Leslie Williams - What matters most in a bottle?

BODEGAS DE LA MARQUESA LA MARQUESA, 2018 

"This is reduced from €17 for August and is a steal at this price. Alavesa is the smallest of the three Rioja sub-regions which are often equal in quality to Rioja Alta. This is a joven (lightly aged)  Rioja packed with ripe soft fruits and a perfect summer wine amenable to being served cool. Soft blackberry and blueberry aromas with a hit of blueberry muffin creaminess, fruity and juicy and packed with pleasure."

DOMAINE GUERRIN & FILS POUILLY-FUISSÉ VIEILLES VIGNES, 2019

"This is reduced by €2 this month and is just one of many wines from this top producer, imported direct by Whelehans. From three plots of old vines on 1.4ha, this has peach and ripe pear aromas, creamy, velvety, soft white fruit flavours with lovely weight and complexity. The Saint Vérans from this producer are also excellent, combining rich fruits and herbal notes."

DOMAINE MICHEL NOËLLAT ET FILS SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE, 2018

"The village of Savigny is just to the North of the city of Beaune and a great source of silky fragant wines capable of ageing for a decade or two. Earth-tinged red fruit aromas with black cherries and hints of liquorice - creamy and satiny on the palate with layers of textured red and darker fruits and the poise and balance if a prima ballerina."

Irish Examiner, Leslie Williams, August 10th 2021.