The Wine Society - Brief Notes from a Tasting

The Wine Society – Brief Notes from a Tasting »

Andrew Barrow

27 Sep

As Heather said as she strolled off to John Lewis to return a broken-handled colander; its all very middle class. With the rows of red Burgundy and Cheateaux bottled Claret plus a rather decent £39 Chassagne-Montrachet it indeed appeared as a rather traditional, staid, middle-class aimed wine offering.
While I imagine a fare number of the Wine Society’s customers are more than content with the copious listings of Chateau this and that (as the large number of own-label Bordeaux bottelings and the highlighting of a £99 ‘Everyday Bordeaux’ case at this tasting demonstrates) I have to admit to being stunned by a number of really non-traditional wines (and a couple of excellent more modern styled old-school offerings); all new to the Wine Society list and each unique and gorgeous in their individuality.

Wine Tasting Note: Sadie Family Sequillo, 2007, South Africa.
Stockist: Wine Society Price: £15.50 [More: Adegga / Snooth]
A magical blend of principally Chenin Blanc with Marsanne, Roussanne and a touch of Viognier. Creamy edged, full, textural, weighty reminiscent of a Pinot Gris but with more of a crisp finish. Very food friendly. Alcohol 14%
Scribblings Rating – 94/100 [4.25 out of 5]

Wine Tasting Note: Domaine La Réméjeanne Les Arbousiers, 2007, Cotes du Rhone, France.
Price: £9.50 Wine Society [More on Adegga / Snooth]
Coffee hints on the finish with integrated, complex, spice-led fruit. Can only be a Shiraz-Grenache blend. Full bodied, warm. Alcohol 15%.

Rémy Klein farms just under 100 acres of vineyard north of Tavel. This part of the Gard is well adapted to making fine and elegant syrah-based wines. This is 40% syrah and 60% grenache, all raised in tank. It is full bodied, richly fruity without any heaviness.”

Scribblings Rating – 92/100 [4 out of 5]

Wine Tasting Note: Domaine Tissot Arbois Rouge, 2005, Jura, France.
Price: £18.50 Wine Society [More on Adegga / Snooth]
Trousseau is the same as Portugal’s Bastardo variety; interesting palate, plenty of tannins, dry finish a delicious intensity, full-flavoured, cherry. Would love to try this with a simple roast chicken as the Wine Society wine list suggests.

Scribblings Rating – 90/100 [3.75 out of 5]

Wine Tasting Note: Villa Calcinaia Chianti Classico Riserva, 2006, Tuscany, Italy
Price: £16.00 Wine Society [More on Adegga / Snooth]
Sangiovese as its most supreme. An age since I’ve had such a perfectly structured, ripe, balanced Chianti coupling a softness with copious velvety fruit. Alcohol 14.5%.
Scribblings Rating – 90/100 [3.75 out of 5]

Wine Tasting Note: Bóhorquez, 2004, Ribera del Duero, Spain
Price: £17.95 Wine Society [More on Adegga / Snooth]
Stinkingly good Iberian red; lashings of cedar-tinged fruit, a complexity provided by a little bottle age and a very stylish long lasting, mouth-feel. Alcohol 14%.
Scribblings Rating – 94/100 [4.25 out of 5]

Wine Tasting Note: Andrew Peace Felix Australia Sagrantino, 2005, Swan Hill, Australia.
Price: £15.50 Wine Society [More on Adegga / Snooth]
An Italian grape variety given the Australia block-busting treatment. Ripe and powerful with flourishes of blackberry, spice and raspberry. Vibrant. Violet hints. Very interesting combination of texture and flavour. Alcohol 14%.

A fantastically mellow and exotic-tasting red made from the Italian Sagrantino grape. Full-bodied and complex with savoury flavours backed by ripe fruit.”

Scribblings Rating – 92/100 [4 out of 5]

Founded in 1874, The Wine Society’s aim was, and remains, to introduce members to the best of the world’s vineyards at a fair price. Holding a share in The Wine Society gives you a lifetime membership with no annual fee and no pressure to buy. The cost of a share is £40.

Many thanks to Ewan and his team for the tasting and texting me the grape details of the Sequillo after the event; most appreciated.

1 Comment »

Peter F May says:

29/09/2009 at 8:42 pm

Wine Soc has an excellent range of wines for all tastes. I guess you’re not a member. Let me know if you’d like me to propose you

Reply

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