Out & About March 2017

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Keeping it local In the first of a series featuring local wine merchants, James Allen shares some of the delights he discovered at Haynes Hanson & Clark in Whitchurch. And they have a special offer for out&about readers

T he Newbury area is blessed with a number of excellent wine merchants. I attended a wine tasting recently at Haynes Hanson & Clark’s shop in Whitchurch. I was treated to some super wines, the notes for which I would like to share with you! “The pursuit of good wine at a good price is very exciting”, enthuses Master of Wine Anthony Hanson. It was with this zeal and drive that he founded the wine merchant Haynes Hanson & Clark in 1978 with Denis Haynes and Nicholas Clark. “The idea was to be an independent specialist, fast-moving and shipping directly,” says Hanson. “We pride ourselves on the efficient, friendly, personal service we offer, ensuring that clients old and new are always looked after by someone knowledgeable, enthusiastic and keen. “Thanks to our long history and years of hard work in establishing relationships with wine producers, we are able to seek out bottles that offer brilliant quality and value, from the £6 mark upwards.” Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie, Dmne Chauvinière 2015 £9.55 The nose is perfumed, floral and fresh followed by a beautifully silky texture in the mouth. Touraine Sauvignon, Domaine Jacky Marteau 2015. £10.00 The 2015 is wonderfully open and aromatic, with ripe greengage and hints of spices and fresh herbs. Very popular in our tasting. This 2015 is an attractively perfumed, peachy wine. There is ample richness, yet the acidity is racy and wonderfully fresh. Mâcon-Prissé, Vignerons des Terres Secrètes 2015. £12.15 Un-oaked, clean and lively in style, aromas Viognier, Domaine Gayda, Pays d`Oc 2015. £10.15

are bright, floral and lemony. Excellent middle richness with peach and apricot flavours. Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay, Auckland 2014. £21.00 One of the stars of the evening, the 2014 is a spectacular vintage. This Estate Chardonnay is a bright, pure wine, with lovely oaking, that has a rich core that is balanced perfectly by racy, fine acidity. Racine Minervois, Bruno Lafon & François Chamboissier 2015. £9.20 A juicy Languedoc blend with aromas of spiced plums and perfumed garrigue, the palate is vibrant and fresh. Gamay sur Volcan, La Madone, Côtes du Forez, Gilles Bonnefoy 2015. £13.00 Colour is vivid purple, with fresh, red fruit and floral aromas. The palate is ripe and seamless, with good depth of flavour and a long-lasting flavour. The colour is a bright ruby with open spiced cherry aromas. This is a fresh, ripe style, with a creamy texture and a fine structure. The tannins are gentle, with a clean, bright, enticing finish. Chateau de Malleret, Haut Médoc 2009. £18.33 Château de Malleret 2009 is the epitome of rich, ready-to-drink Bordeaux. The palate is of medium to full weight, with generously rounded texture, ample fruit core, supple edges and a pleasing length. Château Raymond Lafon, Sauternes 2008. £28.00 Château Raymond-Lafon is beautifully placed – the vineyards abut those of Château d’Yquem and their wines are often compared in quality, despite the disparity in price. The property was bought in 1972 by Pierre Meslier, then the manager of Yquem. He Rioja Crianza, Bodegas Bagordi 2012. £11.25

immediately duplicated the regime of Yquem at Raymond-Lafon and set about producing one of the great sweet wines of Bordeaux. This 2008 is a wine with racy acidity and crystaline intensity that cuts through the wine’s natural richness. The aromas combine white flowers, spiced apricot and peach, with sublime textures and a clean finish. Ready to drink, but will cellar well to 2020 and beyond. If you like sweeter wines... this is a delight.

Prices are per bottle. Haynes Hanson & Clark, are offering a special 10 per cent case discount on six-bottle cases (normally only on 12-bottle cases). Please call them or email your order, and quote ‘Out & About’ Haynes Hanson & Clark, 7a Church Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7AA Tel: 01256 830 104 Email: whitchurch@hhandc.co.uk Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Saturday10am-4.30pm READER OFFER

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