David Gething

10

Bright garnet with a hint of brick red at the rim. A nose of plum and raisin cordial, the purest dark chocolate and herb infused cough syrup. Rich & ripe with black fruit shot through with pure, freshening acidity and wrapped up in bitter tannins that add bite then subside to leave a lingering sense of chocolate sauce over raisins and summer fruits. At 7 years it's evidently hit its stride without showing any signs of old age. A marvel. My first Sardinian. If this is anything to go by, the first of many. — 10 years ago

David Gething

8.9

This came after the Pasion de Bobal so my critical faculties may have been slightly impaired but I enjoyed it a lot. Full bodied, ripe and velvet smooth with cordial rich black fruit and a dark, bitter sweet finish. Probably wouldn't have guessed it was Spanish if I didn't know. More like Oz or Argentina, hot, sweet & high (14.5%) alcohol. It doesn't have the acidity I associate (rightly or wrongly) with even the biggest Spanish reds but then it is from deepest Andalusia, barely 50 miles from Cadiz, so very hot. Don't think they're still using this Tintilla de Rota though, or if they are it's a tiny proportion of the blend. Current listings put it down as Syrah Merlot Cab. Oaked too, 5 months, new & nearly new. 2012. Oh, & it's a tenner from Cuckoo Wines... — 10 years ago

David Gething

9.0

This got left behind after a Eurovision do so I don't know where it came from or how much it was. I suspect it's relatively inexpensive for a Ribera but it was still very impressive. Nice mix of red & black fruit, fresh acidity balancing a cordial rich core. It was very firmly tannic initially & would pair very well with steak, lamb, et al. but within an hour had softened considerably & became a much mellower drop. — 10 years ago

David Gething

9.0

Gorgeous. Plump, ripe, rich, fresh, balanced & sustained. I'm a sucker for Spanish wines anyway but this really delivers. £8.99 from Cuckoo Wines London N16. — 10 years ago

David Gething

8.5

Yum. Decanted but drunk relatively quickly and without food, I doubt we got the best out of it and it was still pretty fab. Dense with rich, black fruit flavours, it's bitter tannins and fresh acidity keep it interesting. Bobal's a lovely Valencian grape; a workhorse for many years it's been coming into its own of late as more winemakers have been making an effort with it. Residents of NE London can pick it up for a tenner from the delightfully unpretentious Cuckoo Wines on Stoke Newington Road. 2012 vintage. — 10 years ago

David Gething

9.0

Well this was a treat. Three sheets to the wind & apparently out of booze we found this remnant from a 2011 holiday in Mallorca poorly stored at the back of a cupboard. Assuming it'd be shot we pulled the cork &... Certainly past its best but still delivering. Mid weight, juicy cherry fruit, bright acidity, some length. Hint of rusty red & some leathery secondary notes. Not sure of vintage. 2009? Around €4 if memory serves. — 10 years ago

David Gething

7.5

Not v familiar with Sauvignon Gris. Tasted initially a lot like Sauv Blanc; rich gooseberry & lime flavours but lower acidity I think & finished drier, matte rather than gloss. £8 from Cuckoo Wines London N16. — 10 years ago