Palacios Propiedad DOC Rioja 2005 (Alvaro Palacios / Remondo)

Tasted 25/08/11 with the WHICH group at Vivat Bacchus, EC4. 14%, about £35 UK retail. I have had this wine in stock for about 18 months and it benefited from keeping. I still needs longer but is drinking well now. This is a 60% Garnacha and 40% Tempranillo blend from high altitude vineyards in the east of Rioja. The colour is ruby with a hint of brown tinge. The aromas are ones of fresh strawberries and some wild herbs. The palate his silky tannins and long finish, with berry fruits. It's a new style Rioja for sure with but that one that pays homage to the region's traditions. I love this wine but opinion was divided. It needs longer but is enjoyable now. If I have a criticism, it's overpriced, probably due to the reputation of the winemaker. From 2012, 17/20.

Errázuriz Max Reserva 2007 Merlot (Aconagua Valley)

Tasted 19/08/2011. 14%. This is one of the middle level wines from Errazuriz. It's about £9-£10 retail in the UK and worth every penny. This wine is made from 20 year old vines from selected plots. This is an example of some of the 'older vines' that are now coming round in Chile. It is more elegant and sophisticated than the usual fruit-forward Chilean Merlot. This has a great deep ruby colour. The nose is full-on varietal Merlot with red fruits and a hint of herbs. The palate is a little tannic still and this wine needs longer....can we keep Chilean wines 10 years now? I wish I had another bottle...16.5 / 20. From 2011.

CHIANTI CLASSICO Poggerino 2008

Tasted 22/08/2011 over lunch at the River Cafe with Sara. 13.5%. £15 in Lea and Sandeman. The River Cafe is an iconic eatery and needs no introduction. Their wine list is extensive - and expensive - and this wine represents one of the better value wines therein - a 'snip' at £40 a bottle!
This wine by Piero Lanza is really good - it's a little young yet but is deep, concentrated and ruby. It is 100% Sangiovese and after an hour's breathing, the nose was massive, with berry fruits and a hint of oregano. Good tannins and a great length. On the palate it is deeply concentrated cherries. Great value for money (at retail!). 17.5 - 18/20. From 2012.

Churchill Estates 2007 (Douro)

Tasted 09/08/2011. I last tasted this wine just under a year ago:

http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/09/churchill-estates-douro-portugal-2007.html

I'd reinforce those comments but say it has definitely improved over a year but is still not as good as the '06. But, it's still quite a classy powerful wine that needs longer... from 2012. 17/20

Matetic EQ Chardonnay 2009 (San Antonio)

Tasted 31.07.11, 15% ABV. About £15.99 UK retail. This is a superb wine, one of the best Chilean wines I have tasted this year. Matetic is a relatively new 'boutique' winery but has quickly moved to close to the top of the Chilean tree. This wine is made from their oldest vine plots (circa. 1999). If you are a classic Burgundy drinker, you may not appreciate the style so much but you will acknowledge the quality. Soft yellow colour. This is a rich, fruity Chilean style for sure but elegant and multi-dimensional too. Beautiful citrus, tropical fruits and vanilla on the nose, in the mouth it's all fresh acidity with butterscotch. Long finish. From 2011, 18/20

Vina Leyda Costero Syrah 2009 (Leyda Valley)

Tasted 31/07/2011, 14% ABV. About £8.50 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). I have had this wine in stock for a year or so and at 2 years of age, it's about ready to drink now. Vina Leyda is up-and-coming (established 1997 according to the authoritative Peter Richard's Chile guide) and gets passing mention (for example) in the latest Parker guide. I haven't tried their Pinot Noir but this Syrah, whilst not in the same league as Vina Mayu, Casa Lapostelle or Matetic EQ, is a lovely wine nonetheless, fruity and bred for early drinking but elegant too. Ruby red, raspberries and berries on the nose, with white pepper and coffee on the palate overlying a layer of brambly fruit, with structured tannins. Excellent value for money. From 2011, 16/20.

