Tim Wildman Wine Wisdom Class - SW and regional France

1. Iroulegy Blanc 2007, Caves de Saint Etienne
Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu
£14
Peachy, apricot. Full bodied. Something like tinned pineapple. Bone dry, high acid. Very nice. Perhaps a little bit of a niche wine but I enjoyed it.

2. Chateau du Cedre, Cuvee Prestige Cahors 2006
90 Cot (aka Malbec), 5% Tannat, 5% Merlot
Usually I get tomato on the nose for malbec-dominated wines, but not in this case. Old world in character. Very tannic (must be the tannat) and mouth-drying. However, the high acid comes through at the end to save the day. Dusty and earthy rather than fruity. Excellent.

3. Domaine La Suffrene, Bandol Rouge 2005
55% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 15% Cinsault. 10% Carignan
Bandol is famous for its Brett character sometimes likened (by its fans) to the smell of a dead badger (how on earth do they know?). This wine was not quite that bretty but had serious meaty, dirty aromas (in a good way). Also noticeable garrigue aromas. Full body, decent length although the fruit fades a little too quickly. There are two distinct waves of flavour. Medium acid.

This wine is good, but the levels of brett would give many Australian wine makers a heart attack.

4. Chateau Montus, Madiran 2004
80% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
50% new oak. £20ish
Black! Restrained aroma but pronounced flavour. High tannin and acid. Ripe black fruit. Balsamic note. Dusty tannins. A bruiser.

5. Domaine Dugois Jura, Savagnin 2005
Not fortified
100% Savagnin, £25
Intense, flor-like taste. Almonds, saline. Not a full bodied wine but a concentrated flavour - not oak, not fruit, not alcohol.

6. Clos Lapeyre, Jurancon Moelleaux "La Magendia" 2005
£12 (bargain!)
Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng
High acid, sweet wine. Some toffee aromas. Very good.