| Alsace |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ammerschwihr Coop Gewurztraminer 2005 14% |
IWD 20.09.08 |
Tesco £5 |
Pale gold. Not much nose. Off-dry, rather crude rosewater palate, some length but not much refinement |
5- |
| Philippe Blanck Pinot Noir 2007 (Kientzheim) 12.5% |
IWD 18.7.09 |
Waitrose £11 |
Pale red. Cherry nose. Light fruity palate without much length or development |
4 |
| Charles Baur Muscat GC Eichberg 2005 (Eguisheim) 12.5% |
ONS 13.9.07 |
Ex cellars £7 |
Quite pale. Strong grape and rose nose. Dry palate with lots of fruit and grapefruit acidity: finish also has some spice. Very attractive |
5+ |
| Charles Baur Pinot Blac 2005 (Eguisheim) |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £6.99 |
First bottle madierised. Second bottle pale, hints of soft fruits and oil on nose, offdry, fairly fruit fruit on palate: modest length with a hot finish |
4 |
| Bott Freres Muscat 2006 |
LIWF 20.05.08 |
|
Pale. Backward nose. Some grape character but lacks acidity and is rather thin (wet harvest conditions) |
4 |
| Dom Bott-Geyl Pinot d'Alsace 2002 (Beblenheim) 13.5% |
IWD 16.12.06 |
Majestic £9 |
Blend of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois etc. OK colour. Undefined nose. Palate rather dried out and woody. Too old |
4 |
| Dom Bott-Geyl Pinot Gris 2000 (Beblenheim) 13.5% |
IWD 16.12.06 |
Majestic £10 |
Good oily nose and palate. Rich, well balanced fruit, good length and complexity |
5+ |
| Andre Dussourt Crémant d’Alsace NV (Scherwiller) 12% |
ONS 13.9.07 |
Ex cellars £6.25 |
Mainly Riesling. Quite yellow, fair mousse. Some Riesling character on nose. On palate, balance is towards acidity, with a slightly bitter finish |
5- |
| Andre Dussourt Riesling Reserve Prestige 2003 (Selestat) 13% |
ONS 1.2.07 |
Ex cellars £7 |
Pale colour. Hints of lime on nose. Good concentration of fruit, quite acidic: long, but undeveloped and a little dilute |
5 |
| Klingshofer Pinot Blanc 2007 |
LIWF 20.05.08 |
|
Excellent vintage after early flowering. Pale colour. Aromatic nose. Good oily fruit with balancing acidity and some development |
5+ |
| Jean-Marie Haag Gewurztraminer GC Zinnkopflé VT 2004 (Soultzmatt) 13% |
ONS 13.7.07 |
Ex cellars £17 |
Quite yellow. Rich nose with rosepetals and oil. Moderately sweet and oily palate balanced by acidity. Finish just starting to open to show a little spice – very long |
6+ |
| Hugel Gewurztraminer 2005 (Riquewihr) 13% |
MENSA 12.8.07 |
Oddbins £10.99 |
Quite yellow. Intense nose with rose petals and lychees. Off dry, with excellent weight of fruit and long finish. |
6- |
| Kientz Pinot Gris GC Winzenberg 2005 (Blienschweiler) |
LIWF 20.05.08 |
|
Very pale amber. Oil and honey on nose, but closed on palate, showing mainly an acidic structure and mineral finish |
5- |
| Materne Haegelin Riesling GC Bollenberg 1997 (Orschwihr) 12% |
IWD 17.08.08 |
Bibendum about £8 |
Mature gold colour and oily nose. Good fruit and acidity, overlaid with oil: quite long and developed. |
5+ |
| Rene Mure Gewurztraminer 2005 13% |
IWD 18.4.09 |
about £8 |
Quite yellow. Rose petal nose. Very ripe fruit with balancing acidity and very good length |
5+ |
| Cave Vinicole de Ribeauville Gewurztraminer 2002 13.5% |
IWD 17.08.08 |
Majestic £6.50 |
Quite yellow. Some tropical fruit. Rather flat on palate - kept too long |
4- |
| Rolly Gassmann Pinot Gris SGN 1989 (Rorschwirh) |
CLWS 23.5.07 |
about £30 HB |
Gold colour. Honey, lanolin, oil and spices on nose. Sweet marmalade fruit, lots of acidity. Very long and delicate. |
7 |
| Schaeffer Klevener de Heiligenstein 2006 |
LIWF 20.05.08 |
|
Pale. Rosewater hints on nose. Dry, flowery and well balanced, without much length |
4+ |
| Schlumberger Fleur Gewurztraminer 2002 (Guebwiller) 13.5% |
IWD 20.10.07 |
about £25 |
