1 Peltier Road Sauvignon Blanc, 2016, Lodi, 13.5%, Wine Society, 7.50 A pale wine that was easy drinking but lacked any impact. Short finish.

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Pauline Barton
6 years ago
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1 January 2018, WineLovers2: CALIFORNIAN WINES None of the whites particularly found favour. The favoured reds were the Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel and the (much cheaper) exotic blend of the Apothic Red. Thanks to Kath for the notes and Barbara for hosting. 1 Peltier Road Sauvignon Blanc, 2016, Lodi, 13.5%, Wine Society, 7.50 A pale wine that was easy drinking but lacked any impact. Short finish Geyser Peak Chardonnay, 2016, 12.5%, Tesco, 7 Disliked a lot by one table with green colour. Rather citrus but sweet for some Pedroncelli Dry Creek Chardonnay, Sonoma County, 2016, Wine Society, Universally not liked as it had no nose, little flavour but a sharp, acidic after taste Dark Horse Merlot, 2015, 13.5%, Tesco, 8.50 A gooseberry & blackcurrant flavour,quite smooth 5 Apothic Red Winemaker s Blend, 2015, Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, 2015, 13.5%, Morrisons, 7 (on offer) A very fruity, blackberry & caramel flavour, almost syrupy like Christmas pudding. To be drunk with heavier food The Wine Society s Old Vine Zinfandel, 2015, 14.5%, Wine Society, 7.95 A smoky/musty nose with prune & blackberry flavour Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel, 2014, 14.5%, Wine Society, Tasted of peppers, liquorice & dark fruits but some found it harsh, others smooth.

2 January 2018, WineLovers4: CALIFORNIAN WINES The reds were generally all well received the whites perhaps not quite so well received. 1 Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc, 13%, Non Vintage, Morrisons 0 A fine pale golden colour with a good floral bouquet. Citrus and pear with a very pleasant finish. Generally liked by all Dark Horse Sauvignon Blanc, 2015, 13%, Morrisons, 0 Very pale in colour with a hint a gooseberry on the nose. Crisp and extremely palatable with a very good aftertaste. Smoother and milder than 1. Disliked by one table who found it a little thin with a short finish 3 Peltier Road Sauvignon Blanc, 2016, Lodi, 13.5%, Wine Society, 7.50 Slight greenish/golden colour with a hint of apple/pear. Hint of sulphite on the nose which comes through on the aftertaste. No group found the aftertaste pleasant Pedroncelli Friends Red, Merlot, Zinfandel. Petite Syrah, Syrah, Sonoma County, 2015, Wine Society 9.50 A full-bodied red with a good bouquet. Pleasing taste of blackberries and oak vanilla. Smooth, rich flavour with a peppery finish 5 The Wine Society s Old Vine Zinfandel, 2015, 14.5%, Wine Society, 7.95 A fine deep coloured red wine with a leathery nose. A strong toasted/roasted taste full of blackberries, black cherries and dried fruits. Very pleasing and warm aftertaste. Good value for the money Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel, 2014, 14.5%, Wine Society, Another strong red wine but too smoky for one group. Rich, smooth and aromatic for another group. Not very good for the money for another group who considered it may not keep another year. 6.3

3 February 2018, WineLovers2: SOUTHERN ITALY The favourite white was the Greco and the favourite reds were the Salice Salentino and the Society's Sicilian Red. Many thanks to Kath for compiling the tasting notes and to Jill and Brian for the bread and cheese. 1 The Wine Society s Verdicchio, Central Tuscany, 2016, 12.5%, 7.50 A greenish/yellow colour with a grassy/kiwi light flavour. Easy drinking, smooth & palatable Pietralata Sannio Greco, Campania, 2015, 13.5%, 9.95 A very pale green colour, slightly sparkling. Some found sweet others dry. Tasted of lemon,honey but rather chemical too. Long finish & better with food The Wine Society s Falanghina, Campania, 2016, 13.5%, 8.50 A paler wine with sweet initial taste. Fruity,balanced wine,hard to distinguish flavours. Some thought good with fish. 4 Frappato di Sicilia, Nicosia, 2016, 12.5%, 9.50 An interesting wine where the chilling worked well. Light but still full of flavours of red currants & strawberry. Smooth & dry Nerello Mascalese Fondo Filara, Nicosia, 2015, 13%, 9.50 A dark red wine with fruity nose. Tasted of cherries & lightly of blackberries. Smooth Salice Salentino Riserva, Negroamaro, Puglia, 2013, 13.5%, 7.95 A brown colour with strong strawberry nose. Tasted of strawberry,bramble. Again smooth & mature The Society s Sicilian Reserve Red, Nero d Avola, 2013, 13.5%, 8.25 Another brown tinged wine with darker fruits than the other 3. Tasted of morello cherry, chocolate, vanilla. Smooth with a long finish 7.9

