Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Name: Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: White
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Year: 2008
Producer: Leopard’s Leap Winery
Grape Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: £4.32 (1/3^rd off offer, Sainsburys)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes –

This ripe, zesty blend of the tropical fruit richness of Chenin Blanc with the crisp, gooseberry and green pepper freshness of Sauvignon Blanc is a superb expression of the beautiful winelands of South Africa's Western Cape. Delightfully fruity, this juicy white wine is delicious on its own, or as the perfect partner to seafood, fish, chicken, and salads.

Somnambulist's verdict:

South African whites? Hmmm I take some convincing, and wouldn’t have picked this one off the shelf personally. My scepticism waned quickly on the first, deep sniff, however. Melons. Ripe and fruity melons. Big, fat, mouthwatering, juicy, greeny-gold, mouth-watering, succulent MELONS. Wow! They give way a little to some citrus tones, and perhaps a whiff of violet… but then it’s back to the melons, and boy do I love melons J

But it gets better on the palate. It’s got gusto and tang without being too feisty, there’s something like buttered asparagus, and it has smokiness and structure, yet somehow remains light and sippily seductive. I thought about some lovely Pouilly-Fumes and wondered how they would stack up… maybe I was just in a good mood but I really loved this!

In the sub-fiver basement hunt for bargains, I’ve come across a few crackers here and there. Occasionally, no, pretty rarely, I come across one that I think would fool me flat out that it was a more expensive wine. This is one of them – top quality at an every day price… ship it in.

Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Name: Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Colour: White

Country: New Zealand

Region: Marlborough

Year: 2008

Producer: Oyster Bay Wines

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol: 13%

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Purchase Price: £6.99 (reduced-price offer, Tesco from £9.99)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes –Pale straw green in colour with brilliant clarity, Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is zesty and aromatic with lots of lively, penetrating fruit characters. A concentration of tropical and gooseberry flavours with an abundant bouquet, it is a wine that is always crisp, elegant and refreshing.

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Somnambulist's verdict:
Admittedly this one doesn’t qualify in the ‘quality-for-£5-and-under’ hunt, but it snuck into the trolley under the radar anyway, and I’m rather pleased it did. Like a stylish new arrival at an otherwise dreary drinks party, it’s a bit of a head-turner: pale green with glints of gold, gentle honeysuckle on the nose that gives way to gooseberries and rhubarb, but softened by something sweet. You know from the first twinkling moment that there’s bags of character waiting to indulge you.

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There’s a flash of acidity – a gooseberry tang and a hint of limes – but it’s subtle and rides well over a sultry, mouth-filling body, almost chewy. Bold and lively, sherbet lemons fizz mischievously around the tongue, daring you to take another sip, and then another. There’s nothing dull about this wine, without being pretentious it’s a wannabe Champagne. It’s not content to sit quietly and waste time with small talk, it wants to get the party started!

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Like a great night out that comes from deciding at the last minute to stay at home, it’s a sexy Sauvignon for a sumptuous summer. Enjoy!

Hardys Crest Brut Rose Sparkling NV

Name: Hardys Crest Brut Rose Sparkling

Colour: Rose

Country: Australia

Region: South East

Year: NV

Producer: Thomas Hardy & Sons

Grape Varieties: Colombard, Sultana, Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 11.5%

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Purchase Price: £5.90 (half-price offer, Tesco)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes –

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Somnambulist's verdict: We’re on the hunt for bargains, and to date it’s fiendishly difficult to find quality and cut-price in a sparkler. Half-price offers always present the chance of some unexpected value and so I cheerily grabbed a bottle of this Ozzie pink fizz, stuck it in the cooler and lit the barbie… While the prawns sizzled away I took some time to try and appreciate the delicate aromas - boy are they delicate. After a few sniffs I ended up with my conk halfway down the glass, inhaling furiously through my nostrils like a spin-bowler in a night-club dunny, just trying to get a recognisable scent. There’s some ‘gentle’ fruits there, let’s call them Summery: melon and strawberries, perhaps. Pleasant enough, but steamrollered on the first sip. It’s drier than an outback waterhole in a drought, and it's got a vicious acid sharpness. The kind that runs off that spin-bowler’s tongue when he’s busy sledging the opening batsman at The Oval, and which leaves a long, sour, pithy after-taste. Only a chilli-dipped giant prawn (or a six knocked straight back over the cocky bowler’s head) can deal with that…

Chuck this one in the bin of bum bargain bubblies and move on.

