WE SHOULD HAVE LEFT THIS ON THE TOP SHELF

LE CHASNOY 2015 POUILLY FUME

A disappointment after the Sancerre but maybe that's just me. Just seemed lack lustre by comparison. Bigger bodied without anything to balance the weight.

GRAPE VARIETIES: Sauvignon Blanc
REGION: Appellation Pouilly-Fume, Loire
A/V: 13% 
PRICE: 9.40 euro 
FROM: SuperU
RATING: 2/5 from me 

WE VISITED THE TOP SHELF AT SUPER U FOR THIS ONE

DOMAINE DE CHEZATTE 2016 SANCERRE
In a supermarket dominated by very good cheapies it was very rewarding to reach up to the top shelf. This is classic Sancerre at an absolute bargain price. Searingly dry, elegant, balanced with delicious restrained fruit. No short cuts here, just a great wine that we'll be buying more of.

9.7 euro from Super U
5/5 Rating from me

JUST BUY IT!

This is an outstanding red at an outstanding price. See how many you can fit in the cellar and then see if you can resist opening too many.

We tasted our bottle over three days and it was a struggle to keep putting the cork back in the bottle. With all the older premium Bordeaux's we've been tasting recently this was the only younger wine that screamed "Just wait, I'll get there." It has all the depth, balance and flavour intensity of wines more than twice the price. You could drink it now but we're thinking patience and restraint will be rewarded.

16 euro from Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux
5/5 Rating from me 

CHATEAU DE CARAGUILHES 2015 "SOLUS"

This is a really interesting wine for so many reasons. 
It's contained in an extremely expensive bottle with a decidedly untraditional French premium wine label. [it doesn't come with the stain down the side - that was our clumsiness] It's from the Corbieres-Boutenac Appellation that's set itself up as a cut above the average Languedoc in which it sits.
And it's a quadruple blend of Mouvedre, Shiraz, Grenache and Carignan with a hefty 14% a/v. 

We road tested it over 3 days and while it opened with plenty of near block busting promise there just wasn't the evolution we hope for in a young red. 

20 euro from Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux
3/5 Rating from me

CHATEAU DOISY-DAENE 2014 GRAND VIN SEC BORDEAUX

This is another entry in the competition "How many different styles of Sauvignon Blanc do you reckon there are in the world?"
I used to think there were five. I'm now into double digits with this the latest addition and not one of my favourites. At its best it had qualities of a glorious aged Hunter Semillon but there was an oxidative character that I found distracting. I'm sure many love it but for me there are far better value at the price.

17.90 euro from Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux
2.5/5 Rating from me

OUTSTANDING 100% PETIT VERDOT FROM BORDEAUX

I love this grape variety and spent many happy years recommending Australian efforts to Australian wine drinkers who had never heard of the stuff. I'm fondly remembering Pirramimma and a cheapie made by De Bortoli in the Riverina. In fact it was surprising how well it responded to sensible levels of irrigation.

What a treat then to open this. The colour is enough to make you want to pull the cork. Deep, intense and vibrant at the same time. Dazzling. And then the palate. A rich sumptuous roller coaster of flavours in perfect harmony. 

Very highly recommended to drink now with breathing

or cellar for 5+ years

CHATEAU MOUTTE BLANC 2015 MOISIN
14.5%a/v
19euro from Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux
5/5 rating

WHY DO THEY MAKE IT SO SWEET?

LES HAUTS BUIS 2016 CABERNET d'ANJOU ROSE


This is 100% Cabernet Franc from the Loire. And it could have been so good. Like the label it's a pretty little wine but sadly it is just too sweet

3.50 euro from SuperU
2.5/5 Rating from me

ONE OF THE FINEST DRY WHITES I'VE EVER TASTED

CHATEAU FONREAUD LE CYGNE 2016 BORDEAUX


This outstanding dry white is a masterclass in blending and balance. It's 60% sauvignon blanc, 25% semillon and 15% muscadelle. Toss in some of the finest, most delicate oak treatment I've ever tasted and this is just about perfect. It dazzles, it entices, it caresses - it draws you back for more. If it was just me this would score a 5+ but if you object to wood in any white wine you won't like it. But if any wine would change your mind it could be this.

18 euro from Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux
4.5/5 Rating 

CHATEAU PENIN 2016 BORDEAUX ROSE

This is a dry delicate ethereal wine that just needed a little more acid zing that the palate could get hold of. Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% merlot. 

6.9 euro from Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux
3.5/5 Rating from me

NOT THE BEST INTRODUCTION TO GROS MANSENG

DOMUS BY UBY COTES DU GASCOGNE GROS MANSENG
What a strange wine this is and the grape variety gros manseng should not be judged by this. The back label describes it as "velvety and creamy with hints of pineapple and honey - perfect with foie gras or chocolate desserts". It's sweet, but NOT that sweet. Alcohol is 11% so I'm assuming fermentation was stopped at that point. The fruit character to me is pure peach, the palate is quite cloying but it does go a long way with a couple of bottles of icy sparkling mineral water.







6.90 euro from SuperU France 
2/5 Rating from me
5/5 Rating with 50% sparkling mineral water