March 2006Previous months' recommendations:
February 2005 | March
2005 | April/May 2005 | June
2005 | July 2005 | August
2005 | September 2005 | October
2005 | November 2005 | December
2005/January 2006 | February 2006
March’s selections are a little late appearing, but
they’re worth waiting for...
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes Hermitage Les Trois Chênes
2003 Northern Rhône, France
Very rich, pure sweet fruit on the nose with a hint of olive. Perfumed
and alluring. The palate shows great concentration and weight with spicy,
structured fruit. A fantastic wine in a rich style. Very good/excellent
93/100 (£13.95 Berry Bros & Rudd)
Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Marlborough, New
Zealand
This is one of the most complex and enjoyable Sauvignons I’ve had in
a long time. It has a forward nose that’s grassy and herby with some
tropical fruit richness. Nice balance here. The palate is rich and full
with lovely fresh fruit and a spicy herbal edge. Quite complex. One one
hand we have the slightly sweet-edged tropical fruit, and on the other
there’s fresh grassiness. A striking, complete wine. Very good/excellent
93/100 (£9.99 Oddbins)
Neive Briccoserra 2001 Cigliuti, Italy
What a superb wine. It has a beautiful nose of dense, sweet, full red
fruits with a lovely smoothness. The palate is concentrated and dense with
lovely vivid savoury fruit. Quite chewy, but smooth at the same time.
Fantastic. Very good/excellent 94/100 (£21 Berry Bros & Rudd)
Vidal Syrah 2003 Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Beautifully packaged. This is an impressive new world Syrah, and at
this price a cracking bargain. There’s tight, dark savoury fruit on the
nose, which is also a bit minerally. The palate has delicious savoury
freshness to the fruit. Beautifully poised, expressive and minerally, with
good acid. Very good/excellent 92/100 (£10.99 Sainsbury, www.sainsbury.co.uk)
Alois Ladeger Riff Pinot Grigio 2004 Tre Venezie,
Italy
Lovely fresh, minerally and focused bright fruit on the nose. Hint of
smokiness. The palate is minerally, savoury and subtly spicy. A delicious
fresh white wine that’s good value for the quality on offer. Very good+
89/100 (£6.99 Tesco)
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Chablis, Domaine
Sainte Celine 2004 Burgundy, France
Made by Brocard, this is a lovely full-flavoured dry white wine. A
good yellow colour, it has some subtly reductive notes on the nose (smoky,
burnt match) along with the trademark Brocard damp hay and wet stones
aromas. The palate is crisp and full with lots of minerally freshness and
savoury, nutty, hay flavours. Very good+ 89/100 (£6.99 Sainsbury)
Etchart Privado Torrontes 2005 Cayafete, Salta,
Argentina
If you’ve not tried a good Torrontes, you’ve been missing
something, so try this one. It has a beautifully perfumed, floral nose
with grape and lychee aromas. The palate has a fresh herbal edge: it
smells sweet but tastes dry, with good acid. Clean, fruity and dry. Very
good 83/100 (£4.99 Waitrose)
My rating
system explained. Use www.wine-searcher.com
to locate a stockist in your area and my directory
of UK wine merchants for details of those listed here. See also: the wineanorak's
shopping list - recommended wines from each of the main UK retail
outlets. These recommendations are truly independent: I don't accept
payment or other favours for inclusions, nor do I sell wine.
E-mail me with your recommendations or suggestions
at jamie@wineanorak.co.uk
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