Quinta da Tabua Tinto, Beira Baixa, 2011

Tasted 27/12/11 in Portugal, 12% ABV, n/a UK, only available from my father-in-law's estate near Idanha a Nova. Tasted in cask. Alvaro Rocha's first attempt at a garage wine, 500 ltrs produced from about 90% 3-year old Touriga Nacional vines and a field blend of other indigenous grapes and some bought-in moscatel. Bright beaujolais pink in colour. Pleasant nose of black fruits and cured ham. On the palate it's quite sweet, rather lacking in tannins, hence a rather fruity mouth feel. I think the fruit was picked a little late (late September) and was rather over-ripe and insufficient tannins were extracted during maceration. Maybe, therefore, this is a wine for very early drinking. A pleasant wine with food, much better than I feared! 12/20
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Zeyssolff Gewurtztraminer Cuvee Z 2009 (Alsace)

Tasted 23/12/2011. 14% ABV, n/a UK - private import only, about €12 ex-cellars. Another great wine from the Zeyssolff stable, this one is top of their Gewurztraminer varietal tree, being late picked from older vines. Medium golden colour, perfumed, honeyed nose with oranges and apricots. Medium sweet on the palate - reminds me of a young German auslese. The mouth is full, with marmalade and hints of marzipan. Long, dry-ish finish. A lovely wine, maybe needs another year. From 2012, 17.5/20

Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia IGT 2006

Tasted 23/11/2011. 14% ABV, about £24 UK retail (Lea and Sandeman). IGT rather than DOC, as this Supertuscan blend has more than 30% non-indigenous grapes (that was the law in 2006 but has now changed, I believe) - 33% each of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Dark cherry red, showing some age. Great nose of cherries and dark fruits, slight hint of tar and treacle. Big mouthful of damsons, plums and stewed fruits. Very dry with lingering morello cherries on the finish. Big and tannic - needs longer - but good now with food. From 2013, 17/20

Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Cuvee des Deux Soeurs, Chateauneuf du Pape, 2009

Tasted 23/12/2011, with Sara, Chris, Beata et al. 15% ABV, £21 UK retail from Genesis Wines. Stellar wine from an merging producer. This wine has stormed the prizes and tastings, recently getting 5 stars in a Decanter tasting of the '09s, for example. An amazing, massive wine, one of the best wines I have tasted in 2011. Deep purple colour, incredible nose of tar, cinnamon, tobacco and toffee. Huge mouth of liquorice, juicy dark fruits and coffee. Complex with a lingering finish of Christmas cake butterscotch. Rather tannic still but refined too. This wine has a great future. A bargain. From 2014, 19/20.

Steinmühle Sylvaner QbA Rheinhessen 2010

Tasted 09/12/11. 13%ABV. £6.50. Exclusively available in the UK from German Wine Agencies. A revelation of a wine. Nice to try a pure varietal Sylvaner. Great up-and-coming producer really delivers the goods here. Lovely nose, described as a 'restrained sauvignon blanc. Off-dry, elegant palate with green fruits, lemon zest, apples. Excellent finish. Ready to drink but will last. Incredible value for money. A real find, so unusual to taste this varietal and it shows what superb quality and value there is to be had from Germany. From 2010, 17/20

Mâcon-Lugny Louis Latour, 2010

Tasted 18/12/2011. 13% ABV, about £9 UK retail (widely available). Many reviewers are raving about this as a great 'value for money' and 'affordable entry level' Burgundy. L. Latour has a great reputation and the wine does certainly punch above its weight. Pale straw colour, damp grass and vanilla on the nose. The palate is well balanced, juicy green fruits and fresh acidity well balanced with the oak. Candy box on the finish? Very clean, well made wine, a versatile food wine. From 2011, 16/20

Langenwalter Weisenheimer Hahnen Weisser Burgunder, Pfalz QbA 2010

Tasted 09/12/11. 12.5%. £6.50. Exclusively available in the UK from German Wine Agencies.
Pinot Blanc by another name. Pale straw colour, pleasant nose of damp grass and apples. Zesty palate with juicy gooseberry fruit. The acidity overpowers the fruit somewhat, rather short finish. From 2011, 14.5 / 20

Langenwalter Weisenheimer Hahnen Riesling, Rheinhessen QbA 2009

Tasted 09/12/11. 13.5%. £8.50. Exclusively available in the UK from German Wine Agencies.
Light golden colour, classic 'petrolly' nose, with hint of green vegetables and mint. Off dry. Great depth of zesty fruit and apples on the palate. Good balance of fresh acidity. Needs another year. From 2012, great value for money 16 / 20

Chateau Palmer Alter Ego, Margaux AoC 2005

Tasted 19/12/2011, with Sara, Beata and Jean Marc. 14% ABV, about £60 UK retail. The second wine of the great 2nd growth Chateau Palmer. Fantastic deep purple colour. Great nose of blackcurrants and forest floor. Very concentrated crushed dark fruits and juicy sweet berries on the palate, with mocha and coffee. A classic and excellent value for money - as claret goes. From 2011, 17 / 20.

Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2eme Margaux Grand Cru Classe 2005

Tasted 19/12/11 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. About £85 when you can find it. Decanted for five hours. Dark, inky with a purple rim, clear with little sediment. Clean on the nose with cassis and pencil box notes. Medium-full on the palate with youthful acidity and integrated tannins. A classic Margaux in style - floral nose and quite sweet on the palate. Quite long finish with dark fruit and a layer of oak masking the fruit for now. Drinking well now - I tend to enjoy claret quite young but if you want to keep it for 2 decades, no problem! From 2015, 18/20

Zeyssolff Selection de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris, Alsace 2007

Tasted 19/12/11 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 50cl, 13% abv. n/a UK, private import only. c. £12 ex-cellars. Only made in exceptional years, botrytised Pinot Gris is quite rare to experience. Golden colour, the nose is complex and full of seville oranges, the palate raisins and apricots. Not too sweet and with a dryish finish. Rich and full, this is more at home with pate or cheese than a dessert. Lovely, unusual wine. From 2012, 17.5 / 20

Bollinger Le Grande Annee 2002

Tasted 19/12/11 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 12 % ABV, widely available UK, about £70. Lovely light golden colour, tight, small bubbles in the glass. Still rather young, tight on the nose with candied fruit and zesty notes. A very rich palate and complex but still a little restrained. Needs longer - from 2013. 18/20

Langenwalter, Weisenheimer Hasenzeile, Gewürztraminer, Pfalz QbA 2010

Tasted 09/12/11. 13.5%. £8.50. Exclusively available in the UK from German Wine Agencies.
Light golden colour, honeyed nose with apricots. Sweet at first but with a dry finish. Great depth of tropical fruits, apricots and almonds. A luscious wine with great concentration of fruit. Excellent balance of fruit and zesty acidity. Good now, from 2011. 17.5 / 20

Langenwalter, Weisenheimer Halde, Spatburgunder, Pfalz QbA 2009

Tasted 09/12/11. 12.5%ABV. £9. Exclusively available in the UK from German Wine Agencies
Mid purple with just a hint of brown tinges. Cherries and oak on the nose. The palate is complex. Dry with fresh strawberries fruit, a long finish with tobacco and cinnamon. A well balanced and elegant wine. From 2011, 16.5 / 20

Steinmühle Spatburgunder Rheinhessen QBA 2009

Tasted 09/12/11. 13%ABV. £8. Exclusively available in the UK from German Wine Agencies. A revelation of a wine. A world away from many Spatburgunders (Pinot Noirs) of old. Bright pink colour, youthful, clear, and very little oak evident. A pure expression of Pinot Noir fruit. A delightful nose of rosehips and strawberries. Elegant palate, balanced with firm tannins. Juicy red fruits. Excellent finish. Ready to drink but will last. From 2012, 18/20

Tupungato 2010 Catena Zapata (Mendoza)

Tasted 06/12/2011, 13.5%, about £9 in M&S.
A Bodega Catena Zapata wine sold under various guises, I think - this one M & S. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec blend. A lovely wine. Inky colour. Great aromas of damsons, prunes and salty figs! Very forward dark fruits, fresh youthful palate, with coffee and allspice on the finish. Good to drink now, from 2012. 16/20
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Zeyssolff Reserve Particuliere Pinot Noir AOC, Alsace, 2009

Tasted 4/2010 and 11/2010 and most recently 30.11.11 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 14% ABV. n/a UK, about £10 ex-cellars. An incredibly good wine in a fine year. Never tried Alsatian pinot noir? Well, this is a good one. Pale red-brown, no sign of age at all. Vibrant cherries and boiled sweets on the nose. Initially closed. Slightly tannic but drinking well already. Good strawberry drops on the palate with a long-ish finish. A fine Alsace estate that is a bit 'below the radar' in the UK. There is a private import to the UK. Let me know if you are interested. From 2011. This wine has imporved in bottle over 18 months and is ready now. 16.5 / 20.

