Lidl Ireland are introducing some limited release French wines in their stores from Thursday 24th September 2020 in what they are calling their “September Wine Cellar”. I tasted the majority of them at the first press tasting since Covid first hit and can give them all a thumbs up. They aren’t likely to win any major awards but they are very good value for money and give wine drinkers a chance to try something representative of a style they might not have tried before.
Here are my brief notes on four of the reds included in the event, from Burgundy / Bourgogne, Bordeaux and Beaujolais’s Brouilly:
Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2018
Just like its white counterpart in the first post of this series, this Burgundy Pinot Noir is very light when poured. In these days of big-hitting Pinots from California and Central Otago there’s something comforting about an old school pale one. The nose is greeted by spice – in fact it’s more spice-driven than fruity – but fresh redcurrant, raspberry and strawberry do make an appearance in the bouquet. The palate is full of juicy rich red fruits, and a nice fresh finish. This is amazing Pinot Noir for €11, especially from Burgundy!
- ABV: 12.5%
- RRP: €10.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Château Margerots Bordeaux Supérieur 2019
Now to Bordeaux, the most famous red wine area in the world. Although the famous Châteaux get the lion’s share of attention, the vast majority of Bordelais wine is much more modest…such as this Bordeaux Supérieur. The Supérieur tag isn’t that meaningful these days, but the reds are normally quite drinkable Merlot-based blends. The assemblage here fits that bill: 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. In fact there’s quite a lot of Cab Sauv for such a “Petit Château” – and it’s one of the reasons why this wine is so dark when poured, though still exhibiting a youthful purple tinge. The nose is centred around a graphite core (typical from Cabernet Sauvignon) surrounded by tight black fruit. The fruit opens up on the palate which shows juicy blackcurrant and plum, with a touch of leather and soft tannin on the finish. What a great way to get into Bordeaux!
- ABV: 13.0%
- RRP: €8.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Haut de Saint Laurent Haut-Médoc 2019
On to a slighter posher Bordeaux address (apologies if I’m chanelling Jancis), the Haut-Médoc. This is the southern part of the Médoc peninsula, but in the centre rather than the eastern shore where the top end stuff is made. Wines here tend to be 50% Cab Sauv and 50% Merlot / other grapes, but the only information available for this wine was that it consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Again this is quite dark in the glass; the nose is lifted with notes of cedar wood and blackberry. The palate delights in lush but fresh red and black fruit; tannins and noticeable though fine-grained. This is real Bordeaux, though made in an easy drinking style.
- ABV: 13.0%
- RRP: €11.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Jean Desvignes La Croix des Célestins Brouilly 2019
Brouilly is one of Beaujolais’s ten crus, the best villages which carry their own name on the label (and, unhelpfully for casual wine drinkers, Beaujolais isn’t mentioned at all). The name La Croix des Célestins comes from the cross of a monastic order called the Celestines (in English), a brand of the Benedictines whose founder became Pope Celestine V. As with all red Beaujolais (white wines account for only 3%) this Brouilly is made form 100% Gamay. The colour in the glass is middling in intensity, somewhere between the Bourgogne and the Bordeaux. The nose has lovely red and black fruit, so enticing. The palate is juicyyyy! Intense blueberry and blackberry run the show here, with a dry finish. This is a really nice easy-drinking red.
- ABV: 13.0%
- RRP: €11.99
- Stockists: Lidl Ireland
Star Pick
It’s hard to pick a favourite from these wines, especially the first three, but in the end my top pick is the Bourgogne Pinot Noir.
Lidl’s September Wine Cellar Posts: