4 minute read
Highly commended wines
Spain white wines (continued)
Bodegas Astobiza Malkoa, Txakoli de Alava 2016 (£44.50, Moreno Wines): Really original; essence of lemon and spice; great texture – an indie wine.
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Granbazan Etiqueta Ambar Albariño, Rías Baixas 2022 (£21.99, Boutinot): A step up in quality – classic combination of Albariño freshness and fleshiness.
Familia Martínez Bujanda Finca Antigua Moscatel Naturalmente Dulce, La Mancha 2022 (£14, Berkmann): Yummy indulgence of sweet orange.
Clos de Lôm Malvasia, Valencia 2021 (£18.50, Vindependents): Really great intensity of peach and apricot; floral inflections; nice fruit-driven weight.
Struggling Vines Kha Me, Rioja 2021 (£29, Moreno Wines): Toasty and creamy. A bit different. Works well as a novel food-matching Saturday night bottle.
Bodegas Emilio Moro El Zarzal, DO Bierzo 2020 (£22.49, Alliance Wine): Phenomenal restrained yet clean expression; stone fruit and peach shine through.
USA white wines
Crosby Cellars Crosby Chardonnay, California 2021 (£14.95, Propeller): Toasted tropical fruit aromas. Toasted tapioca flavours. Affordable.
Argentina rosé wines
Benegas Carmela Benegas Rosé, Mendoza 2022 (£15.25, Ucopia Wines): Pale pink, pleasant light red berry fruits with clean fresh red fruit flavours.
France rosé wines
Château Beaulieu Cuvée Alexandre, Coteaux-Aixen-Provence 2022 (£16, Liberty Wines): Elegant and classy; subtle creaminess; soft red fruits.
Château Grand Boise Rosé, Côtes de Provence SainteVictoire 2021 (£20.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Smooth, red berries and peach; herbal notes.
Helfrich Family Château de Fesles La Chapelle Rosé, Anjou, Loire 2021 (£12.59, GCF Exclusive): Red berries, candied red fruits; smoother, weightier texture; value.
M Chapoutier Château de Ferrages Roumery Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2021 (£17.05, Hatch Mansfield): Lovely colour; complexity and elegance of fruit.
Minuty Prestige, Côtes de Provence Rosé 2022 (£24, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Rich but well balanced, this is well-made rosé. Good value considering the quality.
Mas de Cadenet Rosé, Provence 2022 (£18.80, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Lovely colour, with an attractive, restrained nose of peach, melon and pear.
Gassier Esprit Gassier, Côtes de Provence 2022 (£18, Enotria&Coe): Red berries, peach, blood orange, sweet strawberry sherbet. Attractive all round; good value.
Château Capion Les Fantaisies de Capion Rosé, IGP Pays d’Oc 2021 (£14.95, Château Capion): Nicely done, soft and gentle red fruits and refreshment.
Domaines Paul Mas Le Rosé par Paul Mas Organic, Vin de France 2022 (£12.50, Domaines Paul Mas): Strawberry, jasmine; refreshing; great for summer days.
Greece rosé wines
Theopetra Estate Xinomavro Rosé, Meteora 2021 (£20.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Crisp, dry: interesting alternative to the ubiquitous Provence.
Italy rosé wines
San Marzano Primitivo Rosé Tramari, Salento 2022 (£12.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Fragrant wine. Rose petals, pear, red apples. Good option for price.
Moldova rosé wines
Chateau Purcari Rosé, Stefan Voda 2022 (£13.99, Transylvania Wine): Fresh and fruity, lots of strawberry. Nothing not to like. Good for the price.
Domeniile Averesti Diamon Busuloaca de Averesti, Averesti 2021 (£19.99, Transylvania Wine): Lots of interest – red fruit; lovely citrus and tropical notes.
South Africa rosé wines
Waterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Rosé, Stellenbosch 2022 (£14.99, Boutinot): Such a lovely colour. Flavours match beautifully. Refined rosé.
Coterie by Wildeberg Cinsault Rosé, Coastal Region 2022 (£15.99, Boutinot): Provence in South Africa! Lovely creamy fruit, depth and freshness.