4 February 2018, WineLovers4: SOUTHERN ITALY This meeting was the first at our new venue. Judging from the comments the venue was well received as warm and roomy. The wines were from southern Italy (and Sardinia?). It was pleasing to note that all wines were generally well received. All the white wines were rated as better than average (6.0 +). In general the red wines were better received as good (7.0 +). Although the scores were close for all the reds it was interesting to note that the two highest scores were for the cheapest (Primitivo Morrisons 6.75) and the most expensive Rosso Pagilara M&S 10. The Rosso it slightly different to most red wines in that is produced by the appassimento method in which the grapes are left to dry on the vine to intensify the sugars and flavours. Thanks to Maurice for the bread and cheese. 1 Dol Nostro Meglia, Falanghina Benevento, Campania 12% 2015 (Morrisons) 7 Light straw colour, tangy with pineapple and pear overtones. Short zingy finish. Nice with a meal 2 Vermentino Di Sardegna, Sardinia 12.5% 2016 (Lidl) 4.69 Pale colour with a grassy aroma, citrus fruits and a good body. Pleasant fresh and crisp wine with a longer finish. Social drink 3 Grillo Terre Siciliane, Sicily 13% 2016 (M&S) 8 Pale colour, off dry with a good body. Melon aftertaste. Two tables described it as bland 4 Fiano Benevento, Campania 13% 2016 (M&S) 9.50 Nice clear lemon coloured. Nice refreshing fuity taste with a nutty finish, Good for a social drink with friends 5 Falanghina Del Sannio, Campania 13.5% 2016 (Wine Society) 8.75 Pale straw colour with a sweet nose. Slight taste of apple with slightly acidic finish. Smooth, if a little bland 6 Primitivo, Puglia 13.5% (Morrisons) 6.75 Ruby red with cherries, leather and oak on the nose. Good body with summer fruits (blackberry and plum). Good finish. Fine drinking wine. 7 Rosso Pagliara, Appassimento, Puglia 14.5% 2015 (M&S) 10 Rich ruby colour. Fair nose. Intense wine with blackberry and plum. Very smooth with a long farewell. 8 Salice Salentino, Puglia 13.5% 2013 (Wine Society) 8.25 Rich ruby red. Oaky with black grapes, red berries. Good legs Good finish Good Wine 9 Sicilian Reserve Red, Sicily 13.5% 2013 (Wine Society) 8.25 Rich ruby red with a excellent oaky bouquet. Very fruity and smooth on the palate. Good finish. 10 Tenute Nicosia, Nerello Mascalese, Sicily 13% (Wine Society) 9.50 Rich ruby red although a little sad on the nose. Smooth on the palate with oaky and grassy tones

