Alpha Estate, SMX Red, 2017, Greece

The red blend of Syrah, Merlot and Xinomavro from Alpha Estate in Greece is a rather decent red wine.

A dry, reasonable light red it has aromas of red and black fruit with earthy and spice hints. The flavours are defined, plum, blackcurrant and cherry with oak notes, strong but not overpowering.

People rubbish wine thats not from the traditional wine areas but this shows that many non main stream wine countries can produce very good wine. The only downside is the price, EUR20 a bottle is a bit pricey.

Alpha Estate, SMX Red, 2017, Greece

Alpha Estate, SMX Red, 2017, Greece

 

Col de la Ramière 2018, Languedoc, France

Its another french Languedoc red. I like wines from the Languedoc as they are not so pretentious as other parts of France, or the world for that matter.

Made with Carignan, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre the are aromas and flavours are quite big, you get loads of red fruit with herbaceous and spice undertones. On the taste you get blackberries coming through as well. The downside is that its a little short on the finish and I would have liked more black fruit.

At about £10 a bottle its a fair price for a reasonable bottle.

Col de la Ramière 2018, Languedoc, France

Col de la Ramière 2018, Languedoc, France