Marchese Antinori - Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2004

Estate grown - Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
2004
90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and other complementary red varieties
Following a very rainy autumn and a cold winter with abundant heavy rain, budbreak took place about 10-15 days later than average. There was frequent rainfall and cool temperatures during flowering and the foliage developed well although the initial delay also applied to the veraison and ripening phases. The harvest also took place a couple of weeks later than previous years, and was accompanied by frequent and quite heavy rain. Unlike 2003, with its high temperatures and drought, 2004 will be remembered for the cool, wet weather.
Due to the weather, the selected grapes were harvested about two weeks later than usual for the two main varieties (Sangiovese and Cabernet). After destemming and soft crushing, the grapes were placed in stainless steel vats where alcoholic fermentation took place. The phenolic and aromatic components were slower to be extracted than in the hot dry 2003, and in the cellar this meant longer maceration, slightly higher fermentation temperatures and more frequent racking and délestage. After alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation took place spontaneously by the end of the year when the wine was in French 225-litre barriques used for the second and third time. After malolactic fermentation the wines were selected, blended and replaced in the same barriques for about 14 months. At the end of the ageing period, every single barrique was tasted and the necessary selections made, after which the wine was bottled, and aged in the bottles for another y Alcohol : hol: 13.5 %
Marchese Antinori is produced, exclusively from the finest, most highly selected grapes grown on the Antinori Santa Cristina, Pèppoli and Badia a Passignano estates in the Mercatale Val di Pesa zone in Chianti Classico.
Intense ruby red colour. Spicy hints of cinnamon and cloves, alongside oaky and piquant peppery aromas. A rounded, creamy, sweet and well-balanced palate throughout the tasting. The aftertaste mainly expresses aromas linked to the ageing period – incense, balsamic hints and more spice.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Alcohol Percentage : 13.5% Vol.

Price : check on-line

Where to buy : on-line

Personal Opinion : Antinori has got to be one of the best wine-houses in Italy. Nothing more said.

Personal Score : 9/10

Cockburn's Special Reserve

Cockburn’s Special Reserve is the world’s most popular premium port. Special Reserve is a medium dark ruby color, with a deep garnet edge. The blend has a clean aroma, showing maturity and finesse, with a hint of dried plums. Off dry to medium sweet, Special Reserve has a rich, mellow texture and smooth tannin structure, with a long, satisfying finish. The classic way to serve Special Reserve is with aged Stilton cheese after dinner. Or enjoy with roasted almonds or walnuts and squares of rich, dark chocolate for a simple but elegant dessert.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 4.99 GBP

Where to buy : Sainsbury's

Alcohol Percentage : 20% Vol.

Personal Opinion : Ideal Port to drink daily. Doesn't cost the world and it tastes exactly the you expect it to do.

Personal Score : 8/10

Beringer Sparkling Zinfandel

Beringer Sparkling Rose 75cl

Description:

The nose has lovely floral notes that are reminiscent of the wonderfully refreshing Spumante’s of Italy, with citrus and strawberry fruit nuances. The palate begins with a nice, classic mousse mouthfeel, and strawberry, brown spice and citrus flavours interplay with a refreshing acidity that carries everything into a long, delicious finish.

Price : £8.98

Alcohol Percentage : 10,5 % Vol.

Bottle Size : 75 cl

Personal opinion : This is a very good wine. I normally don't go for US wines, but this one stands out from the other ones. If you want to impress the majority of a large party, this will do the job.

Personal Score : 9/10

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin - Yellow label

Veuve Clicquot 'Yellow Label' Brut Non-Vintage Champagne. This label has earned its reputation for being best in class and is probably the most popular gift Champagne.
Veuve (widow) Clicquot became famous for shipping champagne to Russia in 1814 in defiance of the blockade of Napoleon.
Gold in color, crisp and dry, with a fine, persistent sparkle. It is a classically styled blend of two-thirds black grapes (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and one-third Chardonnay. Its complex nose of apple, citrus and caramel is followed by rich flavors of citrus, hazelnut and baked bread, with a crisp, spicy finish.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 26.00 GBP

Where to buy : Olivers

Personal opinion : Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Personal score : 10/10

Sancerre 'le Mont Fleurie' 2006

Sancerre "Le Mont Fleuri" : This is a gently herby, slightly grassy white wine with a really pleasant ripe, rounded character. It’s supple and generous rather than nettly and sharp, like some Loire Sauvignons tend to be.