Moderate yellow colour. Roses and oil on nose. Quite dry, with intense rosepetal aromas and oily strucutre: long, some development |
5+ |
| Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Princes Abbes 2006 |
IWD 16.8.09 |
about £20 |
Pale yellow, rose petal nose. Dry, elegant palate with a long finish |
5+ |
| André Schoenheitz Holder Pinot Gris 2004 (Wihr-au-Val) 13% |
ONS 13.9.07 |
Ex cellars £6.50 (offered to UK on-trade at £11.36) |
Backward nose, opening with some oily and smoky notes. Some sweet fruit and lots of acidity – slightly green? Finish not yet integrated – rich and green sensations alternate, with only a hint of spicy notes. Needs retasting. |
4+ |
| Schwach Gewurztraminer GC Kaefferberg 2006 (Ammerschwihr) |
LIWF 20.05.08 |
|
Little colour. Aromas of spice and roses. Quite sweet on palate, with mango fruit and good acidity, but rather hollow in end. |
5 |
| Sipp Riesling GC Kirchberg 2002 (Ribeauville) |
LIWF 20.05.08 |
|
Golden colour. Some marmalade botrytis hints, with oil and spice. Quite dry, well balanced and a good length |
5+ |
| Cave Vinicole de Turckheim Gewurztraminer 2006 |
IWD 23.08.08 |
Sainsbury £7 |
Pale gold. Some rosewater aromas. Rosepetals on rather lean palate: modest finish |
4+ |
| Zeyssolff Cremant d'Alsace Brut NV 12% |
HASS 6.8.09 |
Direct £9 |
Pinot blanc, gris & noir. Yellow green, ample mousse. Pinot nose. Palate lacks acidity and length. |
4 |
| Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer Medaille d’Or 2005 (Gertwiller) 13% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £6 |
Quite pale. Rose petal nose. Quite sweet – roses & lychees, balancing acidity. Simple finish. |
4+ |
| Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer Cuvee Z L'Exception 1997 (Gertwiller) 13.7% |
CLWS 9.7.08 |
Direct £33.90 |
One bottle corked. Better bottle was a full gold colour. Mature complex nose. Long, balanced palatewith considerable spicy maturity. At peak. |
5+ |
| Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer Reserve Particuliere 2007 (Gertwiller) 13.5% |
CLWS 9.7.08 |
Direct £7.70 |
Pale green. Rosewater, spice and oil on nose. Off dry with tropicqal fruit,: good length with spices and rosepetals on end |
5 |
| Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer VT 2003 (Gertwiller) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £18.50 |
Medium gold. Round nose with rosewater and tropical fruit. Rich fruit, balancing acidity: very long and spicy. Good for 10 years. |
6+ |
| Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer SGN 1997 (Gertwiller) 13.5% |
GCS 7.9.07 |
Direct £16.60 50cl |
Bright gold colour. Nose and palate both had lemon marmalade – ripe fruit and botrytis – with rosewater under. Quite dry and lively, with very good length. |
6+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 7.1.09 |
|
Two bottles - one still has some generosity and sweetness, the other one has lost acidity and become very mature. Drink up. Better bottle marked |
5+ |
| Zeyssolff Klevener de Heiligenstein 2004 13% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £5.90 |
Pale yellow. Nose has lanolin and rosewater. Off dry, rose petal fruit, OK structure but rather short and simple |
4+ |
| Zeyssolff Klevener de Heiligenstein 2005 13% |
CLWS 30.1.08 |
Direct £7 |
Traminer clone = sauvignon rose.Pale green. Rich, spicy, rosewater nose. Off-dry with ripe fruit and reasonable acidity. Good length, some development . Ready. |
5 |
| Zeyssolff Klevener de Heiligenstein Cuvee L'Opaline 2006 13% |
CLWS 9.7.08 |
Direct £8.75 |
Light yeloow. Some rosewater and spice. Balanced palate with triopical fruits through a llong finish |
5+ |
| Zeyssolff Muscat 2005 (Gertwiller) 12% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £5 |
