It’s such a vibrant shade, bursting with life, deep like a cherry, but with a flame burning behind it. Great example of Tavel, with all the morello and pomegranate you would hope to find, some super-fine tannins and a chewy/crispy redcurrant finish, complete with the acid you would also find in one of those zesty…
La Grand Chapelle Bordeaux Sauvignon Semillon 2009 (Antoine Moueix)
A lesson for all buying wine in very hot countries – always check the vintage. Even when it’s fresh stock, this kind of wine (low priced Bordeaux Blanc) is really supposed to be consumed within the first year or so of bottling. There could have been a little bottle variation here, but I doubt it.…
La Chablisienne Petit Chablis 2010
This entry level Chablis (100% Chardonnay) is pretty decent. It’s got a couple of years on it now, and is showing some richness that it wouldn’t have previously, and has softened out nicely around the edges. Saying that, it’s still slightly mineral and has some lovely lemon peel notes, so retains its Chablis style –…
Sauvion Plaisir de Vigne Muscadet 2010
This is a simple Muscadet, so does not have the “sur lies” specification, meaning it does not rest “on lees” – on the spent yeast, but may be filtered. It’s therefore a clean neutral wine. It’s beautifully crisp, very mineral, and has a lovely flor sherry character (which, incidentally comes from the yeast). It’s absolutely…
Chapoutier Bila Haut Blanc 2009
This white is from is a relatively small and high altitude vineyard, from a fairly hot wine growing region by french standards (Côtes du Roussillon). So what you get is a wine with both warm and cool characters – lowish acid combining with a cool honeydew melon fruit. It’s both neutral and full, has a…
Domaine Cordier Pouilly Fuisse 2010
For those that don’t know the region, Pouilly Fuisse is a Chardonnay from Burgundy, but it’s just south of the golden strip (Cote d’Or), and in the cheaper, warmer region of Mâconnais. It is however the shining star of the region, and many would say that you’d be better off buying a good brand Pouilly Fuisse…
Henri Fabre Pure Dédicace Bandol Rosé 2010
This is probably breaking the rosé budget for many. At about 100AED plus tax in Dubai, it’s not going to qualify as a quaffer. However, it’s also a very good example of what you get when a winemaker takes rosé seriously. It’s richer, fruitier, creamier than any rose I’ve had recently, and yet, still light…
Duval-Leroy Brut NV
This Champagne is far too cheap. It’s only 2/3 the price of Moet and yet its better – well, it is for those who like a richer style of fizz anyway. It’s a very complex champagne, and delivers all round. Nose is almonds, apples and honey. Front palate bursts with red delicious and burnt sugar,…