Chateau Le Vivier 2008

Chateau Le Vivier 2008

Medoc - Appellation Medoc Controlee

A gently fruity wine that I enjoyed over a long evening, drinking first with food, and only then on its own. I decanted the wine for a good period then managed to not sip the wine until I had eaten some food. Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape I struggle with and waiting to enjoy the wine with the food helps to soften it on my palate.
This wine was bottled for Majestic and was sensible value for an excellent Medoc wine.

From the label:

Our Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) vines gently slope down towards the Gironde river from the highest plateau in the Medoc, producing award-winning, elegant, fruit forward wines.

Chateau Le Vivier is aged in our magnificent underground cathedral, and we are delighted to release this perfectly matured 2008 vintage exclusively to Majestic's passionate wine lovers.

When you open a bottle, we suggest that you let it breathe for a little while, and serve at 16-18C.

We hope that you enjoy every drop, most probably during a long lunch or a delicious dinner with close friends.

Mis en bouteille au chateau.

Unico Brindisi Riserva 2010

Unico Brindisi Riserva 

2010 Denominazione Di Origine Controllata

A bright, brisk and easy drinking red wine at a very good value. It is one of those wines that is repeatedly discounted at the supermarket (£7.99 but always on offer at £4.99 or 2 for £9.00). So realistically it is a £5 bottle and good value at that. A lovely deep colour, gentle aromas and pleasant smoothness. An easy wine that is great to drink with a range of foods.

From the label:

Intense ruby red colour, the wine acquires orange hints as it ages. Ethereal and rich bouquet with notes of vanilla and ripe red fruits. Dry, delicate, fresh, tangy finish.

Cepa Lebrel Rioja Reserva 2009

Cepa Lebrel 

Rioja Reserva 2009

Denominacion De Origen Calificada

Although this was a cheaper Rioja (£5.99 from Lidl), I was still disappointed. It seemed to be lacking any sparkle, perhaps I was expecting too much. I do have another bottle, perhaps I will decant that one (as per suggestion on the bottle) and leave it around for a good while before drinking.

From the label:

Cepa Lebrel wines are the result of years of experience and dedication. Full of character, structure and body, this Reserva has been aged for 36 months, 18 of which took place in oak barrels. We recommend decanting the wine before serving. Once opened, consume within 3 days.

Carta Roja crianza 2009

Carta Roja crianza 2009

Monstrell Syrah
Jumilla Denominacion de Origen Protegida

A very pleasant, easy drinking wine that accompanied a hearty bean casserole. Deep and comforting food and drink for a dark and wet winter night in the UK.

From the label;

Carta Roja is made traditionally from Monastreli and Syrah grapes which produce rich and intense wines. It is full-bodied with red fruit aromas and intense flavours of ripe plum and vanilla. Aged in American oak barrels, this wine has soft, smooth tannins. It makes a fantastic partner for game and lamb dishes and also hard cheeses.

Barbera D'Asti

Barbera D'Asti

Denominazione di Origine
Controlla e Garantita 2011

A Barbera D'Asti from Sainsbury's. It was good, a very pleasant and gentle wine but it fell far short of the one I recently had from Lidl; that bottle was a Superiore (and £8.99) and yes so much superior

From the label;

This fruity red has a lovely soft texture and balances ripe blackberry and morello cherry flavours with silky tannins and a spice of acidity.
Barbera d'Asti comes from the Piedmont region of northwest Italy and dynamic winemaker Scipione Giuliani has carefully produced this wine to reflect the region's terroir and diversity.
Perfect with roast duck or spicy Italian-style sausages.

Valpolicella Superiore 2011

Valpolicella Superiore 2011

D.D.O.P

I have so often found Valpolicella disappointing and this was also true of this one. Very easy to drink and yes, with that very distinct flavour and aroma of cherries, but it was weak, almost as if it was a glass of wine prepared for a child, the glass largely water. Perhaps I am looking for something in a glass of Valpolicella that is not there.

From the label;

This Valpolicella Superiore has intense notes of fruits of the forest and cherries. With good structure and harmonious balance. It is an ideal accompaniment to red meat, game and cheese. Once opened consume within 3 days.

Aglianico del Vulture 2009

Aglianico del Vulture 2009

We drank this thoroughly enjoyable Italian wine on a dark winter evening with a very rustic (my cooking) tomato pasta dish. Deep and smooth, its rich and intense colours brightened the evening.

from the label;

Grapes: Agalianico

Style: Bold & spicy

Taste: Ripe plum, cherry & blackberry notes

With: Robust meat dishes or aged cheeses

Deep ruby red in colour, this elegant wine is powerful with a complex bouquet, intense notes of ripe plum, cherry and blackberry, all elevated by a hint of warming spice.