Some oily PG aromas. Rather thin and sugary initially, more concentrated in middle but short. |
4- |
| Zeyssolff Muscat 2007 (Gertwiller) 12.5% |
CLWS 9.7.08 |
Direct £6.50 |
Pale green. Grape nose. Flinty, dry, good acidity, with fruit through to the finish - some nuts on end |
5 |
| Zeyssolff Muscat 2008 (Gertwiller) 12% |
HASS 18.6.09 |
Direct £7 |
Pale colour. Grape nose. Rich palate with some finish |
4+ |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Blanc-Auxerrois 2005 (Gertwiller) 12.5% |
IWD 17.08.08 |
Direct £5.75 |
Quite yellow, with a mature pinot nose. Enough fruit, but acidity is lacking, and there isn't much finish |
4- |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Hospices de Strasbourg 1997 (Gertwiller) 12.5% |
CLWS 9.7.08 |
Not available |
Pale gold. Nose has some varnish aromas. Palate has tropical fruit, but is drying out: little oil character and slightly astringent with volatile acidity showing on end. Past its best |
4 |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Hospices de Strasbourg 2004 (Gertwiller) 12.5% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £7.60 |
Premium wine, aged in (ancient) casks at Strasbourg Town Hall. Pale. Tropical fruit and cream on nose. Some concentration of fruit, balanced acidity, reasonable length, needs time. |
5+ |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Hospices de Strasbourg 2007 (Gertwiller) 13.5% |
HASS 18.6.09 |
|
Medium gold. Not much nose. Some residual sugar. Good length and balance but little development yet. Needs time |
5 |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Medaille d'Or 2007 (Gertwiller) 12.5% |
CLWS 9.7.08 |
Sample - newly in bottle about £8 |
Light straw. Not much nose. Off-dry with tropical fruit, oil and citrus acidity: not very long. May develop in bottle |
4+ |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Reserve Personnel 2005 (Gertwiller) 13% |
IWD 18.7.09 |
Direct £8 |
Some yellow. Rich oily nose. Off-dry palate with ripe fruit, oil and very good finish |
5+ |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive 1997 (Gertwiller) 14% |
IWD 17.08.08 |
Direct £21 |
Moderate yellow. Spicy nose. Palate has sweet fruit, but lacks enough structure to support the flavour. Too old |
5- |
| - ditto - |
IWD 18.7.09 |
|
Much better bottle. Mid yellow. Rich oily fruity nose with spice. Off dry integrated palate with good length and development |
6 |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Cuvee Z 2007 (Gertwiller) 13.5% |
HASS 18.6.09 |
|
Mid gold colour. Some spice and oil on nose. Off dry, some acidity and moderate finish |
5 |
| Zeyssolff Pinot Noir L’Inedit 2003 (Gertwiller) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £16.50 |
8-9 months in one third new oak. Deep red. Some raspberry fruit but no development. Rather over-ripe, jammy fruit oak tannins and strong acidity – not yet in balance. Finish is long but still tight. |
4+ |
| Zeyssolff Riesling Medaille d’Or 2004 (Gertwiller) 12.5% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £4.50 |
Pale. Creamy nose. Not much Riesling character – malic acid, moderate length with a bitter finish |
4 |
| Zeyssolff Riesling Medaille d’Or 2007 (Gertwiller) 12.5% |
CLWS 9.7.08 |
Sample - newly in bottle about £6 |
Very pale. Just a hint of flower aromas. Oily, with some fruit but rather green acidity: not much length or depth |
3+ |
| Zeyssolff Riesling GC Zotzenberg 2002 (Mittelburgheim) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.7.07 |
Direct £12.50 |
Moderate bright colour. Oily, flowery nose with some caramel notes. Fully ripe, lemon acidity: long finish, some herbaceous character, honey and burnt sugar notes |
6 |
| Zeyssolff Riesling Vendanges Tardives 1997 (Gertwiller) 13% |
HASS 18.6.09 |
Direct about £21 HB |
