December 2016

The wine tasters dinner at Le Chanteclerc.

        A good evening Nice place Good food Excellent company

WINE TASTING GROUP.

HELD AT DAVE AND MOLLY’S,  HOSTED BY JENNY, ON TUESDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2016.

WE WERE ENTERTAINEED TO AN EXCELLENT AFTERNOON OF GOOD WINE, CHEESE AND BISCUITS, AMONGST PLENTY OF OTHER TREATS, SUPPLIED BY JENNY.

WINE NO. 1.    2015  SANTA JULIA MALBEC.  ARGENTINA.     13%VOL.  PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURYS AT £7.

PRODUCED IN THE MENDOZA THE HOME OF THE PRODUCER SINCE 1963, THIS WINE IS FULL OF CHERRY AND PLUM FLAVOURS WITH GOOD SPICE NOTES. WE  FOUND IT TO BE  BRIGHT & HEALTHY LOOKING, WITH A DEEP INTENSITY, AND PLEASANT APPEARANCE. A GOOD BOUQUET WITH STRONG FRUIT FLAVOURS, IT HAD SOME SWEETNESS ON THE TONGUE, WITH BALANCED ACIDITY, SOME TANNINS, AND LASTING FLAVOURS.

WE ENJOYED THIS WINE, AND IT ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 7.9/10.   RECOMMENDED. 

WINE NO. 2.   2015    L’AVENIR PINOTAGE  STELLENBOSCH  SOUTH AFRICA.   13.5% VOL.   PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURYS AT £5.

FOLLOWTHE COOL BREEZE FROM THE INDIAN OCEAN, UP A HILL, FROM WHERE YOU WILL SEE ONE OF THE OLDEST WINE GROWING AREAS IN SOUTH AFRICA,  STELLENBOSCH.    BEING ONE OF THE WESTERN CAPES PREMIER WINE PRODUCERS, IT HAS PRODUCED AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE.  A LIGHTER STYLED RED, IT HAD A HEALTHY APPEARANCE, WITH A GOOD DEEP INTENSITY.  A PLEASANT BOUQUET, WITH GOOD FRUIT AND CHOCOLATE FLAVOURS ON THE PALATE, IT HAD QUITE A TART ACIDITY, STRONG TANNINS, AND A MEDIUM BODY. WITH A GOOD FRUIT TASTE AND LASTING FLAVOUR, THIS OFFERING WAS ENJOYED BY ALL OF US, ATTRACTING AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 8/10.  GOOD VALUE AND RECOMMENDED.

                                                                                                        JOHN BENFIELD

September

WINE TASTING GROUP.   HELD AT BRIAN AND PAT’S ON TUESDAY  16^TH SEPTEMBER 2016.

IN EXCELLENT WEATHER, WE ENJOYED AN AL FRESCO AFTERNOON, WITH GOOD WINE AND EXCELLENT FOOD.

WINE NO. 1.   2015  JACOBS CREEK CLASSIC SHIRAZ.  SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA.                             13.9 %  VOL.                                                     PURCHASED FROM MORRISONS AT £5.50.

THIS MEDIUM BODIED WINE, WITH OAKY PLUM, PEPPER AND SPICY FRUIT FLAVOURS, AND IS A PRODUCT OF THE FAMOUSJACOBS CREEK VINEYARD ESTABLISHED SINCE1847. WITH A BRIGHT, HEALTHY APPEARANCE, IT HAD A VERY PLEASANT BOUQUET, AND MEDIUM INTENSITY. THERE WAS GOOD SWEETNESS ON THE TONGUE, AND BALANCED ACIDITY. GOOD LASTING FLAVOURS, WITH A PLEASANT FRUIT TASTE IN THE MOUTH, THIS WINE WAS ENJOYED, RECOMMENDED AND ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 8/10.

WINE NO. 2.    2015   ANAKENA  CABERNET SAUVIGNON.     CHILE.                                                                  13% VOL.                                                      PURCHASED FROM MORRISONS  AT  £4.75.

