February Wines of the Month: Sébastien Brunet Arpent Sec Vouvray 2011 & Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2010

February’s wines are full of fragrance.  Nothing to do with Valentine’s Day – I just love that in a wine!

Sébastien Brunet Arpent Sec Vouvray 2011 (Vouvray)

While Touraine’s less famous Chenin regions (Montlouis-sur-Loire and Jasnieres) have been sprouting new producers, it’s been pretty quiet on the Vouvray front. So I was delighted to discover young gun Brunet’s bell clear, penetrating wines and fizz (click here for details).  The sec is super dry, yet with a beguilingly sweet, honeyed nose with hints of bruléed apple and saffron – wonderful perfume – which follows through on a palate of great precision, focus, length and tang. With apple and pear fruit and a tight citric backbone, it’s terrific.  RRP £15.95 Stockists include Wright Wine Co, Corks Out, Duncan Murray Wines, Free Run Juice, George Hill, Harrogate Fine Wine, St Andrews Wine Co & Winearray.

Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2010 (Canberra District)

From a stunning vintage for Australian reds, Tim Kirk’s ground-breaking cool climate Shiraz goes from strength to strength. Cathedral spices – arcs of incense and five spice – infuse this bright and beautiful wine’s plum, red cherry and berry fruit.  Teased out by spice and a fine spine of tannin, this is long and ultra-persistent with a mineral undertow of acidity. Dare I say it, haunting, staying with you long after the swallow, for this is not a wine to spit! RRP £66.99 but £52.99 at AG Wines, £53.99 at The Wine Reserve