Full gold. Not much Riesling nose. Fairly dry with some oil and richness under. Quite subtle |
5+ |
| Zimmermann Gewurztraminer VT 2000 (Orschweiller) 14.5% |
CLWS 11.4.07 |
Ex cellars £15 Waterloo Wines £30 |
Not very aromatic. Medium sweet, good fruit and structure: well integrated finish with good spicy complexity |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 30.1.08 |
|
Gold colour. Butterscotch nose. Off dry, with tropical fruits, reasonable acidity: good length with some spice developing, but getting a little hot and coarse on end. Drink up. |
5+ |
| Philippe Zinck Gewurztraminer GC Eichberg 2004 |
CLWS 3.1.07 |
Majestic £10 |
Young. Some rosewater notes on nose. Quite sweet, well balanced: moderate length but quite intense. Needs time |
5+ |
| Philippe Zinck Riesling GC Eichberg 2006 12.5% |
IWD 16.8.09 |
Majestic £12 |
Gold colour. Some volatile oils. Good fruit, oil, balancing acidity and moderate length |
5- |
| Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal VT 2000 (Turkheim) 14.5% |
IWD 21.7.07 |
Handford £40 |
Strong colour and botrytis nose. Ripe marmalade fruit, not too sweet with enough structure. Good length. |
6- |
| Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl 2002 (Turkheim) 15% |
IWD 20.09.08 |
Handford £22.50 |
Deep gold. Oily, smoky nose. Slightly sweet, intense oily fruit with good balancing acidity: long and showing considerable development |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Champagne |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Andre Clouet Brut Rose NV 12.5% |
IWD 16.8.09 |
Virgin Wines |
100% Pinot Noir. Salmon pink with lots of mousse. Pinot nose. Slightly off dry, good fruit and finish |
5+ |
| Hiedsieck Gold Label 1997 12% |
IWD 16.12.06 |
Majestic £32 (current vintage) |
Moderate yellow colour. Ripe nose. Rounded, off-dry palate: lacks development |
5- |
| Hiedsieck Gold Label 2000 12.5% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Majestic £32 (current vintage) |
Quite deep colour. Yeast and oil. Mature, rounded palate with good length and development |
6 |
| Hiedsieck Gold Label 2002 12% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Majestic £32 |
Pale. Young, citric nose. Austere, underdeveloped palate. |
4+ |
| Jacquard NV |
HASS 17.10.08 |
|
About 6 years old. Medium gold colour. Yeast and honey on nose. Quite intense fruit with good structure. Long, developed finish. |
5+ |
| Jacquard 1999 |
HASS 17.10.08 |
|
Pale yellow, effusive mousse. Light, lemony nose. Quite thin and tart on palate: some length, but closed and not very attractive |
4+ |
| Louis Roederer Brut NV |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £25 |
Seems young: small mousse, fresh nose. Good crisp palate with moderate length but no complexity |
5 |
| Louis Roederer Brot 2000 |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £48 |
Yellow. Good mousse. Rich, yeasty nose. Good balance and length |
5+ |
| Saint Gall 2002 (CM) |
M&S 6.9.07 |
Marks & Spencer £23.99 |
Good mousse. Still pale and young. Possibly rather lean on palate: some length but needs time to develop |
4+ |
| Tesco Blanc de Noirs NV 12% |
IWD 21.7.07 |
Tesco £14 |
Rather coarse mousse, smooth & well balanced on palate |
5- |
|
|
|
|
|
| Loire |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Breton, Les Galichets 1996 (Bourgueil) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
Old colour. Some fruit on nose, with medicinal aromas. Old wood and acidity dominate fruit: some finish but rather old. |
4+ |
| Breton, Clos Senechal 1995 (Bourgueil) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
One bottle corked. Second bottle has a little fruit, dominated by acid structure |
3- |
| Hubert Brocard Rouge 2005 (Sancerre) |