Bottle size : 75cl

Price : 9.49 GBP

Where to buy : on-line

Personal opinion : This is exactly what you expect from a good Sancerre. A little bit overpriced but well worth a shot.

Personal Score : 8/10

Marques de Casa Concha 2005 - Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Region:
Puente Alto Vineyard, Maipo Valley, Chile

Grape Variety:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Production Technique:
The grapes are manually harvested during April. The wine is aged for 18 months in new (35%) and used (65%) French oak barriques, then aged a further 2 months after bottling.

Description:
Color: Bright, deep red.Bouquet: Cherry, chocolate, black tar and smoke.

Taste: A smooth, almost silky texture with a long finish. Concentrated and full bodied.

Alcohol Content: 14.0%

Total Acidity: 3.61 g/l .
The grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon come from the Puente Alto Vineyard in the Maipo Valley, Chile's most celebrated wine region.
Dark ruby-red. Fine red cherries with hints of toasty French oak. Smooth, round, well balanced and tasteful with a long finish.
The wine complements steaks, roasts, pasta dishes with robust sauces, and strong cheeses.

Price : 7.49 GBP

Where to buy : check on-line

Personal Opinion : you won't find much better than this. This is one of the best Chilean Wines I've tasted in my life.

Personal Score : 9/10

Pinot Grigio - Villa Mura 2006

Light and fresh, with hints of green apples and peaches.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 4.69 GBP

Alcohol Percentage : 12% Vol.

Personal opinion : ordinary Pinot Grigio. Nothing special but enjoyable to drink. I'm sure there is plenty of other choices available.

Personal Score : 6/10

Moondarra Shiraz - 2006

Moondarra Shiraz, SE Australia 2006/07
Moondarra Shiraz is a wine with a rich, spicy mouthful of ripe plums and bramble fruits - soft, rich and warm in style and finish. Enjoy Australia

Bottle Size : 75 cl

Price : 5.99 GBP

Where to buy : M&S

Personal Opinion :

excellent exemple of a perfect Shiraz. In its kind it is an extraordinary wine that is easy drinking and will satisfy any Shiraz lover. If you look on-line you could probably find this wine a bit cheaper than at M&S. You would have to buy it in bulk though.

Personal Score : 9/10

Grimbergen Blonde - Belgian Beer

Grimbergen Blond

Grimbergen is the name of a group of Belgian abbey beers first brewed in 1128 at the abbey that Saint Norbert of Xanten built for the Premonstratensian (Norbertine) canons regular in Grimbergen. They became famous for providing hospitality and their home-brewed beer to visitors, and handed down the recipe over the centuries. The beers are now brewed by Alken Maes brewery group. The varieties are: Blond, Dubbel (brown), Tripel (blond), Optimo Bruno (brown) and Cuvée de l'Ermitage (brown) Grimbergen.

Alcohol Percentage : 6.4 % Vol.

Bottle Size : 33cl

Price : from 1.59 GBP

Where to buy : any respectable supermarket.

Personal opinion : excellent beer to accompany some Belgian Cheeses. Try drinking it at room temperature.

Personal points : 8/10

Duvel - Belgian Beer

Duvel has a fruity dry aroma, owed to the finest hops, that reminds experts like Michael Jackson of Poire William concerning its bouquet and pallet. Its dry but still alcohol-sweet flavour makes the beer an excellent thirst-quencher, with a pronounced hop aroma. Thanks to the balance between a fine aroma and subtle bitterness, this beer occupies a unique position in the rich Belgian Beer tradition. Duvel is the perfect companion for appetisers, digestives and every other occasion.

Bottle Size : 33cl

Alcohol Percentage : 8.5% Vol.

Personal Opinion : Drink this beer as slow as you would drink a wine. If not you could be standing on your head before you realise it. Strong beer but excellent in flavours. Highly recommended to drink while having some strong cheeses or smoked ham or Ardennes Pate.

Personal Score : 9/10

Where to buy : Every self-respecting supermarket.

Price : From 1.79 GBP

Albali Caliza 2006 - Crianza

Albali Caliza 2006

A cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo blend from the Vina Albali company of Spain. A medium bodied wine displaying reasonable strawberry and cherry flavours which has been aged in oak for 4 months to round the wine off.
A basic wine from the Vina Albali stable but I much prefer their reserve wine (details in the review archive) which although is about the same price offers so much more flavour and character.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Alcohol Percentage : 13 % Vol.

