I've been sent a review copy of a natty little book by Ned Halley called The Best Wines in the Supermarkets 2011. Of most interest are the 28 wines that scores 10 out of 10, which include Asda's Extra Special Coonawarra Cab, TF Barbera d'Asti and Gulf Station Pinot Noir from Sains for the reds.

More importantly for you lot, so that you can decide whether you rate his rating, his favourite Sauvignons are M&S's Tierra y Hombre (Chile), Taste the difference Pouilly Fume and Domaine Naudet Sancerre. Also CyT Late Harvest Sauv, although that doesn't really count. He gives TF Marlborough SB 8/10 and says "stacks of grass and gooseberry in this long, easy-drinking refresher at a modest price. £6.49. The Zalze Shraz/Mourvedre/Viognier from WR that was discussed last week got 9/10 - "brambly monster (14.5%) of near-black colour has a pleasingly comfortable weight and a bright freshness of fruit. Charming and cheap."

Reasonable comments.

It's £7.99 and would definitely fit in a stocking.

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mel

Do we have another George Eliot in our midst?

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Yep, Im still here.

The Tierre is good for the money but it's a very uninspiring choice of sauvs

It seems he agrees with me on the Asda Coonawara Cab and the Zalze SMV, so he obviously has a similar taste to me on the reds. Not tried any of the others so couldn't comment on those.

How many wines are listed, Mel?

I have a couple of people in mind who might appreciate this. Where is it available?

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tribs

Just how many times have I told you not to mention my stockings?

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Domaine Naudet Sancerre.

A regular at Waitrose for quite a few years. The 2009 vintage is the IWC gold winner. I have not tried it. The '07 was ordinary, the '05 was great if I remember rightly, '08 not bought, or not remembered when served by friends....... I should keep my notes. It is a nicely made wine. Look for the '09 in Store - you never know when they will dribble it out with last years stock.

The current vintage at WR online today is 2008.

Therefore:

If you want to sample a similar wine on the '09, I can recommend this:

Arnaud De Lassalle 2009 Pouilly-fume' - was at my Waitrose I thought - £10.99 for a week after the 25% disco, but today, I note it is £11.39 online, so £11.99 on the shelf. His 2005 was exceptional in my book, and aged to a wine that tasted rather expensive, but too much weight, and not transparent and racy enough for Mr G.

I will do a TN when I have my laughing gear around this.

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Duncan

I had the Naudet and was massively unimpressed. It tasted strange. Which vintage I cannot remember.

The most enjoyable PF that I ever had was the 04 De Ladoucette. It was golden in colour. Remarkably light in body with a wonderful flavour of apple and biscuit. Bone dry and no tartness at all.

There is a wine new to Majestic which has just got a 90 off Parker Domaine Villageau Coteaux du Giennois.(09) Only £7.99 when you buy two. The 05 which I flagged up here many moons ago....at least I think I did, was almost it's equal, it just lacked the colour.

The later vintages were dry, simple dull wines. I will get some 09 just to see if it's worth the 90.

De Ladoucette also produce the Comte Lafond Sancerre but I haven't had it yet.

My Sainsbury has finally run out of that Sancerre. The Clos De Bouffants at MW is a worthy replacement. That lovely Sancerre flavour though is there one sip and gone the next. Sancerre is a bugger for doing that.

No wonder some people just buy Touraine..

No wonder some people just buy Touraine.. Oh yeah ? - No....... G, I'll send you a case of touraine for 6 decent Sancerres . You'll need to wait for the '09 Clos De Bouffants to arrive though.

Mr G, I think we need to do the 2009 Loires over Christmas. If only to dispell the Illusions and the Myths.

The deals at Majestic appear to be keener than Waitrose for perceived quality. There is an old vine sancerre at MW that I'd like to know.

Sancerre 'Les Baudrières' 2009 Dominique Baud buy 2 = £9.99
Pouilly-Fumé 'Les Cascadelles' 2009 Caves de Pouilly-sur-Loire buy 2 = £8.99
Sancerre Vielles Vignes 2008/2009 Domaine Paul Cherrier et Fils Buy 2 = £10.99. I'll pick the 2009.
Pouilly-Fumé 2009 Domaine des Rabichattes, Grebet Père et fils buy 2 = £10.99. The Wine Gang gave this an 89 with oak that needs more EVO time. IMHO.... The WG are more likely to be believable than Parker at this level.

I'll let you know when I finally get there.

NB - The Arnaud De Lassalle Pouilly-fume' was very lightly oaked last time. Very subtle indeed when evolved.

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Duncan

2000 wines, not George Elliot and www.bestwinesuk.net

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mel

Brilliant! Thanks Mel.

£6 delivered on that website.

I see the Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 08 and Co-op Santa Helena PN 08, which I have praised in the past, are also in his list of 10's. He obviously knows his stuff

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tribs

Thanks, will have a browse later.

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Yep, Im still here.

I thought that at £6 the book could be a worthwhile buy, however, when I tried to order it (today) it was full price plus postage taking it beyond £9!
It might *still* be worth it but not after the great offer at £6.

welocme to the gang Bankie

been a long time lurker ?

Welcome also, with the Eire situation, I suspect you're hopping about on thin and rapidly melting ice. Footsie was holding up though.

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Duncan

Thanks folks. Been a "lurker" for a while, getting the benefit of all you experienced (read inebriated?) quaffers.
Will try to insert my penni'worth from t2t. God I'm so with it with the textuese.