Viu Manent Reserva Carmenere 2009 (Colchagua)

Tasted 26/07/11. This £10 wine comes in at a potent 14.5% ABV. This winery has been 'family owned since 1935' but as far as I can tell, it's an exclusive UK import by Majestic. They do a non-reserva and a gran reserva too but this one is the best of the three in my opinion.
Beautiful deep purple colour, the 10 months in oak shows through with a nice layer of vanilla over the dark berry fruits. The nose is one of mocha, herbs and plums on the palate it's spicy dark chocolate, coffee and cherries. Firm tannins - drinking well now but it has 3 or 4 years yet. A lovely wine.
From 2013, 16.5/20
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Errázuriz Estate Carmenere 2009 (Aconagua)

Tasted 21/07/2011, 13.5% ABV, screw cap. About £7.50 (e.g. Majestic). I have said before that I sometimes find the Errazuriz entry-level wines rather harsh and two-dimensional but this one was a pleasant surprise. It says that 'half the wine' (sic) has had 6 months in oak but have no doubt this wine is quite elegant and well-rounded. Carmenere from Chile is gaining a deserved reputation and this wine reinforces that notion. Deep purple, with pimento, cigars and mocha on the nose, dark fruits on the palate with soft, velvety tannins. A very well made wine. From 2011, 15.5/20

Archangel Wines Long Trek Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2008

Tasted 15/07/11 with Sara, Jane and Alex. £10 UK retail (n/a Majestic). This winery's reserva wine is a multiple medal winner. I have had a couple bottles of the entry level for about 2 years and probably with hindsight, kept them a year too long. It is a New World style for sure and shows what Central Otago is now capable of with the fickle Pinot Noir grape..... this is a fruit forward, well balanaced wine but some of the fruit has now gone and would have probably benefitted from drinking when it was 2 years old, rather than 3. Young vines no doubt. Nonetheless, it is still most enjoyable - it's bright cherry red, intense strawberries on the nose, a little tannic on the palate, but there's boiled sweets, and a hint of spice in the mouth. This winery shows great potential for the future. Drink now, 16/20.

Chianti Riserva San Colombano 'Baroncini' 2007 DOCG

Tasted 13/07/11 with Sara. 13% ABV, ca. £9.50 UK retail (Waitrose). Initially, I was rather disappointed with this 'IWSC Bronze Medal Winner' but after 3 days breathing (sic) it really came into its own! San Colombano have a good reputation in the Tuscan middle ground and I thought at 4 years old, this bottle was about ready to try. Upon first opening and even on a second day, we found this rather closed, extremely oaky and very dry. But it eventually opened up to reveal lovely cherries and strawberries on the nose, and the tannins softened. As it is this wine is good with food but it shows that there are still long-lived 'traditional' Chianti styles made at this level. Note to self - keep for another 3 years at least! From 2015, 16/20

Errázuriz Tapihue Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Casablanca Valley)

Tasted 12/07/11 with Beata, Jean-Marc, Tom, Sara, et al. 13.5% ABV, about £8 UK retail. This wine has improved in the year since I bought it. This shows that even youthful, early-drinking wines benefit from some age. Pale straw colour. Very nice apple and gooseberry nose, refershing acidity on the palate. Quite well balanced now and drinking well. I do like Errazuriz reserva-level wines and their fine wines, but unlike say, Cono Sur and Concha y Toro, I find their entry level wines unremarkable but this is an exception. From 2011, 15.5 / 20

Vinchio Vaglio I Tre Vescovi Barbera d'Asti DOCG Superiore 2008 (Piedmont)

Tasted 10/07/11, 13.5% ABV. About £8.99 In Waitrose (currently on offer at £6.50). A lovely little wine and it shows that there is good vlaue for money to be had for every day wine in the Old World. Ruby red in colour with brown tinges, looks older than its age. Beautiful strawberries, dried fruits and toasty oak on the nose, red fruits on the palate. Good tannins and well balanced. Really superb food wine - good value even at full price. Drink now, 16/20

Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2008 (Casablanca)

Tasted 05/07/11, 13.5% ABV. This is widely available for anywhere between £6 and £8. This is an entry level varietal blend from Concha y Toro's global brand. Though labelled 'reserva' I am not sure why but.....
As always with CdD, their entry level varietals are far superior to most New World gluggers at this price point, and great value too.
This wine is medium purple, the nose has spice and red fruits and some oaky notes. The palate is fresh and fruity. Well balanced. Not remarkable but you get a good Merlot character. Drink now, 14 / 20.
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Finca Flichman Malbec Reserve 2009

