More stock dumping by wineonline.ie in their recent pot luck sale.
A 7 year old Signature Sauvignon Blanc, signed by some Munster Legends. I wonder if they knew what they were signing.
Like Munster Rugby, this wine has past it’s best. Hopefully Johan Erasmus’ recent appointment will restore Munster’s reputation, sadly it won’t help this stale liquid that tastes as if it was made from grapes grown on the Fields of Athenry.
Classic Barbera – quality wine from the Castelvero co-op, from their vineyards in the Monferrato hills.
Lovely black and red fruits, meaty mouthfeel, earthy aftertaste – you can drink this with almost anything.
Really classy wine.
Michel Chapoutier was the first producer to braille his labels which shows an intense attention to detail.
This was a wonderful find and at €7 from Laura’s Wine Club, half Retail Price.
A big wine and strong at 14.5%. Maker’s tasting notes here
Another bottle from Laura’s Wine Club run: a super value for money Claret.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Merlot Blend
Blackcurrant, hint of oak.
I fried this on top of the radiator to get it up to operating temperature for the Wilks who were coming for a Bridge Dinner.So the first taste was warm with an explosion of fruit which soon gave way to a smoother refined dry taste. As the label says, it was as unique as the night sky in Ribera del Duoro. I’m a fan of Torres wines on both sides of the Atlantic but sometimes the hyperbole of the language used stretches the vine a bit.
€16.99 in O’Briens from €20.99
I am a big fan of Miguel Torres and his wines and regularly buy Vina Sol and the Coronas table wines.
His Chilean Santa Digna offerings are pretty good too.
So I was a bit disappointed with this Reserva which I found in Dunnes and served at a dinner party.
Deep berry colour, fruity with a slight hint of spice but just didn’t have the complexity going the extra distance for a grand reserve.
60% Grenache with 25% Carignan (Mazuelo) and 15% Syrah
Dunnes: on offer at €12:20
2nd bottle served showed signs of slight oxidation so perhaps it’s approaching / passing its drink by.
From the Languedoc, we gave this a shot as we liked their Rose. The embossed tactile gold, almost Patrick Scottesque, label appealed too.
So too this wine. Dark plum skin colour, slight whiff of oak, rich cherry fruit. slightly strong @ 14.5%. nice structure and mouth.
Estibals apparently refers to the Minervois plots where most of the grapes are plucked.
A layered blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Carignan.
Quality presentation and content but pricey at 16.99 from O’Briens.
Nice soft mellow and fruity Cabernet Merlot with an earthy takeaway.
Went well with the Steak Frites with John D in Chez Max, €26.
From the House of the Three Crosses, dating from 1712.
In the charge of Patrick Leon and his family since 1995.
85% Merlot, Cabernet Franc 15%.
Purple color. Very rich and intense nose of ripe fruit and raspberry.
Beautiful, full bodied with a long rewarding dry finish.
Lovely mouth feel.
A delight.
A dinner gift from Mr Collet.
From the Independent Fratelli bros winery: 100% Barbera from Asti. Production overseen by Massimo Marasso
Lesley liked this as much as I did: really good versatile Italian wine: mellow, meaty, fruity yet dry, cherries fruit and spice.
€10
McConkey Wine 