Tasting of Berry Brothers Wines

by Tom Cannavan, 11/00

A report on some wines that Alex Murray, manager of Berry Brothers cyber store (bbr.com) was kind enough to pour when I popped in to say hello on a recent trip to London.
The tasting was not blind. Prices in pounds sterling (£5=$7.50).

White

Domaine Gerbeaux (Burgundy) Mācon Solutré Les Clos 1999 - £7.65
Beautifully fresh, yeasty melon and apple-fruited nose. Very fresh on the palate too with lots of ripe apple and succulent, crunchy pear fruit with good body and crisp acidity. A lovely style.

Domaine Capion (VdP d'Oc) Chardonnay 1999 - £7.45
Much riper on the nose, more fragrant and pungent with vivid tropical fruit and a creaminess. Palate has a slightly spritzy character with tons of succulent, sweet, crunchy asian pear fruit. Bright and full-textured this has zippy, freshening acidity. Another lovely Chardonnay.

Red

Chāteau La Bastide (Corbières) 1998 - £5.45
Luscious plum and dark, chocolate and cherry fruit with some peppery notes. Rich and mouthfilling, this is a densely-massed wine with powerful fruit and concentration, yet still good balance. Impressive.

Chāteau Fontenil (Bordeaux) Fronsac 1997 - £10.75
There's a real impression of meaty, dank, earth and autumn berries on the nose. Depth and ripeness on the palate, this is forward and fat with ripe, juicy black fruit. Really quite classy, with background tannins adding grip and balance. Good length.

Sweet

Berry's Own Selection (Hungary) Tokaji Aszú (4 Puttonyos) 1993 - £13.95 (50cl)
Lovely nose of burnt orange, honey, lemon and little nuances of fig and nuts. Silky and sweet on the palate, there is quite a clean fruit character of orange and peach, with fine grapefruit acidity into the finish. Lovely stuff in a fresher style than some Tokajis.