September’s wine is the 2015 Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone (£9.99 from www.majestic.co.uk).
Jancis Robinson says:
“Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Dark mid crimson with a pale rim. Herbs and balsam on the nose – savoury rather than sweet. And then there is masses of sweetness on the palate but a finish that is fresh and dry. Really great balance and nice neat finish. This is better than many commercial Châteauneufs. VGV” (16.5/20)
January’s wine is the 2014 Chateau La Dournie Saint-Chinian (€8,40 from www.jadopteunvin.fr).
*2014 sold out. 2016 available from www.thewinesociety.com.*
Robert Parker says:
“A gorgeous wine any way you look at it, the tiny production (83 cases) sports a vibrant purple color as well as sensational notes of black cherries, plums, lavender and exotic spices. Rich, medium to full-bodied, light on its feet and with a great finish, it will cruise for 7-8 years on its balance, yet is already hard to resist.” 93/100
October’s wine is the 2015 Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors (€8.90 from www.weinpalais.de).
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate says:
“This wine is almost too good to be true. It’s a ripe, sexy, heady beauty that exhibits a deep, purple color as well as killer notes of smoked meats, chocolate, blackberry and black raspberries. Deep, unctuous, open knit and layered, it continues to change in the glass, has a seamless and silky profile, and not a hard edge to be found. It’s a sensational value that needs to be tasted to be believed. Drink it anytime over the coming 2-4 years.” 94/100
90PointWineClub 