Baron de Ley, Club Privado Rioja 2008

Tasted 19/01/12, 13.5% ABV, about £9 UK retail. Cork closure. Pretty cheap for a Rioja these days, this is a 'jobbing' Rioja from the large Baron de Ley set up. Red fruits on the nose, distinctive Tempranillo palate, with sweet American oak on the finish. A little short but pleasant enough. Won't go very far - new oak hiding young fruit I speculate. But, not bad value for money. A good food wine. From 2012, 14.5 /20.

Cono Sur Pinot Noir Reserva 2009 (Casablanca)

Tasted 12/01/12 with Ian. 14% ABV, screw cap closure. About c.£9 UK retail - widely available. A straightforward, pleasant premium blend from new fruit (I assume). As always, it demonstrates Cono Sur's (Concha y Toro) quality orientated approach to wine making. Bright cherry red. Very aromatic strawberry fruit, plums and cherries in the glass, a good mouthful of red fruit. Hint of leather and cinnamon. Good value, drink now. 15.5/20
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Les Tourelles de Longueville, Pauillac 2006

Tasted 07/01/12 with Jean-Marc. 13% ABV, cork closure. About £30 UK retail (e.g. BBR). Second wine of 2nd Cru Classe Pichon-Longueville. Dark purple colour, archetypal left bank nose of cedar, cassis, pencil box. On the palate, it's the classic brooding, austere Pauillac character. Silky tannins and classic dark and red fruits. A little closed and still young but enjoyable now with a long finish. Great 'bangs for bucks'. From 2015. 16.5/20
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Calicanto Viña el Principal, 2009, Maipo

Tasted 04/01/2012. 14.5% ABV, £12.50 UK retail (Majestic). Cork closure. A new Chilean wine for me, but a wine I am very pleased with. A Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere blend. Beautiful nose of coffee, allspice and damsons. Bright purple in the glass, on the palate the toasty French oak shows through. Well integrated on the palate, dark fruits and some liquorice and bell peppers on the finish. Good middle level Chilean red - this wine has some structure and is good now but could be kept for up to 3 years. From 2012, 16/20