This is in a made-up word "uberlicious". I really should have let it breathe for longer, but having come in with some rib-eye steaks in my hand, along with pre-prepared "restaurant quality stuffed mushrooms with cream cheese and garlic", combined with jacket potato and yet more cream cheese and spring onion, buttery courgettes which all came together rather well - the wine was an after-thought!

I really wanted to try this again - having previously tasted it at a NW tasting where it was my pick of the wines on offer - was it going to disappoint?

No way! Forget the headline 15.5%, the extra 1% than Anita expected really had no bearing, as this wine is stand-out. Akin to another of my absolute favourites the Black Tongue Shiraz, I really would be delighted to have either in my glass. Love the flavour, love the longish after-taste, hell I just love it!

Anita if you were here I'd plant a smacking kiss on you for crafting such a delight - so maybe it is just as well you are the other side of the world! It is just a devilishly delish Barossa bad-boy!

Barry 20:13 30/01/2012 Comment

£32.99

We like!

Not an awful lot to go on with the nose, but take a slurp, and this is a soft sensuous wine that entices you back to drink even more of it. To taste there are cherries and plums, with some tannic structure to make it interesting too. Not overly complicated, just good to honest embibing.

With a twist of fate, and a quite spicy meal which I thought might overwhelm this wine, it was put back in the pecking or tippling order, and so did not get a huge amount of airtime. Which just makes the next (suitably aired) bottle all the more intriguing! It has lots of time to mature to an even better proposition. Very, very drinkable right now though which might have something to do with its healthy 14.5% abv!

Australia Day, toasted and enjoyed thank you Jock!

Barry 22:37 26/01/2012 Comment

As my partner said "This almost goes down TOO easily" It was a Friday night after a long 45 hour week at work and I know what he meant! Very enjoyable, smooth, delicious. I don't know a huge amount about wine....but I know that this was good.

Faye 20:57 23/01/2012 Comment

£7.99

Ah, the lovely - well I hope it's going to be lovely! - Tannat from Oscar Biondolillo takes centre stage tonight. Will it fluff it's lines, fall over on entering or exiting the stage, or befall some other horror....

So, the stage is set, and under a barrage of streamed light the Aguma Reserva Tannat steps boldly and calmly into the arena. Is it worthy of it's Rising Star monacle? How can (supposedly) sensible Naked Wine Archangels choose a predominantly French grape to showcase the upcoming talents of an unknown Argentinian winemaker? It is not as if they weren't spoilt for choice with something like 125 wines to choose from. But Tannat? Really? Are you sure?

Given plenty of air-time in the decanter, the expectation rises, the audience is hushed, waiting patiently... A great colour, quite dense, ruby-like - so this potential emperor is wearing the right clothes at least. A "Sshush" comes in response to a feline interruption from the back...

With a quick "tad-dah", or then again maybe it was "tan-nat", and the performance begins.

Following a swirl around its glass cage, it makes it's first move. A cherry, berry-licious fruitiness wrapped in a warm closetting alcoholic vapour rents forth and attacks the senses. It is impossible to hide, as it pervades the nostrils. That swirl leaves elements clutching to the glass- edge desperately, but slowly, managing to rejoin the molecular mass below as it displays a force from it's 13.5% alcoholic elixir.

Another swift movement and it strikes once more - this time the palate takes the hit... All of that character which promised earlier to take control of your senses, rushes forth and invades every pore. The multi-faceted face of cherry, blackcurrant (and blackberry?), a hint of menthol, leather and coffee all mingle to tantalise the taste-buds in a softly caressing embrace that you want to never stop. And then it is gone!

Yet it's presence remains with you as it slowly, slowly ebbs away. Still reminding you of the pleasurable experience that you have just witnessed...

The audience applauds, rapturous calls for an encore fall on deaf ears. If you want more, then come back another day for a second time - is clearly the message. Tonight's theatre is over...



If you have braved this soliloquy thus far, thank you!

I think this wine is pretty damn good! And I am obviously not alone as this wine has a stonking 98% hit-rate amongst those lucky enough to have been able to try it in the comfort of their own homes. I remember being a little concerned about tannin levels when tasting this at Lords, without having any food to counter this side of its character. Tonight though, partnered with a slow-cooked beef stew it was magnificent. Even post-food it is a delight. Yes, I am really happy to reaffirm and once again recommend Oscar's Tannat to you.

Now all we need is some reinforcements to arrive from across the waters to replenish the Naked Wine stocks, so that more peeps can have a chance to try it for themselves... A MarketPlace selection would be even better, don't you?

Barry 11:58 20/01/2012 Comment

Comment on: Arabella Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

a nice red wine, not 'in your face, enjoyable on it's own and with a good beef sunday lunch'

darren 23:14 31/01/2012 Comment

£7.99