WINE TASTING GROUP. 19TH. AUGUST 2014. HOSTED BY JACK & JOAN.

We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon of cheese, biscuits and fruit with our hosts.

WINE NO.1        RED. BREAKERS POINT SHIRAZ CABERNET   14% VOL.    SOUTH AFRICA.     PURCHASED FROM TESCO AT  £4.89.

This wine is a rich fruity red cherry flavoured drink with spicy undertones. It was generally enjoyed, with a pleasant aftertaste, slight tannins and a good clean smell. It had a good balance,and we gave this wine an average score of 7. The name Breakers Point is  inspired by the place where two of the worlds most powerful oceans meet near the southern most tip of Africa.

WINE NO. 2.   RED.  KUMALA RUBY CABERNET CINSAULT.   13.5 % VOL. WESTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA,     PURCHASED FROM TESCO AT £6.99.

Produced in the lush area under Table mountain, Kamala produce wines full of character, and this one is no exception. With a soft textured blend and an oaky aftertaste, it has a generous red berry and  spice flavour.  We liked the good clean aftertaste, slight tannins and lasting aftertaste. It had a good clean bouquet and pleasant appearance. This wine attracted an average score of 8.3.

                                                                                                                                                                 JOHN BENFIELD.

WINE TASTING GROUP. 29th JULY 2014

WINE TASTING GROUP.   29^th JULY 2014.  HOSTED BY JENNY AT PAT AND BRIANS.

We enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon “Al Fresco” with excellent cheese, biscuits and fruit.

WINE NO.1    2012  RED MONT PIERRE RESERVE FITOU  12.5% VOL.  FRANCE.    PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURYS   £5.

This French wine received a mixed reaction from us, but was generally enjoyed. Sourced from the south of France in the Fitou region, it is a spicy red with a full bodied taste. It was well balanced with a slightly hazy appearance. We gave it an average score of 7.2.

WINE NO. 2.   2013   RED  McGUIGAN ESTATE MERLOT.  13% VOL. SOUTH AUSTRALIA.   PURCHASED FROMK SAINSBURYS  £5.

Costing the same price as the previous wine, this offering was preferred to the Fitou. With a bright appearance and a deep red appearance, it had a good clean bouquet with balanced taste.it had a long lasting finish. Highly recommended, it attracted a high average score of 8.2.

                                                                                                                              JOHN BENFIELD.     

WINE TASTING GROUP 13TH MAY

                                  HOSTED BY DAVE & MOLLY.

Once again Dave and Molly treated us royally, to a very pleasant afternoon.

WINE NO. 1        2012  RED  VACQUEYRAS COTE DU RHONE .   14.5% VOL. FRANCE.    PURCHASED FROM ASDA AT  £8.

This Frech red, from the huge Cote Du Rhone wine producing area,  received a slightly disapointing reaction from our members, considering the price.  A healthy deeply intense ruby/purple wine,it had a pleasant smell with a ripe blackberry fruit taste. It has bold tannins, with a light body. It attracted an average score of 6.75.

WINE  NO. 2.      2009  RED  CASA LUIS RESERVA  13.5 VOL.  FROM CARINENA SPAIN.   PURCHASED FROM ASDA AT £5.

This wine was considerably cheaper than wine no. 1 but was  preferred . With a healthy, deep ruby appearance, it had quite a deep intensity, a tart acidic taste  which lasted quite well.

The average score from our members was 7.

WINE TASTING GROUP.     22^NDAPRIL 2014.                                     HOSTED BY RAY & JUNE.

The afternoons get together enjoyed excellent hospitality, with cheese, biscuits, and fruit, accompanying the wine.

WINE NO 1.   2013  RED Mc GUIGAN BLACK LABEL MERLOT. 13.5% VOL. FROM SOUTH EAST AUSTRALIA. PURCHASED FROM MORRISONS AT £5.99.

This fruity flavoursome wine with a bright pleasant smell and deep ruby colour has a good balanced taste with a good lasting flavour. It has light intensity with a medium body to it. We all enjoyed this wine, which at the price, we felt was excellent value for money. It attracted a high average score of 8.5. We felt that this wine, was one of the best we have enjoyed, since the  group started.

