WINE TASTING GROUP.                10^TH FEB. 2015.                                                HELD AT BRIAN& PAT’S.                              HOSTED BY JENNY.

Jenny provided a lovely selection of cheese/biscuits/pate and fruit, which was well received by us all.

WINE NO. 1.                RED 2013.   DEMON NOIR COTE DU LOT  MALBEC.   PARNAC  FRANCE.    12% VOL.                 PURCHASED FROM MILLERS FARM SHOP, KILMINGTON, DEVON AT £6.99.  

This rich wine was warmly received by most of us. It has good healthy appearance with a medium intensity and a rich ruby colour. With a pleasant smell, and medium intensity, it has a sweet taste with a light body, tart acidity,and some fruit taste with a good long finish. This wine attracted an average score of 7.8.

WINE NO. 2.               RED  2013.   ROCHE MAZET  MERLOT.            BEZIER  FRANCE.    12.5% VOL.                                PURCHASED FROM MILLERS FARM SHOP,  KILMINGTON, DEVON AT  £5.99.

Produced in Bezier way down in South East France, this wine had a very healthy clarity,with a deep intensity with a Red/Ruby colour.The smell was a mystery to us with  clean/musty/pleasant and no smell, being suggested!  We felt that it was quite tart with a lot of tannins. With a medium  body, and plenty of fruit taste in the mouth. The flavour lasted. This wine attracted an average score of 7.

                                                                                                                               JOHN BENFIELD.                           

WINE TASTING GROUP.              20^TH JANUARY  2015.      HOSTED BY BRIAN & PAT OSBORNE..

We enjoyed an excellent afternoon, with a fine choice of cheese, pate, biscuits and fruit, to accompany the wines.

WINE NO 1.                RED   2013  MONTELCIEGO RIOJA ELCIEGO SPAIN.  `13.5% VOL.  PURCHASED FROM MORRISONS AT £7.99.

This  wine attracted quite a mixed review with a very high score and a couple of very low ones. It had a rich ruby, intense flavour, with a hint of dark fruit. With very little tanins and a flavour that did not last. It attracted an average score of  8/10.

WINE NO 2.                RED   2012.  WAIKATO RIVER   PINOT NOIT.  NELSON  NZ.           13.5% VOL.   PURCHASED FROM MORRISONS AT £4.99.

With a bright intensity, this very red wine had a clean, medium intensity, with quite a tart intensity, light body and the flavour lasted. Aged in oak barrels, it attracted an average score of 7.5/10.

                                                                                                             JOHN BENFIELD

WINE TASTING GROUP.     

18^TH NOVEMBER 2014.  HOSTED BY DAVE & MOLLY.

An excellent afternoon with fine cheese, biscuits, pate and fruit, was enjoyed by us all.

WINE  NO. 1.      RED  2013  VINA MAIPO MITRAL.  SYRAH.   VALLE CENTRAL  CHILE.   13% VOL.        PURCHASED FROM MORRISONS AT £5.99.

This rich ruby wine with a deep intensity, and very pleasant smell, with a fruity nose,  and balanced acidity, it was a hit with all of us. Aged in American oak barrels it is a well rounded wine with soft tannins and well textured finish. Securing an average score of  8.1, this is a good wine, and is recommended.

WINE NO. 2.       RED     2011.   BAREFOOT MERLOT   MODESTO CALIFORNIA USA.  13.5% VOL.         PURCHASED FROM   MORRISONS AT £6.99.

With a healthy, deep intensity this wine was  also a very good drink, The rich ruby appearance,  accompanied by a pleasant bouquet and a balanced acidity offered tempting flavours of plum and blackberry. It had very balanced acidity, and a length of flavour that lasted well. This wine was very popular withus all and attracted an average score of 8.25.

                                                                                                                                 JOHN BENFIELD.   

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.