Zeyssolff Reserve Particuliere Gewurztraminer AOC 2007

Tasted 30.11.11, with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 13% ABV, n/a UK (private import only). Ca. €12. Medium golden colour, beautiful full, slightly honeyed nose with pear drops and apricots. Long and complex. Excellent balance medium sweet, with citrusy notes and melon with a dry finish. A stellar wine from a stellar vintage in Alsace. Improved from last tasting one year ago. From 2011, 18 / 20

Concha y Toro Trio Reserva 2009 (Maipo Valley)

Tasted 20/11/11. 14% ABV, about £12 UK retail (e.g. Slurp). This is CyT's premium blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz. This vintage has just been released in the UK. Crimson colour. Fantastic aroma of blackcurrant, plums and white pepper. The palate is complex, juicy black fruits, allspice, cherries and coffee. I am not sure how long this wine is made to last, but it is certainly lovely now. Elegant and velvety tannins. A great food wine and excellent value for money. 16.5 / 20

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Colchagua Valley)

Tasted 22/10/11 at with the Tews in Clapham. 14%, about £12 UK retail. I have tasted several recent vintages of this and the '07 seems to be the pinnacle. Deep purple colour and it has the classic New World Cab Sauv nose of green bell peppers. Beautiful cassis notes rise in the glass and the palate is a sophisticated melange of dark fruits, mocha, pimento and liquorice. A lovely wine, ready to drink. A world away from an Chilean '£4.99 glugger'! 17.5 / 20. From 2012

Casa Lapostelle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2007(Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua)

Tasted 22/10/11 at with the Tews in Clapham. 14.5%, about £15 UK retail. This is a lovely wine, now coming into its stride. This is actually a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Carmenere from 60 year old vines. Deep purple colour, the nose is full of cassis and plums and other dark fruits. The palate is slightly spicy, with cherries and dark chocolate. Rich, silky tannins and a long finish. Chilean wine making at it best. Ridiculous value for money. 17.5 / 20, from 2012.

Chateau Latour 1978 Grand Cru Classe

Tasted 22/10/2011 with the Tews in Clapham. 12.5%. We felt privileged to be able to taste a mature First Growth. The wine was a medium brown colour as befitted its age. Cork and wine level both good. Upon opening and decanting, the aroma filled the room - comments variously were figs, dark fruits and smoked ham. The palate was dry. The tannins were still there but the fruit was in abundance too. In the mouth, there's the great sense of terroir that you'd expect from this classic wine - intense and austere as you could hope for from Pauillac, with a very long finish. 19/20. Drink now.

Picpoul de Pinet 2010 (Languedoc)

Tasted 16/10/11 with Sara, Beata and Jean Marc. 12.5% ABV, about £8 Tesco Finest. This wine won a couple of awards recently including Decanter Gold Medal in their regional competition, which prompted me to buy it. This is a great little wine, clean, fresh citrus nose and nice acidity on the palate, balanced by the unusual but pleasant Picpoul fruit - sort of apples and gooseberries. Drink now. 16/20

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 'La Ciarliana' 2006

Tasted 16/10/11 with Sara, Beata and Jean Marc. Lovely! I tasted this a year ago:
and it has imporved greatly. Really drinking beautifully now, from 2012, 17.5 / 20

Santa Julia Malbec 2010 (Mendoza)

Tasted 14/10/11. 13.5% ABV. ca. £6.99 Waitrose. Bodega Santa Rita. A new wine to me and new to Waitrose. Very much an entry level Malbec but pleasant enough. Plums and coffee on the nose, with a palate that has notes of pimento and dark fruits. A shortish finish but quite well structured with soft tannins. At the price I am not complaining too much - this could cost you £20 in an Argentinian steakhouse! Drink now. 14/20
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Maray by Tabali Carmenere 2009 (Limari)

Tasted 12/10/11. 14% ABV, c. £6.99 (Majestic). Vina Tabali. Maray is a new brand to me and quite new to Majestic but Tabali have a solid pedigree.
This is very much an entry level wine. Purple colour, some coffee and caramel on the nose. A rather generic carmenere palate, rather short finish. A superior barbecue wine! Drink now, 13/20

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Tabali Encantado Late Harvest Muscat 2007 (Limari)

Tasted 8/10/11 with Clem, Ian and Sara on our 'South American tasting night'.
12.5% ABV, about £8 UK retail (50cl).
Mid-golden colour. Honeyed nose. Some of us detected botrytis 'marmalade' notes but other disagreed. Quite rich on the palate, with some floral notes. Sweet but not cloyingly so. Drink now, 16/20
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Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2007 (Mendoza)

Tasted 8/10/11 with Clem, Ian and Sara on our 'South American tasting night'.
14% ABV, about £12 UK retail.
This is the third or fourth vintage of this wine from Concha y Toro's Argentinian operation that I have tasted. Mid-purple, clear and youthful in appearance. The nose is gamey and has hints of white pepper. There's a full hit of American oak on the palate but then the wine feels a little closed. Not as approachable yet as earlier vintages at this stage. Needs longer, 1-2. Well made. From 2012, 17/20
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Fabre Montmayou 2007 (Patagonia)

Tasted 8/10/11 with Clem, Ian and Sara on our 'South American tasting night'.
14.5% ABV, about £10 UK retail (e.g. Waitrose).
Deep purple colour. Spicy dark fruits and coffee on the nose. The palate is classic Malbec: powerful damsons and prunes. Firm tannins. Needs longer but a truly outstanding wine. Fabre's credentials show through. From 2012, 18/20
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Clos de las Seite 2008 (Mendoza)

Tasted 8/10/11 with Clem, Ian and Sara on our 'South American tasting night'.
14% ABV, about £11 UK retail (various offers push it sub-£10 at the moment). The classic blend that has prevailed - Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Deep purple colour. Coffee, pimento and blackcurrants on the nose. The tannins are silky and there's lot of elegant dark fruit on the palate. Very well made and a bargain. From 2011, 16.5/20

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Catena Chardonnay 2010 (Mendoza)

Tasted 8/10/11 with Clem, Ian and Sara on our 'South American tasting night'.
13.5% ABV, about £9 UK retail. Light golden colour, toasty oak on the nose but not too oaky: the mango fruit (!) on the palate comes through well. Good length and some structure. Needs 1-2 years. 16/20

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Cono Sur Vision Gewurtraminer 2009 (Casablanca)

Tasted 8/10/11 with Clem, Ian and Sara on our 'South American tasting night'.
13% ABV, about £9 UK retail. Widely available. Light golden colour, nose is more citrus and tropical fruits rather than classic Gewurtz. Palate not as satisfying as the nose, a little short on the finish. Some pleasant zesty notes on the palate: pleasant enough but perhaps not in the same league as the CS Vision Riesling. Drink now, 15.5/20
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Tassinaia Castello del Terriccio 2006

Tasted 6/10/11 at Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society. £21.95 Lea and Sandeman. A Supertuscan blend. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese (the cepage lists Petit Verdot and Syrah too). Dark purple colour, classic 'cured ham' nose with cassis. The palate is big with coffee and dark fruits. A superbly crafted blend: this is a most enjoyable wine. Lovely now but will improve. Good value. From 2011, 17/20

CHIANTI CLASSICO Riserva Bugialla Poggerino 2006

Tasted 6/10/11 at Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society. £23.95 Lea and Sandeman. A single vineyard wine, well worth the money. Dark purple colour, youthful appearance. Great aromas of cherries and quite floral. Full bodies and very well structured. A little closed still - it needs longer from this fine year. From 2012, 16.5/20

Brunello di Montalcino 2006 Fuligni

Tasted 6/10/11 at Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society. £34.95 Lea and Sandeman. A superb wine. Mid ruby colour, sweet blueberries on the nose. A big wine with a long life but smooth and velvety tannins, gorgeous dark, complex dark fruits and even a little butterscotch on the palate, with a long finish. A tad closed at the moment but then it's a juvenile. From 2015, 18/20

Clocktower Pinot Noir 2009 Marlborough

Tasted 29/09/11. 14% ABV, £12.49 Marks and Spencer (Wither Hills). Bright ruby red, clear with a fine nose of cured ham and raspberries. This is a premium pinot noir. well done, Wither Hills - no varietal glugger here - elegant, ripe berries fruit and a long finish. From 2012, 16.5 / 20.

Chateau Monlot Capet St. Emilion Grand Cru 1964

Tasted at My Dining Room from the collection of David Beguier-Barnett on 23/09/11. This 47 year old wine was in excellent condition and was pleasantly 'youthful'. '64 in Bordeaux was overshadowed by other vintages and standard advice would be to drink up all but the very top growths.
However, this wine drank well indeed and was in perfect condition - all David's wines were Chateau bottled and have been stored there until he moved them to the UK recently.
The cork was in good condition and the wine threw some small amounts of sediment and benefited from decanting. The wine was brick red in colour. The nose had a hint of plums with aromas of ham and game. The tannins were now soft and on the palate, just a little of the berry fruit remained but it has a pleasant finish with lingering vanilla notes. We tried some samples in diners in the restaurant and some thought the wine was just 2 or 3 years old! 18 / 20. From 2015.
17th November 2011 - there will a tasting of St.Emilions from David's collection at My Dining Room, SW6 - contact David for more details and to book a place and see www.cfwinesociety.org
This is a chance to try some old (and not so old) fine St.Emilions at a bargain price.

Chateau de Ferrand (Marquis de Mons) St.Emilion Grand Cru 1976

Tasted at My Dining Room from the collection of David Beguier-Barnett on 23/09/11. This 35 year old wine was in good condition and pleasantly rewarding. '76 was better on the right bank than left in Bordeaux but all these wines should be drunk up by now. However, though you would not want to keep this any longer, this wine drank well and was in fine order. The cork was in good condition and the wine threw some small amounts of fine sediment. The wine was light brick red in colour. The nose had a hint of plums with aromas of ham and game. The tannins were now soft and on the palate, just a little of the berry fruit remained but it has a pleasant finish with lingering vanilla notes. 16.5 / 20. Drink now!
17th November 2011 - there will a tasting of St.Emilions from David's collection at My Dining Room, SW6 - contact David for more details and to book a place and see www.cfwinesociety.org
This is a chance to try some old (and not so old) fine St.Emilions at a bargain price.

