Best wines to buy NOW
INTRODUCING OUR NEW MONTHLY WINE PICKS – AS SELECTED BY CHRISTELLE GUIBERT, TASTING DIRECTOR OF DECANTER.COM
Lyrarakis, Voila Assyrtiko, Crete, Greece 2016, 13.5%, £11.99, Majestic From a small family winery who discovered the potential of east Crete in the 70s. This Assyrtiko is fresh with crisp apple, stone fruit and a hint of ginger. The palate shows texture with a rich mouthfeel supported by minerality and a natural acidity, and leading to a long, fruity and uplifting finish.
Workshop, bench blend Chardonnay, South eastern Australia 2016, 12.5%, £6, Morrisons This is a new range for Morrisons, working with growers to craft wines that show a sense of origin and varietals. This extremely good value Chardonnay is very quaffable and bursting with citrus and pineapple flavours. The palate is creamy, showing weight and depth too.
Louis Jadot, pouilly Fuissé, burgundy France 2014, 13%, £16, tesco
This is Louis Jadot’s emblem cuvée and this textbook southern Burgundy displays crisp apple, pineapple and lemon zest intensity. This is a rich and creamy Chardonnay, thanks to the six months in oak, which adds texture and complexity, balanced by a crisp acidity and refreshing finish.
Jean-Louis Chave, Mon Coeur, Côtes du rhône, France 2014, 14%, £14, oddbins From Jean-Louis Chave’s négociant range, this predominantly Syrah and Grenache blend exhibits juicy black cherry and violets. A very pretty style, full of fresh crunchy red and black fruits with grippy tannins and a soft, refreshing finish. A delightful red to enjoy with grilled meat.
tenuta Monteti Caburnio, tuscany, Italy 2012, 14%, £14.95, leaand sandeman.co.uk With vineyards located in a hot area of Tuscany, by adding 15% of Alicante Bouschet to the Cabernet Sauvignonbased wine, it keeps the acidity a bit higher, which adds freshness. It has precision and finesse but with a dense fruit concentration.
Cantina di Negrar Corvina, Verone, Italy 2016, 12%, £8.99, Majestic
This is a brand new single varietal from the co-operative located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico area, just a few kilometres from Verona. Producing 100% Corvina, the result is light and fragrant with floral notes. Elegant structure with some peppery hint on the finish.