The iDealwine team makes a point a point of regularly tasting and re-tasting the wines we sell at fixed price, and last week they got their tastebuds around the must-have range. After all, it’s important to check that these wines are still suitable for such a prestigious selection…it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it! So, what did they think?
Have you heard of our Must-Haves? This is iDealwine’s selection of 50 cuvées, most of them within an affordable price bracket, that are good both for learning the essentials of the wine world and starting to put together a cellar. Bottles from diverse viticultural regions, these team favourites are the ones we think all wine lovers should try and know.
Last week, our tasting committee spent some time with the bottles from this selection in order to confirm their continued status as must-have wines. This is largely based on their flavour profiles and accessibility. It’s clear that they weren’t disappointed! Here are their tasting notes from the session.
White wines
Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine 2019 by Jo Landron
A fruity nose, floral and mineral. Balanced on the palate between freshness and richness, revealing a vintage with less edge than some we see from Jo Landron. With a lovely, light texture, this wine is always a unanimous success.
IGP Ardèche Grand Ardèche Chardonnay 2018 by Louis Latour
Oaky on the nose. Ample, round, and fruity on the palate with a touch of vanilla. This wine might not be for everyone, but is a great success with fans of round, white wines with woody aromas.
Saint-Romain 2019 by Alain Gras
Nice and fruity on the nose. Supple, light, citrus-led and salty on the palate, with a pleasant bitterness on the finish. Quite simple and well-made: an excellent price to quality ratio for discovering Burgundy Chardonnays.
Sancerre 2019 by Gérard Boulay
Intense and complex on the nose, lovely aromatics. Ample, ripe, round, and fruity on the palate, balanced by a pleasant freshness. Not at all heavy, with a salty finish. We love this one!
Brut Nature Les Murgiers by Francis Boulard
Aromas of white fruit, especially apple. Very fresh on the palate, lively character. Pure and dry, a lovely aperitif champagne.
Complex, rich, and intense on the nose. Perfectly balanced on the palate, ripe, fresh, and rich, with excellent length. A delightful champagne, ideal to serve at the table.
Red wines
IGP Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah les vignes d’à côté 2019 by Yves Cuilleron
Notes of ripe, red fruit on the nose, notably prunes. Gentle and silky on the palate with a slight vegetal hint. A nice sharing wine, perfect for an aperitif.
Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Zaccharie 2019 by Château Thivin
A subtle nose carried by notes of ripe fruit. Rich and dense on the palate, silky with lovely length. A nice Beaujolais in the region’s classic style. Quite deep in character, demonstrating good ageing potential.
Vin de France Faustine Vieilles Vignes 2019 by Comte Abbatucci
An indulgent nose rich in notes of red fruit, flowers, and garrigue. A flavourful palate, light in texture, well-balanced. A lovely, Corsican wine!
Bourgeuil Nuits d’Ivresse 2018 by Catherine and Pierre Breton
Wild on the nose with animal notes and a hint of leather. Gentle attack, flavourful and fresh on the palate, structured by tannins that are still a little firm on the finish. A must-have for fans of natural wine.
Marsannay 2018 by Sylvain Pataille
A lovely nose with floral and ripe fruit aromas. Perfectly balanced on the palate, silky with superb texture. A nice Burgundy with an expression of finesse.
Bourgogne Les Crays 2018 by Domaine des Vignes du Maynes
Quite a ‘loose’ nose (the wine’s natural side), with a nice fruity profile. Primary notes of tart, red fruit. Balanced on the palate, lightly structured by gentle tannins that bring complexity and a certain indulgence. Good tension. A natural wine with a classic side.
IGP Pays d’Hérault XB Terrasse d’Elise
Black fruit on the nose. Very flavourful on the palate, with notes of tart, red fruit. A dense, full mouthfeel. A sharing wine that you should always have to hand!
Crozes-Hermitage 2018 by Aléofane
A nose of dark fruits with a hint of spice. A warming palate, fruity, ripe, and deep, with a lovely texture. A nice wine that’s easy to drink, this bottle is a safe bet!
