Domaine des Rabichattes, Pouilly-Fumé 2012

£12 from Majestic but only if you buy 2, £14 otherwise. At that price, it has to be judged against wines like the Domaine de la Croix Senaillet St Veran (I was about to add Yapp bros Brézème Blanc to that but see it is now £17.50 p/b!). By coincidence I opened a Touraine (Sauvignon de Touraine 2012 Domaine du Pré Baron) from Majestic a few days ago which was £9. You would struggle to say that they were both pure sauvignon blanc. For the extra £4 the Pouilly Fume has masses more going on in terms of flintiness, minerality but it's also much more balanced. No 'in your face' gooseberry here just freshness. Acidity is pleasingly restrained. In terms of fruit, I'd say a mellow version of granny smith apple is the closest thing I can think of.

If I compare this to the Chablis Premier Cru (£16, WS) then there is no contest. This is infinitely better value. The Chablis has no discernable fruit of any kind. Emperor's new clothes! I shan't be buying Chablis again any time soon. The only one I've ever had that was remarkable was a grand cru that Geir bought but i think it was at least £20.

Stellenbosch, Rustenberg 2006

Cracking flavour here. Earthy, cigar box nose. Soil-like edge to the fruit. £13 at Majestic but I'd go back for more. The blend is very claret-like. Perhaps more cabernet sauvignon dominated? If so, would we find a left bank wine of this calibre at this price? You suspect not. Must make greater effort with Stellenbosch, it does look like it avoids some of the cloying issues I (perhaps unfairly) associate with new world reds.

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Codorniu - Pinot Noir

A revelation. I was fearing the worst but it was highly enjoyable. Shades of the sparkling Langedocian Cabernet Sauvignon we had at the cheese evening in Harrogate. Really dry, crisp fruit with a clean finish that lends its self to rapid swigging! By far the best Cava I've ever had and, in terms of balance, it would give many pink champagnes a run for their money at a third of their price.

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St Mont

7 qid (Majestic). Slight aromatic edge. Reminiscent of some Jurancon Sec in that it has that apple ish body to it. Must be something in the Gros Mensang that is characteristic - apparently it is common to both areas. Much more rounded than the Brumont green label.

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Moulin-à-Vent 2008 Château de la Terrière

As if to prove the point (see last post) I present this shockingly good value Beaujolais:

Majestic yet again prove they can bring home the bacon when it comes to fairly priced, perfectly acceptable Beaujolais. Not sure it merits it's RRP of £9.99 (takes it dangerously close to Thivin country - a different flavour league) but at the multibuy price of £5.99 is absurdly good value. Some black cherry on the nose followed by a very well rounded attack and a hint of pepper on the finish.

If this kind of product really does fly with the British public (and why else would Majestic devote so much effort to them) surely somebody could market Loire reds in a similar fashion? Perhaps there just isn't the supply of such wines at the right price?

Bourgueil (no idea how to pronounce that)

A cranky Eva was pacified by a ride around in a Majestic wine trolley. It was like flicking a switch! Sadly, that tactic necessitated buying some wines. Specifically, some Loire reds. The first to be tried is Pierre-Jaques Druet's 'les cent boisselees'. At 7 years, it's the oldest pure Cabernet Franc I've tasted (see previous post on this topic). Still has the dryness of the Joguet wine but is much more smooth in it's finish. I think it was about £8 if at lest two purchased but I can't find it on their site. If so I would go back for more of this. At least as interesting as many Cru Beaujolais of a similar price. I see Yapp have the 2007 at £12 which yet again makes me wonder about their mark-ups. They offer an excellent service and by far the most interesting, bullshit-free selection of wines but you do pay a premium.

The Wine Dr tells us that Bourgueil can provide good value in that it's wines are hard to distinguish from those of neighbouring Chinon but because of its anonymity it commands lower prices.

Cuvée des Amandiers Rouge 2008 Vin de Pays d'Oc

A quick note on a wine that, at £4.69 (Majestic) has to be considered outstanding value. I can't remember the last time I had a wine that was as good as this at such a keen price.

Not to give the impression that it was memorable or even very harmonious, but it certainly qualified as superplonk which is ideal for the 'caning multiple bottles' stage of the evening.

It has warmth and jammy (damson?) fruit but doesn't have the intense highly alcoholic overpowering quality that I often seem to find with low-end Languedoc-Roussillon. It's a bit like some of the Lirac/Ardèche wines I had from Yapp bros but with less intensity. Apparently the blend is Grenache & Syrah which I beleive is also widely found in Rhone wines?

Although Majestic do piss me off at times (lazy staff who are prone to bullshitting about wines which they clearly know even less that I do), you have to hand it to them when it comes to cheap french country wines. They have much to offer below £6 and, if you know what you want (i.e. not needing any advice) they are worth a go.