Producer: Ile La Forge
Region: Vin de Pays D’Oc
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2005
Price: £4.99 / Aldi Wine
I’ve fallen in love with Cabernet Sauvignon over the last few months. Admittedly; this was 90% due to a bottle of 2001 vintage from Coonawarra which was just utterly outstanding. It reminded me why Cabernet Sauvignon is such a world renowned grape.
With this fresh in mind, I took advantage of my local Aldi opening till 8pm and dropped in after work and picked up a bottle from Ile la Forge; who’s Chardonnay I quite enjoyed. The producers seemingly supply a range of Aldi wine.
This was a clear, deep ruby coloured wine, with a medium intensity nose which I found quite agreeable, with hints of black fruit and a bit of pepperiness. On first taste, I wasn’t too impressed however. There was a stack of tannins which weren’t really balanced out by as much fruit as the nose first gave the hint of. Acidity levels weren’t overly high for a French Cabernet Sauvignon.
I decantered the bottle and then poured a glass half an hour later; and it was a different kettle of fish. The oxygen had softened the tannins somewhat, and/or had invigorated the fruit hidden within the wine. It was a decent improvement on the first impression.
Personally, I’ve enjoyed other inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignons more than this, but I suspect that the flavour and mouth-feel would be improved if eaten with some red meats.
In fairness, I’d probably get this again at this price, but I think this would have been better if it was blended with a bit of Merlot to make it a bit easier to drink. Not bad overall though: another Aldi wine reviewed! I promise to add a review few Lidl wines next week!
