Never had a wine from this producer before, and what a nice surprise. So refined, skillfully crafted – these are things I love about French wines.
Supersmooth Languedoc red: Chateau de Caraguilhes “Cochon Volant” 2024
Still a great kadarka: the current vintage of Heimann & Fiai Kadarka
The Heimann family just announced that their “Heimann & Fiai” label (which represented a new lineup of contemporary styles) is now integrated into the main brand “Heimann”, as the new generation takes over the winery. And I just realised that I have not yet posted about the current release of their kadarka, even though it is one my favourite Hungarian red wines – just like previous vintages were, like the 2021 and the 2022. Continue reading
Superb Cotes du Rhone: Perrin Reserve 2023
I looked back and found the tasting note of the 2010 vintage of this wine in my notes, but I think I had tasted even earlier vintages. As far as I can tell, both quality and style are similar these days, making this an absolutely reliable red wine. The current release is as good as the ones back then.
Great value garnacha: Herència Altés Garnatxa Negra 2025
A new producer to me, and the first experience could not be more positive. This garnacha blew me away, I did not expected such a vibrant wine – I definitely need to try other bottlings in their range.
Supermarket wines: Séguret Les Aumoniers 2024 from Lidl
A named villages Cotes du Rhone from Lidl, and it is great value as usual. It’s even a bit cheaper than previous vintages – at least in Hungary -, I don’t even know how is that even possible. And as I have experience with the wine (see the 2018 here) I can confidently say it can be aged for up to 7 years, and it may improve a bit with time.
A kadarka that sets the benchmark for ageability – Bock Selection 2012
I’m a fan of kadarka, this unique indigenous red grape variety of Hungary, even though it’s not in the same league as pinot noir or nebbiolo, for example. It can be pretty but it’s not something for the cellar. In my experience, not even the top examples can age for more than 7-8 years, but I recently tasted one that tells a different story.
Supermarket wines: can you age an entry level Chianti from Lidl?
A cheap wine from Lidl that over-delivers in most vintages, I liked this 2018 quite a lot back then (gave it 87 points three years ago, see here), so I stocked up on it. I still have a few bottles and it is almost 8 years old – I bet most entry level wines under 5€ would be way over the drinking window (except Bordeaux and perhaps Rioja reds!). But not this one.
Beautiful syrah: Les Jarlotiers Saint-Joseph 2024
Les Jarlotiers is a brand exclusive to Vinatis and it consists of six Rhone Valley wines. I found the Syrah 2024 and the Crozes-Hermitages 2024 of the lineup both quite unripe, while the cheap Cotes du Rhone 2024 amazed me, it’s a standout for its category and price. The Saint-Joseph is a step up in price (15€) but also in quality – a fascinating syrah.
Affordable Burgundy: Domaine Forey Père et Fils Bourgogne Passetoutgrain 2023
If you are not familiar with the category, a Passtoutgrain is a burgundy blend which always contains gamay (at least 15%) – and it’s on the cheap side when it comes to this superstar wine region. This one from Domaine Forey Père et Fils could actually pass as pure pinot noir.
New wave kadarka: Sauska 2023 from Villány
The previous vintage of this kadarka was partly aged in oak, but in 2023 they only used amphora and Clayver – I’m happy to see that such a big producer moved to a more transparent style. In fact I never tasted a red from this address that I loved this much. Continue reading