In the run-up to Christmas 2021 Tom suggests various wine selections for the festive season. This week: three white wines:
(2021) If you are a fan of Mud House's wines you might have done a double-take on this one: a famous name of Marlborough in New Zealand, this is their new venture in Chile. The wine is a very good quality, commercial Sauvignon from the Central Valley, with a headline price of £9.00 but this is one of those big brand wines that will always be discounted somewhere - it's £6.99 in Majestic and £7.50 in Asda at time of review. Plenty of vivacious elderflower and asparagus notes to ripe tropical fruit, and a rich, full-fruited palate that has a little honeyed weight, a hint of sweetness, and good acid balance. Easy-drinking, it's a good party all-rounder but watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.
(2021) Vasse Felix is one of the great names of Margaret River in Western Australia, and I was super-impressed by their top 'Heytesbury' Chardonnay 2019 recently (94 points), but this is their estate wine at around half the price but it runs its big brother close on style and quality. Plenty of flinty, cordite nuances to the ripe and fleshy peach and cooler Asian pear fruit, a nougat softeness adding another layer. In the mouth it strikes that lovely balance between oak-derived coffee and toast, sweet and succulent fruit, and that nervy edge of cool mineral acidity. Very stylish. Watch the video for more information.
(2021) Louis Latour make this wine from 30-year-old vines, the wine made in stainless steel and spending 10 months on the lees. So no oak here, but also no shortage of richness and butteriness, that long lees ageing adding creamy and oatmeal notes to the yellow plum and nectarine fruit. On the palate good weight and creamy texture, the sweet fruit running gently into a fat lemony acidity that is present and corrct, but not aggressive. A lovely Chardonnay with enough fat, and no excess. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas.