Tom's wines of the year 2015

Season's greetings fellow wine lovers! Firstly, my sincerest apologies for the shameful lack of blogging of late (who would've guessed that moving house and being without internet for several months would have been so disruptive to a wine blogger?); therefore I have resolved to put writing more regular postings high on my ever-expanding New Years' resolutions list. In the meantime, I thought I'd share some thoughts with you on my favourite wines of 2015. My scoring is not scientific or aggregated: these are simply wines which I have enjoyed at a given time and place, and would happily part with my own money to drink again. Disclaimer: a number of the wines are available to purchase through Majestic (the aforementioned paying my salary) but I endeavour not to limit my drinking to one particular retailer, and have thus found some absolute beauties at other UK wine merchants. All that remains to say is happy holidays to all, and here's to a happy, healthy and wine-filled 2016!


Asda Extra Special Old Vine Garnacha 2013

 

Being quite partial to a good Garnacha/Grenache, I'm always ready to explore, but even I thought this 'Extra Special' Old Vine Garnacha, bearing its IWSC silver medal and its £5 price tag, was a tad too optimistic. How wrong I was. A phenomenally deep-scented wine, the luscious notes of purple fruit and vanilla carry through seamlessly to the palate, where they are joined by a touch of leathery spice on the finish. Regardless of the price (and I'd still love it at double the money), this is an extraordinarily good buy from Asda's brilliant flagship range.

Cave de Buxy, Montagny 1er Cru 'Les Millières' 2010

 

Okay, okay, so I know the Montagny appellation in Burgundy's Côte Chalonnaise isn't the area's most prestigious, but when the wine is this good, I couldn't give a hoot. Coming from the Premier Cru climat 'Les Millières and made by one of the region's most reliable co-operatives, Vignerons de Buxy, this wine is all about elegance and that touch of class. With a gentle nose of apricots and peaches, along with more soft stone and orchard fruits on the palate, this wine really expresses the area's terroir to perfection, as Chardonnay is so prone to doing when handled with care.


Brancott Estate Terroir Series Sauvignon Blanc 2013

I was sent both the Brancott Estate Terroir Series Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc to review earlier in the year, and although the former was very enjoyable and well crafted, it is the Sauvignon that has remained in my mind. Using descriptors like 'precise' and 'minerally' doesn't really seem to do this wine justice - the acidity is so laser sharp and the fruits so well-defined that Brancott's Terroir Series Sauvignon succeeds in standing out in a very competitive and crowded field. If you prefer your Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé to your Marlborough Sauvignon, give this one a go: I guarantee it'll give you something to think about.


Viñalba Malbec-Touriga Nacional 2013

The year is 2015 and Mendoza Malbec continues unrivalled on its quest for wine world domination: how could I not include this incredible effort from Viñalba in my top wines of the year? Initially sceptical about the blend, I'm extremely happy to report that the wine disproved my misgivings: the two marry very well together. The Port grape Touriga is most evident on the nose, which is heavily scented with alcoholic black fruits, sweet and earthy spices and backnotes of violet; whereas the raisined fruits and polished tannins on the palate betray the Malbec in the blend. An exquisite wine which would improve any cosy, quiet night in front of the fire. Oh, and Decanter magazine agree with me too - recently naming it one of their star wines of 2015. Cheers!