TV's - impressions on wines from recent tastings....

[Phil Shorten]

Here we go....

2001 Peter Lehmann Chenin Blanc

Well, you'd never mistake this for Vouvray or Savennieres, but it is quite decent. Nice exotic nose of ginger, nutmeg and citrus zest. Well fruited medium bodied palate. Nice wine for a cheapie.

2002 Chateau Doisy-Daene Sec

The dry wine from this stickie producer, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscalle. Does not come super cheap at over 12 squid. Very Sauvignon nose - classical cats pee on a gooseberry bush - quite piercing. The palate is very sophisticated indeed - subtle crisp Sauvignon Blanc fruit - any oak is in the background - an elegant wine that is really very classy - perfect foil for crab salad.

1999 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon Simmonet Fevre

Very well balanced wine - immaculate lemony fruit, hint of creaminess possibly from partial malolactic fermentation and bottle age, good acidity, well judged oak. Chardonnay near its best. Drinking well now, but will go for quite a few years yet. Excellent.

1995 Laurent Perrier Brut Vintage

Quite a reserved and subtle nose of slightly honeyed lemon. Surprisingly showing more development and yeastiness on the palate. Elegant, soft fine fizz with room for development. Good value at under £30 per bottle.

2002 Peter Lehmann Barossa Grenache

Australian winemakers seem to be dealing with this variety better with every vintage. Quite reserved and savoury, indeed, a very good version of a decent lighter Cotes du Rhone in the Guigal mould. Good one for bangers and mash. One can see why Lehmann's wines do well in this market - very good quality at their pricepoint.

2002 Chateau Valcombe Costieres de Nimes

Jammy nose......and the palate...all I can taste is Carignan...apparently there's a bit of Syrah and some other stuff in there, but frankly this is not great. Possibly a reflection of the vintage. In 2002 the southern Rhone was flooded and Languedoc copped a bucketload as well. Thankfully I've got some 2001 southern Rhones coming through in bond.

2000 Chateau Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon

What the *^%! is going on??? A 15% ABV Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River?? Why, I ask?? Well, the nose sort of smells like Cabernet Sauvignon - cassis, tar and smoky oak. Unfortunately the palate is all over the top sweet fruit with little varietal distinction. Not good at all.

Cheers
Phil

[Paul T]

Phil..i agree on the Lehmann wines..good value for money..nothing amazing but good every day drinking.

Thanks for the tating notes Phil..your notes on French wines are much appreciated..my access to them is quite limited but i apprecaite the knowledge gained from your experiences.

cheers

Paul