Spain rosé wines
Bodega Enate Enate Rosado, Somontano, Aragón 2022 (£15, Daniel Lambert Wines): Lovely deep colour and flavour: cherry, strawberry, raspberry.
Finca Museum Las Musas, Cigales 2022 (£18.99, Liberty Wines): Fascinating mix: floral, honey, raspberry, cream; good acidity. Nice and different.
Argentina red wines
Doña Paula Altitude Series 1100, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2019 (£22.99, North South Wines): Plum, chocolate, herbs and a sprinkling of pepper: a great blend.
Las Estelas Letitia Cabernet Cabernet, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2021 (£15.25, Ucopia Wines): Vibrant blackcurrants with fresh and lively flavours. Value.
Piattelli Vineyards Tannat, Cafayate, Salta 2021 (£16.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Deep, dark, bold, robust: infusion of spice. Steak please!
Boutinot Argentina Pablo y Walter Malbec, Mendoza 2022 (£11.49, Boutinot): Redcurrant aromas with cassis and violet notes. Smooth and moreish.
Mauricio Lorca Recoleta Malbec, Vista Flores, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2021 (£12.50, Ucopia Wines): Redcurrants, violets, raspberry, spice. Great value.
Manos Negras Red Soil Select Pinot Noir, Cepillo, Mendoza 2018 (£18.49, Alliance Wine): Elegant, clean, spicy, light but not backwards with fruit. Lovely!
Bodegas Vinecol Quinde Reserve Malbec, La Paz, Mendoza 2021 (£13.33, Bancroft): Vivid sour cherry and dark chocolate, plum and blackberry.
Pannunzio GV Malbec, Mendoza 2020 (£13.60, Top Selection): Nice nose. Good intensity, black fruits, spice, oak. Very enjoyable. Very good value.
Andeluna Malbec Altitud, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2020 (£20.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Full-bodied; good concentration but fresh and elegant. Great stuff.
Kaiken Aventura Aventura Malbec, Valle de Canota, Mendoza 2021 (£24.99, Liberty Wines): Vibrant purple; fruity nose; blackberry, mocha, mulberry.
Kaiken Aventura Aventura Los Chacayes Norte Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2021 (£24.99, Liberty Wines): A Malbec of standout depth and intensity.
Zuccardi Concreto Malbec, Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley 2019 (£38.70, Hatch Mansfield): Plum, savoury herbs; rhubarb; black cherry. Very elegant and beautiful.
Pulenta Estate I Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2020 (£23, Berkmann): Deep plums and suave tannins; high-quality, well-defined Malbec.
Andeluna Malbec Raices, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2021 (£11.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Delightful easy fruit succulence – plums and berries. Great value.
Las Estelas Malbec Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2020 (£20.95, Ucopia Wines): Bramble and black pepper; full, fresh and spicy.
Viña Cobos Malbec, Mendoza 2021 (£18.99, Alliance Wine): Lovely plush texture with delicious sweetness to the fruit. Nice concentration and balance.
Kaiken Disobedience by Francis Mallmann Red Blend, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2020 (£21.99, Liberty Wines): Big bold and beautiful blend that doesn’t underdeliver.
Matias Riccitelli Bonarda The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2020 (£23.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Abundant juicy fruit.
Benegas Estate Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2020 (£19.95, Ucopia Wines): Violet and floral aromas with ripe plum and strawberry notes. Long; soft tannins.
Bodega Sottano Selección del Enólogo Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 (£22.50, Vindependents): A bigger, bolder, truly Argentinian style of Cabernet.
La Cayetana Pinot Noir, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2019 (£29, Ucopia Wines): Delicate, perfumed nose. Tangy cranberry and cherry. Long and refreshing.
Benegas Estate Cabernet Franc, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2021 (£19.95, Ucopia Wines): Good depth; complex floral finish. Nicely balanced. Really good.
Las Estelas Pinot Noir, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2021 (£19.95, Ucopia Wines): Refined, elegant, complex, subtle red cherry; wonderful finish.
Las Estelas Grand Vin, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2019 (£42, Ucopia Wines): Beautiful dark berries, smooth tannins; wonderful finish; elegant.
