Five extraordinarily delicious wines this week, all with immense class and elegance.
2011 Mirabeau Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France (£8.99, Waitrose). With fresh herb and floral notes inter-sprinkled with raspberry and strawberry flavours, this is a hear-achingly beautiful rosé from the finest region in the world for this style of wine. Effortlessly classy and eminently affordable, this is a must-have wine for refined entertaining.
2009 Leasingham, Magnus Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia (£8.99, Sainsbury’s). This is one of the most complete and impressive wines on the shelves today. With wistful lime blossom and lemon curd nuances overlaying a silky, near-tropical palate, Magnus is a multi-talented food matching wine which adores spiciness and chilli on account of its palate-cooling properties.
2011 Finest* Swartland Chenin Blanc, South Africa (£6.99, Tesco). This chenin blanc is augmented with tiny amounts of roussanne, grenache blanc and clairette and these heavenly white grapes give the whole package untold complexity and excitement. Made by the great Adi Badenhorst this is one of the most invigorating and enjoyable chenins of the year.
2009 La Terrasse de La Garde, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France (£14.99, Sainsbury’s Classic Selection). Coming from the distinguished Château La Garde property in Bordeaux, this medium-weight, sensual red is stunningly balanced and already drinking well. Do decant it for maximum effect and you will be rewarded with a thoroughly impressive wine.
2007 Journey’s End, Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£15.99, www.waitrosewine.com). This rich, brooding shiraz is about as flashy and dramatic as can be. With masses of blueberry and blackberry notes cavorting around your glass there is so much power and majesty here that you will be left breathless. Drink it with top quality barbecue fare.