Le Pierrey Pouilly-Fume 2006

Name: Le Pierrey Pouilly-Fume

Colour: White

Country: France

Region: Pouilly-Fume

Year: 2006

Producer: Le Vigneron Recoltant

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol: 13%

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Purchase Price: €6.40

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Notes:

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Maker's tasting notes –Made from Sauvignon grapes grown around Boisgibault, on South-West facing flint, clay and chalky soil. It is a dry, white wine with a smoky bouquet and a supple, fresh taste.

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Somnambulist's verdict: An odd nose, which I can only describe as a mix of bananas and elderflowers. This is quickly replaced by the sharp acidity on the palate. There's fresh fruit, oranges I thought, but it's also a touch floral, and the alcohol drives through and pervades far too obviously. Overall, rather a disappointment – so, find another Pouilly-Fume!

Gran Familia White Rioja 2008

Name: Gran Familia

Colour: White

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2008

Producer: Castillo de Fuenmayor

Grape Varieties: Malvasia, Viura

Alcohol: 12%

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Purchase Price: £4 (ASDA)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes – Softly aromatic with hints of fruits and fresh flowers. Fruity and fresh on the dry palate with pleasing citrus notes. White Rioja is a delicious revelation to many wine drinkers. Castillo de Fuenmayor, located near Logroño at the heart of Rioja Alta, uses knowledge and skills passed down through generations together with modern winemaking techniques to make excellent wines widely acclaimed by press and the public alike. The famous vineyards of Rioja Alta are recognised as the finest in the region. The climate of moderate rainfall and long hot summers is perfect for producing high quality wines. The majority of this white Rioja was fermented in stainless steel to help retain the fresh flavours of the Viura and Malvasia grape varieties. 15% of the wine was matured in French oak barrels for 6 months to give body and very light oak flavours.

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Somnambulist's verdict: White Riojas tend to be a bit of a lottery in my experience, but since the Gran Familia Red was such a bargain find, it seemed worthwhile trying the white…and rather pleased that I did. It has a very enticing bouquet, a gentle citrusy mix of grapefruit and mandarin, and a fresh and tangy taste that’s both subtle and full – a bit like sucking on a cube of mandarin jelly (if there is such a thing!). The slight disappointment was the finish. If anyone remembers Parma Violets, they’d recognise that chalky, perfumed flavour in a flash. Nothing that can’t be undone by an olive or two, so don’t let it put you off! Thumbs up to this one…

Ogio Pinot Grigio 2008

Name: Ogio Pinot Grigio

Colour: White

Country: Italy

Region: Venezie

Year: 2008

Producer: Alessandro Botter

Grape Varieties: Pinot Grigio

Alcohol: 12%

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Purchase Price: £4.26 (half-price offer, Tesco)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes – A crisp dry white with delicious fresh lemon & lime flavours.

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Somnambulist's verdict: It’s getting warmer and the occasional balmy evenings lend themselves to something light and white. Continuing the Somnambulistic search for value wines under £5 a bottle, I took advantage of Tesco’s half-price offer to try this stylishly branded Pinot Grigio.
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It’s got a sweet, fruity nose, like strong orange blossom – or even orange sherbert J - which belies a tart dash of lime on the palate. That first tang of citric acidity is pleasantly washed away by a large dollop of whipped cream. This wine reminded me of a bowl of Key Lime Pie, which is not necessarily a bad thing – I leave you to make the call on that – but it fitted the bill perfectly for watching the sun dip behind the apple trees…

Asda Portuguese Tinto

Name: ASDA Portuguese Tinto

Colour: Red

Country: Portugal

Region: n/a

Year: NV

Producer: Enoport-DT, Producao de Bebidas, SA.

