Vina Salort, Gran Reserva, Tannat, 2021, Canelones, Uruguay
I’ve not had much wine made from Tannat and after this bottle I know why. It’s not a grape that seems to really excel. It’s OK, dry, light with reasonable red fruit flavours, some tannins and simple on overall structure. Best to have food with it to help soften it.
Lidl, Carinena, Monte Plogar, Gran Reserva, 2016, Valencia, Spain
It’s been a whole since I tried a good cheap red from a supermarket, but this one from Lidl is worth buying. At £6 a bottle, it was a pleasant surprise. Dry with soft tannins and decent flavours of plum, blackberry, cherry with hints of chocolate and a little oak in the background. It’s been left longer than the producer would have recommended before drinking but I think that’s helped soften it up. We had ot with a slow cooked beef joint and it was a perfect fit.
Indomita, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir, 2020, Chile
I love Chile Pinot Noir and this one from Indomita is very good. I’m not sure its in the same league as Morande Pinot Noir but its half the price on a mix 6 at Majestic.
Dry, smooth and reasonable light with aromas of red fruit and notes of oak and coffee. There are flavours of redcurrant, strawberry, herbs and vanilla with hints of eathiness. Its the price where this really scores, at £8 a bottle its well worth buying.
Maipo valley produces a lot of Chilean wine and most of it is actually really good, it’s consistent. I think this is a really good example Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon although not sure the Gran Reserva label adds to the taste.
It’s a dry red thats pretty bold with firm tannings. The aromas of red fruit, leather and a slight smokiness on the nose which is joined by plum and oak on the taste which has good length and under £10 a bottle this is really good value definitely ones are having especially with a lump of meat, game bird or tomato pasta dish.
Indomita, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017, Maipol, Chile