Expertly produced by native winemaker Paolo Montrone, Aglianico del Vulture is one of the most traditional DOC wines in Southern Italy. Aglianico grapes are hand-picked from vineyards situated on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vulture. The late-ripening Aglianco variety thrives in the fertile soil which contains mineral rich deposits from ancient lava flows. This wine is traditionally vinified and aged in oak barriques to add structure and depth.

A great pairing for robust meat dishes or aged cheeses.

Purchased from Sainsbury's

Albert Bichot 2011

Albert Bichot 2011

Bourgogne Hautes- Cotes de Beaune

Another wonderful wine from Burgundy that we enjoyed at our family celebration for the New Year. A real pleasure to pour and enjoy this classic French wine, its colour soft and sophisticated rather than gaudy and bright.

from the label:

A fresh, medium bodied Burgundy that delivers initial crisp aromas of fresh redcurrants before the palate softens to ripe redcurrant jammy flavours and subtle hints of roasted cocoa and coffee beans.

M&S winemaker Sue Daniels worked with Alain Serveau on this wine that hails from grapes grown in the higher altitude Hautes Cotes de Beaune, helping the slower-ripening Pinot Noir retain freshness and vivacity with a silky soft palate. Alain insists on ageing part of the wine for 10 months in oak to add structure and texture. His gentle handling of the wine, to enhance flavour, may result in a small harmless sediment in the bottle.

This wine is ready to drink now or will keep for up to 3 years. Serve at room temperature and pair with stews, dishes from tomato-based sauces or mildly spiced North African cuisine.

Purchased from Marks & Spencer

Antonin Rodet 2009

Antonin Rodet 2009

Grand Vin De Bourgogne - Givry
Appellation Givry Controlee

A real pleasure to enjoy this elegant wine at a recent family celebration. Such a joy to drink this sophisticated and gently elegant wine at table.

From the label;

With the utmost respect for terroir and tradition, the House of Antonin Rodet has carefully aged and produced quality wines since 1875.

Mis en bouteille a Nuits-Saint-Georges par Antonin Rodet, Mercurey - France.

Graffigna Centenario

Graffigna Centenario

Malbec Reserve 2011

Enjoyed this deep rich Malbec Reserve on a winter Sunday evening. Deep colour and smooth lush flavours.

from the label:

Graffigna (grah FEE nyah) Centenario is a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the winery founded by Santiago Graffigna in 1870. His commitment and passionate dedication created the foundation on which the winery was built. Graffigna has become a true Argentinian icon, delivering premium, world class wines for over 135 years.

Aged 12 months in oak barrels and 6 months in bottle. Deep red colour with shaded of violet. On the nose, great complexity with ripe blackberry aromas, hints of pepper and spices. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins, complex and persistent.

Leitz Weingut

Leitz Weingut

2012 Rudesheimer Rosengarten Kabinett - Riesling

My Beloved bought this Riesling from Waitrose. Not something I would have bought myself, but tasting this wine in a stunning Austrian wine glass was a wonderful experience. For me, it has a freshness, a gentle melon sweetness and no sign of acidity - perfectly balanced.

From the label:

The original walled Rosengarten vineyard in the town of Rudesheim on the banks of the Rhine is exclusively owned by Leitz. This delicious off dry Riesling has white peach and apricot flavours and will perfectly accompany Asian and spicy cuisine, fish and salad.... or simply enjoy as an aperitif.

Tulga Crianza 2009

Tulga Crianza 2009

Toro

An easy drinking red wine with plenty of pleasant oak and good fruit. I enjoyed this wine with a range of tasty Christmas savoury bites. Good and uncomplicated wine for a pleasant winter evening from the massive Toro wine producing area of Spain.

From the label:

Cherry red colour with garnet tones. On the nose, it displays aromas of red fruits, cream and vanilla, having been aged in new American and French oak barrels. Fleshy on the palate, with polished tannins. It is a perfect partner for all kinds of meats, roasts, stews and cured cheeses. Serve between 16 and 18C.

Anciano Gran Reserva 2005 Tempranillo

Anciano Gran Reserva 2005 Tempranillo

Valdepenas

Aged 7 years, oak matured. The wine is mellow with ripe fruit and nicely oaked. This is a very pleasant deep wine, which I really enjoyed with one of my Beloved's stunning Feta and Spinach Omelettes.

From the label;

In the timeless Spanish winemaking tradition, Anciano is matured for at least seven years in our cellars to guarantee the perfect balance between ripe fruit and mellow oak character.

Drinking well now. Enjoy with roast lamb, chicken, and other grilled meats, hearty casseroles and mature cheeses.

Dolcetto D'Alba

Dolcetto D'Alba
Nirane

Podere Di Rivalta Di La Morrra - Verduno 2012

A wine from Piedmont, produced from the Dolcetto grape, probably the third grape of Piedmont (after Nebbiolo and Barbera). This was a soft and easy drinking red wine with a smooth bouquet but also noticeably 'dry' to the mouth.

Wine purchased from Carluccio's (given to me as a gift).