Domaine les Herbes Blanches Ventoux 2012 (France)

Nose:  Quite potent with dark red berries and good bit of oakiness.  Almost a bit tart.

Taste:  Dry, with some dark berry flavour overall but not particularly distinct.

Finish:  A bit of spiciness at the end.  Lasting tannins.

What we say:  V - 'Almost licorice on the nose?'  S - 'Yeah, a bit bitter.  I can almost taste it in the smell.'  'I think I recognise the smell.  I want to say... grapes?  No!  Apple juice!'  S - 'There's a little bit of Christmas in the taste'

What they say:  Round, balanced, fruit-driven wine with spicy notes.

Rating:  4

Price:  ‎£11.99

Le Petiole Ventoux Rouge AOC 2010 (France)

Nose:  Smooth, light on the nose.  Sweet with some kind of berry.

Taste:  Hint of sweetness on first taste, but with a sharp tang.  Cherry, perhaps?

Finish:  Super-light on the end, almost zero.  This is particularly the case at first, though it seems to increase as time goes on.

What they say:  Ripe cherry aromas and delicious scent of crushed mulberry and black current.  Warm spices and long, elegant finish.

What we say:  V - "A simple wine that does its thing"  S - "Perhaps a bit boring."  "Almost a hint of flavour  but it disappears before it can evolve into anything."  "Might be ok with cheese in that it is so mild that if you had a strong cheese it could counterbalance it nicely."

Rating:  4.5 (S - 4; V - 5)