Wine Reviews

[Simon-JG-hr]

I thought it would be quite nice to have a thread for us to review some of the more unusual or lesser known wines we've been trying.

The timing of this thought, coinciding as it does with the first wine review on my blog, is entirely serendipitous. Naturally...

When I was on my way up to Chester to have a mini post-Christmas herf with Dan I was reading the current issue of Decanter. There was a jolly interesting piece about wine in Portugal, and at the end of the feature was a list of some of their recommended wines from the Beirradas region. One, I noted, was sold at Corks Out - directly opposite the Turmeus we were going to be camping out in. The article had piqued my interest, so I nipped across and bought their last bottle of the stuff.

Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Tino 2010

Very enjoyable wine. A little bit of everything going on really - fruity, rich, warm, full bodied yet soft... Strange one. The grape, Baga, has a reputation for producing some pretty astringent wines if not dealt with properly. I shall definitely be trying more Baga, and hoping that other producers are as understanding of the grape as Luis Pato.

If I was thinking of matching it with a cigar, I imagine it would pair quite nicely with a Boli Britanicas (off the top of my head).

Full, poncy review... ***CLICK HERE***

[ValeTudoGuy]

Good idea, Portuguese wines are some what an anomaly to me. They have often been the poor relatives of other European wines (although excellent as port and Madeira) yet when I went to Madeira I sampled some excellent wines.... Same thing with Greek wines when I went to Rhodes.

[Gary]

I keep meaning to start the odd wine review from time to time but never seem to get round to it, anyway I enjoyed yours, keep them coming!

[Simon Bolivar]

Aye, good choice for a new thread. Will add to it in due course.

[Sean]

La campagne - french syrah lovely wine and resonable price if you go for it make sure its the 2010 bottle as the 2012 isnt as well rounded the 2010

[Sean]

Apothic california red.

Now i know before anyone says about it being a new world wine but it is one of the nicest reds i have had even better after 6-8 hrs decanted. Rich full bodied vanilla tones yummy. I get mine in costo but have seen it online in tesco

[ValeTudoGuy]

I like many New world wines, Argentinian Tempranillos tend to be a favorite of mine.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Definitely - some fantastic New World wines out there. I used to be a proper Francophile when it came to wine - with forays into Italy. I wouldn't even drink Spanish 'stuff'. However, I have come more and more to realise that, not constrained by appellation controls, new world winemakers can make some truly exceptional and characterful wines. They make some utter dross too (most of the mass market stuff from California, South Africa and Australia in particular), but that's the same with anywhere. I think I now prefer trying interesting wines from artisanal makers to a big name claret now.

[JoeyGunz]

Apothic california red.

Now i know before anyone says about it being a new world wine but it is one of the nicest reds i have had even better after 6-8 hrs decanted. Rich full bodied vanilla tones yummy. I get mine in costo but have seen it online in tesco

Morning Sean, I picked up a bottle of this after repeatedly seeing the name being mentioned on another forum I post on, still to open the bottle but after buying it heard that it can be a rather sweet red? 16g of Sugar per Litre if memory recalls correctly

[Deano]

Hey - if this takes off we can create a separate wine review forum - let me know

[mattyhall22]

I don't like wine but I do like real ales and craft beers

[ValeTudoGuy]

I don't like wine but I do like real ales and craft beers

Lucky me, I like all of the above! In fact, I think the only alcoholic drink I purely can't stand is Limoncello.... Yuck!

[Sean]

Morning Sean, I picked up a bottle of this after repeatedly seeing the name being mentioned on another forum I post on, still to open the bottle but after buying it heard that it can be a rather sweet red? 16g of Sugar per Litre if memory recalls correctly

Hi joey

I found a little sweet not like a proper sweet wine like a dornfelder or nothing just mellow but on the 2nd bottle i had i decanted it for 24hrs and it was like butter just so smooth so really think longer breathing on it works well

[Sean]

Hey - if this takes off we can create a separate wine review forum - let me know

That could be good deano

[ValeTudoGuy]

Nicolas Potel Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2011. I'm not good at describing wines, but I really enjoyed this one!

Smooth and easy drinking, not particularly tannic.... I would buy again.