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Spring 2001 Wines at Oddbins

A small selection of wines available at Oddbins during Spring 2001. (13/3/01)

Tasting Notes

Tasted in March 2001. Click to locate stockists:

White Wines

Danie de Wet Chardonnay Sur Lie (Robertson, South Africa) 2000: Sweet, unoaked Chardonnay fruit on the nose. Pleasant fruit and acidity on the palate. 15/20 (£3.99)

Bidoli Grave del Friuli Pinot Grigio (Friuli, Italy) 2000: Floral, sherbetty nose. More prominent acidity, aromatic and a touch of sherbet on the palate as well. 15/20 (£4.99)

Namaqua Chenin Blanc (Olifant's River, South Africa) 2000: Unremarkable nose. Disjointed, characterless palate. 11/20 (£2.99)

Wirra Wirra W2 Chardonnay (Australia) 1999: One of the wave of New World Chardonnays to use oak more subtly, or not at all, some of which are quite attractive. Quite a pale wine, but with an attractive, fresh nose of tropical fruits. The palate is similarly light and refreshing, with good acidity. 15.5/20 (£4.99)

Red Wines

Mondo del Vino Tre Uve (Italy) 1998: Black cherries and roasted herbs on the nose. The fruit is less prominent on the palate. Typically Italian acidity. Less complexity than his big brother, the Tre Uve Ultima - I would recommend spending up an extra (£1 for that. 15/20 (£4.99)

Frescobaldi Campo Ai Sassi Rosso di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) 1999: A less forward nose. More tannins and slightly softer acidity on the palate. 14/20 (£3.99)

La Torracia di Presura 'Il Tarocco' Chianti Classco (Tuscany, Italy) 1998: I could smell the tannins in this wine, never mind taste them. Good acidity, moderate fruit, and a big, aggressively tannic finish. Needs time. 14/20 (£3.99)

Beyerskloof Pinotage (Stellenbosch, South Africa) 1998: Sweet confected fruit on the nose. Soft tannins, fruity, low-acid easy drinking palate. A bit too confected for my liking, but a note of relief after all those acidic Italians. 14/20 (£4.99)

Rosca Malbec (Argentina) 1999: Good colour in the glass, and the nose suggests style, with aromas of ground coffee, dark chocolate and crushed summer berries. The palate is a let-down, with a thin body, harsh tannins and an unattractive astringency. Too many stalks in this one! 12/20 (£3.99)