2007 Carmen Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley
Toasty, smoky oak on the nose, but fresh, too, with crisp, apple and citrus aromas. Concentrated fruit on the palate, nutty richness and fine acidity. A tad toasty-oaky, perhaps, but this wine will age. 14% abv.
£9.99, or £7.99 if you buy 2 or more, Majestic
2007 Passo delle Mule Nero d’Avola, Sicily
Cherry, smoke and delicate spice on the nose; spicy, almost sour cherries and smoky, mineral flavours on the palate. Subtly oaked, medium-full, dry and persistent. 13.5% abv. It comes from the Suormarchesa estate, near Gela and is one of a new range in a special bay in called Delicious Discoveries in 220 stores. Quite the most interesting group of wines shown at the press tasting this month. £7.99, Sainsbury’s
2007 Pietracupa Bolgheri, Tenuta Moraia
If you want a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend, why choose Tuscany? If it’s good and distinctive, why not? Lovely, quite complex, ‘meaty’ Cabernet nose, with penetrating black fruit and savoury, cedary, gamey flavours. Medium-full, long, polished. 13.5% abv. Another Italian red from the new Delicious Discoveries range.
£11.99, Sainsbury’s