FROM THE AWARD WINNING ANAKENA WINERY NESTLED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE ANDES MOUNTAINS. A FULL BODIED WINE WITH BRAMBLE AND PLUM CHARACTERS, IT HAS A RICH PALATE WITH A LINGERING FINISH.WITH A DEEP INTENSITY AND RICH RED COLOUR, IT HAD A PLEASANT MEDIUM BOUQUET,AND A GOOD STRONG SWEETNESS IN THE MOUTH.BALANCED ACIDITY, AND A MEDIUM BODY. STRONG LONG LASTING FLAVOUR,PRODUCED A GOOD REACTION AND THIS WINE ALSO ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 8/10 . RECOMMENDED.

WINE TASTING GROUP.   HELD AT JOHN AND SHEILA’S ON TUESDAY 20^TH SEPTEMBER 2016.

A VERY PLEASANT AFTERNOON AT MY HOUSE, WITH (WE HOPE) GOOD HOSPITALTY.

WINE NO. 1.        2015  HAWKES BAY  SYRAH.   NEW ZEALAND.                                                                         12.5% VOL.                                                      PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £9.

GROWN IN ONE OF NEW ZEALAND’S PREMIUM RED WINE AREAS, IN NORTH ISLAND, THIS OFFERING HAS CONCENTRATION,BALANCE AND COMPLEXITY. A HEALTHY APPEARANCE WITH DEEP RUBY COLOUR, IT CERTAINLY TAXED MEMBERS TASTE BUDS. ONE OF US THOUGHT THAT IT HAD FLAVOURS OF XMAS PUD! WITH LITTLE SWEETNESS AND SLIGHTLY TART TASTE,IT HAD GOOD TANNINS AND STRONG FRUIT FLAVOURS. THE LENGTH DID LAST, AND THIS WINE  ATTRACTING AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 8..210. IT WAS ENJOYED BY US. RECOMMENDED.

WINE NO. 2.     2011  SOLIGAMAR RIOJA.  CALIFICADA SPAIN.                                                                           14% VOL.                                                          PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £9.

THIS 5 YEAR OLD WINE, FROM CALIFICADA, HAD A PLEASANT GOOD , BRIGHT RED APPEARANCE, WITH A PLEASANT BOUQUET . AND STRONG FRUIT FLAVOURS. THERE WAS SWEETNESS IN THE MOUTH, BALANCED ACIDITY AND TANNINS. THE BODY WAS LIGHT, AND THE FLAVOUR LASTED. WE DID NOT ENJOY THIS WINE AS MUCH AS THE FIRST ONE BUT IT DID ATTRACT A REASONABLE SCORE OF 7.3/10.

PRODUCED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 7.3

                                                                                                                                                         JJOHN BENFIELD.

                                                 

WINE TASTING GROUP.

                                                   HELD AT DAVE AND MOLLY’S ON TUESDAY 19^TH JULY 2016.

ON AN EXTREMELY HOT DAY, WE ENJOYED A LOVELY AFTERNOON OF FOOD AND DRINK, SUPPLIED AS ALWAYS BY OUR EXCELLENT HOSTS.

WINE NO. 1.        2014   WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL   MERLOT.  SOUTH AUSTRALIA.    13.5% VOL.    PURCHASED FROM  ASDA AT £7.

THIS WINERY ESTABLISHED IN 1966, HAS ACQUIRED A GOOD REPUTATION FOR QUALITY CHARACTER AND CONSISTENCY WITH ITS WINES AND THIS IS NO EXCEPTION. WITH  PLUM, CHERRY AND DEEP SPICE FLAVOURS THIS WINE COMES WITH A GOOD HEALTHY APPEARANCE, WITH DEEP INTENSITY. A PLEASANT BOUQUET, AND FRUITY TANNINS AND TASTE ALLIED TO BALANCED ACIDITY, WITH A LASTING FLAVOUR, PROVED TO BE QUITE POPULAR WITH MOST OF US. THIS WINE ATTRACTED AN  AVERAGE SCORE OF 7.2. RECOMMENDED.

WINE NO. 2.       2014  CALVET VIN DU LANGUEDOC  FITOU.   LANDIROS, FRANCE.    13%VOL.    PURCHASED FROM ASDA AT £6.

