Lovely. Gooseberry, orange and chalk.

The orange is an unusual twist but it's definitely there. This wine is far better than the Domaine Bailly Quincy 2007 for £7.99 which is all tart, harsh gooseberry.

Who says I only drink Jackson Estate.

Oh...that was me

A few to be getting on with:

Les Sentiers Sancerre AC 2008, Loire Tesco £9.68
In 138 stores
Ripe fruit on the nose, like a pale green soap. Very fresh with some peapod taste. Long and pretty good.
20/10/09

La Chaudouillonne Sancerre AC 2007, Loire Valley Tesco £13.99
In 95 stores
Little on the nose, perhaps just a hint of elder twig. Quite textured and with a hint of grapefruit pith, which lasts well. Very refreshing.
20/10/09

Tesco Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Valle Central £3.22
In 726 stores
Light peardrop and sweeties on the nose. Tastes ripely of tinned pears and is just off dry. There is a hint of Sauvignon – gooseberries, perhaps. ST
20/10/09

Tesco Chilean Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Casablanca Valley £4.99
In 185 stores
A little cat on the nose and fresh grapes. Intense, green, Sauvignon flavours. Long and good for the money. +

The Reach Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2008, Marlborough Tesco £8.04
In 499 stores
Very ripe and floral nose, when tasted straight after a Chilean. Sweet, ripe fruit with juicy acidity. Really mouth-watering. Good. *
20/10/09

Spy Mountain Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2008, Marlborough Tesco £8.09
In 281 stores
A little reduced on the nose. Ripe, but not gooseberry-scented. Softer and rounder than The Reach initially and then with some grip on the finish. Good, in a different way. *
20/10/09

Tesco Finest* Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2008, Marlborough £7.99
In 490 stores
Not quite as fresh on the nose as The Reach or Spy Mountain. It may be that we could call it mineral – a little pebbly smelling. Tangy and fresh taste. Easy to drink. Nice pithy finish.
20/10/09

Errazuriz Estate Tapihue Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Casablanca Valley Tesco £7.99
In 308 stores
Catty, nettly aroma. Very inviting. Great taste. Fruity, fresh and typical. Vibrant and extremely good. *
20/10/09

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mel

Thanks for this Mel.

When viewing the list of those which qualify for a star or good value, which ones do you think would provide inerest, if one were to buy 6 at a time to earn the discount.

I say this because, whilst many will drink very well in a tasting, by the time one gets to the end of a box, one could be rather bored, slightly fed-up with the wine.
Unlike my favourite pinot noirs and clarets, these SB wines generally do not evolve in a interesting way over time, therefore it is an advantage to buy a wine that can entertain on different occasions, with different foods and at different serving temperatures.

Yeah, I know - Very difficult, and subjective to pick the most suitable SB for a bulk buy, with the above premise in mind..... An opinion would be appreciated

I have a feeling that the:Errazuriz Estate Tapihue Block could be the most versatile - Not sure.

Winter enjoyment of an SB is different in our UK climate - don't you think ?

Cheers

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Duncan

It depends if you're having Goosegoggs round. I loved the Erraz, but it wasn't his style as it's too tasty for him. But yes, I'd go for that one.

Are you doing 6 bottles of two wines?

The NZ wines have been discussed here before and so I expect you can see how my opinion differs from or agrees with others' and go from there.

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mel

Yes - but no more MSB other than current stocks this side of Christmas

Yeah - Thanks Mel, I have been involved in the great MSB debate here. Yet I have to say that, I will move away from Tart Little Strumpets with an acid tongue, in the mold of Montana basic 2008 on almost any terms during the Winter. These Tarts work at a barbequeue on a hot summer's day.

I have plenty of JE 2007 stocks, will buy some JE 2008 as well, and have expensive St Claire and good Sancere also anyway. Mr Goose would be very happy here.

I am getting ready to p/up a different SB, whilst pouncing on a red big T bargain in the run up for Christams. Because one has to buy 12 from Tesco on line, I like to line up an order without further angst on the matter. If a decent Rhone red, does not come up there, I'll dump the idea.

The guys here know that I naturally gravitate to Majestic and Laithwaites for loyalty and satisfaction, also there is a Merchant I particularly like - However.......

I am learning new world SB. I know the Loire, Touraine & Haut Poitou SB's reasonably well.

However- If money were no object for SB, it would be dancing Pouilly-Fumé and ripe Sancerre all the way for me.

_________________
Duncan