Tasted 1/7/11 with Tom. 14% ABV. Currently on offer at Waitrose at £5.99 (from £7.99). The 2010 has just been released so I decided to drink up the '09 that I had since last year. It seems very similar to the Gestos, just not quite as elegant or rounded. Their website is worth a look: http://www.flichman.com.ar/home.html (Spanish only) but doesn't list this wine. My guess is this is a blend for the international market; according to the bottle based on two of their vineyards. I think the 'reserve' appellation comes from selected plots rather than barrel age. Anyway, it is clear, medium purple colour with a good nose of plum and strawberry. Tannins are soft. There's a rather short finish and I would have preferred a bit more grip with firmer tannins. Good value for money, nonetheless, if you like your Malbec soft-ish and for early drinking. 15/20, drink now.

Finca Flichman Gestos 2008

Tasted 27/06/2011, 14% ABV. The 2010 is about £7.50. I realised that I had had this wine in stock for nearly 2 years, so decided it was time to drink up. Argentina, particularly the great stables such as Flinchman, Balbo, Joffre and Catena, are producing superb affordable Malbecs for everyday drinking and for keeping too.. This wine falls into the former category but is a nice, elegant wine nonetheless. Dark purple colour, still very youthful. Smoke and ripe cherries on the nose, damsons and spice on the palate. Great value, versatile wine. Drink now.....15.5 / 20

Casillero del Diablo Viognier 2009 Reserva, Casablanca Valley

Tasted 24/06/11, 13.5% ABV. About £7.50 UK retail. I am not a big fan of Viognier at any price (or from anywhere) and hence was not reall ylooking forward to 'cheap' Viognier, even from the quality-driven Concha y Toro giant. But, this wasn't bad. From their website: 'After being on the brink of extinction in 1965, this variety, a native grape of the French Rhône Valley, has seen a steady increase in its production to the point where it now stands as competition for the ever-classic Chardonnay. This is an aromatic wine with delicate flavours, mostly defined by its apricot and peach notes and low acidity'. About right. Zesty, I had a hint of pineapple too. Drink now, 14/20

I Satiri, Salice Salentino Riserva 2006 Candido

Tasted 24/06/11, 13.5% ABV. About £8.50 in Majestic. Good expression of the Negroamaro grape from Puglia - with some age - at a great price. Clear, red-brown colour with some age on the rim. Great nose of raisins, smoke, prunes and oak. Firm tannins, with lots of dark cherry fruit and a longish finish. From 2011, 16.5/20

Gran Vendema Rioja Gran Reserva 2002

Tasted 19/06/2011. 14% ABV, about £10 (Majestic). This is cheaper, 'new style' Rioja that is now coming into its own. It was a bargain a year ago when I bought a case and it is now drinking well but has life yet. Cherry red, showing just a hint of age around the edges of the glass. Leather, toffee and cinnamon on the nose. Elegant and full in the mouth with lively tannins still. Vanilla and berry fruits. This has improved since tasting it about a year ago. From 2012. 16.5 / 20

Barbera d'Asti DOCG 2009 De Forville (Piedmont)

Tasted 18/06/2011 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 14% ABV, £12.49 in Majestic. A good Barbaresco of the new style. Good for youthful drinking or will keep. Deep red colour, clear. Great aromas of smoke, spice, red cherries. Lots of tannin masking the fruit. In the mouth, it shows its credentials and elegance but it needs longer. Drink now with a rich antipasti or creamy sauce - but I'd keep it for a while yet. From 2013. 17/20

Errázuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir, 2008 (Casablanca)

Tasted 17/06/11 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. ca. £12 UK retail. My last bottle of the '08 and improved on last year when I first tasted it. One of the best wines from Errázuriz, this is made from young vines but hand picked and selected bunches, and has 9 months in French oak after fermentation with 'wild yeasts'. This is an incredibly young-drinking but complex and elegant pinot noir, a universe away from tannic and long lived Burgundy-style wines. The nose is beautifully complex strawberries and rosehips. In the mouth it's long and elegant with smooth red fruits and a surprising richness. Highly recommended and superb value for money. From 2011, 17.5 /20

