Spain and South Africa feature in today’s selections and there is a slight change in format.
Since it is now mid-autumn, it feels OK to squeeze out white wine for one week in favour of a second red.
The reason is that it is on promotion, and I wanted to give you a chance to try a bottle and then go back for more before its list price resumes.
Its companion is a neat piece of innovation by Majestic than seems to have caught the imagination of wine drinkers.
Here is a chance to see whether it does the same for you.
As is normal here, pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.
Starting in Spain
2024 The Guv’nor Merlot (from £8 at Majestic and 12.5% abv):
Majestic must be delighted with the success of the Guv’nor range they have crafted in conjunction with the acclaimed Félix Solís operation.
As with “Vin de France” across the Pyrenees, the wines take full advantage of relaxed geographic constraints.
This has facilitated the creation of blends that match consumers’ preferences more closely than many single location wines can.
The original (tempranillo based) Guv’nor had Apothic levels of residual sugar but this merlot – although still rich – seems drier.
With depth and a savoury finish, it features smooth, cherry, loganberry and mulberry flavours supported by lively acidity, but balanced tannin.
To round things off, vanilla traces combine with the wine’s opening liqueur aromas and its subtle walnut whip elements that add a dash of sweetness.
Moving south of the equator now
2024 Amandla Shiraz Zinfandel (£8 – down from £9.75 until 3 November – with a Tesco Clubcard and 14%):
I have talked before about South Africa’s Praisy Dlamini and her success in ascending that country’s winemaking ladder.
This wine was featured then but I am giving it a second showing (even, as I say, displacing the usual white) because it is currently on offer at Tesco.
Note in particular how she has included – relatively unusual in South Africa – zinfandel in the blend, and its effect on the wine’s medium bodied, juicy damson, raspberry and cherry flavours.
Evolving acidity and mild tannin, together with chocolate, butterscotch and allspice influences, join the party to create a dark but delightfully soft red wine.
New promotion at Waitrose
With the “25% off when you buy six” promotions now well established, I hear reports that Waitrose are doing something slightly different this week.
From Wednesday (until 4 November), they seem to be using the “Four for the price of three” mechanic.
It does not apply to wines at £6 or under and there is an upper limit too (£100 I believe).
In addition, and as with most multibuy alcohol promotions, it excludes stores in Scotland.
As ever, check out the retailer’s website and in-store notices for details rather than just rely on these reports.
We continue the theme of wines for Autumn by looking at the wines Aldi are currently showcasing when we meet again on Thursday.
12 responses
Tesco are in their 25% off for six offer, Brian, so the Amandla can be bought for £6 per bottle which is an absolute steal.
It certainly is. Thank you for calling attention to that.
Hi. Tried the ALDI version of Fleurie
Disappointing
Lacks body and flavour
Be interested to know how others have found this wine
Good to hear from you Aileen in what I think is your first post in the comments section. Although this Thursday’s post is about Aldi, I did not try the Fleurie as part of it. I, too, would be interested in what other MidWeekers have found.
I passed quickly over the Aldi Fleurie and made no positive notes.However there are far better Aldi wines which Brian will highlight on Thursday.Moldova please take a step forward onto the stage!
Hi Aileen,
This year I have tasted a couple of £10 supermarket Fleuries and although not bad, were not very exciting – so would not recommend. I think it is now difficult to find good examples at this price point
But I was impressed with the 2023 Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Fleurie, from Morrisons @ £12. If one can secure that on a 25% deal, then great value – as cheaper than the Aldi wine! But I suspect this will only be available (like their Block Series wines) at the larger Morrisons stores.
But if I may take the liberty of straying away from your direct question …
I really liked the 2023 Chateau de Pizay Régnié, from Majestic at £13.50 mixed 6 price. I find that the differences in Cru Beaujolais wines are more down to the individual producer, than to the Cru Village. And Regnie, as the 10th and most recent addition to the Crus, and least known, can give really good value.
And for the dedicated Cru Beaujolais enthusiasts, the 2018 Fleurie, Les Douzes Perles Vielles Vignes, £14.95 from The Wine Society @ £14.95, was just lovely. A rare chance to taste a Fleurie with some bottle age, really charmin. I like to think this would convince the mast hardened Cru Beaujolais refuseniks!
Richard … I would concur about that Morrisons Fleurie – it is a great option but, as you say, availability could be an issue.
Thank you for this
Very interest and helpful
I also purchased bottles of the lovely Amandala from Tesco for £6 with the offer. Had to search for it as they had it in the Chile section.
Thanks for the heads-up on Waitrose 4 for the price of 3 offer Brian. It’s given me an entertaining hour on Waitrose Cellar online (and hopefully some interesting drinking to come!). Given recent pleasure with Austrian wines I’ve got a couple of reds on the way – Feiler-Artinger Blaufränkisch and Heinrich Hartl St Laurent. I always appreciate a decent Dolcetto (either d’Asti or d’Alba) but a novel and, for me, previously unknown Piedmont red has really piqued my interest – Bersano San Pietro Realto Ruchè. I’d never heard of the Richè grape variety but now see Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato is a small and somewhat niche DOCG in the region. Another fascinating discovery to be had when going off the beaten track in the wonderful world of wine.
You’re becoming our Austrian correspondent, Keith! Look forward to feedback.
I enjoyed their Loved & Found Braucol IGP Comte Tolosan earlier this week, and found it as per the label description. Decent value at full price, but attractive if part of the current 4 for 3 offer.
Their smart marketing might prompt me to go back and get the Loved & Found Touriga Franca, which appeals.
Yes Richard, I saw the ‘new’ Loved & Found Braucol IGP Comte Tolosan. I am a fan of wines from SW France and am particularly fond of Gaillac and Fronton appellation reds: Braucol (aka Fer Servadou) and Négrette. A couple of years ago Sainsburys were selling a very accessible Gaillac Rouge from a blend of local grapes and The Wine Society used have a Braucol Les Plaines Sauvages IGP Comté Toloson which gave a very clear idea of the perfumed Braucol / Fer Servadou grape. Co-op too had a Braucol 2023 in their Hidden Vines series (£8.85) last year which was 85% Braucol / 15% Gamay. A fascinating wine: aromatic as expected, fruity, silky, smooth and a lingering sweetness.