THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION GAVI 2011 (£4.99, 75cl) 12% ABV
Blend: 100% Cortese
Producer: Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi
Availability: Core range, on shelf in selected stores from November 2012
Bright and green nose. Sharp, bright, with a touch of grapefruity pith. OK.
THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION TOURAINE SAUVIGNON 2011 (£4.99, 75cl) 12.5% ABV
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Producer: Les Grands Chais de France
Availability: Core range, on shelf in selected stores from November 2012
Nice catty nose. Bright, acidic and typical. Very good buy.
THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION LIMESTONE COAST CHARDONNAY 2012 (£5.99, 75cl)
Blend: 100% Chardonnay 13.5% ABV
Producer: Taylor’s Estate
Availability: Core range, on shelf in selected stores from November 2012
Creamy, fruity nose. This is fine. It’s a £5.99 unoaked chardonnay and it does that job very well.
THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION FLEURIE 2010 (£6.99, 75cl) 13% ABV
Blend: 100% Gamay
Producer: Boisset
Availability: Core range, on shelf in selected stores from November 2012
Very little aroma. Juicy acidity. Needs food.
THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION CLARE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 (£6.49, 75cl)
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 13.5% ABV
Producer: Taylor’s Estate
Availability: Core range, on shelf in selected stores from November 2012
Young, fresh, fruity cabernet nose. Pleasant taste. Quite a toasty flavour. Sweet, fruity finish.
THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION UCO VALLEY MALBEC 2011 (£5.99, 75cl) 14% ABV
Blend: 100% Malbec
Producer: Bodegas Salentein
Availability: Core range, on shelf in selected stores from November 2012
Spicy nose and taste. A great big wine. Needs a piping hot bowl of rich stew.
THE EXQUISITE COLLECTION SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA SHIRAZ 2011 (£5.99, 75cl)
Blend: 87% Shiraz, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Durif, 1% Petit Verdot 14% ABV
Producer: Berton Vineyards
Availability: Core range, on shelf in selected stores from November 2012
Some baked fruit and alcohol on the nose. Juicy and varietally correct. Not bad at all.