Greetings All!
Hip hip hooray – more wine coming your way and this time the feature is “Southern belles”. These “southern belles” are not of the mint julep variety from our southern neighbour – but great selections from Southern France aka Midi. It is the span of France that borders the Mediterranean between Italy & Spain and the climate and terroir produce a wide variety of pleasant blends from many different and often unusual varietals. We find the wines from the Midi to be quite pretty and their prices are generally lower than wines from more iconic French regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy.
We hope you enjoy this week’s selections!
WHITE WINE
178426 Domaine De Sancet 2008 (Southwest France) $11.95
The price is right for this citrus, herbaceous and fruity number. We know – it sounds complex and it is a bit – but utterly delicious nonetheless!
168344 Faustino V Blanco Viura 2008 (DOCa Rioja) $12.95
Lemon, pear and apple are the up-front flavours. This fruity start ends with a hint of minerality. Don’t be swayed by the picture of the ancient old fart on the label – he is Faustino the Fifth. His current kin seem to know a thing or two about wine-making!
74112 Agriverde Riseis Pecorino 2008 (Abruzzo, Italy) $13.95
Pecorino not to be confused with the cheese of the same name is a vine species believed to belong to the Trebbiano variety. It is a vine which flourished in central Italy over the centuries and has been making a resurgence in recent years. This pretty little number is unctuous and flavourful with savoury and peppery notes. It is food friendly and will pair well with roast chicken.
164020 Highfield Estate Paua Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Marlborough, New Zealand) $14.95
There are distinct green pea notes on the nose and palate. It is unmistakably a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at a terrific price. Have it with pea & mushroom risotto.
994509 Blackstone Chardonnay 2008 (Monterey County, California) $15.95
This is a classic Cali chardonnay going for a fraction of the price of most classic Cali chardonnays. Okey-dokey – it’s smoky and oaky.
733956 Paul & Mallory Talmard Mâcon-Uchizy 2008 (Burgundy) $15.95
This wine is incredibly easy to drink – very smooth with a dry – yet fresh finish. Guava notes are present. Like we said, it goes down easily – so be careful!
RED WINE
94177 Carta Vieja Limited Release Reserva Carmenère 2008 (Chile) $13.95
Well priced and big on flavour! Featuring aromas and flavours of ripe blueberry and black cherry it is full bodied with a velvety mouthfeel.
166991 St. Hallett Gamekeeper’s Shiraz 2008 (Barossa, South Australia) $14.95
This number is huge with copious amounts of berries and spice. Simply put: it is a “big ass” wine!
78725 Château Pineraie Cahors 2006 (Southwest, France) $14.95
Cahors is the original home to Malbec. Blended with a small amount of Merlot this pretty number emanates old cooperage on the nose and palate alongside flavours of ripe dark berries, menthol, earth and spice. Lots going on here!
177691 Château Haut Lignières Le 1er Faugères 2007 (Midi) $15.95
Ripe up front featuring licorice, spice and a certain hint of earthiness. We described this wine as a bit passive-aggressive due to its fresh young start when you take your first sip, which follows through to an aggressive slatey finish. What can we say? We really liked it!
178400 Domaine La Croix Sainte Eulalie Espéranto Saint-Chinian 2007 (Midi) $15.95
Exuding aromas and flavours of dark cherry, black plum, licorice and spice, it is big on flavour and quite juicy. Very pleasing and palatable enough to drink solo. For all you die-hard “BLING” suckers – this one was a gold medal winner at the Concours des Grands Vin du Languedoc Roussillon 2009.
171249 Château Robin 2006 (Bordeaux) $17.95
Vanilla, dark berries and a classic French table wine dryness is going on here. ’06 was a difficult vintage for the region but they have successfully produced a classic, dusty Bordeaux here. It is 70% Merlot – ergo the smooth pleasantness for this relatively young Bordeaux.
ALP
Rose & Karen
Don’t forget that the Vintages Value List past & present can always be found on www.cetoblog.com
Order your copy
Recent Comments