Tim tastes in Cornwall

Guy Allion Touraine Sauvignon –less pungent than earlier bottlings, but has gained weight and richness on the palate. Ripe with melon, peach and with a full, textural palate. Impressive stuff
Mourgues du Gres Les Galets Dores Blanc – Hazelnut, bread, preserved lemon, stone fruit, peach – superb complexity (and balance) for the price
Chateau Tour des Cuvee de Conti, Bergerac – restrained nose, seems like the muscadelle element is retreating, but fantastic on the palate – rich, becoming almost honeyed, with fennel, herbs, just oily enough and a nice cut of acid
Jurancon sec, Clos Lapeyre – white flowers, green herbs, saline edge, tangy, teeth rattling acidity, lean, still young
Domaine Cros Tradition, Minervois – the wine of the tasting for me – this “put me on my arse” as Eric would say – earthy, animal, gamey, full of cloves, mulled spice, sweet herbs, tannins grippy but supple and just rustic enough – stunning
CDR Cuvee Mathilde – absolutely charming, fresh, juicy, white pepper & raspberries, soft tannins, this would be excellent slightly chilled
Madregale Bianco – peachy, honeysuckle, satsuma, very attractive nose, just off dry, fresh acid, touch of peach skin texture, clean finish – really very good for the money
Madregale Rosso – less good, alas. Some bitter cherry and chocolate, little character, although a surprisingly pleasant finish
Frentana Montepulciano – This is more like it! Plum, dark chocolate, spice – light to med body, natural tasting, nice bitter coffee finish. VG
Morellino di Scansano Bellamarsilia – quite a mouthful! Liquor cherry, espresso and cream (from the new oak), mid weight but plush and polished, fresh acid to balance – quite tarty, but delicious
COS Nero de Lupo – amazing fragrance, really aromatic, light to med body, not concentrated, but intense, crisp and attacking on the palate, juicy, edgy, nervous, fresh and utterly delightful
Salentein Malbec – this got the public vote as wine of the night – intense and perfumed nose, damsons, violets, mint – on the palate it tastes like its had a bar of galaxy chocolate melted into it, velvet tannins, sweet, ripe fruit, rich, hedonistic texture. Mucho bang for buck (as they don’t say in Argentina)
Framingham Sauvignon – displaying a good balance between the green, herbaceous notes and the riper, tropical flavours, with enough cats pee and gooseberry to flag up its origin. VG for its style
Ancienne Cure Monbazillac – runny honey texture, candy fruit, orange tangerine, fresh and balanced, totally charming and delicious