By George Kassianos
There is now more French wine from Lidl. Following the surprise collection of French wines over the last couple of months now there is more, bottles of upmarket French wine like Chateauneuf du Pape or Pomerolare on the shelves.
2013 Prince des Tuileries Haut – Médoc, Vin de Bordeaux Abv12%
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with an opaque purple/red colour. The aromas are dominated by dusty tannins and earthy notes. On the palate the earthy character gives way to fresh red fruit and fine, silky textured tannins. The fruit develops showing lovely richness and a black fruit core. Acidity is fresh and the alcohol leaves a pleasant hint of warmth to the finish. Definitely be one to buy. €5.99
2011 Château Hermitage Mazeyres Pomerol Abv 13%
A true Merlot with an inky red colour, explosive, floral, plum, black fruit, jammy berry, oak, chocolate and black raspberry scents creating a beguiling perfume. This complex, spicy Bordeaux wine coats your palate with layers of pure, sweet, ripe plums. This is a hedonistic, sensuous style of Pomerol that blends intensity with pleasure and chocolate covered ripe fruit. €19.99
2011 Réserve de Fonsalis Fitou AOC, Languedoc et Rousillon, Abv 13.5%
A blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, this wine has a very dense dark red/purple colour. The nose is full of aromas of dark fruits, hints of strawberry, blackberry confit, spicy, peppery notes and hints of anise. Leading onto the palate there are flavours of cherries, cherry stones and dark fruit and pencil boxes with an almost jammy, but dry, finish. The finish is persistent with grippy tannins and good acidity. A fun, red wine, this is chunky yet with an elegance and purity that one wouldn’t normally associate with wines from this area. €4.99
2010 Château Monichot Côtes de Bourg, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Abv 13.5%
A Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend, very dark ruby with reddish-orange glints. Currants and dusty red clay, a lot of minerality on the nose and palate. There’s good, juicy red fruit, too, apparently not compromised by the large amount of sediment in this bottle; perceptible but smooth tannins to provide structure. Good now with food, with sufficient fruit and balance to carry it through five years or so while the tannins resolve a bit. €5.49
2013 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cru de la Vallée du Rhône AOC, Abv 13.5%,
A blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre, the wine has an inky black/purple colour as well as incredible density and richness, with notes of soy, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, incense, acacia flowers and liquorice. The layered, full-bodied mouthfeel displays no heat, but the wine has massive concentration and a silky, smooth finish. Because of the low acidity and sweet tannins, this has turned out to be a glorious example of Chateauneuf du Pape to drink over the next two decades. Salut! €12.99
