Chateau Moulin Bellegrave 2006

The Top 100 Wines: Chateau Moulin Bellegrave 2006

As good a 'basic' St Emilion as I have tried.

Plenty of body, good flavours without being particularly complex and a smooth finish. Thoroughly enjoyable with some cold meats and cheese. Might improve in a year or two but I found it pleasant drinking now and evidence that you don't necessarily need to limit St Emilions to Grand Crus or GC Classes. I'd look out for this again at the right price.

Chateau Cheval Brun 2005

Name: Chateau Cheval Brun
Colour: Red
Country: France
Region: St Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
Year: 2005
Producer: Familie Riviere
Grape Varieties: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 12.5%

Purchase Price: EUR 20.00 (wine merchants, France)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – deep and intense crimson robe. Fine nose of ripe grapes, with elegant toasted and vanilla oak aromas confirmed in the mouth. Elegance, balance and harmony.

Somnambulist's verdict: I’d not heard of this St Emilion before, and raised a slightly suspicious eyebrow given the similarity of the name to the famous Cheval Blanc. This was totally misguided, and proved to be the consensus favourite of all the wines tried over the holiday period. It’s unctuous, smooth as silk, with gorgeous rounded flavours. Very highly recommended.

Alborato 2006

Name: Alborato
Colour: Red
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria IGT
Year: 2006
Producer: Cardeto
Grape Varieties: Merlot 70%, Cabernet Franc 30%
Alcohol: 13%
.
Purchase Price: ? (ca. EUR 6.00?)
.
Notes:
.
Maker’s notes – Purple-flecked ruby red, rich and harmonious, releasing smooth spice. Dry, full and velvet-textured, with elegant well-ripened wild berry fruit.

Somnambulist's verdict: Got this as a Christmas freebie and had very low expectations, but still managed to be disappointed. Has a nose that exuded alcohol and little else. Bland and lifeless. More expensive than La Cuvee Mythique – go figure. Brokers used to be more generous in the old days...

Il Bruciato 2006

Name: Il Bruciato

Colour: Red

Country: Italy

Region: Bolgheri DOC

Year: 2006

Producer: Antinori

Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah (and other black varieties)

Alcohol: 14%

.

Purchase Price: EUR 44.00 (restaurant)

.

Notes:

.

Maker’s notes – Intense ruby red colour. Aromas of fruit and whole red berries (especially cherries) rather than jam on the nose. Light hints of liquorice and vanilla follow from the oak. Sweet tannins and a dense structure, with a return of the fruit in the aftertaste alongside a hint of saltiness, which gives the wine a lovely harmonious, lingering flavour.

Somnambulist's verdict: This was absolutely superb – rich, fruity, perfect with some fine hams and cheese, and very moreish. So much so that a small group got through 4 or 5 bottles in pretty quick fashion. Interestingly, one bottle was not decanted but served straight to the glass and was remarkably bland by comparison. A perfect reminder for our party about the value of allowing a good wine to breathe.

Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Name: Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour: Red
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2005
Producer: Woodbridge Winery by Robert Mondavi
Grape Varieties: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, complementary varieties incl. Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: EUR 28.00 (restaurant)

Notes:
Maker’s notes – Lush aromas and velvety texture envelop vibrant dark fruit flavors. Briary blackberry character mingles with complex violet, cola and spices nuances. Smooth, elegant style.

Somnambulist's verdict: Reminded me of cherry tarts for some reason. Which is weird as I don't really eat cherry tarts. Throw in a pepper edge on the nose, some black cherries and a fair bit of acidity. Easy drinking, and not much in the way of complexity. Wouldn't search it out...

Knipser Cuvee X 2003

Name: Cuvee X
Colour: Red
Country: Germany
Region: Pfalz
Year: 2003
Producer: Weingut Knipser
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France, Merlot
Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: ca. EUR 38.00

Notes:

Maker’s notes – Very herbal aromas from black currant, tobacco, coffee and cedar.

Somnambulist's verdict: Complex, velvety smooth, a fabulous winter red. I have not found many German reds that I like but this is spectacular.

Chateau d'Angludet 2001

Name: Chateau d’Angludet

Colour: Red

Country: France

Region: Margaux

Year: 2001

Producer: Maison Sichel

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: ?

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes - Very deep red colour, shot through with purple tints. Ripe fruit on the nose but incredible finesse and complexity. Same characteristics on the palate, dense, silky and elegant, with rich, ripe tannin structure.

Somnambulist's verdict: Not cheap but if you are going to splash out on a Margaux this is luxury in a glass. Advise decanting and allowing to breathe for at least an hour. Gorgeous.