Hacienda San Jose (Argentina) Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Finding a sub-4 wine that provides any real interest is becoming a difficult challenge. It’s often a challenge I personally don’t rise to, preferring to spend a pound – or preferably two – more to open up the world of possibility that kicks in around 6. Aldi is always a source of bargain bottle or two however, and this 3.99 Argentine wine does a decent job of capturing the pungency and crispness of Sauvignon Blanc. The nose has a slightly oily fatness, with lychee and tropical fruits, and a hint of gooseberry crunch. On the palate there’s lots of lemon and lime verve, with a hint of herbal, grassy quality and a broad texture on the mid palate. There’s a little bit of alcoholic heat on the finish (13.2%) but that, with the wine’s weight and the balanced acidity, equips it to take on grilled goat’s cheese or a creamy risotto. £3.99, Aldi.
