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.