November Meeting - Majestic Label Wines

When Sue discovered that Majestic Wines had discount offers on their Parcel Series wines, she spotted an opportunity for us to try slightly more expensive wines at a great price. All of our wines were from the Parcel Series or Majestic Definition range. The comments are from group members but the scores are mine alone and do not represent the views of the group. I tend to mark down, but at least am consistent.

Parcel Series No 74 English Sparkling Brut (12%)

This was a very good sparkling wine with a nose of green apples and sweet spice and a palate of citrus fruits. The aftertaste was fresh and the wine had good length. We liked it very much, although some would prefer a Cremant.

Score - 14/20

Definition Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (13%)

This was not a typical New Zealand Marlborough wine, more like a cross between NZ and French Sauvignon Blanc. A grassy nose with notes of elderflower, soft and mouthfilling with zesty minerality and a lovely citrus finish. "A sophisticated wine" which met with a surprisingly mixed response.

Score - 14/20

Parcel Series No 84 Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2024 (13.5%)

A delightful wine made with a blend of Grenache, Rousanne, Viognier, and Clairette grapes. Tropical fruits, including pineapple, with a touch of marzipan, creamy on the palate with a finish of citrus and pineapple. Most people loved this full bodied and aromatic wine, including our red wine drinkers.

Score - 16/20

Definition Organic Rose 2023 (12.5%)

Made in Provence this was a crisp, fresh, dry rose wine with redcurrants on the nose and red fruits on the palate. The finish had good length and a little sweetness. As so often with rose, there were mixed views but some people really liked this one very much.

Score - 13/20

Parcel Series No 67 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2022 (13%)

This Pinot Noir had a nose of spice, sweet black cherries and a hint of caramel. The palate was quite dry and fresh with flavours of cherries and a little caramel returning in the finish. A really lovely, light, clear wine.

Score - 15/20

Parcel series No 80 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023 (13.5%)

A dense red wine with a nose of cherries, blackcurrants and pepper. Surprisingly not sweet - savoury and spicy on the palate with dark fruit and pepper. Some sweetness in the finish and very good length. This was a lovely Australian Shiraz and the whole group loved it.

Score - 15/20

Parcel Series No 89 Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (14%)

This Cabernet Sauvignon had had time to age and mellow with one of the top red wine producers in Chile and it showed. A dense, dark red wine with a tinge of brown and no miniscus, stewed dark fruit and spice on the nose, sweet spice (cloves and cinnamon) with dark fruit and gentle tannins on the palate, more soft tannins on a long and delightful finish. Too powerful for some people's taste, but others (including me) rated it as brilliant - and I often don't care for Cabernet Sauvignon!

Score - 17/20

The MaD u3a Wine Appreciation group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 2:30 pm. The group is currently full, but if you would like to put your name on the waiting list please contact either Sue or Maggie by email.

Although the in-person group is full all members are welcome to join the MaD Wine Bar which meets via Zoom most Wednesdays at 6.00 pm.

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Cheers from the Wine Appreciation Group