week beginning 28/05/2007

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the Times - Jane MacQuitty

2005 Peter Lehmann Barossa Tempranillo, Waitrose, £7.99

juicy, rich, velvety, plum-laden

2005 Sicilano Wild Cat Catarratto, Waitrose, £3.99 until June 4

pleasant, ripe, juicy, apple-charged white

2005 Pouilly-Fumé, Les Cornets, A Cailbourdin, Berry Bros £12.95

tingly, smoky sauvignon oozes with verdant, minerally spice

2006 Isabel Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Berry Bros £12.95

gorgeous, tropical fruit and nettle-spiked 2006

Calamino Brut Cava, Metodo Tradicional, Spain, Majestic 2 @ £3.99

waxy, spicy, zingy, lemon and lime-charged cava

Calamino Rosé Cava, Metodo Tradicional, Majestic 2 @{ £4.66

meaty, partridge-eye pink; strawberry-scented, inky fruit

the Sunday Times - Joanna Simon

2006 Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc, £7.99 Bibendum

Sophisticated Californian, with fine orchard fruit

2006 Joostenberg Chenin Blanc, £8.50 Berry Bros

Honeyed but dry, with a ripe grapefruit flavour

2006 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc, £6.99 Tesco

Cape chenin with tangy fruit and a creamy texture

the Independent - Anthony Rose

2006 Luis Felipe Edwards Reserva Sauv Blanc 2006. £2.99, offer Co-op

capsicum-scented; rounded out with a touch of viognier.

2006 Palo Alto Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Syrah. £7.99, Sainsbury

green peppery carmenère with the blackcurrant ripeness of cabernet

2004 Leitz Rudesheimer Riesling Auslese. £12.99 for 50cl, Tesco

luscious concentration of peachy fruit flavours

the Observer - Tim Atkin

2005 Clocktower Pinot Noir, Marlborough (£9.99, Marks & Spencer)

rich, aromatic

2005 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir (£9.99, Sain, WRack, Thresh

sweeter, more sensual with its lovely oak and rich berry fruit

2005 Mount Difficulty Pinot Noir, Central Otago (£19.99, Waitrose)

Further up the quality ladder; supple and deliciously fragrant

2004 Mount Edward Pinot Noir, Central Otago (£21, Jeroboams)

surely as close as New Zealand gets to Pinot Noir Nirvana

the Telegraph - Jonathan Ray

It’s en primeur time again. It seems like only yesterday that we were all getting in a tizz about the wonders of the 2005 Bordeaux vintage. Now it’s the turn of 2006 and it would seem that, after the fireworks of the previous year, normal service has been resumed. There is no doubt that 2006 is a more than decent vintage, but it is certainly no 2005 belter. As a result, initial prices are a welcome 15 per cent or so down on last year (although they look set to remain around 30 per cent higher than 2004). I join three old wine-merchant friends of mine – master of wine David Roberts of David Roberts Domaines; Tom Cave, cellar plan manager of Berry Bros & Rudd; and Jamie Graham, sales director of Fine & Rare Wines — to discuss the vintage. “2006 will undoubtedly suffer from being in the shadow of such an amazing year as 2005,” says Tom. “It is also seemingly inconsistent, but in five years’ time we may well look at the 2006s in the same way that we look at the 2001s now — lovely wines, seriously underrated at the time.” David thinks that we are wrong to be obsessed with the previous vintage. “We should look at 2006 on its merits and I think that it has got plenty going for it, especially in Pomerol and St Emilion where some outstanding wines have been made.” Ever the broker, Jamie reckons that pricing is the key. “The Bordelais don’t need to sell lots of 2006, having sold bucket-loads of 2005,” he says. “Prices will be fairly high, I fear, partly because they don’t need the cash so badly, partly because they all seem to be reinvesting in their vineyards and rebuilding their cellars and partly because of demand from the Far East. But if the prices are right, then it’s a goer.”

the Guardian - Victoria Moore

Jadot Beaujolais Combe Aux Jacques 2005. £6.99, Waitrose

much meatier and richer than a nouveau.

Ayler Kupp Riesling Kabinett 2005, Germany. £5.99, Majestic

off-dry, lilting, pure, clean and bright

Jacob's Creek Shiraz 2005. £5.99, Sains, Tesco; £6.99, Thre

this peppery, bold shiraz is an award-winner.

Organic Mareante Hill Chardonnay 2006. £5.99, M & S

biodynamic, detailed, rounded, rich, fat, splurgey and tropical

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