Barbera d'Alba Bricco Maiolica 2008 (Piedmont)

Tasted 17/09/2011. 13% ABV, £12.95 Lea and Sandeman. A great value wine, really lovely and still improving after a day's breathing! Bright cherry red, black fruits and cinnamon on the nose, with sweetish cherry fruit on the palate. Not as forward or as fruity as the '07 but this is an elegant wine. Some tasters have awarded this 90/100 which seems about right. From 2012, 16.5 /20.

Douro DOC 2009 (Barbosa)

Tasted 15/09/2011. 13.5% ABV. About £7.99 UK retail (Tesco Finest). Unremarkable. A Douro blend (probably Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira) from a co-operative by well known winemaker Antonina Barbosa.The label says 'full bodied' but I'd describe it as medium bodied - quite light for a Douro blend actually. '09 was a less successful year. It is well is made and approachable but not that distinctive - a bit generic. Medium purple colour, spicy nose, hints of black fruits and white pepper. Quite fruity on the palate but a little thin. Tannic still but I'd be tempted to drink now - this is not a wine for keeping. From 2011, 13.5/20

Vina Valdivieso Single Vineyard Merlot 2007 (Sagrada Familia, Curico Valley)

Tasted 8/9/11. 14% ABV. About £12 UK retail. Presented by winemaker Brett Jackson to the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society at My Dining Room, SW6.
This wine is 85% Merlot and 15% Carmenere. Bright red colour, dark fruits, plums and raisins on the nose. Smooth, with good tannins, full bodied but accessible now. Needs another year. Much better than the regular reserva Merlot and worth the extra couple of pounds. From 2012, 17/20

Vina Valdivieso Eclat Botrytis Semillon 2007 (Curico)

Tasted 8/9/11. 12% ABV. About £8 UK retail (37.5cl). Presented by winemaker Brett Jackson to the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society at My Dining Room, SW6.
This wine is not made every year and Brett explained that after '07, there wont be another made until '12.
The wine is a golden yellow colour, with the classic marmalade nose with peaches and apricots in the glass. It's a bit too sweet for my liking at this stage and needs longer in bottle. From 2013, 16/20

Vina Valdivieso Cabernet Franc Single Vineyard 2008

Tasted 8/9/11. 14.5% ABV. About £12.00 UK retail. Presented by winemaker Brett Jackson to the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society at My Dining Room, SW6.
This is a wine that is harder to find but well worth seeking out. We think if Cabernet Franc as being the blending grape of claret but in Bordeaux, it used to be the main varietal before Jonny-Come-Lately Cabernet Sauvignon in the late 19th Century! South America is now producing some lovely single varietal / single vineyard Cabernet Franc.
This wine comes from old vines - about 50 years old. The colour is violet, with a nose of dark berries and cherries. The palate has pepppery, capsicum notes and there's good structure for keeping. Best red of the night in my opinion. From 2011, 17.5/20.

Vina Valdivieso Reserva Viognier 2009 (Sagrada Familia)

Tasted 8/9/11. 14.5% ABV. About £9.99 UK retail. Presented by winemaker Brett Jackson to the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society at My Dining Room, SW6.
A really pleasing wine, voted best white of the night in a straw poll. Medium yellow colour. Floral nose with dried apricots, almonds and a hint of tropical fruits. The palate reminded me of dried apricots and almonds. Lovely balance of fruit and fresh acidity. This is one of the best south American viogniers I have had this year. From 2011, 16/20

Vina Valdivieso Reserva Pinot Noir 2009 (Casablanca Valley)

Tasted 8/9/11. 14.5% ABV. About £9.99 UK retail. Presented by winemaker Brett Jackson to the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society at My Dining Room, SW6.
I tasted this before in March but I found this bottle lighter. It was a light pink colour, with a full and strawberry fruit nose but rather lacking in body. Brett said these vines were only 5 years old, so I think this wine is very much for early drinking and it's a 'work in progress'. This bottle was less distinctive than the same wine I had just 6 months ago. From 2011, drink now. 14/20

Vina Valdiveiso Eclat 2007 (Maule Valley)

Tasted 8/9/11. 14% ABV. About £15 UK retail. Presented by winemaker Brett Jackson to the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society at My Dining Room, SW6.
Eclat is their premium southern Rhone blend of Carignan, Mouvedre and Syrah. It is a distinctive wine, made with some old vines from selected plots and newer plantings.
Deep purple colour, beautiful spicy 'Rhone nose' of black fruits. Firm tannins still, so this wine will benefit from keeping but it is very good to drink now. The palate is elegant and has a long finish - great value for money. From 2012, 17/20.

Vina Valdivieso Caballo Loco no.12 NV (Central Valley)

Tasted 8/9/11. 14% ABV. About £22 UK retail. Presented by winemaker Brett Jackson to the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society at My Dining Room, SW6.
Brett explained the craft behind his winemakers blend. A solera system is used whereby a new vintage is aged with an older, matured vintage. Hence the production numbering and 'non-vintage' appellation.
This is fine wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenere and Syrah.
Deep crimson colour, with intense aromas of crushed red fruit. On the palate it is full, rich and elegant, firm tannins and a long finish of redcurrants and allspice. From 2011, 17.5/20

Barolo DOCG Araldica

Tasted 09/09/11. 14% ABV. An interesting new style Barolo from a minor producer (£15 from Asda). A multiple award winner for the 2006, this 2005 was a nice wine nonetheless. Light brick red, lighter style than a traditional Barolo but accessible now at only 6 years old, classic tar and dark fruits on the nose, and quite concentrated Nebbiolo character on the palate. A little tannic still but good dark fruit, tar and chocolate and a white pepper. Long finish. The three years in oak shows through. From 2013, 16.5/20

Château Mondain ‘Chevalier D’Albran’ (Bordeaux AoC) 2008

Tasted 03/09/11 with Beata, Sara and Jean Marc. 13.5%. £7.96 from Bordeaux Undiscovered. Blend M 70, CS and CF 15% each. Deeper purple colour. Great aromas of cassis, toasty oak and pencil box, the most classically claret-like of the four wines tasted. Dark fruits and hint of bell peppers and some vanilla in the mouth. Good grip, firm tannins, fruit slightly masked for now but long finish. Reminds me of a young Right Bank wine. Superb value. From 2013, 16.5 / 20.

Château Millet Lartigue (Bordeaux AoC) 2008

Tasted 03/09/11 with Beata, Sara and Jean Marc. 12% ABV. CS/M and CF. £7.99 from Bordeaux Undiscovered. Clear, mid-purple colour. Quite plummy nose but a little disappointing on the palate. Probably needs another year or so. From 2012, 13.5/20

Château Roc de Levraut (Bordeaux Superior AoC) 2009

Tasted 03/09/11 with Beata, Sara and Jean-Marc. 13.5%. 60/40 CS/M blend. £8.35 from Bordeaux Undiscovered. Clear, mid-purple colour, cassis on the nose, firmer tannins, well balanced and a good finish. Plenty of berry fruits on the palate. A well made wine, from 2012. 15.5/20

Château Loyasson (Bordeaux AoC) 2009

First of four wines I enjoyed from Nick Stephen's excellent Bordeaux Undiscovered
petit chateauz range. 13.5% ABV. Merlot /CabSauv 50/50 blend. £7.99 from Bordeaux Undiscovered. Clear, light ruby colour. Full, fruity nose, black fruits. Plummy on the palate, a rather short finish, with soft tannins. Seems to be from quite young vines made to be drunk young, perhaps. From 2010, drink now. 14/20

Rocca Colmontano IGT 2007 (Marches)

Tasted 01/09/11 with Sara. 13.5% ABV. A good one from Laithwaites, at about £6. This is the second bottle I had, and I realised that I have had this one over 2 years and it is just right now, and represents excellent VFM. This wine is from the innovative Marches region of Italy - a neighbour of Tuscany and Umbria - but a tad cheaper! It's a blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano grapes. Nice light ruby colour, cherries and damsons on the nose with pleasant red fruits on the palate. A very nice food wine. From 2010, 15.5/20

Puerta de Hierro DO 2008

Tasted 31/08/11 with Sara. 13.5%. £5.99 Laithwaites. Disappointing wine from the Madrid region. Thin, unexciting, a little harsh. It shows you get what you pay for - even Laithwaites value for money couldn't score here...12/20

Palacios Propiedad DOC Rioja 2005 (Alvaro Palacios / Remondo)

Tasted 25/08/11 with the WHICH group at Vivat Bacchus, EC4. 14%, about £35 UK retail. I have had this wine in stock for about 18 months and it benefited from keeping. I still needs longer but is drinking well now. This is a 60% Garnacha and 40% Tempranillo blend from high altitude vineyards in the east of Rioja. The colour is ruby with a hint of brown tinge. The aromas are ones of fresh strawberries and some wild herbs. The palate his silky tannins and long finish, with berry fruits. It's a new style Rioja for sure with but that one that pays homage to the region's traditions. I love this wine but opinion was divided. It needs longer but is enjoyable now. If I have a criticism, it's overpriced, probably due to the reputation of the winemaker. From 2012, 17/20.

