Our Top Five....
These are our current top 5 wines, along with our personal reviews.
No 1. Favourite: Vina Pomal Rioja 2005
I'm amazed more hasn't been written about this wine. It's only £7.99 if you buy two bottles from Majestic and £11.99 if you buy a single bottle. You need to buy a minimum 12 bottles from Majestic anyway and once you taste this you'll be eager to stock up with it quickly before the price goes up. In fact so good is this wine that I'm slightly reluctant to share share the secret. I notice it was £6.99 for two bottles a couple of months ago, so may be secret is getting out.
The guy in Majestic told me that this stuff is going for 20 Euros a bottle in Spain but the owner of the vineyard is so eager to break into the UK market, one of the largest Rioja markets in the world, he is selling it for a knock down prices. I would take this tale with a pinch of salt, but it doesn't change the fact that this is a fantastic wine which is good value at £11.99, amazing value at £7.99.
This is my current favourite smooth and chocolately with that unmistaken oaky Rioja taste. This wine is aged in the Oak Barrels for 18 months then further aged for 2 years in the bottle the result - Rioja heaven!
The 2003 is also excellent if you can still get hold of it.
Review by Andy Thomas
2. Torres Viña Esmeralda 2008
This wine is a real favourite of mine, year after year this wine is fantastic. This was the main white wine I opted for at my wedding and at only £6.64 a bottle or £79.68 for case of 12 you can afford to splash out and treat your friends and family - perfect for weddings, barbecues, hot summer evenings or for drinking at home on your own if you prefer! Dry but zesty a real treat.
Review by Andy Thomas
3.Ben Marco Malbec 2007 Dominio del Plata Mendoza Argentina
This wine reminds me of a wonderful Malbec we had in Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires last summer.
Ben Marco is 90% Malbec and 10% Bonarda and its deeply rich flavour goes very well with an Argentinean steak or indeed any steak.
This wine costs £10.99 a bottle from Majestic if you buy 2 bottles.
Review by Andy Thomas
4. Rose Chateau de Sours 2008 Bordeaux
I first came upon this rose at a wine tasting tour which called in at Chateau de Sours a few years ago. Though tasted alongside much grander wines we all were impressed.
Created from Merlot grapes it has a clean almost effervescent quality and is perfect for drinking on a summer evening just on its own.
Definitely not a wine for those who can't decide between red or white.
Available at Majestic £7.99 a bottle when you buy 2 bottles.
5. Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir 2008
This wine from the North Island of New Zealand will compete with all but the very best from Burgundy.
It has lovely earthy taste which leaves a prickle on the lips. Too late now to have with your Christmas turkey but goes very well with any poultry.
Limited supplies, not available for order online - please check with your local branch of Majestic. £12.99
Review by Peter Thomas
6. Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2003 West Sussex England
You may think I'm jesting when you see when you see this sparkling wine is from England, however the climate and soil conditions are very similar to those in the Champagne region of France. The French explain their superior wine by the "Terrior", well the same ridge of chalky soil that runs through the French wine regions also runs through West Sussex, where this amazing Sparkling Wine is made. This explains why some of the English Sparkling wines are beginning to match their French counterparts for taste and complexity. This in my opinion is the best of the bunch, it won gold medal in the "Champion of Worldwide Sparkling Wines 2010" ahead of thirteen Champagnes.
Available from Waitrose £24.69 a bottle
Review by Simon Carter
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