Moulin-à-Vent 2004, Rasteau Prestige 2003 and Cepa Gavilán 2001
Moulin-à-Vent 2004, Domaine Lucien Lardy, €14.99-€16.99 Is it time for a Beaujolais revival? This attractive example is made from 45-year-old Gamay vines. A vibrant nose of fresh, summer fruit gives way to a rich mouthfeel and a smooth finish that screams, more please. Brechin Watchorn, Ranelagh and Terenure Road West, Dublin; Baily Wines, Howth; O'Neills, Carrickmacross; Slattery's, Carrick-on-Shannon; Dicey Reilly's, Ballyshannon.
Rasteau Prestige 2003, Côtes du Rhône Villages, €13.49, (€11.49 until April 23rd) O'Briens's has a number of tempting offers running in its Easter promotion, but none better than this. At €13.49, this concentrated and smooth expression of Grenache is good value, but for €2 less it is a bargain. From: O'Brien's branches.
Cepa Gavilán 2001, Ribera del Duero D.O. €18.50 The Ribera del Duero continues to deliver beautifully textured wines with dark fruit; models of the great potential of the Tempranillo grape. This junior member of the Vina Pedrosa family has good balance and concentration, with the oak well integrated with rich fruit. From: Lynch's, Glanmire, Co Cork; Redmonds, Ranelagh, Dublin and Thomas's Deli, Foxrock, Co Dublin.