Errázuriz Max Reserva 2007 Merlot (Aconagua Valley)

Tasted 19/08/2011. 14%. This is one of the middle level wines from Errazuriz. It's about £9-£10 retail in the UK and worth every penny. This wine is made from 20 year old vines from selected plots. This is an example of some of the 'older vines' that are now coming round in Chile. It is more elegant and sophisticated than the usual fruit-forward Chilean Merlot. This has a great deep ruby colour. The nose is full-on varietal Merlot with red fruits and a hint of herbs. The palate is a little tannic still and this wine needs longer....can we keep Chilean wines 10 years now? I wish I had another bottle...16.5 / 20. From 2011.

CHIANTI CLASSICO Poggerino 2008

Tasted 22/08/2011 over lunch at the River Cafe with Sara. 13.5%. £15 in Lea and Sandeman. The River Cafe is an iconic eatery and needs no introduction. Their wine list is extensive - and expensive - and this wine represents one of the better value wines therein - a 'snip' at £40 a bottle!
This wine by Piero Lanza is really good - it's a little young yet but is deep, concentrated and ruby. It is 100% Sangiovese and after an hour's breathing, the nose was massive, with berry fruits and a hint of oregano. Good tannins and a great length. On the palate it is deeply concentrated cherries. Great value for money (at retail!). 17.5 - 18/20. From 2012.

Churchill Estates 2007 (Douro)

Tasted 09/08/2011. I last tasted this wine just under a year ago:

http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/09/churchill-estates-douro-portugal-2007.html

I'd reinforce those comments but say it has definitely improved over a year but is still not as good as the '06. But, it's still quite a classy powerful wine that needs longer... from 2012. 17/20

Matetic EQ Chardonnay 2009 (San Antonio)

Tasted 31.07.11, 15% ABV. About £15.99 UK retail. This is a superb wine, one of the best Chilean wines I have tasted this year. Matetic is a relatively new 'boutique' winery but has quickly moved to close to the top of the Chilean tree. This wine is made from their oldest vine plots (circa. 1999). If you are a classic Burgundy drinker, you may not appreciate the style so much but you will acknowledge the quality. Soft yellow colour. This is a rich, fruity Chilean style for sure but elegant and multi-dimensional too. Beautiful citrus, tropical fruits and vanilla on the nose, in the mouth it's all fresh acidity with butterscotch. Long finish. From 2011, 18/20

Vina Leyda Costero Syrah 2009 (Leyda Valley)

Tasted 31/07/2011, 14% ABV. About £8.50 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). I have had this wine in stock for a year or so and at 2 years of age, it's about ready to drink now. Vina Leyda is up-and-coming (established 1997 according to the authoritative Peter Richard's Chile guide) and gets passing mention (for example) in the latest Parker guide. I haven't tried their Pinot Noir but this Syrah, whilst not in the same league as Vina Mayu, Casa Lapostelle or Matetic EQ, is a lovely wine nonetheless, fruity and bred for early drinking but elegant too. Ruby red, raspberries and berries on the nose, with white pepper and coffee on the palate overlying a layer of brambly fruit, with structured tannins. Excellent value for money. From 2011, 16/20.

Viu Manent Reserva Carmenere 2009 (Colchagua)

Tasted 26/07/11. This £10 wine comes in at a potent 14.5% ABV. This winery has been 'family owned since 1935' but as far as I can tell, it's an exclusive UK import by Majestic. They do a non-reserva and a gran reserva too but this one is the best of the three in my opinion.
Beautiful deep purple colour, the 10 months in oak shows through with a nice layer of vanilla over the dark berry fruits. The nose is one of mocha, herbs and plums on the palate it's spicy dark chocolate, coffee and cherries. Firm tannins - drinking well now but it has 3 or 4 years yet. A lovely wine.
From 2013, 16.5/20
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Errázuriz Estate Carmenere 2009 (Aconagua)

Tasted 21/07/2011, 13.5% ABV, screw cap. About £7.50 (e.g. Majestic). I have said before that I sometimes find the Errazuriz entry-level wines rather harsh and two-dimensional but this one was a pleasant surprise. It says that 'half the wine' (sic) has had 6 months in oak but have no doubt this wine is quite elegant and well-rounded. Carmenere from Chile is gaining a deserved reputation and this wine reinforces that notion. Deep purple, with pimento, cigars and mocha on the nose, dark fruits on the palate with soft, velvety tannins. A very well made wine. From 2011, 15.5/20

Archangel Wines Long Trek Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2008

Tasted 15/07/11 with Sara, Jane and Alex. £10 UK retail (n/a Majestic). This winery's reserva wine is a multiple medal winner. I have had a couple bottles of the entry level for about 2 years and probably with hindsight, kept them a year too long. It is a New World style for sure and shows what Central Otago is now capable of with the fickle Pinot Noir grape..... this is a fruit forward, well balanaced wine but some of the fruit has now gone and would have probably benefitted from drinking when it was 2 years old, rather than 3. Young vines no doubt. Nonetheless, it is still most enjoyable - it's bright cherry red, intense strawberries on the nose, a little tannic on the palate, but there's boiled sweets, and a hint of spice in the mouth. This winery shows great potential for the future. Drink now, 16/20.

Chianti Riserva San Colombano 'Baroncini' 2007 DOCG

Tasted 13/07/11 with Sara. 13% ABV, ca. £9.50 UK retail (Waitrose). Initially, I was rather disappointed with this 'IWSC Bronze Medal Winner' but after 3 days breathing (sic) it really came into its own! San Colombano have a good reputation in the Tuscan middle ground and I thought at 4 years old, this bottle was about ready to try. Upon first opening and even on a second day, we found this rather closed, extremely oaky and very dry. But it eventually opened up to reveal lovely cherries and strawberries on the nose, and the tannins softened. As it is this wine is good with food but it shows that there are still long-lived 'traditional' Chianti styles made at this level. Note to self - keep for another 3 years at least! From 2015, 16/20

Errázuriz Tapihue Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Casablanca Valley)

Tasted 12/07/11 with Beata, Jean-Marc, Tom, Sara, et al. 13.5% ABV, about £8 UK retail. This wine has improved in the year since I bought it. This shows that even youthful, early-drinking wines benefit from some age. Pale straw colour. Very nice apple and gooseberry nose, refershing acidity on the palate. Quite well balanced now and drinking well. I do like Errazuriz reserva-level wines and their fine wines, but unlike say, Cono Sur and Concha y Toro, I find their entry level wines unremarkable but this is an exception. From 2011, 15.5 / 20

Vinchio Vaglio I Tre Vescovi Barbera d'Asti DOCG Superiore 2008 (Piedmont)

Tasted 10/07/11, 13.5% ABV. About £8.99 In Waitrose (currently on offer at £6.50). A lovely little wine and it shows that there is good vlaue for money to be had for every day wine in the Old World. Ruby red in colour with brown tinges, looks older than its age. Beautiful strawberries, dried fruits and toasty oak on the nose, red fruits on the palate. Good tannins and well balanced. Really superb food wine - good value even at full price. Drink now, 16/20

Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2008 (Casablanca)

Tasted 05/07/11, 13.5% ABV. This is widely available for anywhere between £6 and £8. This is an entry level varietal blend from Concha y Toro's global brand. Though labelled 'reserva' I am not sure why but.....
As always with CdD, their entry level varietals are far superior to most New World gluggers at this price point, and great value too.
This wine is medium purple, the nose has spice and red fruits and some oaky notes. The palate is fresh and fruity. Well balanced. Not remarkable but you get a good Merlot character. Drink now, 14 / 20.
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Finca Flichman Malbec Reserve 2009

Tasted 1/7/11 with Tom. 14% ABV. Currently on offer at Waitrose at £5.99 (from £7.99). The 2010 has just been released so I decided to drink up the '09 that I had since last year. It seems very similar to the Gestos, just not quite as elegant or rounded. Their website is worth a look: http://www.flichman.com.ar/home.html (Spanish only) but doesn't list this wine. My guess is this is a blend for the international market; according to the bottle based on two of their vineyards. I think the 'reserve' appellation comes from selected plots rather than barrel age. Anyway, it is clear, medium purple colour with a good nose of plum and strawberry. Tannins are soft. There's a rather short finish and I would have preferred a bit more grip with firmer tannins. Good value for money, nonetheless, if you like your Malbec soft-ish and for early drinking. 15/20, drink now.

