This week's recommended wines, chosen by Pat Carroll
Alpha Zeta Soave 2007, Italy, 12.5%, €10.25.An Italian wine made by New Zealander Matt Thomson, who also makes the Saint Clair wine listed below. This wine has real purity of fruit, with lemon peel and almonds on the palate, zesty acidity and a tangy finish. Stockists: The Corner House, Cork; Fallon & Byrne, D2; French Flair, Tralee; Gibney's, Malahide; Hole in the Wall, Phoenix Park; Holland's, Bray; Silver Granite, Palmerstown; O'Donovan's, Cork.
St Clair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007, New Zealand, 13%, €14.99. Classic New Zealand Sauvignon from an award-winning producer. Clean, crisp, ripe gooseberries, with tingling acidity and a super fresh finish. Stockists:Big Wine Cellar, Longmile Road; Bradley's, Cork; Corkscrew, Chatham Street; Harvest, Galway; Joyce's, Knocknacarra, Co Galway; Londis off-licences; O'Brien's Wine Off-licences, Redmonds, Ranelagh.
Chablis St Martin Domaine Laroche 2006, France, 12.5%, €19.99. Apart from the family property in Chablis, Michel Laroche makes wines in the south of France and has interests in wineries in Chile and South Africa. Unafraid of innovation, he has bottled all his Grand Cru Chablis under screwcap. A strong thread of minerals runs through the firm, fruity palate of this lovely Chablis. Steely acidity, firm structure, long, layered finish. Stockists:Carry Out stores nation-wide; Harvest, Galway.
Boekenhoutskloof Wolftrap 2006, South Africa, 14%, €8.99-13.06. An unusual mix of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier - Rhône and the south of France via the Cape. Packed with spicy black fruit, quite oaky and a bite of tannin. Super quality for the price. Stockists: Fahy's, Ballina; www.jnwine.com; Martin's, Fairview; Morton's, Galway; Oddbins (2007 vintage); Shevlin's, Rathfarnham; Superquinn; Parsons, Carrigaline.
Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2006, Burgundy, France, 13%, €18.99. The first French producer to bottle Grand Cru Burgundy reds under screwcap. This isn't Grand Cru, but it's excellent, accessible Burgundy with an appealing, juicy strawberry/cherry palate with a nice touch of oak, quite grippy tannins and a cherry-laced finish. A good food wine, especially with poultry. Stockists:64 Wine, Glasthule; Enowine, Monkstown and D1; Fallon & Byrne, D2; Morton's, Ranelagh; Silver Granite, Palmerstown; www.wineonline.com.
Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005, Margaret River, Australia, 14%, €20.99. A fragrant, rich, rewarding, plummy red from this ever-reliable Western Australian producer. Drinking beautifully now. Excellent with roast lamb. Stockists:Fresh, Grand Canal Square; Harvest, Galway; Harvey Nichols, Dundrum; Holland's, Bray; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Sweeney's, Dorset St; Vintry, Rathgar.
Pat Carroll is co-editor of The Best of Wine in Ireland 2008and part-time manager in Gibney's Off-Licence, Malahide. John Wilson is on leave.