Now that Dry January is over, how about celebrating with last week’s new offers from Majestic? The idea is doubly attractive now that their minimum purchase rules have been ditched.
Although some of the discounts shown here end (like poor old Julius Caesar) in mid March, others run through until 25 April.
Since Majestic’s new pricing structure does vary slightly according to the legal requirements in different parts of the UK , I have quoted the best price currently available but do check before you buy.
Click on any of the bottles shown for an enlarged image to help you pinpoint the wine in a crowded display.
Muscat does dry wine too
Although mostly we link muscat with sweet wines, Muscat Blanc á Petits Grains is the power behind many beautifully aromatic and refined dry whites.
See for yourself with the excellent rounded 2014 Mas Neuf Muscat Sec (£7.49 – instead of £8.99 until 14 March) which brings bold oriental flavours to the fore but backs them up with a herbal, savoury edge and lime centred acidity.
Not so petit this time I fancy
Its position – and, perhaps, geology – tends to make Petit Chablis much less noteworthy than its illustrious neighbours but once in a while comes a version to buck that trend – and this is one!
Nutty, rounded and vaguely floral, 2014 Petit Chablis Séguinot-Bordet (£9.99 – instead of £11.99 until 14 March) has fresh apple and lemon fruit with an attractive finish generously imbued with savoury spices.
Rich but good acidity too
This week’s Chinese New Year puts the affinity between Asian cuisine and sweeter wine into focus – although spatlese (late gathered and ripe) would also have worked well on Pancake Day.
Whatever accompanies it, the honey and modestly bottle-aged 2009 Urziger Wurzgargen Spâtlese Dr Hermann, Mosel (£9.89 – instead of £10.99 until 25 April) brings you depth, balancing acidity and red apple flavours that, to me, outpoint its Erdener Treppchen stablemate.
No siege mentality for an impressive red
Trebuchet is a type of siege engine and a UK built example is a novelty exhibit at the vineyard that produces this wine – but no one will hurl stones at this well priced Bordeaux blend.
Cabernet-led, meaty and soft, 2014 Trebuchet Red (£5.99 – instead of £7.99 until 14 March) has blackberry based fruit with real depth and firm acidity yet offsets it all nicely with a concluding savoury twist.
Rioja with harmony, balance and poise
Spain’s Rioja Alta is the highest and most westerly of the three Rioja sub-regions and is often associated with more traditional styles – but no one apparently told this classy red.
The cinnamon and chocolate influenced 2007 Rioja Gran Reserva Lagunilla (£8.99 – instead of £11.99 until 14 March) masterfully balances its tannin and acidity to give depth and emphasis to the cherry and blackberry fruit it contains.
Step up to vintage at a great price
Anyone not convinced about paying a couple of pounds or so extra for a vintage champagne should experience the impressive step up in quality this 2004 version offers.
Luxuriate in the small, busy bubbles of 2004 Veuve Clicquot (£34.99 – instead of £49.99 until 25 April) and the biscuity depth that adds a touch of complexity to its citrus influences and apple centred fruit.
