Béret Frog 2011 Rouge IGP Provence, France

Béret Frog 2011 Rouge IGP from Provence, France is a biodynamic red wine made by Jean-Pierre and Natalie Margan at Château la Canorgue ( where the film 'A good Year' was filmed ) and is a Vin de Pays de Mediterrannée. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and a splash of Grenache and the yield is a mere 30-35 hl/ha ( by comparison to the norm for this area of 60+hl/ha), and aromas of red and black berry fruits are in abundance along with coffee, milk chocolate and roses with a touch of vanilla. The deep ruby core has purple tints which hint at its youthfulness.The wines mature for 4 to 6 months in large wooden casks which allow very little wood aromas and flavours to be transferred to the wine.
On tasting it, the ripe fruits are apparent as are the stalky tannins which have a gripping texture, a medium length of warm ripe dark fruits finishes this tasting and leaves one wanting more.
The wine can be found at Yapp Brothers at a cost of £7.95 and offers good value I feel for a well made wine at this price point.
Score : 85

Domaine des Ardoisieres Rouge, L'Argile, IGP Allobrogie 2010Savoie

A Savoie Red wine made from 80% Gamay and 20% Persan and Mondeuse from Domaine des Ardoisieres, IGP Allobrogie  Rouge, L'Argile. This is a bright red wine and has fast forming legs when the glass is swirled, on the nose there are red fruits and spice with some vegetal notes. On tasting it there are again red fruits, spice and a little minerality with a svoury streak, the acidity is freshning and the low ripe tannins are tasty and slightly chalky in texture.The length is good with an acidic fruity finish.

Rigal The Original Malbec from Asda Cote du Lot 2011

Rigal Malbec from the Cote du Lot 2011 IGP was on the shelves in Asda - a place that surprises on the few occasions I shop there, it was a mere £5 so worth a shot!

We opened it that night and on pouring it - its youthfulness was obvious, it was a deep purple with a wide purple rim and aromas of young black fruits burst from the glass, the fruits smelt a little baked as if they came from a hot vintage or at least a hot area of France, and on investigation it turns out that the Cote du Lot (of the Lot valley) is a newly formed area for an IGP in the Cahors region and with it goes alot of vine/wine rules that they must adhere to so as to maintain a certain quality..... anyway back to the wine.

The aromas were not particularly inviting, but on the mouth I was pleasantly surprised, the black fruits were the predominant flavour as expected ( black cherries especially, but also blackberries and blackcurrants), there was good acidity and  body, the alcohol I had expected to be high ( hot baked fruit - high sugar content which translates into high alcohol) but it was not out of balance. There were some spicey tones though the oak influence was clumsy and chunky I felt and these had a slightly bitter aftertaste, but there was a sweet long finish and a green herbal leaf edge. The tannins were ripe but slightly chalky and made me feel that this was not a wine to be kept. The winemaker is Matthieu Ressiot of  Rigal, part of the JeanJean group.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised, this Malbec, a grape that is found alot in New World Argentina, having come from France originally, was fresh, fruity and easy drinking. The alcohol level was lower than expected ( 12.5% vs 14-15% for many Argentinian Malbecs), but the aromas of over baked fruits were not a pleasant start, maybe when we have a glass of what was left it will be better..... worth a try!
To update - aromas improved within about 45-60 mins - and we enjoyed the rest of the bottle!