THIS OFFERING FROM A WINERY ESTABLISHED IN 1818, HAS A BEAUTIFUL GARNET COLOUR WITH AROMAS OF RIPE RED FRUIT. WE FOUND IT TO BE A GOOD HEALTHY LOOKING, DEEPLY INTENSE WINE, WITH A PLEASANT BOUQUET. THERE WAS SOME SWEETNESS ON THE TONGUE, GOOD TANNINS, AND FRUIT TASTE IN THE MOUTH.  IT HAD A LASTING FLAVOUR AND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 1 MEMBER, WAS ENJOYED AND RECOMMENDED. IT ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 7.5.

                                                                                                                          JOHN BENFIELD.

WINE TASTING GROUP.             HELD AT RAY AND JUNE’S ON TUESDAY 21^ST JUNE 2016.

OUR EXCELLENT HOSTS PROVIDED AN OUTDOOR TREAT FOR US UNTIL THE COLD WIND DROVE US INDOORS FOR A GOOD VARIED DRINK AND FOOD EXTRAVAGANCE.

WE HAD A FIRST FOR OUR GROUP, WITH OUR HOSTS HAVING THE SAME GRAPE, 2 MALBECS FROM FRANCE, FOR US TO TRY.

WINE NO. 1.     2015.   CALVET CAHORS MALBEC FRANCE.   12.5%VOL   PURCHASED FROM M&S AT £6.

THIS DEEP RUBY, PRODUCED BY CALVET SINCE 1818, HAS A GOOD BRIGHT, DEEPLY INTENSE APPEARANCE, WITH A CLEAN MEDIUM CONDITION. THERE WAS SOME TASTE ON THE FRONT OF THE TONGUE, AND A TART ACIDITY. THE BODY WAS MEDIUM AND THERE WAS FRUIT TASTE IN THE MOUTH, WITH A GOOD LASTING FRUITY FLAVOUR. WE ALL LIKED THIS WINE (WITH 1 EXCEPTION) AND IT ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 7.5. EASY DRINKING.

WINE NO. 2.     2015.  GOLD LABEL MALBEC Pays d’Oc  FRANCE   13%VOL.    PURCHASED FROM M&S AT £6.

THIS WINE WHILST COMING FROM THE SAME GRAPE AND AREA AS WINE NO. 1, HAD A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS.   FROM THE VINEYARDS OF LANGUEDOC IT WAS BLENDED BY M&S WINEMAKER BELINDA KLEINIG, WORKING WITH EXPERT WINEMAKER VINCENT CHARLEUX, TO CREATE A FOOD FRIENDLY RED, DISPLAYING THE HALLMARKS OF A GOOD SOUTHERN MALBEC. IT HAS A GOOD INTENSITY, A CLEAN, PLEASANT BOUQUET, AND STRONG PLUM CHARACTERISTICS.BALANCED ACIDITY AND STRONG FRUIT TASTE ON THE TONGUE. THE FLAVOUR DID LAST, BUT THIS WINE WAS NOT ENJOYED AS MUCH AS NO 1, AND ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 6.8.   

                                                           JOHN BENFIELD.

WINE TASTING GROUP.                         HELD AT PAT AND BRIAN’S AND HOSTED BY JENNY.                                         26^TH APRIL 2016.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A LOVELY AFTERNOON WITH GOOD WINES AND ACCOMPLIAMENTS

WINE NO. 1.                2014  MONTINO RIOJA  PRODUCED WITH GRAPES FROM CALIFORNIA FINISHED AND BOTTLED IN SPAIN.  12.5% VOL.   PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURYS AT £6.50.

THIS SLIGHTLY HAZY WINE, HAS A MEDIUM INTENSITY AND IS A GOOD RUBY COLOUR.WITH A PLEASANT BOUQUET AND MEDIUM INTENSITY, IT HAD A NUMBER OF US TASTING A VARIETY OF FRUIT FLAVOURS. THERE WAS GOOD SWEETNESS IN THE TASTE WITH VERY BALANCED ACIDITY, AND A FAIRLY LIGHT BODY. THERE WAS A GOOD LASTING AFTERTASTE WITH FRUIT FLAVOURS AND THIS WINE WAS ENJOYED, SECURING AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 7.5/10. RECOMMENDED.

WINE NO. 2.              2013   TURNERS ROAD  MERLOT RESERVE.  CALIFORNIA USA.    13.5%VOL.    PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURYS AT  £6.50.

