Three Wines from France: The Montagnac Range

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Judging an independent wine merchant on its cheapest wines is a great indication of the overall care the merchant puts into its overall range. It is relatively easy to list great wines at the £10/£20/£30 price range but much harder to find something exclusive at under a fiver that is not one of the huge brands available from everywhere else. If consideration has been given to the most basic of wines you should trust the choices at higher prices too.

These wines come in at under five pounds a bottle. All are available from Bordeaux-Undiscovered.co.uk run by the able hands, and discerning palate, of Nick Stephens.

Wine Tasting Note: Montagnac Chardonnay, 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc, France.
Listed by Bordeaux-Undiscovered for £4.75.
For those who relish the smooth, unoaked style of Chardonnay. Abounds with crisp apple, citrus and pear flavours with a nice little sherbet bite on the finish. Lovely drinking on its own but made for a great combination when served with (Waitrose) Fish Skewers with Thai Spices - Thai Style Salmon and Cod fish Patties lightly spiced with fresh coriander, lime and chili, served with a sweet chili and soy dipping sauce. (I should mention that the dipping sauce killed the wine as it would with almost anything bar water and beer! The sauce itself was terrible to burnt in flavour and very glutinous). Alcohol 13.5%.

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

Wine Tasting Note: Montagnac Sauvignon Blanc, 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc, France.
Available from Bordeaux-Undiscovered £4.75
Produced by a small co-operative that dates back to the 1930's; their vineyards stretch from the banks of the Thau Lagoon to the foothills of the mountains on the right bank of the River Herault.

Not a gooseberry in slight on this lemon-juice coloured wine. The palate is distinctly crisp with an element of smoke and flint. Soft, supple and easy to drink. Nice mineral-led finish. Alcohol 13%. [See also The Spirit World]

Scribblings Rating - 86/100 [3.25 out of 5]

Wine Tasting Note: Montagnac Merlot, 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc, France.
From Bordeaux-Undiscovered for £4.75
This held my interest right the way through an easy mid-week meal of herby sausage and tomato sauce topping a pile of steaming pasta. Good concentration but again, easy drinking, with soft black fruits, chocolate and coffee complexity. A good pleasing finish. Alcohol 13%.
Scribblings Rating - 88/100 [3.5 out of 5]