  Ken
Stephens has been the Northern Echo wine columnist for the last
six years. He has a diploma in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and
Spirit Education Trust for whom he is also an accredited tutor.
He runs evening classes at Richmond School from September to April
each year. Any questions relating to the course, articles or wine
in general please address to
The articles on wine will follow the same format as those in The
Northern Echo newspaper. I'll be picking a wine of the week selected
from the wine outlets of the area, with a particular eye to those
of a bargain price. Also any promotions that are going on at the
same time.
Click on the headline for full review
Cabernet
Sauvignon / Merlot 2003 from Australia
A full-bodied wine this week, not for the faint-hearted, it’s
a whopping 14½% alcohol and not very tannic. It has a lovely
deep garnet red colour with a bouquet of red currants with an oaky
background.
Cusumano Nero D'avola 2004 from
Italy
This is a wine from a grape variety that’s becoming more popular
every year. It has a lovely ruby red colour with a pronounced bouquet
of morello cherries, blackberry jam and juniper berries.
El Malbec de Ricardo Santos
2004 from Argentina
This week’s wine has a rich violet colour and an earthy black
pepper aroma. On the palate there’s fruit flavours of cassis
integrated with soft tannins with an oaky background.
Altos de Tamaron 2003 from Spain
Spanish wine from an increasingly popular area this week. It has
an attractive medium depth ruby red colour with a bouquet that's
pleasant but not pronounced of a blend of red berry fruit and a
slightly scented nose.
Laborie Merlot /Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 from South Africa
A new world merlot/ cabernet blend this week with a deep garnet
red colour and a bouquet of red berry fruit particularly blackcurrants.
On the palate it’s fruity with good acidity and the oaky background
integrates well.
Chateau La Louviere Graves 2002
from France
A wine from one of France’s classic areas this week. It has
a straw yellow colour and a bouquet of citrus fruit and peaches.
On the palate there’s a minerally background to the fruit
and a definite oaky taste..
Los Cardos sauvignon blanc 2004
from Argentina
Los cardos means the thistle – a flower known in Argentina
for its intense and vivid colour, a fitting name for this week’s
wine.
Oloroso sherry from Spain
A FORTIFIED wine this week - sherry at a bargain price. It's dark
brown in colour with a raisiny bouquet. There's a nutty taste of
almonds and dried fruit.
Montagny premier cru 2002 from
France
A CLASSIC old world wine this week showing a light lemon yellow
colour with a bouquet that, although not pronounced, is a little
floral in nature.
Casa Leona cabernet sauvignon 2005, from
Chile
A CHILEAN wine this week which has a deep ruby red colour and a
bouquet of cassis fruit.
Marques del Riscal 2004, from
Spain
THIS Spanish wine has a lemon colour with a bouquet which is quite
scented and floral.
Dona Dominga 2005 from Chile
THIS week's wine has a light golden colour and a pronounced perfumed
bouquet of ripe fruit and flowers.
Errazuriz Estate Merlot 2004, from Chile
THIS week's wine is a prize winner and a fine expression of the merlot grape.
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