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

Clos Sainte-Magdeleine Rosé 2011 Provence France

Clos Sainte-Magdeleine Rosé 2011 Cassis ( normally famous for its whites) in Provence France by Yapp Brothers at £14.25, it is from  François Sack’s estate using the Provence grapes Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. It has an enticing salmon pink colour and aromas of tinned strawberries, nectarine, tangerine and honeysuckle flowers, these are softly echoed on the palate which is dry and has a medium length and a slightly salty finish. The alcohol (12.5%) is well integrated and the texture feels in the right place.

Score : 87

Domaine des Oullières 2011 Coteaux d'Aix France

Domaine des Oullières 2011 made by Famille Ambrosio-Collomb in Coteaux d'Aix, France. It is made from a blend of a blend of Rolle, Genache Gris and Ugni Blanc  and comes from the  70 hectare estate which is undergoing conversion to Organic Status. The pale lemon coloured wine has uplifting notes of stone fruits, roses and ripe apple. The fresh acidity and warming alcohol ( 14.5% ) echoe the flavours of nectarine and rose, but in addition tangerine and a pithiness is noted, a lovely wine with a sweet fruity finish, good value at £9.95 from Yapp Brothers.
Score : 87

Domaine de Torraccia Oriu Rouge 2006 Corsica

Domaine de Torraccia Oriu Rouge 2006 is from Porto Vecchio in Corsica which in on the East of the Island itis made from a blend of 80% Nielluccio and 20% Sciacarello and is a garnet colour ( indicates the age of this wine) and has a narrow tawny rim, once more indicating its age/quality.

On the nose there are signs of some reduction,  clean - due to the evolution of this wine, there is spice and cedar box aromas which indicate wood contact, alongside coffee, leather and dried fruits which are secodary ( and tertiary) aromas. On the palate the wine is dry with tasty chalky tannins and freshning acidity keeping the spice, dried fruit and leather, elegant and edgy. The finish is drying but with sweet dried fruit fruit and the tannins give a firm end. Supplied by Yapp Brothers at a cost of £18.75.
Score : 85 but is it good value at this price - you decide.

Domaine Pieretti Rosé 2011 Sartene Corsica

Domaine Pieretti Rosé 2011 from Sartene in Corsica, Phillipe Farinelli’s Corsican rosé wine, from a blend of Vermentino and Sciacarello with a splash of Nielluccio. It is pale salmon - nearly onion skin coloured and has low aromas of rhubarb, nectarine and flowers, clean but single dimensional. On the palate once more rhubarb, nectarine and strawberry with a medium acidity that merely keeps it fresh, the alcohol is low ( 11.5%) but the wine is a simple rosé wine that has a medium to short finish, best enjoyed with a shellfish or fish on a summers day. Supplied by Yapp Brothers £11.25.
Score : 79

Domaine de L'Idylle Cepage Mondeuse 2010 Savoie

Cepage Mondeuse 2010 by Domaine de L'Idylle and supplied by Yapp brothers is a red wine made from 100% Mondeuse which is a grape that is said to be related to Syrah or Refosco (from Fruili), but may be related to neither.
On the nose it had an aroma of baked red fruits ( as in - fruit ripened in a hot climate), it is youthful and has savoury aromas with a juicy twist. On tasting it there is good palate cleansing acidity and also a warmth due to the alcohol content - though this was only 12% it felt higher. The chalky dry tannins had a silky edge, and the pepper on the palate added a savoury quality to the wine. The red fruits were sweet and juicy and had plenty of character, the spice evident but not dominant, and a fruity finish with a slight bitter cherry finish. Overall this wine is a light fresh wine that could be served chilled and  would compliment cold meats or even a roast!

Domaine de L'Idylle Emile Cepage Roussette 2010 from Savoie

 Domaine de L'Idylle Emile Cepage Roussette 2010 is a white wine made from Roussette grapes which are also known as Altesse, this is a high quality grape found in the Savoie and is thought to have alot in common with Hungary's Furmint grape. Pale lemon and with floral and lemon pith aromas it also has a pear drop tinge on the nose. Tasting it reveals good acidity, low alcohol and medium body - balanced and in tune with where it originated. It has minerality layered with green apple and lemon and a slight pithy finish and later its profile also included biscuity notes and made me think this had seen some skin and lees contact. This was crispness with a wrapping!
Yapp brothers stock this wine and the cost is just over £12.

Charles Schleret Muscat d'Alsace 2004 from Alsace in France

Charles Schleret  is based in the delightful village of Turckheim just west of Colmar on the river Fecht  and the Muscat d'Alsace 2004 is pale gold and has grapey aromas underpinned by elderflower and floral notes, on the mouth this is a dry wine with lively acidity which supports the fruit after a yeasty start, the fruit moves from apricot to ripe red apples and grape flavours interwoven, the finish is dry and stays soft, fresh and fruity to the end - which in a wine that is 8 years old was not expected! With age, a wine like this can take on waxy character and lose its fruit expression.
The wine is made from hand harvested grapes, picked when fully ripe, destemmed, pressed and vinified in an inert fermentation tank ( does not pick up any flavour or character from this), then filtered and bottled the following spring.
Yapp brothers £14.25