The Wine & Whisky Thread

[Barry]

Are you a fan of Cotes du Rhone Barry?
I see you clearly enjoy the Bordeaux regions.

Yes, despite largely drinking Bordeaux, I do drink Côtes de Rhône and other wines from the Burgandy region. My favourite is Châteauneuf du Pape, but it is relatively expensive (at least £30 a bottle), so is reserved for special occasions. Another Burgandy wine I like is Plan de Dieu, which can be bought for around £15 a bottle or less.

Cheers!

[CageyH]

I assume you have tried both Vacqueyras and Gigondas?

The prices of Chataeneuf is pretty scary in the UK.
When I spend Christmas with the family in the UK, I often bring back some nice bottles.
I spend about €25 to 30 a bottle. I assume that they would be much more expensive in the UK.

[Barry]

Yes, I have tried Vacqueyras, but not Gigondas.

I agree Châteauneuf du Pape is expensive here: at least £30 a bottle, so only drunk on special occasions. Vacqueyras can be bought for around £10 a bottle.

[Barry]

Château Maine D'Arman, Côtes de Bourg AOC, Bordeaux 2020

Intense ripe black fruit, with hints of mocha and tobacco in this fine silky claret from the Right Bank's premium Côtes de Bourg. It's from the gorgeously ripe and richly layered 2020 vintage. Delicious drinking now and a few years to come.

Crafting rich and velvety claret is a family affair at Château Maine d’Arman. The estate has been in the hands of the Bassereau family since 1900 and every member of the clan gets involved to make their wines in the Right Bank style: predominantly Merlot, with Cabernet and a small amount of Malbec. The estate is situated at one of the highest points of Côtes de Bourg and benefits from the red gravel and clay soils perfect for ripening Merlot. This 2020 vintage is full of rich, deep, classic fruit flavour. Aged for a year in French oak barrels, the wine has elegant, rounded tannins supporting deep fruit with seductive notes of mocha, tobacco and vanilla. Rich and appealing, it's a great choice with Sunday roast, cheeses or a rich casserole.

14% ABV, Drink by May 2035. About £11 a bottle, reduced from £17.

[Barry]

Château Barreyres, Haut-Médoc, 2022

A property close to Pierre Castel's heart, Château Barreyres is blessed with a superb terroir of fine Pyrenean gravel, allowing for superior drainage, heat retention and optimal ripeness. With its majestic 19th century residence, Château Barreyres is a jewel in the Médoc crown and a symbol of classic French lifestyle. As part of a long-standing commitment to sustainable winegrowing, Château Barreyres obtained the Terra Vitis certification in 2018.

Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot

13.5% ABV. £16 from Sainsbury's.

[rmcin626]

A very new whisky’s, lovely packaging , and a very nice dram

The tasting notes

Located in Perthshire on the Highland–Lowland border, Aberargie Distillery follows a true barley-to-bottle philosophy. Barley is grown on the family’s 300-acre farm and distilled, matured, and bottled entirely on-site. Their first whisky, Aberargie Inaugural Release, was distilled in 2017 and matured in first-fill bourbon and sherry casks, establishing a house style built on provenance, balance, and rich fruit character. 
Nose: Baked apple and golden pastry with honeyed sweetness and gentle dried fruit.
Palate: Rich sultanas and prunes layered over malty depth and soft oak.
Finish: Lingering, elegant and lightly herbal.

[Barry]

Le Serret, Haut-Médoc, 2021

The Haut Médoc is one of Bordeaux’s best-known appellations, situated on the Left Bank of the great Gironde river. With a drop in demand for its superb classic reds, its wines offer exceptional value. Le Serret is a lovely example from the classic 2021 vintage, a year praised by Decanter for its “charm, energy, and … ultimately drinking pleasure”. Already drinking beautifully, it shows supple red fruit with notes of cedar and tobacco leaf – the perfect bottle to open with a traditional roast or a rich mushroom and ale pie. Open early if you can to release even more of its pretty fruit flavours.


Vibrant cassis and black cherry and subtle cedar and tobacco notes.

12.5% ABV. Drink by end 2027. About £15 a bottle.

[Barry]

Seashore Isla Negra, Sauvignon Blanc, Chilean White Wine

A bright white wine bursting with aromas of grapefruit, lime and gooseberries. Dry with a crisp and refreshing finish. Perfectly paired with seafoods and salads.


10.5% ABV. About £9 from Tesco.

[Barry]

Château Le Vieux Serestin, Médoc, 2020

A great find from Bordeaux! The 2020 Médoc Cru Bourgeois red wine from Château Le Vieux Serestin won the Gilbert & Gaillard Gold Medal in 2023.



45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc



13.5% ABV About £9 a bottle.

[rmcin626]

A couple of new arrivals