FESTIVE DRINKS CHEER
Like last year I've highlighted some of my favorite seasonal wines. These are bottles that are generally available on the highstreet or web and that provide good value for money and match the festive season.
As I always say, value for money does not always mean cheap. These are good value celebration wines, look out for my seasonal 'cheapies' in the New Year when we're all skint...
DRYSTONE PINOT NOIR 2006
MAJESTIC £12.49 (£9.99 a bottle when buying 2) Drinker rating 92
This is a real corker, it has the depth of pinot noir cherry fruit flavour backed up by some really nice gamey development as it ages. Pinot noir makes a good Christmas dinner wine, full and elegant without domineering.
CHATEAU LE CAILLOU 2000, POMEROL
MAJESTIC £19.99 (£14.99 a bottle when buying 2) Drinker rating 90
A classic for Christmas, this lovely full Bordeaux is everything you'd want from a claret. It has good tannins providing a stout structure, balanced with some nice black berry and black pepper spice. Like the pinot noir above it is developing well in the bottle and I think will continue to get better for the next three years or so as 2000 was such a good year. This owuld make an ideal present for the wine lover in your house, or an ideal accompaniment to roast beef.
LAURENT MIQUEL HERITAGE VINEYARDS SYRAH 2008
TESCO £8.99 (131 stores only)
Drinker rating 90
Mellow coffee and chocolate on the nose, complex medicinaal flavours. A really deep and interesting wine, it really wants to be an Aussie but in fact it's French.
LEITZ RÜDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT 2009
WAITROSE £10.49
Drinker rating 89
This wine is teeriblu unfashionable as it's off dry - that is, not as sweet as medium dry and not as dry as dry. But it is really good, some bright and vibrant lime flavours and a lovely floral, aromatic nose. Not very easy to match to food but really good as an aperitif or an armchair slurper.
MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE 1er CRU LES REFERTS 2008
PULIGNY MONTRACHET
LAITHWAITES £38
Drinker rating 92
This is a real Christmas treat - how often do any of us spend £35 on a bottle of wine? This is a belter and at the price it should be, but it's worth every penny. It has light green apple aromas and is full and complex on the palate with a terffic finish that lasts and lasts. Go on treat yourself - it's Christmas.
ERMITA DE SAN LORENZO GARNACHA CABERNET GRAN RESERVA 2000
LAITHWAITES £8.99
Drinker rating 92
This wine has everything, a savoury smoky nose, good solid fruity flavours, soft well integrated tannins, structure, body, development and a great price. Give Laithwaits a call, get them to bring you a case and make it your house red for the party season.
KAYENA VINEYARDS TAMAR RIDGE LIMITED RELEASE BOTRYTIS RIESLING 2007
WAITROSE £13.59
Drinker rating 90
Here you are sweetie. A real sweet treat. Full orange blossom and luscious sweetness, it would work well with a fruity pudding or a mince pie. Beautiful.
2007 MILLTON TE ARAI VINEYARD CHENIN BLANC, GISBOURNE
THE WINE SOCIETY £12.95
Drinker rating 90
Jasmine and orange blossom dominate the aromas of this wine, it's a classic chenin blanc with lovely hoeyed notes and a refreshing acidity. It's a real class act, well priced.
APOSTlES PALO CORTADO
TESCO/WAITROSE/MAJESTIC £17 - £20
Drinker rating 92
You didn't think I'd let you go without a Sherry did you? This is a fantastic dry and complex variety, I could write a book on palo cortado - but not now eh? This is not one for lovers of Harveys Bristol Cream, it's far too good for Granny. This is one of the best wines I tasted in 2010, and by far the best value.
NYTIMBER CLASSIC CUVEÉ 2005, WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND
WAITRODSE £26.99
Drinker rating 87
This is a proper English wine that can hold its own with the best of them. This has elements of english hedgerow and summer meadow, it's light an vibrant while also being elegant and complex a real English rose.
