(2013) 12.0%, Screwcap. This and the wine that follows from SPAR are both non-vintage wines that do not specify their grape varieties on the label. The slightly paler of the two, this from Spain's eastern coast has a touch of floral and exotic fruit lift on the nose and a clean if dilute fruitiness on the palate. Fairly dry and nice fresh.
(2013) 12.0%, Screwcap. Quite a deep rose pink, with modest red fruit aromas and just a little hint of banana. On the palate it is dry and fresh, the fruit a little shy, but with a clean and appetising appeal.
(2012) I recommended the 2009 vintage of this wine, and though still the star of this trio, this vintage just misses a little of the 2009's charm. There's a hint of oatmeal on the nose to otherwise straightforward apple fruit, that just has a hint of damp wool in there too. On the palate it is lemony, crisp, and quaffable.
(2012) Sourced from the Caves des Vins de Sancerre, this is Sauvignon Blanc in its cool, citrus and gently grassy style, with a nice hint of nettle and asparagus herbaceousness in the background. On the palate it is really very nicely done: there's a burgeoning hint of sweeter, peachier fruit, but that cool lemon and crunchy red apple freshness drives this wine into a long, lightly mineral and elegant finish.
(2012) Already featured on wine-pages as part of my summer pinks round-up, this is a wine I tried several years ago and thought it might just be the worst wine - not just rosé, but any wine - available on the UK shelves. This second tasting confirms this as an absolute shocker - if any readers have tried it and disagree, please get in touch to explain it to me. It's a non-vintage, non-regional blend of undeclared grapes made with a considerable bucket of residual sugar (officially 'medium sweet' on the back label). It has a hopeless browning colour, lots of Sherry-like oxidation and truly sickly flavour.
(2012) >From Sicily, Pleasantly fruity on the nose with cherry and plum to the fore, and a dry, slightly Indian ink quality that is very typical of Nero d'Avola. On the palate the plum skin and liquorice flirts with being a touch austere, but the sappy, black cherry brightness of the fruit is attractive. Authentic stuff and a bit of character.
(2012) Made by the Araldica cooperative, the offer price makes this about as cheap as Barolo gets, save for the odd mysterious parcel turning up in one of the discount supermarkets. It has a pleasant though quite developed nose, with some scents of damp, sweet undergrowth, tiny floral nuances and a soft red fruit core. On the palate it is quite light and crisp, perhaps just a touch medicinal, though cherry fruit, some keen acidity and a little backbone of tannin does leave the finish in balance, with some spicy length.
