WINE TASTING GROUP.          19^TH MAY 2015.                                                                 HOSTED BY  JUNE & RAY MORRIS.

Another excellent afternoon of good wine, cheese & biscuits with fruit and pate provided by our hosts.

WINE NO. 1.                      RED 2013.   JIP JIP ROCKS  SHIRAZ  PADTHAWAY AUSTRALIA.    14.5% VOL.  PURCHASED FROM WAITROSE AT £8.79.

As the name implies this wine is produced in the 350 million year old  rock region of Padthaway, in Southern Australia, this area is  sacred to Aboriginal beliefs.  The ancient soils and maritime climate, are an ideal setting for the growing of this grape.The Jip Jip wines embody a pioneering spirit, built from youthful enthusiasm. We enjoyed this wine with a couple of reservations. With a healthy, deep purple sight, and pleasing nose, with a strong intensity, it had balanced acidity, a plummy character, and medium body. The flavour did last, and this wine received an average score of 8.5.

WINE NO. 2.                      RED  2013.  TRIVENTO MALBEC  MENDOZA  ARGENTINA.     14%VOL.    PURCHASED FROM ASDA AT £6.00.

The name Trivento comes from the 3 winds, Zonda,Polar and Sudestada, and the grapes grown there are subjected to these winds, giving the grapes such a distinctive flavour. With a bright crimson red  ruby colour, this wine has a medium intensity, and a complex character. We individually felt the nose gave off amongst others, plum, raspberry, blackcurrent and leather aromas!!  Clean taste on the tongue some acidity, and good body, it had a lasting flavour. It attracted an average score of 7.25. This wine was also enjoyed, and we felt was good value compared to wine no. 1.

                                                                                                                                                                                  JOHN BENFIELD.

WINE TASTING GROUP.      21^ST APRIL 2015.                          HOSTED BY JOHN & SHEILA.

We had a very enjoyable afternoon with a selection of cheese, biscuits and fruit. Apologies for the number of cheeses. (I got carried away!)

WINE NO. 1.              RED 2013   CIMAROSA  MERLOT.  SOUTH EASTERN  AUSTRALIA.   14% VOL.  PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £4 50.

This medium bodied wine received a good reaction from most of us, and with a bright healthy ruby appearance, and very pleasant smell, it made for good easy drinking. Soft on the palate, with underlying red fruit flavours, this wine had a good balanced, long lasting flavour, and attracted an average score of 7.5. We felt that it was a very reasonably priced wine.

WINE NO. 2.             RED 2009  SOLIGAMAR RESERVA RIOJA.  CALIFICADA SPAIN.      14% VOL.     PURCHASED FROM LIDL AT £9.99.

Spains favourite wine the rioja, is grown widely in a number of regions, and this one comes from the Pais Vasco region of northern Spain. With a rather hazy, deep appearance and strong ruby colour, a reasonable bouquet, with a strong fruit taste, it had a tart acidity, plenty of tannins, with light to medium body We didn’t like this wine as much as No. 1., but it still achieved an average score of 7. The  No 1 wine, we felt, was better value for money.   

JOHN BENFIELD.    

WINE TASTING GROUP.        TUES 17^TH MARCH.            HOSTED BY JACK AND JOAN.

A good afternoon at Jack and Joan’s with excellent cheese, biscuits and fruit was enjoyed by all.

WINE NO. 1.     RED 2013.  Mc GUIGAN CLASSIC MERLOT.   SOUTH EAST AUSTRALIA.   13% VOL.                                PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURYS AT REDUCED PRICE  £5.50.

This strong ruby coloured wine with a pleasant nose, was enjoyed by most of us and was excellently accompanied by the good cheese selection. With strong plum and blackcurrant flavours, this wine has good tannins, a strong fruity lasting aftertaste. It was given a high average score of 8.5.

WINE NO. 2.    RED  2013.  McGUIGAN CLASSIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON.   SOUTH EAST AUSTRALIA.   12.5%VOL.          PURCHASED FROM SAINSBURY AT £8.

Produced by the same winemaker as the first wine, this offering has good flavours of rich intense cassis fruit, is a  strong ruby red wine with pleasant body and good aftertaste, combined with light tannins make for a pleasant drink. Whilst we all preferred  the Merlot, this wine still scored a good average 8.

                                              JOHN BENFIELD.          

                                 

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.