Finca Flichman Gestos 2008

Tasted 27/06/2011, 14% ABV. The 2010 is about £7.50. I realised that I had had this wine in stock for nearly 2 years, so decided it was time to drink up. Argentina, particularly the great stables such as Flinchman, Balbo, Joffre and Catena, are producing superb affordable Malbecs for everyday drinking and for keeping too.. This wine falls into the former category but is a nice, elegant wine nonetheless. Dark purple colour, still very youthful. Smoke and ripe cherries on the nose, damsons and spice on the palate. Great value, versatile wine. Drink now.....15.5 / 20

Casillero del Diablo Viognier 2009 Reserva, Casablanca Valley

Tasted 24/06/11, 13.5% ABV. About £7.50 UK retail. I am not a big fan of Viognier at any price (or from anywhere) and hence was not reall ylooking forward to 'cheap' Viognier, even from the quality-driven Concha y Toro giant. But, this wasn't bad. From their website: 'After being on the brink of extinction in 1965, this variety, a native grape of the French Rhône Valley, has seen a steady increase in its production to the point where it now stands as competition for the ever-classic Chardonnay. This is an aromatic wine with delicate flavours, mostly defined by its apricot and peach notes and low acidity'. About right. Zesty, I had a hint of pineapple too. Drink now, 14/20

I Satiri, Salice Salentino Riserva 2006 Candido

Tasted 24/06/11, 13.5% ABV. About £8.50 in Majestic. Good expression of the Negroamaro grape from Puglia - with some age - at a great price. Clear, red-brown colour with some age on the rim. Great nose of raisins, smoke, prunes and oak. Firm tannins, with lots of dark cherry fruit and a longish finish. From 2011, 16.5/20

Gran Vendema Rioja Gran Reserva 2002

Tasted 19/06/2011. 14% ABV, about £10 (Majestic). This is cheaper, 'new style' Rioja that is now coming into its own. It was a bargain a year ago when I bought a case and it is now drinking well but has life yet. Cherry red, showing just a hint of age around the edges of the glass. Leather, toffee and cinnamon on the nose. Elegant and full in the mouth with lively tannins still. Vanilla and berry fruits. This has improved since tasting it about a year ago. From 2012. 16.5 / 20

Barbera d'Asti DOCG 2009 De Forville (Piedmont)

Tasted 18/06/2011 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 14% ABV, £12.49 in Majestic. A good Barbaresco of the new style. Good for youthful drinking or will keep. Deep red colour, clear. Great aromas of smoke, spice, red cherries. Lots of tannin masking the fruit. In the mouth, it shows its credentials and elegance but it needs longer. Drink now with a rich antipasti or creamy sauce - but I'd keep it for a while yet. From 2013. 17/20

Errázuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir, 2008 (Casablanca)

Tasted 17/06/11 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. ca. £12 UK retail. My last bottle of the '08 and improved on last year when I first tasted it. One of the best wines from Errázuriz, this is made from young vines but hand picked and selected bunches, and has 9 months in French oak after fermentation with 'wild yeasts'. This is an incredibly young-drinking but complex and elegant pinot noir, a universe away from tannic and long lived Burgundy-style wines. The nose is beautifully complex strawberries and rosehips. In the mouth it's long and elegant with smooth red fruits and a surprising richness. Highly recommended and superb value for money. From 2011, 17.5 /20

Macon-Uchizy AOC 2008

Tasted 17/6/2011 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 13% ABV, £8.99 Marks and Spencer. Very pleasant commune Maconnais, 100% Chardonnay by R & G Sallet. A very well balanced wine with a nice buttery roundness and citrusy flavours. Perhaps this shows that white French wine below £10 can compete with the New World! Recommended. From 2011, 16/20

Valdivieso Reserva Merlot 2008, Rapel Valley

Tasted 7/6/11, 13.5%, about £9 UK retail. This Merlot may be a long way from a 10 year old St. Emilion in style, but it is a fine example of great Chilean wine making. It's deep red with beautiful red berry fruits, cherries and a hint of allspice on the nose. The restrained oak gives a nice layer of vanilla. This is fruit-forward for sure but its elegant and refined and well balanced with smooth tannins. Lovely - what value! From 2011, 16.5/20
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Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Filicheto Castellani 2006

Tasted 01/06/11 with Sara. 13.5% ABV, about £10 UK with Majestic. A 'cheap' VNdM but a good expression of the style and the Sangiovese grape. Light ruby red, showing some age. Lovely nose: full, cherries, vanilla and a hint of pepper. In the mouth, it's still quite full and a little tannic but long and elegant. There's lots of dry, juicy red fruits and a finish that is reminiscint of cherries and rapsberries. Not the highest echelon of this Tuscan region but a very nice wine, excellent value for money. From 2011, 16.5 /20

Cuvee Balthazar Syrah 2007 Vin de Pay d'Oc

Tasted 28/05/2011 with Beata, Jean-Marc, et al. 13.5% ABV, about £10 UK retail (e.g. Waitrose). 

Winemaker Pierrick Harang’s take on the new style ‘Super Vin De Pay’, this is a world away from cheap, barely adequate D’Oc wines of yesterday. Well worth the money, this is a super-charged syrah, lovely dark fruits nose, spicy and fruity with a great finish. Well worth the money. From 2011, 17/20

Barossa Shiraz Reserve 2007

Tasted 21/05/2011 with Alex, Jane and Sara. 14.5% ABV, about £9 UK retail from Waitrose.The '08 is available now - this was my last bottle of the '08. See:
http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/12/barossa-shiraz-reserve-2007.html
Lovely, a point now... 18 / 20, great value for money

La Casita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Coquimbo Valley, 2009

Tasted 18/05/2011. 13.5%. About £7 UK retail. A 'jobbing' Chilean varietal - some fresh acidity and minerality with a citrus fruits on the nose. A rather short finish, probably not worth more than £7. Drink now, 14/20

Cumot Nebbiolo d'Alba Bricco Maiolica DOC 2007

Tasted 19/05/2011 at the WHICH group. 14% ABV. Ca. £23 UK retail from Lea and Sandeman. A minor Barbaresco from Piedmont. Lovely wine, brick red with brown tinges, showing some age. Leathery notes, tar, liquorish and dark fruits on the nose. Great balance with lots of cherry and strawberry fruit and a long finish. A tad pricey but a really enjoyable wine. From 2011, 17.5 / 20

Errazuriz Estate Merlot, Aconagua Valley, 2009

Tasted 19/05/2011. Tasted previously in  http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/11/errazuriz-estate-merlot-aconagua-valley.html
Re-visiting this after a year, I feel an extra year has added to the wine. The tannins have softened a little, drink now. Quite spicy on the finish/ 15.5 / 20

Douro DOC 2008

Tasted 10/05/11, 13.5% ABV. £6.99 (currently £4.99). Tesco Finest label is a Falua wine by Antonina Barbosa. A pleasant enough wine, if unremarkable. Light ruby colour, good toasty oak and blackcurrants on the nose. Soft tannins and red fruits on the palate. A rather short finish. Not bad - good value for money at the current price. Drink now, 14.5 / 20
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Post Scriptum de Chryseia DOC 2008 (Douro)

Tasted 04/05/11 at Central London Wine Society. 13.5% ABV, about £20 UK retail. The second level 'boutique wine' from the Prats and Symington collaboration, a fine table wine from port country. This is selected parcels of touriga nacional grapes. Deep purple colour, very youthful. Cedar wood, dark fruits and figs on the nose. Elegant with great tannins, needs a lot longer.From 2013, 17/20

Planalto Reserva 2009 (Douro)

Tasted 04/05/11 at Central London Wine Society. 12.5% ABV, about £8 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). An unremarkable from the Sogrape group. Light golden colour, off-dry, zesty nose and slightly smoky and resinous on the palate. Rather short finish. From 2011, 14/20

Rayuela Merlot, 2010 Central Valley

Tasted 06/05/11 at home with Sara. 14% ABV, about £7.50 at Majestic (currently on offer at £5.99 if you buy two or more). A great little, fruit forward Chilean wine. Nice, every day drinking, pleasant varietal Merlot character. Youthful (2010!) deep violet colour with cherry and mixed spice on the nose, vanilla and chocolate notes in the mouth with nice plummy fruit. Soft tannins - drink young. Another demonstration of how excellent entry level Chilean wines can be - this is the entry level wine of the Viu Manent winery - new to me and exclusively imported by Majestic. (Rayuela means 'hopscotch' in Chilean Spanish vernacular, apparently). They do reserva wines under the Viu Manent label. From 2011, 15.5 / 20

Santa Rita Late Harvest Moscatel, 2008 (Limari)

Tasted 01.05.11 with Clem, Ian and Tom. 12% ABV, about £11 UK retail (50cl). Santa Rita is an off-shoot of the Concha Y Toro group. Though this is 'late harvest', it's certainly botrytised too. This is hand picked grapes. . A lovely wine, well balanced. Lovely nose of 'Oxford marmalade', a nice sweetness with refreshing acidity. The nose has rose petal and and lemon too, the palate quite rich. Great value for money. From 2011, 17 / 20.

Anakena Single Vineyard Late Harvest 2009, Rapel Valley

Tasted 01.05.11 with Clem, Ian and Tom. 13% ABV, £9 UK retail (50cl). A Viognier and Muscat blend. Intense yellow colour, pear and apricots on the nose, dry apricots on the palate. Not too sweet: balanced by good acidity. From 2011, 16 / 20

Zohar Torrontes 2009 (Mendoza)

Tasted 01.05.11 with Clem, Ian and Tom. 13.5% ABV, about £10.99 UK retail. A premium wine from Susana Balbo. The wine has a light golden colour and is youthful and accessible. Nice tropical fruits on the nose and elegant, complex notes of citrus and zesty fruit in the mouth. There's also peach and violets on the nose. A top-drawer Torrontes. From 2011, 16 / 20.