M&S 6.9.07 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Pale red, raspberry nose. Palate hard and tannicwith no balancing fruit. Very short. |
4- |
| Dom Brock Breton, La Montagne Noire Vielles Vignes 1995 (Sancerre) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
Better bottle gold. Beetroot nose. Rich fruit but lacking structure and finish. Too old |
3 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 3.10.07 |
|
Three more bottles opened. One maderised,. Best bottle pale gold, little nose, with fruit and acidity : some aomatic finish, but no SB character. |
4+ |
| Dom de Chaintres 2005 (Saumur-Chamipny) 13.5% |
IWD 18.05.08 |
Waitrose £8 |
Good colour. Tobacco nose. Ripe, leafy fruit, well balanced and with a reasonable finish |
5- |
| J P Chevallier Ch de Villeneuve Vieilles Vignes 1996 (Saumur-Chamipny) 13% |
CLWS 3.10.07 |
|
Deep colour. Cooked fruit, tobaco and manure on nose. Tannins and secondary flavours on palate, with further development on finish. Drying out. |
4+ |
| Couly Dutheil Baronie Madeleine 2006 (Chinon) 14% |
HASS 6.8.09 |
Segal £10 |
Cabernet Franc. Mature, rather dull colour. No nose. Lots of structure with little fruit , modest length |
4 |
| Ch d'Epire 2003 (Savennières) 14.5% |
CLWS 22.11.06 |
Nicholas £11 |
Chenin Blanc. Delicate colour and nose. Dry, well balanced palate with elegant fruit aromas: good length, some development |
5 |
| Clos de Ferre 2005 (Muscadet) 12% |
CLWS 25.3.09 |
Andrwew Mead £4 |
Pale gold. Mature, oily nose. Soft palate with some development. More like a Chenin Blanc |
5 |
| Dom des Forges 2005 (Coteaux de Layon Chaume) 13% |
IWD 19.5.07 |
Waitrose £8.99 50cl |
Chenin Blanc. Lanolin nose. Moderately sweet, fruit under weighty structure. Finish starting to develop. Needs time |
5 |
| Gadais, Dom de la Tourmaline 2005 (Muscadet sur Lie) 12% |
HASS 15.2.07 |
about £5 |
Good colour. Weight of fruit reflects vintage: good acidity and some finish |
4 |
| Ch de la Genaiserie 1996 (Coteaux de Layon) |
CLWS 25.3.09 |
RSJ £18 |
Pale gold. Some honey on nose. Sweet with excellent acidity and fruit: very long with some development |
6 |
| Joel Gigou, Dom de la Charriere, Selection des Raisins Nobles 1997 (Jasnieres) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
Full yellow colour. Honey on nose. Off-dry, high acidity: long finish. Will keep |
5 |
| Denis Goizil Dom du Petit Val 1989 (Bonnezeau) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
Dark yellow. Some botrytis on nose. Reasonably sweet with balancing acidity: considerable length and development |
6 |
| Huet Le Haut Lieu Sec 1988 (Vouvray) 12% |
CLWS 25.3.09 |
|
Amber-gold. Honey, madierised nose. Too old, palate breaking up |
3- |
| Huet Vouvray Petillant Brut 1992 |
CLWS 3.10.07 |
|
Old gold colour with little mousse. Toast and lanolin on nose. Some fruit and acidity, petillant on palate: reasonable length with a complex nutty finish. Needs drinking up. |
5 |
| Maria Juby Dom Baudouin SGN 1997 (Coteaux du Layon) |
ONS 1.2.07 |
about £35 HB |
Deep orange. Some botrytis on nose. Very sweet, quite good acidity but not yet in balance. Needs time |
6 |
| De Lassalle 2005 (Pouilly Fume) |
CLWS 11.4.07 |
Waitrose £7 |
Gooseberry and beetroot aromas. Slightly off dry with good acidity. Reasonable finish |
4 |
| Lebretton, Croix de Mission 1997 (Anjou Villages) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
Cabernet Franc. Two bottles, one corked, the other oxidised and astringent. Better bottle |
3- |
| Mabileau, Eclipse 1996 (St Nicholas de Bourgueil) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
Good colour. Tobacco nose with some secondary aromas. Reasonabkle fruit and structure: some life on finish |
5- |
| Alphonse Mellot 'En Grands Champs' 2005 (Sancerre Blanc) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £12 |
