Meeting No. 30 16th November

Two very different red wines were chosen by John and Sheila this week. Interestingly it turned out to be Old World v New World and on this occasion the Old World was very much the preferred wine. This was a Rigal 2009 Malbec, Vin de Pays de Lot. This is an interesting wine, often known as the black wine because of its dark red colour and is the only French wine to utilise the Malbec grapes, which are grown around the town of Cahors in South Western France along the banks of the River Lot. Malbec grapes are often referred to as Auxerrois in Cahors. The wine itself is 100% Malbec and very recognisable from its dark crimson colour. A wine seemed to have a strong character, with blackberry and red fruits on the nose. The group considered it to be a well balanced and pleasant wine with tastes of plum, damson and blackcurrant. With a reasonable length of flavour, overall it obtained an above average score of 7.9.

The Redwood Creek Vineyards are located near to Modesto, in the San Joaquim Valley, South West of San Francisco. It is wine growing area which, maybe unfairly has a reputation more for quantity rather than quality. However on this occasion the 2008 Pinot Noir did not fare particularly well with the group. With an overall score of 6.6 and despite a clear and healthy bright red appearance it was judged to be a rather thin light weak wine, not a great deal of character, a little tart and no length of flavour.

Both wines were purchased from Asda at the price of £7.67 and £7.35 respectively.

Note the change in the time of our December Meeting which will now be held on Saturday 18th December 19:00, at June and Rays