As many of us may have indulged Dry January, by February it’s time to indulges in some winter warming.
While the summer will naturally lean us towards lighter wines, at this time of year the heavy hitters seem more appropriate somehow, so here are some romantic reds that at 15% alcohol will pack a powerful punch, and be sure to warm up the cockles of your heart.
Firstly, two wines by renowned Southern Rhône producer Domaine la Barroche. Described in recent reviews as a wine to die for is
Pure, Domaine la Barroche, Southern Rhône, France, 2009. Grenache, 15%. £52.40.
Not easy to source, but well worth the effort, the vines were planted in planted in 1901, and before release the wine is aged in oak 16 months. This truly stunning biodynamic wine, has a deep ruby colour, and on the palate it is rich, intense and mouth filling. The superlatives roll off the tongue just as easily as the fat, ripe, juicy, sweet, berries, backed up by a spicy, liquorice finish. This one is definitely a keeper.
Many people choose to get engaged on Valentine’s Day so what better wine to toast the happy couple than this one
Fiancée, Domaine la Barroche, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2007, 15%. £49.75
Made from 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah taken from vines aged 25 to 100 years, this spends 18 months developing in oak. The production is very small, hence it is much in demand. Whilst just about drinking now, the wine continues to evolve and still has plenty of tannin that will see it through for another 15-20 years. Full bodied, it is deep purple in colour, with notes of liquorice, tar, toast, smoke, blackcurrants.
La Sereine Noire, Mathilde & Yves Gangloff Cote-Rotie, France, 2009, Syrah, 15%. £80
This a fabulous, extraordinarily expressive modern organic wine. An inky ruby colour, it has a heady earthy aromatic bouquet of potpourri, violets and smoky minerals. Another wine for keeping, this will take several years until its supple tannins mellow, smoothing out the oaky vanilla, black raspberry, pepper notes. It is robust, heavily structured and muscular, yet with a sexy elegant floral quality, just like the men in my life (in my dreams!).
This next, modestly prices wine, should certainly put you in the mood for love
Very Sexy Shiraz, Cloof, Darling, South Africa, 2009. 15%. £12.30
Aged in French oak this wine, with its lo….ng finish, and deep dark red colour, is dangerously seductive. Full bodied, intensely luscious, with spicy earthy flavours, its complex nose delivers white pepper, cloves, cinnamon.
Brazil Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodl, California, USA, 2011, 15%. £12.99
Intense flavours of plum and chocolate mark out this organic wine from low yielding bush vines, and which has great concentration and ripeness, but some freshness to balance it out nicely.
Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma, California, USA, 2011, 16%. £32.99
Powerful and rich, this wine, made at this family-owned estate, has a deep ruby colour and enticing aromas of dark summer fruits. The intense palate is backed up by supple tannins, and a long, smoky finish.
Château Fleur Cardinale, Saint-Émilion Grand Cur Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2009, 15%. £45
Rich, plush and highly concentrated, this wine is well balanced, with ripe, soft, velvety tannins, with blackberry and bramble fruit coming through. Just ready for drinking, it will keep for another 10 years.
Cantina de Negrar, Amarone della Valpolicella Calssico, Veneto, Italy, 2011, 15%. £18.99
Luscious and very approachable, the grapes are dried to make this concentrated style of wine. It is produced by the local co-operative, which has gained a renewed reputation for quality and value.
Piancornello, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2009, 15%. £29.99
A fantastic wine made from the Sangiovese grape variety, it has intense aromas of dried, fruit, chocolate and nuts. The soft tannins and earthy appeal is rounded off nicely by a long finish full of flavour.
Ca’ Bertoldi, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy, 2007, 16.5%. £34.99
This wine, one for indulgence, is characterised by a perfect blend of body and flavour. Ageing for a minimum of 6 years in a combination oak casks and bottle ensures a well balanced finish.
And, for non-red lovers and little certainly goes a long way with these two dessert wines …
Santa Cristina, Vin Santo, Della Valdichiana, Italy, 2009, 17.5%. £11.99 (for 35cl.)
This elegant, yet complex wine, intensely sweet, is a fine example of this style. Made from Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes dried for five months on straw mats, then aged in oak, it has butterscotch and caramel written all over it.
Crociani, Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Italy, 2008, 16.5%. £19.49 (for 35cl.)
Sublimely mouth-filling, this traditionally-made wine is redolent of ripe raisins and plums with a velvety, smooth finish.
While not wanting to be spoil-sport do be aware that a 175ml. glass of these wines is approximately 2.6 units, and 140 calories. Better find someone to share the bottle with, and to work off some of those calories then!
Read more at http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/valentine-s-day-wines-linda-piggott-vijeh-selects/story-25965895-detail/story.html#WzuhZhx9iHIlQZKV.99
No comments:
Post a Comment