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!

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.

Alborato 2006

Name: Alborato
Colour: Red
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria IGT
Year: 2006
Producer: Cardeto
Grape Varieties: Merlot 70%, Cabernet Franc 30%
Alcohol: 13%
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Purchase Price: ? (ca. EUR 6.00?)
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Notes:
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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...

Regaleali Nero d'Avola 2006

Name: Regaleali
Colour: Red
Country: Italy
Region: Sicilia
Year: 2006
Producer: Tasca d’Almerita
Grape Varieties: Nero d’Avola
Alcohol: 13.5%
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Purchase Price: EUR 28.00 (restaurant)
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Notes:
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Maker’s notes – Bright, intense ruby red. Bouquet: Cherry, mulberry, sour black cherry, blueberry, vanilla, sage. Taste: Pleasantly velvety and well balanced tannins.

Somnambulist's verdict: This came recommended by a restaurateur who clearly knew his onions. And grape varieties. Apparently, the “Nero d’Avola” grape makes wines that compare to New World shirazes. Perhaps, although I didn’t notice any of the harsh, biting pepper that sometimes pervades those wines. Thoroughly enjoyed this wine and will look out for it again…

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%

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Purchase Price: EUR 44.00 (restaurant)

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Notes:

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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.

The Chocolate Block 2006

Name: The Chocolate Block
Colour: Red
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Year: 2006
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof
Grape Varieties: 55% Syrah, 17 % Grenache Noir, 15% Cinsault, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Viognier
Alcohol: 14.5%

Purchase Price: EUR ?

Notes:
Maker’s notes – Spicy, dark chocolate surrounded by ripe berry flavours and a fine clove character show in the nose of the Chocolate Block. The Richness of the palate with ripe flavours is in balance with the smooth tannins. This wine has great length with a minimum of 5 years aging potential.

Somnambulist's verdict: Found the initial bouquet a little over sweet, like strawberry confection, but beyond that, wonderful. Deliciously rich, intricate blend of berries, exotic fruits, a touch of pepper and spice, and yes, chocolate. Not a lot of chance of it aging for 5 years in the Somnambulist household.

Sangre de Toro 2006

Name: Sangre de Toro
Colour: Red
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Year: 2006
Producer: Miguel Torres, S.A.
Grape Varieties: Carinena, Garnacha Tinta
Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: EUR 6.49

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes: Deep ruby colour with a hint of ochre. Rich complex Mediterranean aromas with exuberant notes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins are noted on the palate with elegant flavours of liquorice and small dark forest fruits (blueberries and blackcurrants).

Somnambulist's verdict: This bottle came with a plastic bull attached, which should have served as a warning. Lesson learned. I would go more for the sour cherries, than "small, dark forest fruits." With the amount of alcohol in it, the opening glass is like liquid... err.. petroleum gas mixed with a bowl of black pepper. Probably ok with food, but you can get a decent Rioja for the same price and they are lightyears apart.

"Les Baudrieres" Pouilly-Fume 2006

Name: Les Baudrieres
Colour: White
Country: France
Region: Pouilly-Fume
Year: 2006
Producer: Dominique Baud
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 12.5%

Purchase Price: EUR 9.99

Notes:

Struggled to find much information on this wine or the producer. References seem to be largely from German sites so that is probably the main market. Will update if we come across anything else.

Somnambulist's verdict: A very pleasant, drinkable Sauvignon Blanc, if a little uninspiring. Smooth, quiet and lemony, with a touch of citrus acidity. Wouldn't pay up for it.

Fabelhaft 2006

Name: Fablehaft
Colour: Red
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Year: 2006
Producer: Niepoort Vinhos SA
Grape Varieties: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao
Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: EUR 12.00

Notes: Produced for the German speaking markets, "Fabelhaft" translates as fabulous, phenomenal or scrumptious.

Maker's tasting notes - It is a dark ruby wine with an intense dark and red fruit aroma with spicy character. On palate it is young, appealing and fresh, with fruity tannins, good acidity and appealing structure.

Somnambulist's verdict: Fabulous is about right. Fruity, complex but very quaffable. Tremendous value for money.