Bottles of the week

Florent de Brie Anjou Blanc 2004, Catena, Malbec 2004, and Grandjo 2004 Late Harvest.

Florent de Brie Anjou Blanc 2004, Catena, Malbec 2004, and Grandjo 2004 Late Harvest.

Florent de Brie Anjou Blanc 2004, Loire Valley, 14%, €11.49:This is a cracking wine for the price. It is 100 per cent Chenin Blanc, hand-picked and barrel-aged for 12 months, full of elegance and interest, with great depth, good acidity and rich fruit. The Corkscrew, Chatham Street, Dublin 2; Bin No 9, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14; Claudio's, Georges Arcade, Dublin 2 Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.

Catena, Malbec 2004, Mendoza, 14%, €18.49:With roast lamb in mind, this sleek and sensuous Malbec fits the bill. Dark colour, black chocolate, raisins and orange peel on the nose, a spicy, firm body followed by a long smooth finish. On The Grapevine, Dalkey; Kelly's Wine Vault, Clontarf, Dublin 3; Brackens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9; The Grape Escape, Lucan, Co Dublin; The Vintry, Rathgar, Dublin 6 Martha's Vineyard, Rathfarnham; Almax Wines, Glasthule, Co Dublin.

Grandjo 2004 Late Harvest, Casal da Coelheira, Douro, 11%, 37.5cl, €22.50:Take one big Easter egg and this little Portuguese sweetheart made from botrytis-affected Semillon and go hide in a corner. A concentrated nose of caramel, honey and pear, lean yet sensuously silky in the mouth. From: Donnybrook Fair, Dublin 4 and branches; Cellars, the Big Wine Warehouse, Naas Road, Dublin 22; Gibneys, Malahide; Deveneys, Dundrum, Dublin 14.