Pure Pinot Grigio

I have very little knowledge of Italian white wines so having the opportunity to review this 2004 Pinot
Grigio was an enjoyable challenge.

My first impression of the wine was the packaging. A modern, minimalist
white label with three words on the front 'Pure Pinot Grigio', and on tasting the wine I could see why; no additional description is really needed.

This is a dry, crisp, and flavoursome white that is fantastic on a warm summer afternoon. Subtle citrus flavours give this Pinot Grigio the simplistic values, drinking well on its own and even better with Rock oysters and fennel foam!

Altogether an enjoyable wine for the summer season at exceptional value.

Editors Note: Wills is our Head Chef at The Old
Forge Restaurant and threatened to withdraw staff lunches if he did not get in on the Amateur Reviewers act.

Castillo Perelala, Tinto Crianza 2002.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to appraise this wine, we made independent tasting notes and then compared.
Strong oak on the nose, with a hint of tobacco, the oak overpowering the fruit but together making a pleasant bouquet.
Good tannins but tended to some harshness at the finish (may well mellow somewhat with a little more age).
Accompanied Boeuf Bourginon very well although the oak did still predominate. The wine's flavour was enhanced with mature Cheddar cheese and with a mixed grill with lamb the sweetness of the meat tended to enhance the acidity.

Credit: Judy & Den Barratt

Garry Crittenden 'I' Rosato

I really enjoyed drinking this wine, it was lovely and smooth and I found it very easy to drink! Being a Rose it's a great choice for the spring and summer, with lots of blackcurrant flavours and a real fresh feeling. I would happily drink this with a BBQ or simply on its own!

Credit: Lizzie Angela

Domaine de la Renjarde, Cote du Rhone Villages 2002

Many thanks for asking me to sample and taste Domaine de la Renjarde.
My review is as follows:-
I could pick out the plums and spices on the nose. It was a nicely integrated wine with a velvety texture - the tannins were very smooth. It was reminiscent of chateauneuf du pape - hardly surprising considering the similar grape variieties! Somehow it felt rustic without any rough edges.
It would be ideal as an accompaniment with winter dishes such as with beef casseroles and grilled meats.
Altogether a very pleasing and drinkable glass of wine.

Credit: Gilly Bawden

Ainsworth & Snelson - Yarra Valley Chardonnay - 2003

Thanks for the opportunity to review, my thoughts are as follows:-
Pale gold in colour with a delicate but typical buttery chardonnay nose. Melon and peach flavours with just a hint of oak making it a delightful wine to accompany light food or drunk on its own. Will probably continue to improve.Very good value, a pleasure to drink.
I hope that you find this bears some resemblance to your own thoughts in which case I will be happy to offer my services again. To avoid any repetition of reviewer names, I can offer several nom de plumes such as Mino Edwardo Cinelli, Hans Scmitt etc which you may already have seen in some of the up-market wine magazines.

Credit: Reviewed by John Murgatroyd, retired wine enthusiast and father of celebrity chef.

Marquis de Goulain 2003

Pale straw colour, clean light and fresh taste. You could tell it is a Chardonnay, but one with little or possibly no oak; had a good fruit flavour.
A good wine and excellent value.

Credit: Rod Woodward

Carmen, Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Maipo Valley 2001

"Attractive nose of spice and tobacco, very nice fruitiness with sweet middle flavours of spice and cassis; supple texture, firm backbone. 2-4 years."

Credit: Anthony Rowes in July 2005 Decanter

Wither Hills (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc 2004

There has been some talk recently that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has started to lose its shine; that the wines are basically one-trick ponies that all taste the same. I for one do not believe that: though a lot of NZ Sauvignon shares a similar punchy character, there are producers making all types of Sauvignon, from grassy and herbal, to ones filled with mineral and lemon flavours, to tropical fruit-bomb styles. This screw-capped bottle from Wither Hills is stunning and uniquely Marlborough - one of the great New World regions to really stamp its mark on wines produced there. It has a hugely aromatic nose with passionfruit aromas and juicy hints of lychee and mango. It has all sorts of mineral, almost smoky nuances and a core of intense lime. On the palate it is tangy and vibrant, filled with mouth-watering orange and grapefruit flavours. It really has stunning fruit purity, and a beautifully long finish that is elegant and poised with shimmering acidity. An absolute beauty.

Credit: Tom Cannavan March 2005 www.wine-pages.com

Nyetimber Premier Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 1996.

Nyetimber Premier Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 1996. England

Made from Chardonnay, this elegant, racy blanc de blancs is so like 'the real thing' that it will fool your friends.
There is no doubt that sparkling wines are what England does best. Nyetimber, in West sussex, makes the finest. When a friend recently gave me the 1996 Classic Cuvée 'blind' I mistook it for champagne.
Credit: Liz Morcom in Wine Notes

Carmenère Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001

Carmen Vineyards, Carmenère Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001. Chile.

Carmenère has found a perfect partner in Cabernet Sauvignon and this wine is a great example. It's pure in fruit and decadent in it's lushness. Carmenère adds layers of flavour, Cabernet contributes the structure and fine tannins. A brilliant marriage.

Credit: Decanter July 2004. Patricio Topia, a wine writer from Chile.