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