Reviews

  • Ormarine ‘Cuvée Estela Élevée sur Lies Fines’ Picpoul de Pinet

    Ormarine ‘Cuvée Estela Élevée sur Lies Fines’ Picpoul de Pinet

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2023 vintage Picpoul is a striking example of the quality now coming out of this Languedoc appellation. Ormarine, based in the heart of Pinet since 1922, is responsible for over 40% of the region’s total production and their expertise shows in this wine. The term ‘Élevée sur Lies Fines’ refers to ageing on fine…

  • Edna Valley Pinot Noir

    Edna Valley Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2022 comes from California’s Central Coast, where the cooling influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean allows for a long, gentle ripening season. This slower process brings depth and elegance to the wine. At 14% ABV, it has a touch more weight than many other Pinots. This is a medium-bodied red with…

  • Duplico Rosso Puglia

    Duplico Rosso Puglia

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    Simon Judge

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    The Lidl July Wine Tour is now underway, though I unfortunately missed the press tasting last time around due to being on holiday, ironically, within reach of Puglia, where this particular wine originates. Still, Lidl kindly sent me a few bottles from the range to try for myself. These Wine Tours tend to run for…

  • Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Fleurie

    Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Fleurie

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    Simon Judge

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    I’ve had the chance to be one of the first to try a brand-new wine from acclaimed Burgundian winemaker Laurent Delaunay. Known for multi-award-winning expertise and as a fifth-generation winemaker, Delaunay has just released a Beaujolais under the new Les Grappillages range. It’s a wine that brings together traditional regional winemaking with a distinctly modern…

  • Alain Grignon ‘Grande Réserve Vieilles Vignes’ Carignan

    Alain Grignon ‘Grande Réserve Vieilles Vignes’ Carignan

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    Simon Judge

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    This is a striking new arrival at Majestic that’s already turning heads. At a recent store managers’ tasting, it reportedly stole the show, and it’s not hard to see why. This impressive red comes from Château Grand Moulin in the town of Lézignan-Corbières, in the heart of Occitanie. It’s made from old-vine Carignan, with some…

  • Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

    Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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    Simon Judge

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    I first came across and liked this wine at the Asda Spring Summer Wine Showcase and just to be sure, I tried it again more recently. It’s an Australian red made by Complexity, a producer sourcing grapes from family-owned vineyards spread across South Australia’s premium wine regions. While Australia is far better known for Shiraz,…

  • Spritzi Yuzu & Pink Pepper Aperitivo

    Spritzi Yuzu & Pink Pepper Aperitivo

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    Simon Judge

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    I first came across this drink at a recent Tesco press tasting. Usually, I’m guilty of ignoring anything that doesn’t fall neatly into my admittedly narrow definition of wine. But I was glad I made an exception here. Among the Spritzi flavours on offer at the tasting, Elderflower, Blood Orange and Yuzu & Pink Pepper,…

  • Marsolay Pinot Noir

    Marsolay Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This Pinot Noir is from the Languedoc region in southern France, IGP Pays d’Oc, and made by Producteurs Réunis. It’s from an area known for its long, hot growing season, which tends to encourage a riper expression of Pinot Noir. I tried it as part of my awards25 tasting series, as it was a finalist…

  • Tesco Finest Chablis Premier Cru

    Tesco Finest Chablis Premier Cru

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    Simon Judge

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    This is one I’d been meaning to try after it picked up a Gold at the recent International Wine Challenge. It’s part of my ongoing awards25 series and is made by the highly respected La Chablisienne Cooperative. The wine comes from Premier Cru vineyards in northern Burgundy and is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes, with…

  • Clocktower Pinot Noir

    Clocktower Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2023 vintage comes from the Taylor River area of the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand. It’s a single vineyard wine, who M&S say is made by local winemaker Matthew Large, which suggests a Wither Hills connection. However, the Clocktower reference is a mystery. The wine has been matured in French oak, bringing added…

  • Co-op Irresistible 30° Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir

    Co-op Irresistible 30° Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    I tasted this Pinot Noir as part of my awards25 series and it’s already made a strong impression, with a Gold at the IWC and a Bronze at the IWSC. It also previously won a Silver in the Pinot Noir Masters. The name 30° refers to its Chilean roots, highlighting the 30 degrees south latitude…

  • Taste the Difference Bio Bio Chilean Pinot Noir

    Taste the Difference Bio Bio Chilean Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This was a real star from Sainsbury’s Spring Summer 2025 press tasting and I knew I had to revisit it properly on its own. Sourced from the Bio Bio Valley in Chile, this wine is made by Diego Covarrubias of Viña Indómita, a respected name in Chilean winemaking and a producer often praised by critic…

  • North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023

    North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023

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    Simon Judge

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    I first discovered this wine last year and it quickly became one of my top picks. It stood out not just in character, but as one of my outstanding wines by value. I had the chance to try the new 2023 vintage at the Asda Summer 2025 showcase, and while it still shone, I wanted…

  • Quinta de Foz Arouce White

    Quinta de Foz Arouce White

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    Simon Judge

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    This is the companion wine to the previously reviewed red from the same estate. It originates from Portugal’s Beira Atlântico region and is produced by João Portugal Ramos, often referred to in the wine world as JPR. The vineyards are owned by the Count of Foz, who happens to be Ramos’s father-in-law. This white is…

  • Majestic 45th Birthday Sauvignon Blanc Gros Manseng

    Majestic 45th Birthday Sauvignon Blanc Gros Manseng

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    Simon Judge

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    Majestic 45th Birthday Sauvignon Blanc Gros Manseng is one of two special blends created exclusively for Majestic’s anniversary, with the aim of offering a bold yet versatile wine that exceeds expectations for its price. When I first saw it, it gave off a modest impression and I didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary. But…

  • Sichel Sauternes

    Sichel Sauternes

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    Simon Judge

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    This one is a bit different as it’s a wine I’ve held onto for 10 years. Normally, I focus on wines that are ready to buy and drink straight away. I don’t usually store or age bottles. But this one’s got a story behind it and it’s taught me a thing or two, particularly about…

  • Blondel Champagne Premier Cru

    Blondel Champagne Premier Cru

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    Simon Judge

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    I first discovered this Champagne at an Asda tasting, where it immediately stood out to me. I was keen to try it again, particularly as I’ve found that some Champagnes I’ve enjoyed at tastings have often not lived up to expectations when revisited later. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case this time. Produced by Blondel from…

  • Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc

    Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc

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    Simon Judge

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    Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc stood out when I first discovered at a Sainsbury’s press wine tasting. It is new to their range and was easily one of the highlights of the event. Once found only in independent wine merchants, it has now found its way onto supermarket shelves, making it more accessible. The wine…

  • Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Ventoux

    Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Ventoux

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    Simon Judge

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    This is a red wine that captures the character of the southern Rhône’s Ventoux appellation, an area defined as much by its striking scenery as its distinctive wines. Towering over the region is Mount Ventoux, an iconic landmark known to cycling fans worldwide as a legendary stage finish of Le Tour de France. This 2022…

  • Quinta de Foz de Arouce Red

    Quinta de Foz de Arouce Red

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    Simon Judge

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    Quinta de Foz de Arouce Red 2020 comes from the Beira Atlântico region of Portugal, produced by João Portugal Ramos, commonly known in the trade as JPR. This wine carries the IGP Beira Atlântico designation and is made from indigenous, hand-harvested Portuguese grapes, Baga and Touriga Nacional. It is matured for six months in second-use…

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