(2022) Very nicely pitched, succulent Chardonnay with a sheen of almondy oak and juicy pear and apple, a hint of lime. In the mouth there's plenty of inherent sweetness to the fruit that is broad and mouth-filling, but it is tangy too, shap apple and citrus adding refreshing clarity, the lightly toasty nougat-like oak sitting nicely in the picture. Stylish.
(2022) From Jumilla in southeast Spain, a delightfully vibrant Monastrell, or Mourvèdre, unoaked and celebrating bursting red and black berry fruitines. There's a floral aspect on the nose, very violet-tinged, as well as a slightly dusty but ripe cherry fruit. In the mouth, bags of punch and flavour, but it's a smooth devil this, creamy-textured and with very rounded tannins, a good level of acidity giving the needed freshness. A pasta and chilli-basher for sure, but watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas. Use the wine-searcher link to find other stockists.
(2022) Three months in French and American oak barrels for this Roble young wine. Deep, intense and plummy fruit, a twist of liquorice and some meatiness here, a darker-hued interpretation of Tempranillo. There's a dark, vinous quality to this, plummy, dark and firm fruit and tannins. There is good juiciness though, and spices, with a more extracted feel and firmer tannins than the Glorioiso Rioja for example.
(2022) After years of research via PICA, vineyards planted at higher than 600 metres - much higher than PG would normally be planted, maturing three weeks later and changing the profile of the wine with its mountain profile. There is also a very strict selection of grapes, each vineyard fermented separately in stainless steel, before final blending. Peaches and orange peel sum this wine up, along with a dash of mineral salts. Great intensity, juiciness, but a shimmering clarity to the acidity.
(2021) This is 100% Tempranillo, matured in American oak barrels, for 20 months. It spends a further 12 months in bottle before release. Rich, ripe and spicy, some violet lift and a touch of game in the background, but very attractive. The palate has a distinct saltiness on the finish - really quite noticeable - with a powerful and concentrated finish, ripe and bold fruit, creamy tannins and smoky barrel components.
(2015) Aitken Wines of Dundee (and on the web) currently have a good price on this Fairtrade Carmenere from Torres in Chile. There's a keen, almost Rhône-like note of pepper and schist at first, certainly a touch of greenness about this, but I like the lively cherry and blackberry fruit that comes through. In the mouth it has a richness and chocolaty weight, beefed up with its 14% alcohol, but it does retain good freshness, a keen edge from that herbal and cherry-skin character, with a nicely roughening rasp of tannin too.