’s sweet but not sticky in the flavours are defined but not overpowering. You get some honey and apricot but these are subtle, there’s a little bit of oxidization but only a hints, but that’s because we’ve left it too long. The deep orange colour is quite unusual but this does not attract from wine.
Château Pierre-Bise, Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu, Clos de la Soucherie, 2005, Loire, France
Sometimes there’s a wine that is so good, so yummy that you savour every drop and this Château Pierre-Bise, Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu, Clos de la Soucherie, a desert wine is one of these.
Its got aromas of baked fruits, raisins and these just hang there. The taste is rich all round with the baked fruit coming though, its not overly sticky but each drop is full of flavour. I could go on about who fabulous this is but I would just drink it.
Wonderful with cheese or on its own.
Domaine de Pouzac, Grand Jacquey, 2013, Languedoc, France
Domaine de Pouzac and its Grand Jacquey is a solid red wine from the Languedoc.
Dry with firm but soft tannins and aromas of black fruit and and earthiness, that at first puts you off but taste it and its a different matter. That smoothness is what puts this part from the rest. I had this with a tapas meat selection and it was a great balance.
At £15 a bottle its not cheap but its pretty good.
Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue, 2010, Grès de Montpellier, France
Dry, bold and really smooth is first impression s on this red from Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue.
There’s aromas of oak and earthy notes with hints of black fruit. The taste is plummy with black fruit and spice with firm tannins. Its 14% but seems like more. Its not “in your face” big and bold but its got flavour and its well integrated which is really appreciated.
Later vintages are selling for Eur18 a bottle which is well priced, sure not cheap but good value. I loved this on its own but it will go well with red meat and the first BBQ of the year. Treat yourself.
Domaine De La Desoucherie, Cheverny, 2013, Loire Valley, France
This white wine from the Domaine De La Desoucherie in the Loire Valley is typical of the whites from the region.
Its subtle and easy drinking, there are aromas and flavours of citrus and its about Eur8 a bottle. We picked this up when visiting the Loire Valley and its a shame in many ways that we can’t get this in the UK. Its a great white for the summer to just drink in the sun.
La Méridionale, Merlot, Syrah, Languedoc, France
The South of France produces lots of Merlot and Syrah red wines and this one from La Méridionale is typical.
Blackberry, plum and cherry and you primary flavours for this pretty simple but drinkable red. Its very Dry, has decent enough body and depth of flavour with tannins that are a little rough and pronounced. Its not bad but its a food wine. pair it with steak or a burger and it will go down very well. At £7 a bottle its decent value too.