Latest wines tasted...
Here's a (completely subjective) view of the recent Shropshire area wines I've bought. With the caveat, of course that 'I'm no expert, but...' Tasting notes are based on the WSET Level 2 approach and tasting lexicon.
Shropshire Lady 2018 |
Kerry Vale Vineyard | Solaris | £12.50, Kerry Vale Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, lemony |
Nose |
Clean, light, citrus |
Palette |
Off-dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Citrus flavours. |
Remarks |
A first timer for me, having previously tried Kerry Vale's reds. Light refreshing white, well worth a try. |
Montgomery Solaris 2018 |
Montgomery Vineyard | Solaris | £20, Derwen Farm Shop, Guilsfield | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, lemony |
Nose |
Clean, light, difficult to detect aroma |
Palette |
Off-dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Biscuity flavour. |
Remarks |
Not a wine to knock your socks off, particularly at £20 a bottle. Made for a pleasant evening's refreshment in front of the telly. Complemented by milk chocolate. |
Hencote Solaris 2018 |
Hencote Vineyard | Solaris | £21, Hencote Wine Shop | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, lemony gold |
Nose |
Clean, light, tending towards oily |
Palette |
Off-dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Mineral notes carry on into the flavour. |
Remarks |
Most expensive selection so far. Would I go back for more at the price? Not sure. Safe to say, however, it's a grower after an unremarkable first tasting. Perhaps you have to approach UK wines with a UK wine head on, leave your preference and prejudice at the door and just taste what's in front of you. |
Madeleine Angevine 2018 |
Astley Vineyard | Madeleine Angevine, Siegerrebe | £12.99, Ludlow Farm Shop, Brimfield | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, lemony gold |
Nose |
Clean, light, citrus |
Palette |
Medium dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Zingy in the mouth. |
Remarks |
A polished wine from Astley. Very drinkable, especially when chilled. Kind of a 'ying' to the 'yang' of the Branwen. |
Phoenix 2018 |
Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Phoenix | £11.99, Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, lemony gold |
Nose |
Clean, light, citrus fruits |
Palette |
Off dry, medium acidity, medium body. Definite taste of citrus fruits on the palette in a longish finish. |
Remarks |
Drink chilled. Seems to be a pattern that the palette and mouth feel improves in tasting. Bottled at Wroxeter. |
Colehurst Dry White |
Jones's Vineyard | Phoenix/Solaris | £9.99, Battlefield 1403 | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, almost brassy gold |
Nose |
Clean, light, citrus fruits |
Palette |
Medium dry heading to medium, medium acidity, medium body. Citrusy with a long finish. |
Remarks |
Very drinkable. Not sure, in fact, if the right label was on this bottle, because it definitely felt more medium than dry. |
Branwen 2018 |
Astley Vineyard | Siegerrebe, Madeleine Angevine | £12.99, Ludlow Farm Shop, Brimfield | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, salmony, heading for orange |
Nose |
Clean, medium intensity with summer fruits |
Palette |
Medium sweet, low acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Strawberries. |
Remarks |
If you're a fan of wines like Gallo's White Grenache, you'll love this. Not too expensive, really accessible. We'll definitely be going back for more. Won a silver medal in the Wine GB West Wine of the Year competition in 2019. |
Emily Rose 2018 |
Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Dornfelder | £12.50, Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, salmon-orange, very similar to the Branwen. |
Nose |
Clean, medium intensity with summer fruits and cherries |
Palette |
Medium sweet, low acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Mixed summer fruit flavours |
Remarks |
Named for the Mandy and David Millington's daughter. Enjoyable wine for a summer's evening. Bottled at Wroxter. |
Rodington Rose 2015 |
Rodington Vineyard | Seyval Blanc, Rondo | £12.50, Rodington Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, pale, somewhere between the Branwen and the Emily Rose. |
Nose |
Clean, high intensity with summer fruits and strawberries. |
Palette |
Medium sweet, low acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Mixed summer fruit flavours |
Remarks |
There can't be much of this vintage left. Get it while you can. Beautiful sipping wine for a summer's day. |
Oaked Rondo 2015 |
Rodington Vineyard | Rondo | £12.50, Rodington Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020 |
Appearance |
Clear, deep ruby |
Nose |
Clean, pronounced summer berries |
Palette |
Medium sweet, medium acidity, tannin and body. Blackcurrent. |
Remarks |
This wine takes two years to make, sitting in oak chips (or is that the other way round?). Believe me, it's well worth the wait. Not for quaffing, but to be appreciated. Definitely benefits from a good airing. |