Grape Varieties: ?

Alcohol: 13%

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Purchase Price: £3.38 (ASDA)

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Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – (ASDA) A full bodied red wine with brambley red fruits and a nice smooth finish.

“A lovely, smooth and fruity red, ripened in the Portuguese sunshine. It's great with spicy food like chilli con carne” Phillippa Carr, Asda's Master of Wine.

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Somnambulist's verdict: OK, let’s be honest, at £3.38 expectations are low. This is basic table wine, the like of which you’d pick up in a Portuguese supermarket for less than a bottle of water. Still, I gave it a full chance, decanting and allowing it to breathe for 30 mins before trying… and it wasn’t dreadful. There’s dark chocolate, a whiff of vanilla and some red fruits in there. These are flavours that can be crafted into intoxicating blends in the hands of a skilled wine-maker. Alas, I think in this case it’s more akin to shovelling everything into a large vat with all the finesse of a greedy schoolkid stuffing random confectionery into a rather acidic paper bag.

There are a lot worse things you can do with £3.38, but I’d suggest making it up to a fiver and going for one of the other superb budget wines available. If you’re going to try it, take Phillippa Carr’s advice and drink it with chilli, or in fact any very strongly spiced food that stands a good chance of masking the flavour…

Daniel Champion Brut Reserve

Name: Daniel Champion Brut Reserve

Colour: White

Country: France

Region: Champagne

Year: NV

Producer: Daniel Champion

Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

Alcohol: 12%

Purchase Price: EUR 13 (Direct from producer)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Made with the traditional grapes from our terroir, cellared for 5 years. The pinot noir makes this wine an exclusive reserve for connoisseurs.

Somnambulist's verdict: (apologies if I have brutalised the translation from French above) – I visited Champagne Champion a while back having tried their wine on recommendation, and was made extremely welcome, tasting all they had to offer! Le Millesime is the pick of the bunch, but this Reserve, at EUR 13 a bottle (before bulk discount!) is a steal. It’s smoother than the regular Brut (which is a little too apple-y for me), with subtle fruits, smokey and fresh, with a biscuit finish. I wrote ‘apple crumble’ on my notes, which I assume was either a summary or my dessert option :-)

La Chasse du Pape Reserve Rouge 2007

Name: La Chasse du Pape Reserve

Colour: Red

Country: France

Region: Cotes-du-Rhone

Year: 2007

Producer: Maison Gabriel Meffre

Grape Varieties: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre

Alcohol: 14%

Purchase Price: £5 (ASDA)

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Notes:
IWSC 2008 SILVER. QUALITY AWARD.

Maker's tasting notes – The name La Châsse Du Pape is derived from the historic chest that contained the great reliquaries of the Popes who lived in Avignon during the 14th century. La Châsse Du Pape Réserve is sourced from the finest southern Côtes Du Rhône vineyards. Our winemakers carefully select the noble grapes Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault to achieve the best expression of this classic Appellation. La Châsse Du Pape Réserve is a full bodied, round and harmonious wine with delicate hints of spices and vanilla, thanks to ageing of the Syrah in oak barrels.

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Somnambulist's verdict: Another bargain cracker – decant this one and let it breathe for an hour or so to get the most out of this lovely smooth, yet spicey blend. I’d be very hard pushed to differentiate it from Chateauneufs 2 or 3 times this price, even side by side. I’ve also seen this at much higher prices at other supermarkets and wine stores, so if there’s an Asda near you go and put a few in the trolley. Alternatively use their home delivery service, which I found infinitely better than Sainsbury’s.

Gran Familia Rioja 2008

Name: Gran Familia

Colour: Red

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2008

Producer: Castillo de Fuenmayor

Grape Varieties: Tempranillo 90%, Graciano 10%

Alcohol: 12.5%

Purchase Price: £4-5 (Asda)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Gran Familia is a classic Rioja red wine in the much-loved smooth, mellow style. It comes from one of the region's very best bodegas. Our winemakers select high quality Tempranillo and Graciano grapes and the wine is matured in our cellars for 8 months to create the perfect balance of luscious fruit and silky tannins. Full-bodied with plenty of meaty, warm, ripe red fruit flavours. Drinking well now, but will improve in your cellar for up to three years.

