Clive’s Random Wines

Our tasting team hard at work!

Our fifthTongham Tasters’ monthly wine tasting event was held at Clive’s house during February and by all accounts he had chosen six wines at random from the shelves of Marks and Spencers. So how good were his “choices” from M&S which were enjoyed by our normal nine regular tasters. Scores below are quoted in the order John E, Clive, Hazel, Steve S, Jane.

Crow’s Fountain 2009 Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc South Africa - £7.99.
This was easily the favourite wine of the evening with six voting it their top wine. John E though that you could tell it was a quality wine from the look and that it was a Sauvignon Blanc from its nose. However, the taste had some guessing it was a blend, which was incorrect. Steve W thought is was noing! (don’t ask!) and Hazel loved this one. Scores were 15, 19, 16, 14, 13. A good value wine.

Puisseguin-Saint Emilion 2009 Chateau La Roseraie Dumont - £7.99
Two of our intrepid tasters had this at No.1 whilst everyone had in their top three. Nobody got close to identifying what it was. John E described it as a wine with a dark soul! However, he wants to buy some. Ian liked its body and identified a nice thyme nose. It bodes well for what the better Bordeaux of the 2009 vintage will taste. Scores were 12.5, 15, 14, 14.5, 18, Well worth a try.

Chapel Down Tenterden English Sparkling Reserve Brut – £17.99
This was a wine that totally split the panel of judges. One had it as their top wine, two had it as second, three had it at third but it also got a fourth, fifth and even sixth spot. From the nose some guessed it as a Chenin Blanc from the Loire but it didn’t have the creaminess. John E thought the bubbles were too big. The bottle, very disappointingly, didn’t give any clue as to the varietals suggesting that it wasn’t remotely a Pinot Noir / Chardonnay blend. Frankly this isn’t very good value – stick to Champagne or Prosecco. However, it was interesting to taste an English wine and we have made a note to visit Greyfriars on the Hogsback as a team to see if our local vineyard can do better. Scores were 7.5, 16, 13, 11, 11.

Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie 2009 La Moulin des Cassardieres - £7.99
Another wine that split the vote. John E loved it but then he is a Muscadet fan. Most had it at No.4 on their list. It certainly isn’t a bad example of the 2009 vintage which is such an improvement over 2008. Scores were 13.5, 12, 9, 10.5, 11.

M&S Australian Shiraz 2010 South East Australia - £4.29
This was another wine that we failed to identify as it didn’t taste like a typical Australian Shiraz at all. Jane got a banana Beaujolais like taste indicating its youngness. A number thought it was a merlot due to its mellowness. John called it jammy but light. Two had it in their top three wines of the evening. Not a bad price so worth considering if you like a light bodied shiraz. Scores were 12, 13, 7, 10, 7.

M&S Vin De Pays D’Oc Gold Label Syrah Rose 2009 - £4.99
For Sheila this was very dry, for Steve S it was bland, for Steve W it dropped of quickly. Jane said it tasted of strawberries. Despite all the comments, nobody rated it that highly three of the panel had it at number four on their lists. Scores were 13, 12, 12, 9, 10. For the price not a bad dry rose but you could do better.

Clive was an excellent host and his conservatory was an excellent location and the food was well paired with the wines Next month we are having the event on a different day – a Friday night March 11th – at Steve S’s. You are welcome to join us.