This is one of the new wines to join the Tesco finest line up
Purchased with 25% off 6 bottles in store, I was then able to use my clubcard vouchers to get a boost to double their value, thus picking this up for a shade over a third of its original price

A super Tuscan comprising predominantly of Bordeaux varietals: 41% cab, 24% merlot & 18% cab franc and some Italian varietals thrown in (I don't know which)

Popped and poured on Friday
First impressions is this is too youthful and needs a few years in under the stairs
I left it in the glass for a good hour or so and still the tannins are very grippy
On the nose this smells more new world than old and had I not known the blend to be those listed above, I'd have guessed it more merlot dominated with possibly even some Syrah or Malbec in there where I was getting pepper and hints of violets.
Flavours of plums and spice upon drinking which was a little thin mid palate but gains body again with a fairly big oak hit on the finish (not vanilla nor cedar/cigar box) which has a decent length
Saved half a bottle for the following night to see how it settles but initial taste leads me to think its more of a keeper or needs decanting for a good amount of time beforehand

Night 2 still needed a lot of breathing but was a lot better with food
Detected potential for this to show better in the longer term
For now though I'd advise a good half a day decanting and to have this with food

Shez,

Yes, I popped one last night, and the wine did build a better palate as the evening progressed.

Bolgheri Superior, because a portion of the wine will spend at least 12 months in oak from the February after vintage and another 12 months in Bottle before release, in this case probably April 2013.

I don't think we can regard this wine as a super Tuscan per se'. The reason for that is that the Cab is a bit tame, it lacks grouty tannins, firm structure, and shall we say rustic power at this stage. For some reason the cabernet sauvignon is not making a statement like Italian Cab should. Colour is a tad pale & wishy washy for a Tuscan star. The vintage - I read somewhere, that rains were a nuisance, so this could be diluted, or bottle variance from Mel's article on the front page.
High acidity, and some spice keeps this wine bright and moderately exciting, but the nose from opening is benign when comparing to "Left" bank mix Tuscans from the 'good ole' days. Super Tuscans are expensive now.
The bottle label says that the wine will hold for ten years, Hmmnn, I dont think so on this 2010 vintage, it is short of Tuscan depth, 'blood & guts', my bottle was not tannic enough for the long haul. Quoting Shez, I thought the Cab franc was maintaining the grippyness, rather than the tannins, had the Cab sauvignon been riper, then the wine would be deeper and darker, and more tannic. I'm not up to speed with recent Tuscans. Only know the villa antinori types from long ago, when they were affordable ! For £11.99 slightly disappointed, but then, a superior vintage could be the depth & dimension we are looking for.

I'll give it 5 to 7 yrs.

A point of note, we have bought left bank clarets on '09 & '10 for less money - Marks & Spencer, and that Haut Medoc from Waitrose, that will flatten this Tuscan ! Particularly if that Bolgheri cab stays asleep - Here hoping. And no complaints when on 25% discount offer

TN date 29/11/13

_________________
Duncan

Well put there Dunc
I'm hoping for some potential but even then for £4.50 of clubcard vouchers per bottle I can't really grumble

Cheers Shez,
I am warming to this on day 2. and have set aside the lazy Cab attributes. I picked up the bottle from the quarry tile floor of the larder, and it was cold, about the same Temp as mains tap at the end of November. Poured half a glass, swirled and sniffed. The nose is there, damson and black sloes, a bit of morello cherry.

Put a blind fold on me and I guess.... cold merlotty & cab franc Medoc with a large splash of Martini Rosso yeah, no kidding. The acidity and spice are more exciting.

As you say.....with voucher boost a real steal. Quite happy, its flavour, and cut on the palate is building again tonight. Half warm and as Shez says, purple violets appear. Glad I bought 4.

_________________
Duncan

06/02/2014

Mel is giving this a Star from her recently published TN archive
I'm upgrading MHO, this from another bottle taken at the end of January. Even a very small amount of cellar time is working some magic. Given that I never pay full retail - it is a
It is still a short / medium hold - re-visit next Autumn.

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Duncan