See also: 50 good value summer wines Affordable Argentinian Reds Wines of Australia tasting LAST WEEK: Top 10 reds to chill NEXT WEEK: Supermarket own-label reds
Yering Station, Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Australia 2006
From one of Victoria’s great producers, this is softly textured with the restrained and attractive aroma of grass, nuts and apple. Stylish, fresh, and long, it’s a modern-styled Australian Chardonnay
Cape Mentelle , Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2007
Cape Mentelle is the Australian sibling of Cloudy Bay so know a thing or two about growing Sauvignon Blanc. The addition of Semillon forms a classic Australian blend and results in a lovely wine with ripe, red citrus fruit, and a very long, crisp finish.
Marks & Spencer, Flagstone, Knock-On Wood White, Western Cape, South Africa 2007
Alluring and intriguing white blend with aromas of peas and asparagus with a slight flintiness. There’s great balance to the palate which boasts subtle oak, lovely concentration with a long length.
Tyrrell’s, VAT 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia 2002
A wonderful example of what the Hunter Valley is able to achieve with this grape. The bottle ageing has begun to bring out some delicate, developed, toasty notes to complement the crisp citrus characters; a fine, dry, well-flavoured.
Louis Chavy, Pouilly-Fuissé, Bourgogne, France 2006
Classic Old World finesse and grace with this wine. The nose is fresh, scented with fine poise and balance. It’s ripe and fresh in the mouth with plenty of complexity, succulent but biting fruit and good length. Excellent value.
Reds
Charles Joguet, Les Varennes du Grand Clos, Chinon, Loire 2004
Attractive dried herbs with cherry and red berry fruit. Crunchy, fresh picked fruit with dried herbs, ripe tannins, very well done elegant wine.
Caro, Mendoza, Argentina, 2005
This fabulous wine is a joint project between Nicolas Catena and Domaines Barons de Rothschild of Lafite fame. It displays opulent, black/red ripe fruit underpinned by mineral facets. It’s elegantly rich with fine tannins and an effortlessly long, superb spicy length. Great class.
St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve, Barossa Valley South Australia, Australia 2007
This is a consistently strong wine that’s largely comprised of Shiraz and Grenache, although there’s a dash of Touriga Nacional in there to give it some lift. Dark plum notes dominate the nose and palate, complemented with pinches of spice and a hint of apricot. Good complexity with a long finish.
Castello di Bossi, Corbaia, Tuscany 2004 Italy
A modern, serious wine that’s a 70/30 blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s an asparagus-tinged, vegetal seam running throughout the wine and plenty of exciting, savoury fruit. A beautiful offering with good length and wonderful, Italian personality.
Marks & Spencer, Colluvia Syrah, Choapa Valley, Chile 2006 – great buy
Choapa, along with Limari and Elqui, is one of those northerly regions that are creating a buzz. There are some good Rhône-style Syrahs being produced here and this is a great value example. It’s fragrant and perfumed with juicy fruit, dashes of pepper, smooth tannins and fresh acidity – lovely.
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