Tuesday, 28 December 2010

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.

Monday, 7 June 2010

Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2005


Name: Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2005
Colour: Red
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Year: 2005
Producer: Campo Viejo
Grape Varieties: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
Alcohol: 13.5%
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Purchase Price: £9.99 (Sainsburys)
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Notes:Maker's tasting notes – Aged in barrel for 18 months. This Reserva exudes flavours of warm cinnamon, cigar box and ripe red fruits. An exceptionally smooth wine with hints of spicy oak. Perfect with game stew or roast shoulder of lamb.

Somnambulists verdict:

Campo Viejo seems to be everywhere, and being a bit of a 'brand' wine (with a different bottle for every market niche - a bit like Volkswagen for wine), it's fair to view it with a little apprehension... but let's not get snobby about this. We're at the supermarket end after all, not browsing the carte-des-vins at the Manoir aux Quatres Saisons, where you could exchange a case of this for a bottle of the house wine and probably get some change... (yes, yes, M. Blanc does have impeccable taste...