93
2011 Cape Chamonix Pinotage, Franschhoek
£16, 14, Oddbins
If you'd rather drink Piat d'Or than most Pinotage, this off-beat example from the Franschhoek Valley might change your mind about this controversial South Africa grape. Gottfried Mocke's red is made in an unusual (unique for the Cape?) style that uses the ripasso technique of refrementing the wine on its skins and it's brilliant, with flavours of plum, spice and mulberry, subtle oak and just the right amount of tannin for backbone.
Available from (as of date of review): Oddbins
Drinking window: 2015-19
90
2013 The Ned Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
£9.99, 12.5%, Majestic, Waitrose
Brent Marris' well-distributed Sauvignon tends to be on a deal more often than not, but even at its full retail price it delivers in the glass, unfurling flavours of passion fruit, gooseberry and melon. Flavoursome stuff at a fair price.
Available from (as of date of review): Majestic, Waitrose
Drinking window: 2013-15
88
2011 The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Domaine de La Noblaie Chinon, Loire
£8.95, 13.5%, The Co-operative
Unoaked Loire Cabernet Franc is one of my favourite styles wine: light, fresh and grassy, with subtle lead pencil aromas and a bright, cool climate finish. That's exactly what you get here, with acidity that works really well with cheese and red meats.
Available from (as of date of review): The Co-operative
Drinking window: 2013-15
95
NV Henriot Blanc de Blancs, Champagne
£44.00, 12%, Oddbins
Sourced mostly from the Côte des Blancs and including 30% of reserve wines, Henriot's Blanc de Blancs is a non vintage wine that tastes like a vintage release. It's rich, toasty and just off dry with notes of brioche and toast and a subtle, tapering finish. One of the best Blanc de Blancs on the market.
Available from (as of date of review): Oddbins
Drinking window: 2013-15
94
2012 Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay, Nelson
£37.80, 13.5%, Christopher Keiller
Tim and Judy Finn's Chardonnay is established as one of the three best Chardonnays in New Zealand and this vintage more than lives up to its reputation. It's a leesy, creamy, deftly oaked wine with attractive stone fruit flavours, hints of cashew, oatmeal and toast and a focused, minerally finish. Superb stuff.
Available from (as of date of review): Christopher Keiller
Drinking window: 2013-17
94
2008 LaFou De Batea, Terra Alta
£26.17, 14.5%, contact winery
The top red wine from LaFou is an impressive blend of mostly Grenache with lesser amounts of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, again showing judicious oak handling, refreshing minerality and ripe, but not over-ripe flavours of plum, chocolate and red fruits, with hints of tapenade and a brisk, refreshing finish. This is winemaking of a high order.
Available from (as of date of review): contact winery
Drinking window: 2013-15
92
2007 Hugel Gewurztraminer Vendage Tardive, Alsace
£33.00, 13%, The Wine Society
There's no mistaking the grape variety of this late picked Alsace dessert wine. It's a classic lychee and rose petal style Gewürz, with sweet apricot, pineapple and peach flavours and a hint of exotic spice. Very decadent.
Available from (as of date of review): The Wine Society
Drinking window: 2013-15
92
2012 LaFou Els Amelers, Terra Alta
£12.82, 13.5%, contact winery
Made entirely from Garnacha Blanca, this delicately oaked white is creamy and herbal, with lovely texture, pear and honeysucke fruit. a touch of aniseed and a taut, minerally finish.
Available from (as of date of review): contact winery
Drinking window: 2013-15
91
2011 LaFou El Sender, Terra Alta
£10.15, 14.5%, contact winery
The use of oak is restrained here (one of the distinguishing features of this impressive Terra Alta winery) allowing the fruit to express itself. It's a subtle, finely crafted blend of mostly Garnacha with 30% Syrah and 10% Morenillo (yup, I had to to look that one up, too), showing, sweet red fruits, subtle vanilla spice, bright acidity and polished tannins.
Available from (as of date of review): contact winery
Drinking window: 2013-15
90
2012 Steitz Grauer Burgunder Trocken, Rheinhessen
£13.00, 13%, Chix and Buck
You might be surprised to learn that Germany sells more Grauer Burgunder (aka Pinot Gris) in the UK than Riesling. The statistic is less depressing when you taste a wine like this soft, pear, fig and apple-like example from the Rheinhessen, however. A very appealing dry white with more acidity than is immediately apparent.
Available from (as of date of review): Chix and Buck
Drinking window: 2013-15