Somnambulist's verdict: Another great find in the search for value at £5 and under. Everyone who has tried this at the Somnambulistic table has really enjoyed it. A+ for value-for-money.

Grizzly Bear Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Name: Grizzly Bear

Colour: Red

Country: USA

Region: Central Valley, California

Year: 2007

Producer: Zimmermann-Graeff & Mueller

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: £3.33 (£10 for 3 offer, Sainsburys)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – A full-bodies red wine with masses of plum and blackcurrant flavours, finished with toasty oak and subtle chocolate notes. Excellent with steak or roast dinner.

Somnambulist's verdict: I don’t often choose Cab Sav varietals especially not at the bargain-basement end but somehow this found its way into the shopping trolley and I’m very pleased it did. This is a very quaffable red, loads of fruity flavours (I’d add cherries to the black fruits mentioned above) with a smooth long finish. I have no idea how a Mosel weingut ends up bottling Californian reds but it doesn’t really matter – at 3 bottles for a tenner I am filling the cellar with this excellent everyday drinker.

Chateau Mas Del Perie 2006

Name: Chateau Mas Del Perie

Colour: Red

Country: France

Region: Cahors

Year: 2006

Producer: Marie-Rose Ortalo

Grape Varieties: 100% Malbec

Alcohol: 12.5%

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Purchase Price: EUR 4.00 (supermarket, France)
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Notes:
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Maker’s tasting notes – Deep red with purple reflections. Nose very fruity, with a little spicy red fruits. Subtle and balanced with strong tannins.
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Somnambulist's verdict: A good, if simple example of the “black” wines of Cahors. Very dry and very strong tannins – a bit too chewy to drink on its own, needs meat or cheese to soften it up. Definitely worth a try at this price if you fancy a change of varietal.

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.

Gervrey-Chambertin "Monte-Ronde" 2005

Name: Gevrey-Chambertin “Monte-Ronde”
Colour: Red
Country: France
Region: Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy
Year: 2005
Producer: Bertrand de Monceny
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: EUR 20.00 (wine merchants, France)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – n/a

Somnambulist's verdict: Brilliant! Fresh, rich, complex with a long finish. Hints of strawberries and perhaps tobacco. Couldn’t resist stocking up :-)

Meursault "Les Corbins" 2004

Name: Meursault “Les Corbins”
Colour: White
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Cote de Beaune
Year: 2004
Producer: Michel Picard
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: EUR 29.00 (wine merchants, France)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Colour: Pale yellow with gold tints.
Nose: Strong toasted notes at the beginning then aromas of yellow fruits and almond.
Palate: Powerful and fat mouthfeel with harmonious boisé and fruity flavours.

Somnambulist's verdict: I’m not sure about “yellow fruits” and “mouthfeel” but this is a quite splendid white Burgundy. It seems only this region can get such a dry steeliness and complexity from the Chardonnay grape, and this is a wonderful example. I loved it.

Vina Albali Gran Reserva Seleccion Privada 2001

Name: Vina Albali Gran Reserva Seleccion Privada
Colour: Red
Country: Spain
Region: Valdepenas
Year: 2001
Producer: Felix Solis
Grape Varieties: Tempranillo
Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: GBP 5.00 (Tescos, on offer reduced from £10)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Deep ruby-red in colour with amber tones. This mature wine has a complex elegant bouquet with hints of leather and spices. On the palate it is well balanced and expressive, with rounded and polished tannins.

Awards: Viña Albali Gran Reserva Selección Privada 2001

- International Wine and Spirit Competition 2008. Silver Medal “Best in class"

- International Wine Challenge 2008. United Kingdom. Commended

Somnambulist's verdict: Perhaps a shade more refined than the Viña Albali Gran Reserva (although that’s hard to tell without tasting them side-by-side), but at this offer price is fantastic value. Go to your local Tescos and clear the shelves :-)