Personal opinion : Simply Ok. Nothing special but good value for money. I would buy this again if I had some company over for a drink. This wine could easily please a lot of people and I'm sure you could do worse than this wine.

Price : 4.99 GBP (on offer - normally 5.99)

Where to buy : Sainsbury's

Personal score : 8/10

Torres San Valentin 2006

Torres San Valentin 2006

Description:

Clear pale yellow colour, with enticing aromas of fresh grapes, together with other fruits (ripe bananas, quince ) and flowers (acacia with hints of roses and rosemary). Voluptuous and slightly sweet on the palate.The Parellada grape, the best traditional white variety found in some of the highest vineyards, produces fruity, aromatic wines with moderate alcoholic strength, such as San Valentín.

Size: 75 cl

Alcohol Percentage : 11% Vol.

Price : 6.99 GBP

Personal opinion : this is by far the best drink in its kind. A very good wine from a very good house. I can highly recommend this wine. Spain is not always popular with its white wines but this one is fantastic to drink by itself or as a dessert-wine.

Personal score : 9.5/10

Chateau le Monteil d'Arsac 2004 - Haut-Medoc - Cru Bourgeois

Chateau le Monteil d'Arsac 2004 :

Appellation : Haut-Médoc

Vintage : 2004
Price : £4.79 / Lidl Wine

Chateau Le Monteil d’Arsac is a Cru Bourgeois which is a guidance of quality. Fine; it’s not the best wine from the region, but it doesn’t cost £500+ a bottle either!
This is a deep, ruby coloured wine (with the lightest of garnet tinge); a light nose (I expected a bit more to be honest) with a spicey base. On the palate, the acidity is well balanced with blackcurrent fruits, with the fairly high tannins not standing out of place with the rest of the wine.

Commune : Arsac

Owner : Philippe RAOUX

Contact : Patxi MIGUEL

Phone : +33 (0)5 56 58 83 90

Fax : +33 (0)5 56 58 83 08

Area Under Vines : 53 hectares

Average age of the vines : 15 years

Grape varieties : 40% Merlot Noir, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon

Terroir : Sandy-gravelly

Production : 350 000 bottles

Personal points : 8/10

Muscadet - La Regate - 2006

There's not a lot to say in some ways. This is a negociant wine. Pierre Bonnet, a negociant or broker, has bought wine from a number of smaller producers to blend together into this entry level wine.
Good value wines are often the result of hard times on someone's part. Nowhere is this more true than with Muscadet and the Pays Nantais. Here falling consumer demand, strong marketing of rival wines from the New World and some unfortunate scandals involving local merchants have driven the price down. Whilst too much of the wine is of mediocre or poor quality, even good quality producers are forced to sell their product cheaply.
Tasting NoteSurely a contender for one of the UK's greatest value wines. Does exactly what it promises. It tastes just like it should, of clean, lightly fruity Muscadet and delivers a very drinkable mouthful of light, zesty wine. No mucking around, no fuss, just honest party drinking and everyday fun.

Alcohol Percentage : 12% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 2.99 GBP

Where to buy : Sainsbury's

Personal opinion : Ok, but not special. It does only cost 2.99, so if you have a house-party planned, get some of this and some lemonade for the ladies.

Personal Score : 7.5/10

Faustino I - Gran Reserva - Rioja 1996

Description:
Brilliant, medium to high depth. Cherry red in the centre of the glass with a garnet and tawny rim. Intense and complex to the nose. Aromas of spices and new wood (toasty, leather, vanilla, balsam). Well finished, powerful, enveloping tannic notes in the mouth that develop into an elegant meatiness and just the right acidity to match any dish. Serve between 18°C and 19 °C.Aged 28 months in casks - 80% American oak from West Virginia and 20% French oak from Les Vosges.

Grape Varieties: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo

Size : 75cl

Alcohol Percentage : 13% Vol

Personal Points : 9.5/10

Personal Opinion : We bought this wine at a very reasonable price. Buy 2 and get 3rd free.Therefor it makes this wine very good value for money. Ideal with red meat and heavy meals.

Where to buy : Thresher's

Price : 16.99 or 3 for the price of two