Green colour. Elegant nose and palate: quite long, with fruit at end. |
5 |
| Moulin Touche 1959 |
CLWS 25.3.09 |
|
Gold colour. Honey and botrytis on nose, with a touch of oxidation. Good balance and length, enormous complexity |
6 |
| Riffault Sancerre Antique 2006 13% |
IWD 18.05.08 |
Majestic £14 |
Subtle and not very varietal |
4 |
| Les Ruettes Blanc 2006 (Sancerre) |
M&S 6.9.07 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Green-yellow. Strong gooseberry nose. Clean fruity and well-balanced. Ready. |
5 |
| Les Ruettes Rosé 2006 (Sancerre) |
M&S 6.9.07 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Pale pink. Confected nose. Thin and hard. |
2 |
| Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Pouilly Fume 2005 13% |
CLWS 7.3.07 |
Sainsbury £8.99 |
Hints of gooseberry fruit and oak. Flat, dull palate, lacking fruit and strucutre. Marked as faulty |
1 |
| Clos Senechal 1995 (Bourgeuil) |
CLWS 3.10.07 |
|
Pale colour. No nose, thin acidic palate. Gone |
2 |
| Ch de Villeneuve Vielles Vignes 1996 (Saumur Chamipny) |
HASS 15.2.07 |
|
Some red fruit and tobacco on nose. Palate slightly astringent but quite long. |
4 |
| Bergerac |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Dom de l'Ancienne Cure L'Abbaye 2001 |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £9.99 |
Mature colour. Acidic blackcurrant nose. Thin, astringent, stalky palate with little finish or generosity |
3- |
| Ch Belingard 2002 (Monbazillac) |
HASS 16.8.07 |
Borough Market £12.99 (50cl) |
Cooked fruit nose. Moderately sweet, ripe fruit rather than botrytis, not much complexity on finish |
5- |
| Ch Richard 2005 |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Planet Organic £9 |
Mostly Merlot. Black-red. Rather sour and tannin over ripe fruit: simple finish. |
3+ |
| Ch Tirecul-la Graviere Cuvee Madame 1992 (Montbazillac) 13% |
CLWS 23.9.09 |
Current vintages Lea & Sandeman £35-60 (50cl) |
Amber colour. Oxidised nose. Moderately sweet, with some signs of botrytis and spice, but drying out. Too old |
5- |
|
|
|
|
|
| Languedoc-Roussillon |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| La Baume Viognier 2007 (Pays d'Oc) 14% |
CLWS 7.1.09 |
Waitrose £6 |
Quite yellow. Sweet and sour apricot nose. Palate is totally dominated by acidity |
3+ |
| Beauvignac Picpoul de Pinet 2008 (Languedoc) 12.5% |
IWD 27.6.09 |
Waitrose £8 |
Rather undistinguished. Commercial. |
4- |
| Borie La Vitrale, Les Terres Blanches 2005 (St Chinian) |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
about £7 |
Organic blend of 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache. Bright colour, pink rim. Maturing nose with some violets. Fresh fruit under sawdust tannins: finish rather short and astringent |
4- |
| Borie La Vitelle, Les Schistes 2007 (St Chinian) 14.5% |
CI 7.10.09 |
Genesis Wines £14 |
GSM. Very dark. Mostly floral aromas with some black fruit. Good rich fruit on palate, balanced already: good length with spice and pepper. Should be very good in a year or two |
6- |
| Cornet et Cie Rimage Banyuls 2003 16% |
CLWS 10.1.07 |
French Regional Wines £12.75 |
Raisiny, oxidised nose. Reasonably sweet, structured palate; finish is rather harsh and hollow. |
5- |
| Coume Del Mas Quintessence 2005 (Banyuls) |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Philglas & Swiggott £24 50cl |
Good red colour. Backward nose. Palate like young vintage port with very fine tannins: finish is long but completely undeveloped |
5 |
| Ch du Donjon Cuvée Prestige 2004 (Minervois) |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £7.99 |
80% Syrah. Moderate colour, pale rim. Spice and pepper on nose. Rounded fruit tastes, but then biting acidity: moderate length and astringent finish |
4+ |
