Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro, 'Arzuaga Reserva'
2016, Ribero del Duero, Spain
Decanter’s 2020 ‘Spain & Portugal Fine Wine Encounter’ proved to be my final event in a while. I walked away unknowingly into the Corona Horizon, yet with a remarkable bottle of Ribera del Duero.
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Packed with aromas of dried black cherry, leather, cinnamon, and a hint of eucalyptus, this was a delight to sniff, and even more a pleasure to sip. The dried fruit was prominent - markedly raisins and prune - yet still with an underlying freshness. A slight inkling of vegetal had me swaying between a 4 or 4.5 rating; yet all the God’s must have an Achilles heel.
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An experience that took long to leave my mouth, and still yet to leave my mind.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
Sub-region
Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)
Red
2016
14.5%
Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León)
Diablo, 'Dark Red'
2018, Maule Valley, Chile
I like big butts. Yet, this was just showing off. A sizeable bottom that you could lose not just a finger to, but the entirety of your hand. With a bottle that was the antithesis of subtle, did this also brag in taste?
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Coffee, coffee, and more coffee. This was very pronounced. Blackberry, black cherry, a host of dark fruits, integrated with rich, intense chocolate, and slightly burnt aromas. There were marked similarities in mouthfeel and taste to a stout.
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Ripe, smoky, and a complete & utter boast – she’s won me over.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
Sub-region
Syrah/Shiraz
Malbec
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Red
2018
13.5%
Maule Valley
Gatto Pierfrancesco, 'Robiano' Barbera d'Asti
2017, Piemonte, Italy
The occasion made this special, much more than the wine itself. There we were sitting in a stifling-hot dining room in the heart of Alessandria. As the Italians do best, this Barbera was drunk down amidst much laughter, chatter, and a sizeable feast.
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Black cherry and dried blackcurrants failed to hide the obtrusive acidic and vegetal character. It had an artificial, slightly sickly style, which reminded me a little of cherry lip-balm. In my opinion, this needed to be quite a lot smoother.
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Alongside Torta di Melanzane, lasagna, and prosciutto con melone however, my criticism lies in reflection, much less in the moment.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
Sub-region
Barbera
Red
2017
15%
Yalumba, 'Y Series Viognier'
2019, South Australia, Australia
An absolute bargain at £5.10 (multiple mark-downs), this was too tasty, and too good value to let slide under the radar. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this…
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Scents of vanilla and butterscotch gave way to apricot, honey, citrus and white flowers. Fresh, zingy, and lap-me-up, lovely. Although very much a dry wine, this possessed the slight sweetness of warming, dried fruits.
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A fine example that “buy cheap, buy twice” isn’t always a bad thing.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
Sub-region
Viognier
White
2019
13.5%
Barossa Valley
Yellow Tail, 'Pinot Grigio'
2018, South Eastern Australia, Australia
Yellow Tail never fails to make me smile. Whether it’s the happily hopping kangaroo, the bold and bright label, or the "best enjoyed on a girl’s night in" description, time and time again, it puts a big grin on my face.
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One sniff, and this was a fruit-blast. Bundles of gooseberry, citrus, and apple. This was fun and simple.
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An off-dry, refreshing, and once again, enjoyable encounter.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
Sub-region
Pinot Grigio
White
2018
11.5%
South Eastern Australia
Viña Zorzal, 'Garnacha'
2017, Navarra, Spain
My first experience of ‘The Wine Society’ took the form of a post-Christmas tapas box. Nestled amongst the chorizo bites, and my caramelised nibbles, lurked the Viña Zorzal Garnacha.
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Stone of black cherry and black pepper on the nose, along with sharp redcurrants lent to a rather rustic experience. Though juicier on taste, I found this Garnacha overly tannic and drying, and slightly too prominent in alcohol.
Making for a slightly mouth-puckering ordeal.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
Sub-region
Garnacha
Red
2017
13.5%
Navarra
Vigneti del Salento 'Zolla' Salice Salentino,
2017, Puglia, Italy
I first pressed this vixen to my lips at Liberty Wine's Portfolio Tasting in the Autumn of 2019. I make it no secret that I am particularly partial to a curvy, bigger-on-the-bust bottle, despite many less-than-satisfactory experiences proving this bias futile.
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Notes of cinnamon & black pepper. Intense in black fruit, with richness & depth of skin, rather than confected. Very smooth with an abundance of ripe, juicy cherries, vanilla, and a slight liqueur taste. Vigneti del Salento's 2017 'Zolla' gets a hefty, wine-stained grin from me.
Both wine & bottle worthy of the collection.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
80% Negroamaro 20% Malvasia Nera
Red
13.5%
2017
Sub-region
Salento
Yalumba 'Organic Chardonnay'
2018, South Australia, Australia
It was the April of 2020 when Sainsbury's were the instigators of a very sly, yet effective, marketing ploy. Stand a Chardonnay solitary amongst the reds, and one's eye will immediately be diverted to it. This lone 'Shiraz' amongst its multiple mark-downs, was too intriguing to refuse.
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Medium lemon, with notes of citrus, spiced, baked apple, and a hint of croissant. I had successfully departed from the pitter-patter of England's weather, and instead, immersed myself in a Parisian boulangerie. A fresh smell, but a little spicy also, specifically vanilla and cinnamon.
Why only a rating of 3.5? The citrus notes were over-accentuated, and despite my mind undergoing apparition, this did lack a certain depth.
Breed
Color
Age
ABV
Chardonnay
White
13.5%
2018
Sub-region
South Australia