Inspired by the thread on how to attract a broader/younger/not-rolling-in-money membership to WineBeserkers I’ll initiate a thread in which to post tasting notes (and any directly related discussion) on wines that we’ve enjoyed drinking and which retailed in whichever country you’re in for the equivalent of US$20 or less. Please add your own tastings notes within those criteria.
I’ll start with a handful of such wines that we (my wife Sabrina and I) have enjoyed over the last 6 months or so.
2023 Domaine Jean-François Maréchal Mondeuse Vin de Savoie Désir des Ducs (US$14)
My first time with mondeuse, and this is rather nice. On first opening, quite a strong nose and palate a bit reminiscent of gamay/Beaujolais (which I always think of as slightly banana-y forward fruit).
But it evolves considerably with maybe 30 minutes air. Then the nose is herbal, dark fruit, rather seductive. The fruit on the palate is now dark blue fruit, quite a bit of vegetation of the type that would be called garrigue close to the sea. And through it all, mouth-coating, but quite smooth tannins which persist to a long, drying finish. The feel is of quite a light wine (that being what 12% is these days!). Overall this is a rather interesting wine; going well with some strong-ish cheese. I could see it going nicely with some roast lamb or similar.
2022 Marco Felluga Collio Friulano Amani (US$16)
Saline freshness on the nose, with hints of herbs. The palate is crisp without being tart, fresh, saline, slate-y minerality on entry, fruit on the mid-palate (unripe peach?); the finish is clean, minerally, and rather long.
Overall this is a very attractive wine, working well for me as what the Italians would call a “contemplative” wine (i.e. on its own after food), but I can see it pairing with rich fish dishes, for example.
2022 Russiz Superiore Collio Sauvignon (US$20)
Flowers and white stone fruit on the nose, perhaps some herbs. The same on the palate, some citrus acidity, unripe peach, quite round. The finish is crisp but full and quite long.
Whilst this is clearly sauvignon, it is very “Italian”: much fuller and floral than French or New Zealand, for example. It might be a bit too different for some (Sabrina, unusually, moved on to something else), but for me it’s a rather nice wine. Just don’t expect a sauvignon similar to those from other places.
2021 Johann Schwarz Zweigelt The Butcher (US$8!)
This is a rather nice daily-drinking food wine. The nose is deep blue fruit, but with an edge of something a little sweeter as well. The palate is nicely balanced; quite light; medium acidity, smooth light tannins coat the mouth; there’s juciy crisp red berries, and a slight herbal note. The finish is quite long and a little drying. Despite 13% alcohol this doesn’t feel over-ripe or over-extracted.
This may be my first time with zweigelt and for me it’s not dissimilar to a pinot noir. The acidity is making it a good food wine, and at the ~US$8 that I paid (on special at a supermarket in Austria) this is really excellent QPR.
2022 Chartron et Trébuchet Pinot Noir Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé (US$18)
On first opening the mousse is a little aggressive, but after a few minutes it settles down and then it’s a very nice light (11%) rosé.
The wine is a very pale pink-gold, the nose is very fresh, red fruits and a touch of chalky minerality. The crisp red and blue fruit (described accurately on the label as blackcurrant, cranberry) persists to the palate, which is very nicely balanced and refreshing. The finish is clean and a little more-ish.
Overall this is an excellent light summery fizz, working well as an aperitif, but also standing up to some Thai food surprisingly well.
2021 Lawson’s Dry Hills Pink Pinot (US$12.5)
I rarely come across NZ rosé, but this is really quite nice. Redcurrants, perhaps a touch of pomegranate, on the nose. The palate is fresh, crisp and fruity in excellent balance. Not particularly complex, but this is a very good rosé for a hot summer’s day.
2023 San Giusto a Rentennano Fuori Misura Rosato Toscana IGT (US$16)
This is a rather nice rosato! A remarkably bright and attractive scarlet colour. I opened it from fridge temperature, which leaves a somewhat muted nose, but the palate is a very refreshing mix of cherries, crispness, and slightly jaw-clapping tannins, particularly on the finish.
As it warms towards room temperature the nose offers slightly confected red fruit, but the palate remains one of crisp cherries with a drying finish. I think overall this works best at around cellar temperature and is a good option for a somewhat different rosé which might appeal particularly to red wine drinkers on a hot day.
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