5 March 2018, WineLovers2: CHENIN BLANC AND CABERNET SAUVIGNON The March tasting featured wines made from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Most of the wines had their champions and critics, but two wines really stood out: the Vouvray and the Cabernet-Merlot. There is a substantial price difference at Majestic depending on whether you buy as part of a purchase of 6 bottles or not, so I both prices are included in the tasting notes. 1. Acacia Road Chenin Blanc, Western Cape SA, 12.5%, 2017, Majestic 5.99/ 7.99 Pale straw colour. Light and soft on the nose. Hint of pear drops. Mineral, pineapple, grapefruit and citrus in the mouth. Long citrus finish. Would suit food or to drink on its own. 2. Wild Valley Fairtrade Chenin Blanc, Wellington SA, 12.5%, 2017, Sainsbury, 6 on offer Very pale straw. Mineral aroma. Feels fizzy in the mouth. Lemons, apricots. Short finish. Dry, a bit bland. Would go with fish. 3. Bernard Fouquet, Cuvee de Perruches, Vouvray, Loire Valley Fr, 12.5j%. 2016, Majestic, 11.99/10.49 Pale straw. Subtle lemon bouquet. Gooseberry and vanilla in the mouth. Very drinkable. Long finish. 4. Definition Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch SA, Majestic, 14%, 2017, Majestic, 12.99/ 9.99 Pale straw. Hint of liquorice. Well integrated fruit and acid. Citrus and mineral notes in the mouth. Strong taste. Long finish. 5. Bellingham, The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc, 14%, Coastal Region SA, Majestic, 13.49/ Pale golden colour. Petrol/pear notes in bouquet. Sweetest of the Chenin Blancs. Slightly acidic petrol/pear notes in mouth. A bit over powering for some. 6. Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley Chile, 2015, 13%, Majestic, 6.49/ 5.49 Dark ruby red. Blackcurrant nose, some leather notes. Medium body. Light blackcurrant and cherry flavour. A bit ordinary. 7. Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza Argentina, 2016, 13%, Majestic, 9.99/ 8.49 Intense nose. Dry. Blackberries and Blackcurrant or Paint stripper depending on table. Some oak. A bit unsubtle. 8. Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley Oz, 2016, 14%, Majestic, 11.99/ 9.99 Dark red. Fruity and floral nose. Hint of blackberry, blackcurrants, gooseberries and a high redcurrant note to raise the taste of the fruit. Longer finish. Some vanilla notes. Smooth. 9. Jim Barry Cover Drive, Clare Valley Oz, 2016, 14%, Majestic, 14.99/ Dark red. Forward fruit on the nose: blackcurrants, gooseberries, apples, spice with some oak. Lots of blackcurrant in the mouth. Long finish. 10. Chateau Tanunda Barossa Cabernet Merlot, 2016, 15%, Sainsbury 9 on offer Intense dark red. Rich complex nose. Subtle complex flavours: black fruits, spice, vanilla, Christmas pudding, tobacco. Long finish. Smoothest of the Cab Sabs. Will be even better in 2 or 3 years

6 March 2018, WineLovers4: CHENIN BLANC AND CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1. Hungary, Hill Top Estate, Eva s Vineyard % Waitrose ( 5.49) Very pale in colour with a hint of green. Faintly aromatic, a little fruity with apples/peaches. Very little finish. A mediocre wine. 2. South Africa, Omfant River, % Waitrose ( 5.99) Nice pale colour with a pleasant aroma of apples and wet grass. Hints of apple and citrus fruits with a good finish. A charming white wine 3. South Africa, First Cape, Bush Vine % Waitrose ( 7.99) Very pale colour. Honey aroma. Oaky -? too much sulphite, rubber tyres mixed with cider or a zesty versatile wine with fine taste of fruits melon/peach. Opinions were quite diverse on this one! 4. France, Saumur, Les Andides, % Waitrose ( 8.99) Pale coloured. Good aroma of peaches, and mushroom. A good freshness to it with sour apple and citrus notes. A good fruity farewell. 5. France, Le Reveil, % Waitrose ( 5.99) A good plum colour with plum/damson aroma. Fit for peasants/rustics. Quite light. Dark chocolate and dark fruits on the palate with a blackcurrant aftertaste. Good in a casserole 6. Argentina, Mendosa, Luna, % Lidl ( 7.99) Nice dark ruby red colour. Taste of plums and black fruits. Smooth on the palate with a liquorice aftertaste. Goes very well with cheese 7. California, Dark Horse, 2015, 13.5% Waitrose ( 8.49 An intense dark colour wine. Very rich taste of dark fruits (blackberry, plum, cherries). Smooth on the palate although another year should soften the tannin. Pleasant and long finish 8. Australia, Kaynook Founders Block, 2015, 13.5% Waitrose ( 9.99) A very dark plum colour. Full bodied, well balanced wine with plum on the nose. Full taste of blackberries, hedgerow fruits. A good finish. 9. France, Cote Du Layon Chaume, % A wine that showed clearly that tastes vary. One table scored mainly 2 s and 3 s, another that scored it as 8 s and 10 s. Dessert wines are not everybody s cup of tea apparently! Golden syrup coloured with a strong honey nose and a very sweet, cough medicine flavour, honey flavour. Would be excellent with cheesecake if Alan is organising a dinner party

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