Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz

Vintage: 2005
Type: Shiraz
Country: South Australia, Australia



To me, this was an Australian red wine that stood out from the other Austrlian exports showcased at the wine fair.

In a glass, it looks like your typical older shiraz: deep reddish-purple colour, long legs, slight fading at the edges. What sets this wine apart is that it has a slight mossy or earthy character on its finish, which is reminiscent of the Bordeaux from Chateau Rouselle 2004. Could this be an Aussie wine that is channelling a French spirit?

Well done to Wolf Blass for choosing a great company to take to the next level.

Ricossa - Barbaresco

Vintage: 2005
Type: Barbareesco
Country: Italy



The Barbaresco from Ricossa is an excellent, strong Italian wine. The Barbarescos tend to be a little lighter than their Barolo cousins and tend to mature quicker as well. This one is a fine example with dark cherry aroma and a great finish.

Ricossa-Barbera D'Asti

Vintage: 2007
Type: Barbera D'Asti
Country: Italy



Of all of the Ricossa that I tatsed at the Tesco Wine fair this year, the Barbera D'Asti was the one that I enjoyed the most. Again a strong bold wine with Dark Cherries and plum on the palate. The aroma is oak with a strong earthy smell. The wine is also acidic, but not to the point of detracting from its taste.

Ricossa - Barolo

Vintage: 2004
Type: Barolo
Country: Italy



If you've ever had a Barolo before, you will know that this is a full bodied wine that goes great with meat. The Ricossa Barolo is no different with a big bold flavour with plummy hints of aroma.

Berberana - Reserva

Vintage: 2005
Type: Rioja
Country: Spain



This rioja was perfectly acceptable as riojas go. A little young, so it was quite acidic with a full, meaty body. I detected a bit of vanilla in the taste, which was quite pleasant.

The Gran Reserva from Berberana is much better.

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec

Vintage: 2006
Type: Malbec
Country: Argentina



Wow. After cleansing my palate of Casillero del Diablo (Chile) Malbec, I tried this Argentinian Malbec and was surprised at the difference. First of all, its colour is a gorgeous ruby-violet shade. Swirl it around in your glass to release aromas of berries and chocolate. Admire its long legs. Taste the cherries and minty finish. This is just lovely.

More info here.

Yellow Tail - Bubbles

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Sparkling Wine
Country: Australia



Here is a wine maker who has taken a luxury product and has made it accessible to folks who like to celebrate and enjoy bubbles on an everyday basis. The bubbles are sharper than what you would find in bottles of sparkling wine produced in North America, which is closer to what my palate prefers. This is quite a sweet sparkler (actually, very sweet) and I am still not sure which exotic fruits' aromas lift out of the glass. This is perfect for those summer evenings when both partners had a good day at work or when you have some out-of-towners visiting you for brunch!

More info here.

Yellow Tail - Shiraz

Vintage: 2008
Type: Shiraz
Country: Australia



Oh dear. As a big fan of Australian shiraz wines, I really wanted to like this one (especially because Yellow Tail has consistently produced fantastic merlots). Unfortunately, I find this Shiraz too grainy on the tongue, which is perhaps what happens when the boss' nose wants to be generous with its earthiness and full-bodiness. Its redeeming features are its intense purple-like colour, spicy aroma and formation of long legs on the glass.

Baron de Ley 7 Vinas

Vintage: 2004
Type: Blend of 7 grape varieties
Country: Rioja, Spain



Wow x 10! This wine was for me the highlight of the Tesco Wine Fair 2009. As a fan of their Finca (2004), I knew this blended wine would put a smile on my face.

The seven grapes are blended just right to produce a wine that is worthy to age in oak barrels for three years before being tenderly laid down for a year in bottles. These seven grapes that are perfectly married are Tempranillo (of course!), Graciano, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura, Malvasia, and White Granache.

The tannins are rich and the concentration of the fruity flavours is just exquisite. Yummy, yummy! I predict a purchase of a case in my future. At almost £16 per bottle in store, you might think this is over-priced for a Rioja, but believe me, every drop is worth it. Not a red wine for beginners or girly white wine drinkers because they simply wouldn't know how to appreciate its complex formula.

More info here.

Pink Elephant Rose

Vintage: 2008
Type: Blend of 4 grape varieties
Country: Portugal



I discovered this brand at the Tesco Wine Fair 2008 and tried this modern blush for the first time. I decided to re-visit it today at the Fair, just because I have fond memories of Portugal.

This is one of the few wines that tickled my palate so much that my mouth watered immediately. Although attempting to be a feminine wine that should accompany heavy Indian curries, I really believe that this blush could be enjoyed on its own, with maybe a small dish of rice crackers or wasabi peas to balance out the wine's tangy notes.

The four grape varieties that are used to make this easy-to-drink wine are Alfrocheiro, Castalao, Touriga Nacional, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Because cases are so cheap at the moment, I imagine this will be the first rose wine that will grace our ever-growing rack.

More info here.

Casillero del Diablo - Malbec

Vintage: 2008
Type: Malbec
Country: Chile



Malbec is a grape that I only approach when I'm feeling particularly gutsy or confident, so maybe the timing was just a bit off today. This Malbec offers up an amazing bouquet after swirling it around just a tiny touch. It tastes of various berries, is strongly oaked and offers up a vanilla-like finish. This wine should always be paired with food, as it would be too bold on its own. I wondered why this wine is so bold - it is probably because of the lack of rain and low altitude at which the grapes are grown in Chile. I reckon this will pair well with a rare and lightly seasoned steak.