Domaine La Croix Gratiot, Picpoul de Pinet 2011, £ 8.25
Bright clean, citrus notes on nose with a touch of minerality and apple. A broad, clean mouthwateringly fresh palate, with some depth. Good quality Picpoul crying out for seafood. Tasted 25th January 2013.

Domaine Antugnac, Terres Amoureuses, Limoux 2010, £11.75
This is a subtle Chardonnay giving gentle oat and ripe lemon aromas. The palate is long and discrete, sustained. Very well balanced and harmonious it has a shy/coy character. Tasted 25th January 2013

Mas Cal Demoura, ‘l’Etincelle’, IGP d’Herault 2011, £18.90
A lively apricot and floral nose with a touch of weight and complexity, certainly showing some
depth. The palate is broad and fresh with good depth and mouth feel. Yellow fruits dominate but there is a pleasing spice and quince complexity. Tasted 25th January 2013

Calmel and J Joseph, St Chinian, 2010, £9.90
Lifted aromatics of black olive tapenade, pepper and black fruit jelly lead to a mid weight savoury palate. Well balanced and juicy fruit, with fine tannins giving a gentle dusty texture. Tasted 25th January 2013

Chateau la Negly, ‘La Falaise’ , La Clape 2010, £19.00
Powerful on nose and palate with a warm Mediterranean feel giving ripe fruits of red berries, figs and cherry accompanied by garrigue herb and spice. Rich warming palate; plenty of concentration in this wine with sustained fruit finish. Tasted 25th January 2013

Domaine Hortus, Grand Cuvée Rouge, Pic St Loup 2010, £20.50
Restraint and harmony are the calling cards of this elegant layered wine. It has savoury and fruit notes with a fine gentle tannic mesh giving support. It really shines with food. Tasted 25th January 2013.

Domaine Massamier La Mignarde, ‘Domus Maximus’, 2008, £27.00
A handsome, deeply coloured masculine wine. It has a Pauillac character of black fruits, cedar, and pepper enveloping a firm, erect tannic core. Lush, dense fruit, great depth and a long poised finish. Drinking well now but has several years ahead of it. Tasted 25th January 2013.

J B Adams Riesling Nature, Alsace 2011 organic.

A wine with a light yet persistent aroma of lime and elderflower with a typical Riesling kerosene note haunting the background. The palate has a marked acidity, which for acid lovers is fabulous but for those looking for rounder styles this should be avoided. The acid drives the wine giving vivacity and life to the green apple and citrus fruit. Oh for some roast pork! Tasted 16th November 2012

Fruitiere Vinicole Vin Jaune, Arbois, 2005

Following Raymond Blanc’s TV tour of France, I thought the Table should show a Vin Jaune. This had the yeasty flor-like nose with a terrific hazelnut depth and some ripe lemon and beurre blanc scents. Delicious palate , dry crisp acid cuts the oxidative notes and balances the richness and alcohol. Long finish, nutty and clean. A great wine experience.

Tasted 16th November 2012

Les Amis de Bouissières, Vin de Table,Rhone, 2010 (Grenache, Syrah and Merlot)

Raspberry and white pepper nose with the baked garrigue of the southern Rhone create an attractive bouquet. The palate was driven by the alcohol, 14.5%, and carried some dusty fine tannins. This was a wine which caused most division at the table. Those not in favour felt it was short , those who enjoyed it liked the hit of Grenache and Rhone characters.

Tasted 16th November 2012

Chateau Lacombe Noaillac, Medoc 2006 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot)

The wine performed very well, delivering a classic black fruit, herbaceous and cedar nose, finely balanced palate with mellow yet firm tannins. It was very well behaved, ‘did what it said on the tin’, and made you happy to drink claret. Okay, so it is not a Grand Cru with the depth of that level , nor the price tag, but it delivers harmony and sophistication to the dinner table.

Tasted 16th November 2012

Ey, ‘Grenache’ Vins de Gaume’, Roussillon, 2005 Biodynamic

This is from a small bin end parcel purchased by Press Wine. Terrific Grenache suppleness and richness. The wine has great depth and breadth, still looks and tastes young, and carries that Biodynamic energy. There is the slight funk of Biodynamic wines, the hint of stemmy, very ripe fruit, fine tannins carefully extracted and Roussillon heat. Lovely exciting wine.  At a great price…..but I only have a few bottles!

Tasted 16th November 2012

Domaine Vieux College, Marsannay Rouge ‘les Recilles’2010.

Domaine Vieux College is a little known domaine from northern Cotes d’Or and covers a few hectares. Its wine, both red and white are made with care and precision. The ‘Recilles’ showed very well with Pinot notes of wild strawberry, spice and leaf on a gentle elegant palate. It matched the duck confit very well confirming gamey characters, adding a touch of fruit and opening up the sweet duck fat.

Tasted 22nd November 2012

Ancienne Cure Monbazillac, 2009

Utterly, delightful white yielding up white peach and dried fruit aromas with a mid weight palate and its freshness balanced by sweetness from botrytised and dried grapes. The alcohol at 12.5% gave a lightness of touch to the wine and it made it perfect to accompany the pear fruit.

Tasted 22nd November 2012