(2022) Cabernet Franc along with some Grolleau and Gamay, from the very traditional Loire appellation of Rosé d'Anjou. It's quite a vibrant and slightly deeper salmon colour, the nose not giving much except a vague citrus and hint of redcurrant. Sweet on the palate - too sweeet for me - with Eton mess flavours and though there is acid, it's a style that might work with - Eton mess - but certainly requires a sweet tooth. If you fancy it, look out for promotions and discounts.
(2022) I wanted to like the stuff in the bottle more than I did sadly. Created in collaboration with LGBTQ+ charity, Queer Britain, and supporting the nation’s first LGBTQ+ museum which opened in May 2022, the cause is worth support, the wine... It's a Grenache/Syrah blend, with confectionery aromas and, for my palate, just too much residual sugar. I rather wish the wine was more ambitious to match the project, but sadly it's a middle of the road offering that could have been so much more interesting.
(2021) The late-ripening variety Chkhaveri was harvested in the middle of November, in a very limited quantity. It is fermented with skins as a red wine, but the paler grape ends up as a deep amber/pink in colour, and I guess must be classed as rosé. There's an attractive strawberry bob-bon character, a little dusting of icing sugar, but then a grippier herbal and slate note comes through. In the mouth it is off-dry to medium-sweet, masses of cherry cola and strawberry, but an intriguing fudge and chocolate, almost like a much lighter and drier Banyuls. Enough souring acidity to balance, this is extraordinary stuff, possibly not for everyone or every occasion, but fascinating.