| L’Esprit de Font 2001 (Syrah/Mourvedre) 14% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Handford £25 |
Interesting Rhône style wine, with plenty of fruit and a very good finish. |
6 |
| Le Froglet Chardonnay 2005 (Pays d'Oc) 12.5% |
HASS 19.10.06 |
Marks & Spencer £5 |
Rather woody - lacks fruit, definition and finish |
3 |
| Dom de Foudreche L'Eclat 2008 (Cotes de Ventoux) |
CI 7.10.09 |
Genesis Wines £10 |
100% Roussanne. Palecolour, backward undistinguished nose. Little fruit and rather rustic structure, thin in middle, hot and gingery at end. Not to my taste. |
4- |
| Dom Jean Gardies, Les Falaises 2001 |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
about £23 |
90% Syrah + Mourvedre. Good colour with some oak browning. Strong oaky nose. Ripe fruit and fine tannins and acidity - not quite integrated. Good length with tar and pepper appearing. Needs another year or two. |
6- |
| Dom Jean Gardies, Les Glacières 2004 |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
about £15 |
Mostly Grenache Blanc. Pale colour, not much nose. Oak and acidic structure dominates: some length but little development |
4 |
| Hegarty Chamans No1 Syrah/Carignan 2004 (Minervois) 13.5% |
CLWS 10.9.08 |
Oddbins £15 |
Very dark. Interesting lavender and leather nose. Lots of dark fruit and acidity: long finish. Bneeds time to develop balance and complexity |
5+ |
| Dom Lafage Cote Est 2004 (Côtes Catalanes) 13% |
CLWS 10.1.07 |
Cathar Wines £6 |
One bottle oxidised. Better bottle quite fresh, crisp fruit: modest length, hot on end |
4 |
| Dom Lafage Cuvée Léa 2003 (Roussillon) 14.5% |
CLWS 10.1.07 |
Cathar Wines £8 |
Grenache & Carignan. Young purple colour, cooked nose. Cooked fruit and astringent structure |
3 |
| Dom des Lauriers Rolle 2005 |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
about £6 |
Quite a deep yellow. Honey and cinnamon on nose. Rich and quite spicy on palate, but structure is mostly alcohol: little development |
4+ |
| Ch Maris Grenache 2006 (Minervois) 15% |
CLWS 11.2.09 |
Waitrose £14 |
Quite dark with brown rim.Tarry black fruit on nose. Lots of ripe fruit, firm tannins: some length but hot and drying on end |
5 |
| Laurent Miquel Verite Viognier 2007 (Languedoc) 13.5% |
IWD 16.8.09 |
Waitrose £14 |
Pale yellow/green. Apricot aromas. Lightish fruit with good structure - some length and complexity |
5 |
| Dom Poudereaux Vendanges Tardive 2002 (Maury) 15.5% |
IWD 19.4.08 |
Waitrose 50cl £10 |
Grenache. Moderate red. Warm, spirity nose. Moderately sweet with cooked fruit and enough acidity: not much length |
5- |
| Rene Rostaing Les Combes (Coteau de Languedoc) 2006 |
CI 7.10.09 |
Genesis Wines £10.50 |
85% Syrah + Grenache & Mourvedre. Quite deep but rather dull colour. Some red fruit on nose. Rich palate with fine tannins, some acidity and a fair length, but little development. Lacks interest |
4 |
| Dom de St Daumary, Voila le Printemps 2004 (Pic-St-Loup) |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
about £8 |
50% Syrah + Grenache & Carignan. Slightly corked. Syrah essentials but all very dull. Marked as faulty |
1 |
| Dom Sainte Rose Rousanne "La Nuit Blanche" 2007 (VdP des Cotes de Thongue) |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
Majestic £9 |
Pale yellow. Some spice on nose. Fruity balanced palate with good finish |
5- |
| Arnaud de Villeneuve Muscat Ambree Hors d'Age 1982 (Rivesaltes) |
IWD 19.4.08 |
Waitrose 50cl £11 |
Amber colour. Strong hot Muscat nose. Rich sweetness, quite oxidised, with balancing acidity and a long, complex finish |
6 |
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| South East |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
|
| Dom de Belouve Rose 2005 (Bandol) |
ONS 11.12.07 |
Tesco £11 |
