I was thrilled by this. It’s the latest red from Craig Hawkins in the Swartland, and it has been a bit controversial in the wine press. Andrew Jefford, normally a…
Wind Gap Syrah and Grenache – class from California
I’ve written recently about Pax Mahle’s Wind Gap, giving his Trousseau Gris a positive review. Now it’s the turn of two Rhone varieties, Syrah and Grenache. They’re both beautiful, but…
Domaine Camp Galhan ‘Les Pérassières’ 2012 – a brilliant, affordable Rhone red
This is a really super wine, made from a lesser known IGP on the edge of the Cevennes, not far from Avignon and Nimes. One of the best value reds…
A superb, inexpensive Ventoux
Continuing in my theme of brilliant wines under £10, here’s a Ventoux that I was seduced by. It’s one of those wines that manages to hold the sweet fruit and…
Old vine Garnacha from Domaines Lupier, Navarra
Two impressive, potentially ageworthy Garnacha (Grenache) wines from Navarra. They’re quite difficult to assess right now because they are just so tannic and primary, but I think they will be…
Serious Spanish Garnacha from Artadi
Impressed by this. It’s made by high-end Rioja producer Artadi’s Artazu estate in Navarra. It’s expensive, yes, but not when compared with its qualitative peer group. Artadi Santa Cruz de…
A brilliant, natural California Grenache
Now this is a superb wine. Before opening it, I admit I was expecting something very sweet and ripe, in the new world mould. But what I got was something…
A lovely natural Garnacha from Bodegas Ponce – Buena Pinta
Continuing a bit of an Iberian theme here on the world’s second oldest wine blog, this is a wine that I can heartily recommend. Imported into the UK by the…
Two Chateauneufs: Beaucastel 99 and Vieux Telegraphe 95
Nice to be able to compare these two side by side. The Beaucastel had the slight edge, although it’s not a competition of course. The VT 1995 is a wine…