Vinalba Malbec Reserva, 2009 (Mendoza)

Tasted 01.05.11 with Clem, Ian and Tom. 15% ABV (!), £10.99 (Majestic). A middle level wine from the
Herve J Fabre stable, a notch up from their entry level Malbec. Deep purple colour, ripe black fruits and smoke on the nose, beautiful blackcurrants and plums on the palate. Nice integrated toasty oak flavours. Quite elegant and rounded for such a young wine. You could keep it - but I wouldn't: drink now. From 2011, 16.5 / 20

Novas Winemaker's Selection Syrah 2007 Casablanca Valley

Tasted 01.05.11 with Clem, Ian and Tom. 14.5% ABV, about £12.50 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). This is the third bottle I have tasted recently and am still convinced it is a bargain.I quote what I blogged previously:
http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/11/novas-winemakers-selection-syrah-2007.html
'This is a wonderful cool climate syrah and a fine example of what Chile can do at its best. A winery with a stellar reputation has produced this gorgeous and incredibly drinkable wine (despite the 14.5% ABV). The nose is full of notes of chocolate and toffee, with some tar and caramelised sugar thrown in. Long and full on the palate, this is an elegant and very well made wine. Refined and fruity but not too dry'.
Definitely needs longer - there is more to come from this one....From 2012, 17.5  / 20

Maycas del Limari Chardonnay, 2007

Tasted 01.05.11 with Clem, Ian and Tom. 14% ABV, about £9 UK retail. Disappointing and not worth the money. I am a big fan of the red wines from Maycas but this chardonnay fails to deliver. Rather non-descript on the nose - a hint of vanilla - but thin and green in the mouth for a 4 year old+ wine. We suspect it's a bought-in blend of young vines with a possibly poorer vintage. Rather acid without balancing fruitiness. Drink now 14 / 20

Casa Lapostelle Pinot Noir Cuvee Alexandre 2008, Atalayas Vineyard (Casablanca Valley)

Tasted 30.04.11 with Chris, Fran, Rosalind and some of the Wednesday Wine Group. 14.5%, about £20 UK retail. Casa Lapostelle at its best - youthful, bright purple colour. Powerful crushed fruits and strawberries on the nose, in the mouth it's full and powerful, with a hint of spice, lovely vanilla masking some of the fruit still. This is a limited production from selected blocks. This one will age - keep for another 3 to 5 years. Very good value for money. From 2015, 17.5/20

Kalk and Schiefer Nittnaus Blaufrankisch, Burgenland, 2007

Tasted 28/04/11 at Shampers with the WHICH group. 13% ABV, £15 bin-end from Lea and Sandeman. The winemakers Hans and Anita Nittnaus have a fine reputation and this is a surprisingly good wine from Austria. The Blaufrankisch grape is native to Hungary and is extensively grown in Austria's finest region, Burgenland. This example was young and would have probably benefited from more age. Bright purple in colour, this wine had raspberries and white pepper on the nose. It is said that the palate tastes of beetroot: certainly there was an earthiness the complemented the oak well. Quite zesty with a hint of blueberries on the finish. From 2012, 16/20

Vina Mayu Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Elqui Valley)

Tasted 19.04.11 with Jane, Alex and Sara. 13.5% ABV, about £9 UK retail. Another single-estate wine from the Mayu stable. The cool northerly Elqui Valley is producing some lovely wines and Mayu always seem to hit the spot, especially at the reserva level. This wine is pale straw coloured with damp grass, asparagus and mineral notes on the nose. The palate is pleasingly acid with green apples and a hint of mint. A nice wine: Chile yet again is able to do with Sauvignon Blanc what the Old World often struggles to do: produce an above average wine at a fair price. Drink now, 16/20

Cono Sur Reserva Rielsing 2008, Bio Bio Valley

Tasted 17.04.11  with Sara, Howard and Astrid. 13.5%, about £9 UK retail. Demonstration again of the value of paying a £1 or two more to trade-up to 'reserva' level - this is more than a notch or two higher above the entry level Cono Sur. The reserva is made with selected bunches from a single vineyard. 3 months in stainless steel, no oak.
Bio Bio is the great news for cool climate varietals and is producing lovely wines. This wine is a pale straw colour, with the classic petrolly nose, hints of apricots and apples; crisp citrus notes and fresh acidity on the palate. A well made wine, very good value for money. Drink now, 16/20

Crios Malbec 2009 Mendoza

Tasted 16.04.11 with Beata, Jean-Marc and Sara. 13.5% ABV, about £9 UK retail (Majestic). A second wine of Pedro and Susana Balbo (Crios is a word for 'offspring' in Spanish). Excellent, every day Malbec. Lovely deep purple colour, ripe red fruits and coffee on the nose, fruit-forward and accessible but some elegance and depth too. Very good value for money. From 2011, 16/20.

Chateau La Fleur Morange 'Mathilde' 2008 AC Saint-Emilion

Tasted 10.04.11 with Jean-Marc, Beata, Sara, Tom, et al. 13.5%. This is a top-drawer 'garage wine' from a small producer that consistently attracts 92+ Parker Points. We drank this very young - it needs at least another five years from this great vintage. Jean-Francois Julien (overseen by Roussillon winemaker Claude Gros) has produced a fine Merlot / Cabernet Franc blend (70:30) with mainly new oak. Still closed on the nose, with some hidden raspberry fruit but great length and elegance. Re-visit in 5 years! From 2015, 18.5/20

Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes AC 1er Cru Classe 2004

Tasted 12.04.11 with Sara, Hilary and Max. 14% ABV. 37.5cl, (£50 UK retail?). Unfortunately, this wine was not as it should have been. Though this 'super 2nd premier cru' was still quite young, and certainly would not have shown its best yet, there was a problem. There was a slight hint of corkiness, the nose was rather poor, with possible oxidation. The palate was rather thin and disappointing. What a shame. (From 2014). faulty bottle

Matetic Corralillo Winemaker's Blend, 2007 (San Antonio)

Tasted 14.04.11, 14.5%. About £16 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). A curious blend of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir from the fine Matetic estate.This is a blend that more-or-less works. The wine is rich and elegant but with a strong smack of alcohol. Deep purple colour, bell peppers and damsons on the nose. Dense, tannic and full of dark fruits. Hints of spice and coffee. Good to drink now but you wonder if it will improve. Perhaps not: though it is a winemaker's blend, it may be very young vines. Not in the same league as their Syrah but a nice wine, nonetheless. From 2011, 16.5/20

Zeyssolff Reserve Particuliere Gewurztraminer AOC Alsace, 2009

Tasted 12.04.11, 13% ABV, n/a UK (private import only). Ca. €12. Medium golden colour, beautiful full, slightly honeyed nose with apricots. Long and complex. Excellent balance medium sweet, with citrusy notes with a dry finish. More spicy than the '07. Lovely to drink now. Not quite in the same league as the stellar '07's but a fine wine indeed. From 2011, 17.5 / 20

Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley

Tasted 12/04/11. 14% ABV, ca. £13 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). This is my fourth and final bottle I have enjoyed in the last 6 months. Toffee apple and toasty oak on the nose. Nice deep golden colour. Rich and buttery on the palate. Beautiful balance with nice acid attack. Fantastic vfm. 17 / 20. From 2011
Now I will move on the the '09's.....

Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso DOC 2008

Tasted 2/4/2011, 14% ABV. £16.95 Lea and Sandeman. Lovely 'minor Supertuscan' from a well regarded producer of the 'new Tuscany'. Merlot-Cabernet Franc-Sangiovese-Syrah blend makes for an interesting 'winemakers lot' product. Oaky blacks fruits on the nose; dry, ripe cherries and plums on the palate, good sense of terroir. Very distinctive, good vintage, needs longer, from 2012. 17/20

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Trivento Amado Sur 2010 Torrontes (Mendoza)

Tasted 2/4/11, 13% ABV. ca. £8 UK retail. This is a blend of 75% Torrentes and Voignier and Chardonnay from the big Argentinian winery (owned by Chile's Concho Y Toro). The wine has a light golden colour and is youthful and accessible. Nice tropical fruits on the nose and a rather sweetish palate, this is a wine for early drinking for sure. 14/20, drink now.

Errázuriz Estate Shiraz 2009 (Aconagua)

Tasted 25/03/11, 13.5%. Widely available, about £9 UK retail. With Chilean wines, it's always good to pay a pound or two more above entry level to buy a reserva level. Errázuriz pitch themselves a tad higher than Cono Sur, etc and their 'entry levels' start at about £9! Whilst I greatly respect their higher level and single estate wines, I have found their blends at the lower price point to be a bit disappointing. However, this Shiraz blend is pleasing. Bright purple colour, white pepper and brambles on the nose. Fruit forward for sure, but there's a great mouthful of dark fruits and coffee. Good value for money, drink now. 15.5 / 20

Gouguenheim Valle Escondido 2009 (Mendoza)

Tasted 24/03/11 with Sara, Tom and Alex. 13.5% ABV. £9 UK Majestic. The relatively new Bodegas Gouuenheim is producing some interesting wines and this one has just become available in Majestic. This is a good middle-level, early drinking Argentinian malbec. Lovely inky purple in the glass, still a little closed on the nose - plums and some dark fruits and a hint of spice and violets. Rich and fruity in the mouth, there's some nice silky tannins with probably just the right amount of oak. From 2011, 16 / 20

Vina Valdivieso Reserva Pinot Noir 2009 (Casablanca Valley)

Tasted 12/03/11 with Sara and Lydia. 14.5% ABV, about £9.50 UK retail (e.g. Waitrose). One of the 'Waitrose in Partnership' wines with the stellar Valdivieso winery. A great demonstration of what Chile can do really well. Potent stuff at 14.5% and a world away from your delicate, aged Burgundy: a different expression of Pinot Noir certainly, but one that still has structure and complexity, a sense of terroir and an ability to age, no doubt. This is young and I'd keep it  year or two but it's wonderful now. Dark cherry red in the glass, rich and complex, lovely red fruits in the nose. In the mouth, there is a complex interaction of cherries, dried fruits and even a hint of spice. Long finish. Lovely! From 2011, 16.5 / 20

Errazuriz Estate Pinot Noir 2009 (Casablanca)