WITH JAMMY AROMAS OF PLUMS AND RED CHERRIES THIS WINE HAS A VERY HEALTHY APPEARANCE A RICH RED COLOUR.  IT HAS A SOFT LINGERING FINISH, SOME SWEETNESS AND BALANCED ACIDITY. SOME TANNINS WERE EVIDENT, AND THE LIGHT BODY LEFT A GOOD LASTING FLAVOUR. THIS WINE WAS ALSO APPRECIATED AND OUR MEMBERS GAVE IT AN AVERAGE SCORE ALSO OF 7.5/10.

WINE TASTING GROUP.               HELD AT JACK AND JOAN’S               17^TH MAY 2016.

GOOD FOOD, WINE AND A WARM WELCOME WERE AFFORDED TO US FOR ANOTHER OF OUR EXCELLENT AFTERNOONS.

WINE NO. 1.       2014   MALBEC MENDOZA    ARGENTINA.        13.5%VOL.    PURCHASED FROM ASDA AT  £5.

THIS GRAPE ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTH WEST FRANCE IS NOW THE SIGNATURE RED GRAPE VARIETY OF ARGENTINA. WITH RICH RED RIPE BERRY FLAVOURS, THIS WINE IS GOOD WITH SPICY DISHES AS WELL AS ROAST MEATS. FULL BODIED IT HAS A STRONG PURPLE APPEARANCE AND VERY PLEASANT BOUQUET. STRONG SWEETNESS AND TART ACIDITY GAVE THE WINE A GOOD BALANCED TASTE. SOME TANNINS AND A SLIGHTLY SHARP AFTER TASTE GAVE A GOOD LONG LASTING FLAVOUR. THIS WINE WAS ENJOYED BY OUR MEMBERS AND ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 8/10.  RECOMMENDED.

WINE NO. 2.       2014   MARLBOROUGH VALLEY  PINOT NOIR.  NEW ZEALAND.    13.5%VOL.     PURCHASED FROM ASDA AT  £6.48.

WITH A SOFT MEDIUM BODY THIS WINE, THIS WINE HAS A BRIGHT APPEARANCE WITH PALE INTENSITY. WITH A PLEASANT BOUQUET, IT HAS SOME SWEETNESS WITH BALANCED ACIDITY AND A LIGHT FLAVOUR WHICH DID LAST. NO TANNIN WAS APPARENT. THIS WINE WAS NOT UNIVERSALLY APPRECIATED, AND ONLY ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 6.5.

                                                                                                                                         JOHN BENFIELD.  

WINE TASTING GROUP.       HOSTED AT JOHN & SHEILA’S      15^TH MARCH 2016.

WE HAD A GOOD ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON AT OUR HOUSE WITH THE USUAL FARE.

WINE NO. 1 .      2014 GRENACHE MOURVEDRE TANNAT.   WESTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA. 14% VOL. PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £8. 

THIS DEEP RUBY WINE HAD A GOOD HEALTHY APPEARANCE,WITH A PLEASANT BOUQUET, A MEDIUM NOSE WITH A BLACKCURRENT CHARACTER. THERE WS A LITTLE SWEETNESS WITH TART ACIDITY. TANNINS WERE EVIDENT AND THERE WAS A GOOD FRUIT TASTE IN THE MOUTH. THE FLAVOUR LASTED, AND THIS WINE A BLEND FROM THE VINYARDS OF FRENCH SETTLERS WHO ARRIVED IN THE 17^TH CENTURY, ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 7/10.

WINE NO. 2.   2015 HAWKES BAY SYRAH  NEW ZEALAND.  13% VOL.  PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £6.

WITH A HEALTHY APPEARANCE AND PALE INTENSITY, THIA WINE HAD A PLEASANT NOSE WITH QUITE A WEAK SMELL. SOME RED CURRENT CHARACTER SHOWED UP AND WE DETECTED A SWEETNESS ON THE TONGUE. VERY LITTLE ACIDITY AND A LIGHT BODY. THERE WAS A GOOD FRUIT TASTE BUT THE FLAVOUR DID NOT LAST LONG IN THE MOUTH. THIS WINE ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE SCORE OF  7.5/10.

                                                                   JOHN BENFIELD.