Pale oiex de perdix. Oak but no fruit on nose. Rather neutral, oaky palate, with astringency on end. Unpleasant. |
3+ |
| Phillipe Michel Brut Chardonnay 2005 (Cremant de Jura) 12.5% |
IWD 20.10.07 |
Aldi £6 |
Pale colour, fine mousse. Quite flowery nose. Rich, off-dry palate with balancing structure |
4+ |
| Moulin de la Roque du Terres Trias 2007 (Bandol) |
HASS 14.08.08 |
Nicolas £10 |
Salmon pink. Neutral nose. Off-dry, fruit hints, some acidity. No finish or development |
3 |
| Dom Ott Ch Romassan 2001 (Bandol) 13.5% |
IWD 20.10.07 |
Handford £33 |
Big colour with violet rim. Tarry, black fruit nose. Execellent maturing fruit and balanced structure on palate - good length with some development |
5+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| South West |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Dom Bellegarde La Pierre Blanche 2005 (Jurançon Sec) |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £9.99 |
70% Petit Manseng, 30% Gros Manseng. Pale. Nose has hints of oil and spice. Off dry,with malic acidity on palate: oil and flowers on finish. Quite elegant |
5- |
| Ch Bouscasse 2003 (Madiran) 14% |
IWD 19.4.08 |
Philglas & Swiggot £12 |
Good colour. Some fruit aromas. Tannin overlies fruit: quite long but lacks concentration |
5- |
| Dom de Cabrol, Special Cuvee Vent d'Ouest 2001 (Carbardes) |
CLWS 30.1.08 |
Ex cellars £7 |
From Carcassonne - Grenache + Syrah + 40% Bordeaux grapes. Bright red. With pink fringe Woody, mature nose with red fruits. Quite soft and smooth, some length and maturity, but a little hot and volatile on end. Fully ready |
5- |
| Dom du Crampilh L'Originel 2003 (Madiran) 14% |
CLWS 10.1.07 |
French Regional Wines £12.40 |
70% Tannat, 30% Cabernets. Dark colour. Clean, rather thin nose. Tannic palate, lacks fruit: some finish with hints of sage. |
5 |
| Dom du Crampilh Vielles Vignes 2001 (Madiran) |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £9.99 |
Dark to rim. Mature nose. Firm tannins and ripe fruit on palate. Some development on finish, but very tannic and has a porty end. |
5- |
| St Etienne de Baigarry Xuri 2005 (Ironléguy) 13.5% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £12 |
Acidic white from Gros & Petit Manseng grapes. Serious, but not very appealing |
4 |
| Gau Coop Grain Sauvage 2005 (Jurançon Sec) 13% |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Nicholas £6 |
Gros Manseng. Green--yellow. Not much nose. Off-dry, rather thin; modest length with some oil. |
3+ |
| J Jouffret Clos Famot 2000 (Cahors) 12.5% |
IWD 17.11.07 |
Handford £13 |
Moderate colour. Nose has mature plum fruit. Some tannin grip over fruit, good length but a little austere. |
5 |
| Ch Joly Cuvee Jean 2005 (Jurançon Doux) 13% |
IWD 26.9.09 |
Bermann £11 |
Petit Manseng. Some fruit, glycerol – not too sweet, reasonable length and finish |
5+ |
| Dom de Mas Blanc Cuvee Dr Andre Parce NV (Banyuls) 16.5% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Handford £18 |
Tawny colour. Hot nose. Palate is hot and sour, with some length |
4+ |
| Domaine Nigri 2000 (Jurancon) 13.5% |
CLWS 10.9.08 |
about £15 |
Late picked Gros Manseng. Amber-gold. Slightly spicy nose. Medium sweet, a little lacking in structure: fair length but little development |
5 |
| Dom Reine Julliette 2006 (Picpoul de Pinet) |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £5.79 |
Greenish tones. Hints of minerals and honey on nose. Palate has some fruit with hard acidity: modest lngth and no development |
4 |
| Ch de Saurs Reserve Elizier 2003 (Gaillac) |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £9.99 |
Baucol, + merlot & syrah. Black-red colour. Cooked nose -porty and alcoholic. Structure overwealms fruit on palate: very rustic tannins: no balance or development. |
3- |
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