Tasted 15/02/11 with Sara, Tom and Alex, 13.5% ABV. About £8 UK retail. Disappointing. This is their entry-level blend - and it shows. It's neither one thing nor the other - none of the complexity of old world pinot noir nor the youthful fruitiness you'd expect from the new world. It is very young for sure but it's no doubt blended from bought-in grapes and young vines. Medium pink colour, some good red fruit on the nose but very thin on the palate with a short finish. This demonstrates my friend McLaren's adage that it is worth paying £2 more for the reserva! My most disappointing Chilean wine of 2011. Drink now, 13.5 / 20
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Chateau Durfont-Vivens 2eme Cru Classe 1995 (Margaux)

Tasted 05/02/11 with Sara, Fran and Chris. 12.5% ABV, 75cl. The small second growth that fell on hard times but has now greatly improved. This was a good wine, ready to drink now. Four hours after decanting, it opened up a lot and was a real pleasure.Still quite a dark ruby colour with only tinges of age. Wonderful Left Bank nose, sweet and elegant with cassis. Great structure, lots of cabernet in the blend I suspect. Restrained berry fruits in the mouth with a long finish. This was better than the '03 which I tasted recently. From 2010, 17.5/20

Chateau Rieussec, 1er Cru Classe Sauternes, 1998

Tasted 05/03/11 with Chris and Fran. 14% ABV, 37.5cl. Great sweet wine, ready now. Beautiful deep golden colour, a massive nose of Oxford marmalade. Concentrated and powerful, with a great balance of sweetness and acid. Great now but has life left. From 2011, 18.5 / 20
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Saint Clair Pioneer Block Pinot Noir 2009 (Marlborough)

Tasted 05/02/11 with Sara, Chris and Fran. 14% ABV, about £18 in Majestic. Limited edition release. This is a superb, big New World pinot noir but it's not just a 'fruit bomb' like some - it's elegant and has real structure and shows great winemaking from Matt Thomson. Bright cherry red, lovely nose of cherries, cedar, raspberries. In the mouth it a medley of red fruits and some spice too, fantastic length. What a superb wine and fantastic value for money. From 2011, 18/20

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Chenevottes, Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard 2007

Tasted 05/03/11 with Sara, Chris and Fran. 13.5% ABV, about £30 UK retail (various merchants). Lovely wine, good to drink now. Clear, straw colour, classic nose: damp grass, apples and green fruit. The palate is refined and long - hint of smokiness, minerality and slightly nutty. There's a butteriness from the oak and it is wonderfully integrated - a really well made wine. From 2011, 17.5/20

Cono Sur Reserva Merlot 2008 (Colchagua)

Tasted 05/02/11 with Sara. 14% ABV. About £8.50 UK retail (e.g. Tesco, Waitrose, Majestic). Good 'New World Style' Merlot from Chile's big Concha Y Toro company (Cono Sur is one of their subsidiaries). As always, this volume producer is quality-orientated and this wine shows the benefit of paying a £1 or so premium over the entry level wine (ironically, sometimes the reserva is discounted to below the entry level merlot!). Bright garnet colour, full plummy nose, big and youthful in the mouth - a complete contrast to Bordeaux merlot - hints of cocoa and spice on the palate too. Fruit-forward with sweet oak. Good finish, drink now. 16 / 20

Chateau Durfont-Vivens 2eme Cru Classe Margaux 2003

Tasted 23/02/11 at Central London Wine Society, 12.5% ABV. About £60 UK retail. This enigmatic estate fell on hard times and was punching well below its weight but is now much improved. Cepage is 82% CS and 18% Merlot. Purple with brown tinges in the glass, cassis and leather on the nose; 'feminine' and elegant, very drinkable now. From 2013, 17.5/20
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Harrods Pauillac 2004

Tasted 23/02/11 at Central London Wine Society, 13% ABV. £27.50 Harrods. Actually a second wine from the 5th Growth Medoc Grand-Puy-Lacoste. A good wine from a variable year on the Left Bank. Mid-purple colour, little age yet, a lovely 'Pauillac nose' - hint of forest floor, cassis, oaky. On the palate its dry and austere, as expected. Well balanced, good length, from 2012. 17/20
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Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Stellenbosch)

Tasted 23/02/11 at Central London Wine Society. 13.5% ABV, £12 retail (e.g. Majestic). Dark purple colour, lovely blackcurrant and violets nose; juicy black fruits on the palate, still quite tannic, long finish. A great wine - needs longer. From 2012, 17/20

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Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Mendoza)

Tasted 23/02/11 at Central London Wine Society. 14% ABV, £9 Majestic, Waitrose, et al.  This has been described as the ‘best non-French Cabernet Sauvignon under £20’. Certainly, father and daughter team Nicolas and Laura Catena’s winemaking reputation is well-founded and they are producing a range of consistently excellent wines at all price points. This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon which has had 14 months in oak. It is a blend from 2 high altitude vineyards. Dark inky purple, great nose, spicy, cured ham, cassis and leather; a massive wine, juicy dark fruits - big but still very young. From 2012, 16.5/20

Koyle Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Colchagua)

Tasted 23/02/11 at Central London Wine Society. 14% ABV, £12 Majestic. A new winery (for me) now available at Majestic. Bright garnet colour, lovely green pepper nose and chocolate; well balanced, excellent blackcurrant fruit, rich and quite elegant. Good length. From 2011, 16/20

Joffre Malbec 2009 (Mendoza)

Tasted 25/02/11, 13.5% ABV, £8.99 Majestic. A good supper Malbec from R J Vinedos, now being imported by Majestic. Nice concentrated crimson colour, dark fruits on the nose with coffee, chocolate and vanilla on the palate. A little closed still and not the most sophisticated Malbec I have ever tasted - perhaps this wine needs to do a little more to compete with the likes of Catena and Gestos? Need to re-visit in 6 months. From 2011, 15/20

Villa Gardeana Bianco di Custoza DOC 2008

Tasted 22/02/2011 with Sara, Helene and Luca. 12.5% ABV. ca. £7.50 UK retail, e.g. Laithwaites, Sunday Times Wine Club. From close to Lake Garda, this is a blend of four local grapes. Pale straw colour, citrusy on the nose and quite zesty on the palate - it reminds me of a minor chardonnay. A good luncheon wine or aperitif. Drink now, 16/20

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Clare Valley

Tasted 19/02/2011 with Sara, Jane and Alex. 14% ABV, ca. £10 UK retail, e.g. Majestic. A step up from some big, 'in-your-face' Aussie cab sauvs. Wakefield has a stellar reputation and this wine is no disappointment. I found it very much a New World style - bright purple colour: the nose was variously described by our group as Provencal herbs, mint, bell peppers and cured ham. There was good berry fruits on the palate, some green capsicum flavours but a nice layer of vanilla. You could drink now but I'd be tempted to leave for a year to knock-off the slightly rough edges. Very good value, a good expression of Clare Valley expertise. From 2011, 16.5/20

Zeyssolff Klevener de Heiligenstein 2009 (Alsace)

Tasted 19/02/2011 with Sara, Jane and Alex. 13.5%. N/a UK - private import, about €10 ex-cellars. Another lovely wine from the Zeyssolff stable. Straw coloured; floral nose with some rose petals; lychees and apricots on the palate. Short-ish finish but fine balance. An interesting wine made from 100% of the rare Alsatian Klevener varietal. From 2011, 17/20

Vina Mayu Syrah 2008 (Elqui Valley)

Tasted 19/02/11 with Sara, Jane and Alex. 14% ABV. £9 UK retail. Not quite in the same league as their reserva, but a lovely wine nonetheless from this up-and-coming Chilean estate. Deep purple colour, cassis, coffee and white pepper on the nose, damsons on the palate, elegant with soft tannins. Classic cool climate syrah - infinitely preferable to overcooked Aussie shiraz. From 2011, 16/20.
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Macon Villages AOC 2009 (George Brichon)

Tasted 14/02/11, ABV 13%. ca. £9 UK retail, Marks and Spencer. A simple co-operative Maconnais wine, not my usual tipple as I find these 'cheap' white Burgundies poor value for money and often uninspiring. This one doesnt really change my view but in all honesty is not bad. It's quite young and is probably best drunk thus - pale straw colour, damp nettles and grass on the nose, nice balance of citrus fruit and oak perhaps a little acid, short finish. Enjoyable as a food wine. from 2011, 14/20.

