Monteney (France) Graves 2002
The red partner to this white Bordeaux, the Monteney 2003 Bordeaux Merlot, has been picking up plaudits including a bronze medal in the International Wine & Spirit Competition, and indeed it is a very good wine at 3.99, also from Aldi, that avoids any jamminess and offers some good, concentrated fruit. But for me this white is the star of the show with succulent pear and melon fruit, a streak of lemon, and just a background hint of vanillin oak adding a creaminess. The palate is solidly packed with citrus and crisp red apple fruit, in a big, zesty mouthful of flavourthat is powerful through the mid palate, and just fills out into the finish with a little more of that creamy oak quality. Acidity is well-balanced, and this concentrated, tangy white wine is bottled in screwcap to retain plenty of zing. £3.99 Aldi.
