The Edinburgh Wine Club

Tasting, Thursday 15 January 2009. Comparisons at different price points.

Wine

Grape

Country

Supplier

Price

Comments (by group members)

Voted

Co-op Fairtrade 2008 Torrontés/Chardonnay Torrontés predominant, Chardonnay Argentina Scotmid 4.49   Well rated (the 2007) by Jane McQuitty and others, however we thought it: refreshing but undistinguished; "wouldn't want more than one glass"  
Estiba 1 2007 aka Estiba Especial (S.A. Spanish for Cellar Selection) Torrontés Argentina Majestic (Bibendum) 6.99 Aromatic, flavours of peach and citrus, subtle, well-balanced. Best value
Murray Darling 'Block 7A'  2007 Viognier Viognier Australia, Victoria Tesco 'Finest' 7.19 Victoria Moore (The Guardian) said "very good". We were less impressed. Metallic, minerally.  
Laurent Miquel 2007 'Vérité' Viognier Viognier France, Languedoc Waitrose 12.99 One of Jane McQuitty's (The Times) recent 25 best wines under £12. We concluded: overpriced but very drinkable; green apples, vibrant, fresh, lychee nose. Best white
J.P. Chenet Limited Release Pinot Noir 2007 Pinot Noir France Scotmid "half price" @ 3.99 Vanilla, some chocolate, thin. Generally thought good value for a basic PN at this low price.  
Domaine Jessiaume 2006 Bourgogne (A vineyard bought by David Murray) Pinot Noir France, Côte de Beaune Wines at 39 Queen St 10.95 discount to 9.85 Basic burgundy, vanilla aftertaste, somewhat thin; better with food. Amiable, shallow finish. One member "wouldn't give it house room".  
Michel Picard 2005 'Clos Paradis' Mercurey 1er Cru Pinot Noir France, Côte Chalonnaise   David Henderson 14.50 "This is the business." Drinking well, complex nose. Creamy, with pleasant aftertaste, some tobacco. (Mercurey is) more tannic than many PNs. Third
Sélection de Boissan Gigondas Vielles Vignes 2005 Grenache 80%,  Syrah & Mourvedre France, Rhône online e.g. Lebonvin 12.45 Well rounded, long finish, sophisticated for a mid-price Rhône red; "would stand up well to game or venison stew". Second
Domaine de la Pinède Châteauneuf du Pape  2005 Grenache 60% Syrah 10%  Cinsault 10% Mourvedre 20% France, Rhône online 17 - 18 Definite farmyard nose and palate, jammy, blackcurrant. Should age for years. First

 

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