WINE TASTING GROUP. 14TH OCTOBER 2014. HOSTED BY RAY & JUNE.

We enjoyed a  lovely afternoon of wine tasting, accompanied with a super selection of cheese, biscuits and fruit.

WINE NO. 1.   RED   2012  BLACKBURN & JAMES SHIRAZ. LODI CALIFORNIA USA.  13.5% VOL.    PURCHASED FROM WAITROSE AT £7.65.

Grown in the Lodi area of California, an area found to be ideal for grape growing by early explorers, this wine was really appreciated by all of us. With healthy, bright, clarity, this deep ruby coloured wine had a pleasant smell, some sweetness and balanced acidity. The flavour lasted. A smooth, supple wine, with lovely blackberry and spice flavours, it attracted a high average score of 8. Recommended.

WINE NO. 2.    RED   2011  SEE SAW S&M   SHIRAZ MOURVEDRE  MARGAN & McGOWAN  HUNTER&BAROSSA VALLEYS,  SOUTH AUSTRALIA.  13% VOL. PURCHASED FROM WAITROSE AT £9.65.

This wine has a good healthy appearance, clean smell and quite a strong intensity. This blend from two strong valley producers, has some sweetness, a little tannin, and fruit taste. Some of us felt that the flavour lasted quite well. It attracted an average score of 7. 25.  A pleasant wine, that although dearer than No1 wine, was not thought as good.    

 JOHN BENFIELD.

WINE TASTING GROUP 16TH SEPTEMBER 2014.

WINE TASTING GROUP 16^TH SEPTEMBER 2014.   HOSTED BY JOHN & SHEILA.

WINE NO.1.     2012.   WILLIAM HARDY CABERNET SAUVIGNON.  SOUTH AUSTRALIA.    14% VOL.   PURCHASED FROM ASDA AT £5.

The result of 5 generations of Hardy’s expertise this stylish Cabernet Sauvignon has a classic mint and dark berry flavours complemented by fine tannins and a full savoury finish. We all appreciated the dark ruby appearance and clean aroma. We felt that this wine lasted slightly with the aftertaste and was a good  drink with our cheese and biscuits. It attracted an average score of 7.4.

WINE NO. 2.    2011.   CHATEAU VENUS GRAVES.  FRANCE.    13% VOL.    PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £9.

Produced by Emmanuel Et Bertrand Amart in Medudon, Bordeaux, this unusual grape was appreciated by nearly all of us. With a pleasant red/ruby  appearance, it had a good aroma, and quite a strong dark berry taste. With very little tanins this balanced wine had a good lasting aftertaste and  good body. It attracted an average score of 8.

                                                                                                  JOHN BENFIELD.

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.