While part 1 covered my favourite white wines from the Lidl France “sale”, this part 2 looks at reds from Burgundy, the Rhône, Bordeaux and the Languedoc:
Les Paroisses Côte de Beaune-Villages 2016 (13.0%, €16.99 at Lidl)
“Les Paroisses” means “The Parishes“; it’s made from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the southern part of the Côte d’Or, Burgundy. Although I liked this wine I musty give it a health warning – it’s a bit stinky! Although this funk is probably a fault (such as brettanomyces) it didn’t put me off – and there was plenty of red fruit on the nose as well. It pours light in the glass as you’d expect from Burgundy. The palate is soft and round, very inviting. This is Proper Burgundy!
Comtes de Lorgeuil “Les Pierres” Cabardès 2016 (13.5%, €9.99 at Lidl)
Cabardès is just inside the northwestern border of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, just north of the tourist trap that is Carcassonne. As an AOC it is much smaller (500 ha) than its Languedoc neighbours Minervois (5,100 ha) or Corbières (15,000 ha), and due to its position between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, its vignerons are required to grow grape varieties from both coasts and blend them (with at least 40% of both) in the finished wine.
This wine has a slight Atlantic bias with 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon versus 30% Syrah and 10% Grenache. It’s thick and chewy in the mouth, quite savoury with lots of black fruit. It is a little bit rustic, but it’s charming too – a great winter wine to have with hearty food.
Château Roque le Mayne Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2017 (14.0%, €14.99 at Lidl)
Castillon-la-Bataille is on the north bank of the Dordogne, to the east of the much more famous Saint-Emilion. It’s quite an up-and-coming sub-region at the moment, with quality rising all the time. The blend is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. It has a ripe, expressive nose with explosive black fruit. The palate is rich, oaked and smooth – there are lovely soft tannins. A very fruity wine, but still recognisably Bordelais.
Collin-Bourisset Coteaux Bourguignons Rouge 2018 (14.0%, €8.99 at Lidl)
As I mentioned in part 1, Coteaux Bourguignons can be red or white and covers the whole of Beaujolais and Burgundy proper. Collin-Bourisset is based in Beaujolais so it makes sense that this is 100% Gamay. It has a typical Gamay nose of blueberries and damsons. It has a juicy palate of red and black fruit and very soft tannins. It’s quite a light wine with decent acidity so perfect for lunchtime with a platter of charcuterie.
Dame de Clochevigne Rasteau 2018 (14.5%, €9.99 at Lidl)
Now “Cloche” means “Clock” and “Vigne” means “Vine” so does “Clochevigne” mean “Vineclock“? Perhaps we could ask the Dame. The southern Rhône is GSM territory and this Rasteau fits that template perfectly: 76% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 2% Mourvèdre. The juicy red fruit is thick and chewy – it’s a meal all in itself. Black olive and liquorice finish keep a savoury edge. Drink with a spoon!
Vinsobres Cru des Côtes du Rhône 2017 (14.5%, €9.99 at Lidl)
This Vinsobres is pretty similar to the Rasteau above, perhaps a touch softer. The blend here is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. The extra year it has compared to the Rasteau really helps the wine to settle and relax, though decanting (a simple jug is all that’s really required) would help the strawberry and raspberry fruit to shine.
Graves in part of Bordeaux’s lower left bank, and was in fact making great wines before the Médoc was drained by Dutch engineers. The best areas of the Graves were sectioned off into a new appellation – Pessac-Léognan – in 1987, leaving the remaining area as more everyday producers. And I don’t think I’m being unfair in calling this Baron de Portets an everyday wine – it’s only a tenner after all – but it’s far better than I’d expect from left bank Bordeaux at this price. It’s seductive and smooth with lots of black fruit and a touch of red. A hint of liquorice on the finish keeps it on the savoury side.
