M&S Wine online.

The M&S Press Tasting today, where there were 150 wines to oil the palate. I’ll be writing up several wines over the next weeks, however for today I have selected three wines that are available through M&S Wine Direct. This is a important part of the M&S wine business and they will continue to increase market share judging by the selection The Wine Tipster tasted.
Discovered another stunning Riesling from Australia: Moonbridge Riesling 2009, Eden Valley, £6.99, which won Best Value White 2010 at the recent International Wine Challenge Awards. Immediately identifiable as Riesling, this is dry, drinkable, with some trademark petrolly character, balanced by citrus flavours and a stunning length of fruit on the finish. Buy now at this price!
Staying in Oz, the Icarus Shiraz 2008, Barossa, £7.49 is a stylish medium to full bodied red delivering a cocktail of damson fruit flavours, mint, liquorice and herbaceous character. All balanced by subtle oak and a restraint of power that some other winemakers should replicate.
2009 is a Bordeaux vintage to buy at all levels and I really liked the Chateau Moulin de Mallet 2009, £8.49, made with 80% Merlot and equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, accessible with upfront, ripe dark fruits and chocolate flavours balanced by soft tannins. A youthful claret with no edge.
On a separate note, Calm of Zero (ex Echobelly) played a stunning acoustic set at The Slaughtered Lamb in a suitably intimate setting. Sonya Madan and Glenn Johansson have some great new songs and will hopefully release a new album in 2011.
More to follow on M&S and Calm of Zero.