Macon-Uchizy AOC 2008

Tasted 17/6/2011 with Sara, Beata and Jean-Marc. 13% ABV, £8.99 Marks and Spencer. Very pleasant commune Maconnais, 100% Chardonnay by R & G Sallet. A very well balanced wine with a nice buttery roundness and citrusy flavours. Perhaps this shows that white French wine below £10 can compete with the New World! Recommended. From 2011, 16/20

Valdivieso Reserva Merlot 2008, Rapel Valley

Tasted 7/6/11, 13.5%, about £9 UK retail. This Merlot may be a long way from a 10 year old St. Emilion in style, but it is a fine example of great Chilean wine making. It's deep red with beautiful red berry fruits, cherries and a hint of allspice on the nose. The restrained oak gives a nice layer of vanilla. This is fruit-forward for sure but its elegant and refined and well balanced with smooth tannins. Lovely - what value! From 2011, 16.5/20
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Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Filicheto Castellani 2006

Tasted 01/06/11 with Sara. 13.5% ABV, about £10 UK with Majestic. A 'cheap' VNdM but a good expression of the style and the Sangiovese grape. Light ruby red, showing some age. Lovely nose: full, cherries, vanilla and a hint of pepper. In the mouth, it's still quite full and a little tannic but long and elegant. There's lots of dry, juicy red fruits and a finish that is reminiscint of cherries and rapsberries. Not the highest echelon of this Tuscan region but a very nice wine, excellent value for money. From 2011, 16.5 /20

Cuvee Balthazar Syrah 2007 Vin de Pay d'Oc

Tasted 28/05/2011 with Beata, Jean-Marc, et al. 13.5% ABV, about £10 UK retail (e.g. Waitrose). 

Winemaker Pierrick Harang’s take on the new style ‘Super Vin De Pay’, this is a world away from cheap, barely adequate D’Oc wines of yesterday. Well worth the money, this is a super-charged syrah, lovely dark fruits nose, spicy and fruity with a great finish. Well worth the money. From 2011, 17/20

Barossa Shiraz Reserve 2007

Tasted 21/05/2011 with Alex, Jane and Sara. 14.5% ABV, about £9 UK retail from Waitrose.The '08 is available now - this was my last bottle of the '08. See:
http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/12/barossa-shiraz-reserve-2007.html
Lovely, a point now... 18 / 20, great value for money

La Casita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Coquimbo Valley, 2009

Tasted 18/05/2011. 13.5%. About £7 UK retail. A 'jobbing' Chilean varietal - some fresh acidity and minerality with a citrus fruits on the nose. A rather short finish, probably not worth more than £7. Drink now, 14/20

Cumot Nebbiolo d'Alba Bricco Maiolica DOC 2007

Tasted 19/05/2011 at the WHICH group. 14% ABV. Ca. £23 UK retail from Lea and Sandeman. A minor Barbaresco from Piedmont. Lovely wine, brick red with brown tinges, showing some age. Leathery notes, tar, liquorish and dark fruits on the nose. Great balance with lots of cherry and strawberry fruit and a long finish. A tad pricey but a really enjoyable wine. From 2011, 17.5 / 20

Errazuriz Estate Merlot, Aconagua Valley, 2009

Tasted 19/05/2011. Tasted previously in  http://garyswinetasting.blogspot.com/2010/11/errazuriz-estate-merlot-aconagua-valley.html
Re-visiting this after a year, I feel an extra year has added to the wine. The tannins have softened a little, drink now. Quite spicy on the finish/ 15.5 / 20

Douro DOC 2008

Tasted 10/05/11, 13.5% ABV. £6.99 (currently £4.99). Tesco Finest label is a Falua wine by Antonina Barbosa. A pleasant enough wine, if unremarkable. Light ruby colour, good toasty oak and blackcurrants on the nose. Soft tannins and red fruits on the palate. A rather short finish. Not bad - good value for money at the current price. Drink now, 14.5 / 20
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Post Scriptum de Chryseia DOC 2008 (Douro)

Tasted 04/05/11 at Central London Wine Society. 13.5% ABV, about £20 UK retail. The second level 'boutique wine' from the Prats and Symington collaboration, a fine table wine from port country. This is selected parcels of touriga nacional grapes. Deep purple colour, very youthful. Cedar wood, dark fruits and figs on the nose. Elegant with great tannins, needs a lot longer.From 2013, 17/20