The fifth tasting article in this week's retailer collection is a small one from Wine Rack, another group of specialist wine shops in the UK which, like its old rival Oddbins, has contracted considerably. See our guide to who's selling what for full details of how to take full advantage of our reviews, including how to find the relevant wines where you live. There'll be more next week.
Wines are listed in descending score order. GV = good value; VGV = very good value.
Ch Jany 2010 Sauternes
Barley sugar. A little sweet but a good price with a hint of mint. Not that intense but sweet and clean.
13%
Drink
2012
–
2014
£8.49 a half Wine Rack
16
Picasso, Crianza Tempranillo 2007 Peru
Bravely priced! Dark crimson. Very sweet and rich and a bit crudely oaky and tannic. Definitely overpriced. Rather unpleasant to taste actually.
13%
Drink
2013
–
2016
£19.99 Wine Rack
14.5
Ch Sigognac 2009 Médoc
I think this is currently being poured in British Airways Business Class. Dark crimson. Respectable. Some freshness and good structure filled in with the flesh of 2009. Still quite tannic and not quite ready so you might like to buy this for the future. But pretty GV.
13.5%
Drink
2013
–
2017
£11.99 Wine Rack
16
Ch de Respide 2009 Graves
Glowing crimson with a pale rim. Rather sweet simple wine without quite enough structure or freshness. So nearly lovely but just a bit flat and chocolatey.
13%
Drink
2012
–
2015
£10.99 Wine Rack
15.5
Ch de Seguin, Cuvée Prestige 2009 Bordeaux Supérieur
Pretty animal nose on a luscious fruit palate. Very far from classic claret! Rich and tarry on the finish. Extreme. Sort of baby baby Pavie. If you like that style, it's VGV.
14%
Drink
2012
–
2015
£13.99 Wine Rack
16
Ch Haut-Brisey 2006 Médoc
Cru Bourgeois from Schröder & Schÿler. Mid to pale ruby. Light and a bit animal. For traditionalists, but at least it offers some evolution. Strictly with food – quite chewy on the end. Bone dry, drying finish, but great for masochists.
12.5%
Drink
2012
–
2016
£11.99 Wine Rack
15.5
Meerlust Chardonnay 2009 Stellenbosch
Some lees and malo character on the nose. But good savoury, confident fruit. Serious wine with lovely texture. Refreshing acidity and intriguing almond flavours. Much more open and approachable – and lively – than many a 2009 white burgundy at this price. Very distinguished. Quite spicy. Shows just how good Cape Chardonnay can be. Perhaps just a little sweeter than most burgundies.
13.5%
Drink
2011
–
2016
£18.99 Wine Rack
17
Paruda Syrah 2011 Romania
Dark crimson. Clean, intense fruit that tastes like rather pure New World Syrah. Much the best of this Romanian collection of four. From Cramele Recas. Stilll some light tannin. Very lively and silky for the money. GV
13.5%
Drink
2013
–
2015
£5.99 Wine Rack
16
Paruda Pinot Noir 2011 Romania
Pale cherry red. Frank forest floor nose – very brisk fruit. Clean acidity and perhaps a hint of oak chips on fruit that was obviously promising. Again just slightly uncomfortably sweet but a good try.
13.5%
Drink
2012
–
2013
£5.99 Wine Rack
15.5
Paruda Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Romania
Cool nose with not that much varietal expression but at least it is, unlike the Pinot Grigio, clean. Sweet start. Quite racy acidity but pretty chewy finish. Not cookie cutter but not intense. Reasonable balance if you don't mind the sweetness.
13.5%
Drink
2012
–
2013
£5.99 Wine Rack
15
Paruda Pinot Grigio 2011 Romania
Low-key rather fragile nose – not quite clean (though screwcapped so presumably unlikely to be TCA). Sweet and sour, as though the initial fruit was pretty energetic. Astringent finish. Fast fade.
12.5%
Drink
2012
£5.99 Wine Rack
14