Tagus Creek Grande Vinho 2006 VR (Ribatejo)

Tasted 11/02/11, 14% ABV. ca. £7 UK retail, e.g. Waitrose. An interesting wine from the Falua winery. Ribatejo incorporates the Lisbon area and has traditionally produced wines in a more northern European style - many liken them to Clarets. This wine cannot have the DOC classification and must be a VR (Regional Wine) as it has more than 30% foreign grapes (Shiraz in this case) in the blend. The other grape used is the Portuguese nobel grape Touriga Nacional. There is great finesse and balance: a deep ruby colour, beautiful berry fruits on the nose and dark fruits and coffee in the mouth. Very well made and excellent value for money. The French oak used gives a nice layer of vanilla over the tannins. Very alcoholic - it seems to punch above its 14%. From 2010, 16/20

The Black Stump, 2008 (SE Australia)

Tasted 09/02/11. 14.5% ABV. A Laithwaites wine that really sits up and sings. c. £7. This is the Aussie Durif Shiraz. Deep purple colour. Tar, cinnamon and burnt chocolate on the nose. In the mouth it is still a little tannic but full, rich and gives you a mouthful of dark fruits with some buttersctoch on the finish. A lovely wine, excellent value for money. Laithwaites currently have the 2009, which I have 2 bottles of but havent tried yet. From 2011, 16.5/20

Conde Galiana Reserva DO, 2002 (Catalunya)

Tasted 08.02.11 with Sara, Alavaro and Elisabete. 13%, ca. £7 UK Laithwaites. This was a rare foray for me into Spanish wine that is not from Rioja. This is a 'modern blend' of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon from small winemaker Joseph Gurrera Descarrega, from this giant Spanish region. Bright cherry red, good nose of berry fruits and boiled sweets, very dry and slightly unbalanced on the palate - probbaly needs to be drunk now. It's a reserva but a cheap one and maybe one that indicates that you need to pay more for this type of wine. From 2010, 14.5 / 20

Zeyssolff Pinot Gris AoC 2009, Alsace

Tasted 05/02/11. 13.5% ABV. n/a UK - private import from estate. ca. 10 Euro ex-cellars. Another great wine from the Zeyssolff stable, from a fine year in Alsace. This is pretty much a perfect Pinot Gris - youthful and fruity - pale straw colour, zesty and tropical fruits on the nose, but with real weight and finish on the palate. I wouldn't keep it too long. From 2011, 17/20

Maray Carmenere 2009, Limari Valley

Enjoyed with Sara, Alvaro and Elisabete, 03/02/11. 14% ABV, c. £8 in Majestic. A new Chilean wine (for me) from the Tabali stable. I love the Carmenere grape (the original Merlot, if some reports are to be believed) which Chile has made its own. Many lovely wines are now being made in the cool Limari Valley in the north of Chile and this one represents excellent value for money. Deep, youthful purple colour. Blackberries and provencale herbs on the nose, pepper and coffee in the mouth, with silky tannins. Fruit-forward for sure but a great balance. A slightly short finish but I am not complaining at the price. From 2011, 16/20

Esporao Reserva DOC 2007 (Alentejo)

Enjoyed with Sara, Alvaro and Elisabete, 02/02/11. 14.5% ABV. c. 15 Euros in Portugal. A fine example of one of the best Alentejo estates, this is a modern style Portuguese wine, which is a blend of Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon and Trincadeira. Still rather young but good to enjoy now. Deep garnet colour, lovely berry fruits and bergamon on the nose, with great forward, dark fruits in the mouth, over well structured tannins. Quite rich and elegant. From 2012, 16.5/20

Lea and Sandeman Bordeaux AoC 2007

Tasted 26/01/11, 13% ABV, £8.95 Lea and Sandeman, London. I am not mad on ‘cheap’ claret and generally, below £10 (or perhaps £20 in the case of red Bordeaux) I would rather opt for Chile. However, the reputation of this Old World-focussed London merchant (5 stores in west and central London) and its excellent claret range plus some good reviews tempted me to try this. What a revelation! Well done, L&S. The wine is from a small Fronsac producer, apparently. It has all the characteristics of good Bordeaux – lovely blackcurrants on the nose, lots of juicy black fruits on the palate with plums, quite silky and well balanced with soft tannins. I suspect there’s a lot of Merlot in the blend. Don’t worry about the ’10 Year Rule’ – drink now. 16/20

Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada 2007, Maipo Valley

Tasted 23/01/11 with Sara, Tom and Alex. 14.5% abv, ca. £10 UK retail. A couple of notches up the Casillero del Diablo portfolio, made from selected Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes and worth the couple of extra pounds. Deep garnet colour, cassis, cedar, cherries and dark chocolate on the nose, great spice and vanilla in the mouth, dark stewed fruits on the finish. Elegant tannins, excellent value - a great 'premium' every day wine. Splendid! Drink now, 16.5/20
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Valpolicella Ripasso 'La Casetta' DOC 2006

Tasted 19/01/11 at CLWS. 13.5 % ca. £15 in Majestic. A fine example of
the Ripasso style, a wine that has become a little debased of late but
this wine shows that it can still be fine wine, if well made. This is
single estate (La Casetta di Ettore Righetti Estate) rather than a
blend, and it shows. Deep purple colour with a complex black fruits
nose. A silky, elegant, palate with a real mouthful of plums and
damsons, spicy kick on the finish. Great wine, drink now while it still
has some youth. From 2011, 17/20

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 'La Ciarliana' 2006

Tasted 19/01/11 at CLWS. 14.4% , ca. £17 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). This
is a rich and elegant 'mid-level' Nobile, that possible would benefit
from another 18 months age. Nose still a little closed - just a hint of
cherries and red fruits. A little tannic still but very complex, there's
a lot going on here - a layer of vanilla but great fruit and spice below
with a great finish. From 2012. 17.5/20

Trivento Amado Sur 2008 (Mendoza)

Tasted 20/01/11, 14% ABV. A new discovery for me, a great find. Trivento are part of the Concho y Toro brand in Argentina. A blend of 73% Malbec and Bonarda / Syrah.
Deep purple colour, great plummy and tobacco nose with hint of pimento. Nice balance, with soft tannins and a good finish of plums and black fruits. Lovely food wine, drink now. 16/20
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Cono Sur Pinot Noir Reserva 2009 (Casablanca Valley)

Tasted 13/01/11, 14% ABV, ca, £8-£9 UK retail. This is one level up from
the base level Pinot Noir in the Cono Sur portfolio and is worth paying
the extra couple of pounds. Burgundy it isn't but this is a great
expression of a New World pinot noir. As always, very well made from
Cono Sur. It's had 6 months in oak and the website says that it is 50%
single estate fruit from El Marco and 'others' - I guess we could call
it a select blend then! Lovely mid-cherry red, raspberries and cherry on
the nose and hint of coffee. Soft tannins, quite a good length with ripe
berry fruits. Not much expression of the terroir at this level but an
excellent wine nonetheless and as I have said before, shows would poor
value Burgundy is below Premier Cru level. 16.5/20, drink now!

Cartuxa EA, Alentejo 2009

Tasted 10/01/11, 13.5%. n/a UK retail, ca €8 in Portugal. Produced and
bottled by Fundação Eugénio de Almeida. This is an interesting wine,
quite popular and widely available in Portuguese supermarkets and
restaurants. This wine was produced in the Cartuxa winery with the local
grape varieties Roupeiro, Antão Vaz, and Perrum. It is a pale yellow
colour with great citrus fruit on the nose. There's a lovely fresh
acidity that makes it very food (and fish)-friendly. Hint of tropical
fruits on the palate. Nice everyday wine, drink now. 15.5 / 20

Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003

Tasted 02/01/11 with Sara, Jane and Alex. 20% ABV, ca. £13 UK retail
(Harrods). This Dow port is Harrod's own label LBV. Essentially, the
same Dow wine is available in many UK retailers (most is actually 2004).
Of the big houses, I think Dow's LBV style is my favourite - less sweet
than it's sister port Grahams and less tannic than Taylors. Deep ruby
colour, lovely floral nose, hint of cassis and violets. Rich and elegant
on the palate, quite intense, spicy - raisins and black fruits. As I
always say, LBV port is a great bargain. Drink now, 17.5 / 20.

Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley

Tasted 02/01/11 with Sara, Jane and Alex. 14% ABV, ca. £13 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). This is the third bottle of this I have enjoyed this year. Toffee apple and toasty oak on the nose. Nice deep golden colour. Rich and buttery on the palate. Beautiful balance with nice acid attack. Fantastic vfm. 18 / 20. From 2011

 

Mycas Limari Syrah 2008

Tasted (again) 02/01/11 with Sara, Jane and Alex…..see other post…

 

http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/11/mycas-limari-syrah-2008.html

 

It get’s better – glad I bought 6 bottles – it needs another year still…..

 

Monbazillac Chateau Ladesvisgnes AOC 2007

Tasted 02/01/11 with Sara, Jane and Alex. 14% ABV, ca. £10 UK retail (Nicolas). Medium golden colour, the classic Semillon / muscadelle blend from Bergerac – a notch above the usual in this case. The naturally sweet wine from this region is becoming more sophisticated as this single estate example demonstrates. A great year and could age longer. Not too sweet, clementines on the palate, a nice marmaladey finish and some good length. From 2011. 16 / 20

 

Zeyssolff Fines Bulles aux Epices a Pains d'Epices de l'Oncle Hansi, Alsace nv

Tasted 30/12/2010 with Sara, Peter and John, 12% ABV. n/a UK (private import), ca. €12. Tight creamy mouse, gingery on the nose – some said like ginger snaps! Good balance but a rather short finish. Based on their regular Cremant d'Alsace, this is 100% Pinot Noir grapes with added ginger as a 'seasonal drink'. Interesting – some said a novelty wine but it's better than that. Drink now, 15/20

Vina Mayu Syrah Reserva 2007, Elqui Valley

Tasted 30/12/2010, 14% ABV, Majestic, ca. £11.00. Deep purple, inky colour. Grilled meat, pepper and spice on the nose. Spicy thyme and cassis, brambly, dark fruits on the palate. Powerful but with a great balance, elegant. Truly lovely - one of my best wines of 2010. A great winery from Chile’s ‘hottest’ region (actually, the coolest). From 2011. 18.5 / 20

 

Zeyssolff Reserve Particuliere Gewurztraminer AOC Alsace, 2007

Tasted 25/04/10 & 30/12/10, 13% ABV, n/a UK (private import only). Ca. €12. A stellar wine from a stellar vintage in Alsace. Medium golden colour, beautiful full, slightly honeyed nose with pear drops and apricots. Long and complex. Excellent balance medium sweet, with melon and citrusy notes with a dry finish. Lovely to drink now. From 2010, 18.5 / 20