Our Spectator Wine Time Friday/BYOB lunch last week was a belter, with 15 of us managing to see off 21 bottles quite comfortably and with no apparent ill effects. Indeed, we all left pretty much as steadily as we arrived, and I was proud that several readers still had it in them to enjoy a few post-prandials at the Two Chairmen.
I politely declined to join them, having promised Mrs Ray that I wouldn’t be late or in a state, but was utterly undone by bumping into the two Nicks on the train to Skid Row-on-Sea and helping them polish off their M&S Chardonnay before shouting them cocktails in Bar Valentino. Mrs R was far from impressed and icily insisted on an alcohol-free weekend. Happily, I’d already chosen the wines for this offer courtesy of Honest Grapes (with enthusiastic help from her, I might add, something she seems to have forgotten) and, with three from Chile and three from Argentina, showcasing five grape varieties and one blend, I reckon we’ve much to tempt you.
With this offer, showcasing five grape varieties and one blend, I reckon we have much to tempt you
The 2022 TerraNoble Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (1) from Chile’s Casablanca Valley is fresh and zesty with plenty of ripe tropical/citrusy fruit in the mouth and a crisp, clean, dry finish. Made by a onetime International Wine & Spirit Competition Chilean Wine Producer of the Year, it’s closer to Kiwi Sauvignon than Loire Sauvignon in style and a heck of a lot cheaper than either (of similar quality). £10 down from £11.
The 2020 DiamAndes ‘Perlita’ Chardonnay (2) from the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina, is produced by the Bonnie family (owners of Château Malartic Lagravière Grand Cru Classé de Graves) who here show their class with a vibrantly pure Chardonnay. Aged for six months on the lees in stainless steel, it’s soft, supple and fruity with just a hint of creaminess in the mouth. £16.40 down from £17.40.
The 2021 DiamAndes ‘de Uco’ Viognier (3) is made with similar care and attention. 100 per cent Viognier, it spends ten months in French oak (30 per cent new) and although I found it rather mute on the nose, it has subtle peach and apricot notes in the mouth and a whisper of cream and citrus on the finish. A class act, it can more than hold its head up against the northern Rhône. £21.50 down from £22.50.
The 2021 TerraNoble Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (4) from the Colchagua Valley is as great value as the above Sauvignon Blanc. With heady whiffs of cassis on the nose and a rich, dark ruby colour, it’s surprisingly light on the palate and dangerously easy to drink. There’s plenty of enticing blackcurrant and hedgerow fruit and a long, joyfully juicy finish. £11.90 down from £12.90.
The 2017 Mi Terruño ‘Mayacaba’ Malbec (5) from vineyards high in the foothills of Argentina’s Andes, is as decent a Malbec as I’ve had in ages for the price, enhanced by a nice bit of bottle age. Two years in lightly toastednew French oak adds to its delicious complexity: soft and succulent and laden with ripe plums, violets and even chocolate on the everlasting finish. A Malbec for grown-ups. £17.50 down from £18.50.
It’s back to Chile for the glorious 2018 TerraNoble ‘Lahuen’ (6). Produced only in the finest years with the finest fruit, Lahuan (which means ‘medicinal water’ in local dialect) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carménère, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Silky smooth, with gentle tannins and bags of rich, ripe dark fruit, it has a teasing touch of sweetness and spice before finishing perfectly, satisfyingly dry. I love this wine. A Bordeaux of similar style, quality and age would be twice the price at least. Only 230 cases made. £30.90 down from £31.90.
The mixed case has two bottles of each wine and delivery, as ever, is free.
Order online or download an order form today.
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