WINE NO. 2.   2011  RED BOSCHENDAL  SHIRAZ/ CABERNET SAUVIGNON.  14% VOL. FROM GROOT DRAKENSTEIN SOUTH AFRICA. PURCHASED FROM WAITROSE AT £8.99.

Grown in the vineyards of the mountainous coastal area of Groot Drakenstein this wine blend matured in French oak has meaty depth with firm tannins, complimented by the lingering spice and black fruit of the Shiraz. We thought it had a deep, healthy intensity, with a strong taste. The body was heavy, with good tannins but very little  sweetness. We all felt that the flavour lasted.

Again this wine was appreciated with a slightly lower average mark compared to the first one, of 7.5.

                                                                                                                                                  JOHN BENFIELD.

WINE TASTING GROUP. 18TH   MARCH  2014.                        HOSTED BY JOHN & SHEILA.

We met at John & Sheila’s for a convivial afternoon of wine and cheese.

WINE NO. 1. 2012  RED TORREBIANCA PRIMITIVO De MANDURIA 14.5% VOL. ITALY.  PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £7.99.a

This wine produced in Manduria, 6km from the Ionian Sea, has a complex structure with elegant aromas of strong intensity. We all enjoyed this wine, which has a healthy intensity with a strong ruby colour. With a good healthy appearance, this  wine was  has a strong intensity, a fruity character, balanced acidity,and good lasting flavour. It attracted an average score of 8.   

WINE NO.2 RED 2012  MARQUIS de ST. VINCENT MEDOC  13%VOL.  FRANCE.     PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £6.99.

A combination of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon this wine was not as well liked as  the first wine. Grown in Medoc area it has  aromas of red  fruit. Again a strong Ruby colour, with  balanced acidity, and light body. The group gave it an average score of  5.6.

                                                                                                                                                      JOHN BENFIELD.                      

WINE TASTING GROUP. HELD AT JACK & JOAN’S ON TUES. 11TH FEB.

WINE TASTING GROUP. HELD AT JACK & JOAN’S ON TUES. 11^TH FEB.

We were entertained at Jack and Joan’s to a very pleasant afternoon of wine and cheese, which was enjoyed by all.

WINE NO. 1.  2012  LE CROUZE,  CARIGNON,  FRANCE.  12.5%.  PURCHASED FROM COOP AT £6.95.

This fairly unusual wine from the Languedoc region of southern France enjoyed by virtually the whole group was a good purple/red, wine,with a medium intensity,and good lasting finish Grown on 40 year old vines, the grape finds a perfect “Terroir of Garrigue” to express its true character and fruit. With ripe red berry fruit and vanilla overtones this  wine received an average score of 8.

WINE NO.2.   2011  LEOPARDS LEAP,  SHIRAZ, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA. 13.5%   PURCHASED FROM COOP  AT £7.19.

With concentrated violet and spicy pepper overtones this wine also met with general approval. It is a wine which can be stored, and with a strong ruby colour,has a medium intensity, tart acidity, plenty of body, with a good lasting finish. This wine was also enjoyed and attracted an average score of 7.5 .

                                                                                                                                    JOHN BENFIELD.

WINE TASTING GROUP. JANUARY 21ST 2014.

           HOSTED BY JENNY  AT JOHN & SHEILA’S.

We met at John & Sheila’s for a very pleasant afternoon of wine and cheese supplied by Jenny, followed by tea/coffee and biscuits.

WINE NO. 1. RED  2010  MARQUES DE MONTINO RIOJA. 13.5% VOL. SPAIN.   PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURY’S  AT £5.95.

A wine produced in the Rioja region of Spain this blended offering met with mixed views, but we all felt that it was an easy drinking wine suitable for pleasant afternoon drinking. It had a full bodied slightly smoky taste, with firm tannins, and with 2 years spent in oak barrels, a spicy aftertaste. Whilst some members had reservations about this wine , it did attract an average score of 6.

WINE NO. 2.  RED  2013  STONEBERG RESERVE PINOTAGE/SHIRAZ. 13.5% VOL.  WESTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA .  PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURY’S AT £6.95.

With elegant ripe flavours of plum and mixed spice, this wine proved a popular offering for our members. Its silky tannins linger on the tongue to make this an enjoyable drink, and it attracted an average score of 7. This was felt to be preferable to the 1^st wine.

 JOHN BENFIELD.