2015 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"Opened to drink with falafel based meal for Veganuary. Thin, red fruit and spice. My friend thought it was ok; I wasn't a fan. One glass was enough. I would not purchase this again. "
Ms Helene Fielden (15-Jan-2020)
"I first went to Turkey in 1970 when imports were restricted, and drinking the local wine in this Moslem country was reminded of Dr Johnson’s remark about a dog walking on its hind legs: “It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all”. It was excessively sweet and insipid, and frankly presented less challenge than Ribena.
Öküzgözü shows that there have been big changes since 1970. The wine has good body, and is certainly drinkable, and fair value at its relatively low price. But it is still rather rough, and to be quite honest I doubt that I shall be ordering more from the Society.
"
Mr Mark O'Sullivan (14-Jan-2019)
"Delicious smooth red. Full of flavour."
Mr Andrew Keeling (27-Nov-2018)
"Remarkably good with distinct cherry on the nose - a little rustic to taste - but good value Friday night bottle"
Dr Peter J Burney (11-Sep-2018)
"Having come back to the half finished bottle a couple of days later this has integrated a bit better. For me, better than (say) Ventoux at the same price. "
Mr Tristan Ward (08-Aug-2018)
"Excellent. Red fruit not too far away from Pinot Noir and with a bit of the tartness of entry level burgundy, but a bit sweeter. No complaints at all."
Mr Tristan Ward (01-Aug-2018)
2015 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
matchingfoodandwine.com (7th Jan 2019)
"I am not a fan of
month-long campaigns, but you might find taking a break from meat and dairy
useful after the excesses of the festive season. One of my favourite vegan
dishes is Imam Bayildi, an aubergine, onion, and tomato dish that will not only
keep you warm, but is so decadent, it is practically cheating. If you are going
for one, and want to keep the exploratory spirit, may I recommend a bottle of
Öküzgözü, a Turkish variety that is due for more international attention. The
WIne Society has a representative, and excellently priced, example from
Vinkara, which you might think of as a spicier Chianti Classico. As an aside,
making wine in today’s Turkey is a de facto political move – so in a small way
you are also supporting some of the country’s more progressive citizens. - Peter Pharos"
Three Wine Men (20th Dec 2018)
"Turkish wine at its
indigenous best brimming with raspberry and red cherry fruit and framed by
spicy tannins. "
2013 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"You have to see this wine in context.
It's not flawless, the nose has the rubbery whiff that afflicted South African wines of the 90's (Leaf-Roll virus someone said). And it's not perfectly balanced on the palate.
BUT! For an inexpensive wine it is at least sincere, not dosed up to the eyeballs with chemicals as so many cheap wines are today.
It has ripe, genuine fruit and feel on the palate, a bit of fizzle and quite a nice finish.
Perfect for serving to your 20 year old children, as a step up from the egregious £3.99 wines to which they have been subjecting themselves at college.
A bit more experience in the vineyard and winery and this could be a very nice, interesting red."
Mr Matthew Hudson (10-May-2018)
"It was OK, but at the price there many bottles in the WS range I would rather buy. Maybe we didn’t choose the right food to match - it didn’t really go with pizza!"
Mrs Joy Stokes (12-Jan-2018)
"Just not for us. My wife used it to cook a pork loin joint and it was just perfect for that
However not a bad wine - just an acquired taste!"
Mr Paul Anderson (30-Nov-2017)
"Unusual but enjoyable. Brambly fruit flavours with a tart edge. Good with food."
Mr Colin Mitchell (02-Jun-2017)
"Enjoyable, Had something of the Northern Rhone about it, but with a nose that reminded me a little of slightly jammy Pinot Noir or St Laurent from Austria. A little oak and medium bodied, fresh and aromatic.
Looking forward to trying more Turkish wine.
"
Mr Nick Foster (22-Mar-2017)
2013 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
Chase Magazine (29th Jun 2017)
"It has a red fruit
flavour, with cherry and resembles strawberry jam. It is soft and pleasant ,
not too tannic. - David Clay"
JancisRobinson.com (10th May 2017)
"Bright red. Rather
light nose. Sweet, almost candied, start with grainy fruit. Easy to like and
certainly whistle clean. Nice little bite-to-bitterness on the end. Clean
finish. Interesting! Though I wonder whether the bitterness will increase?
16/20 Jancis Robinson"
The Wine Gang (2nd May 2017)
"We liked this vintage
of this wine when The Wine Society showed it off at their tasting a year ago,
giving it 87 points and describing its mix of ripe brambly fruit and liquorice
spice as not unlike a rustic Châteauneuf-du-Pape. That's still true now, so we'll
give its smooth, mellow qualities another push. - The Wine Gang"
2013 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"One for spicy foods which are normally red killers. Certainly not a subtle wine: flavoursome with a nice bouquet, robust and what I would describe as spiky. I will certainly buy this wine again and would recommend it to the more adventurous. Imagine a Primitivo with bite."
Mr Richard Hadfield (31-Aug-2016)
"A gutsy, full-bodied sort of wine. Black cherry flavours, and robust tannins."
Mr Dan Cook (21-Jul-2016)
"I tried this after enjoying this estate's Kalecik Karasi. It's likeable - in its way - not entirely unlike the wines of Naoussa or Nemea. Unfortunately, the impeccable modern winemaking means it is not nearly mellow enough for my palate, so I will stick with the Kalecik, which is naturally lighter."
Mr Peter J Brennan (13-Apr-2016)
2013 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
Sunday Express (24th Jul 2016)
"
I love
this Turkish red, which is fresh, sweetly fruited, soft and textured with
cherry fruit and some stony undercurrents. It’s stylish, warm and rounded.
- Jamie Goode
"
The Field (22nd Apr 2016)
"
Fine
Turkish red that's unbeatable with lamb shashlik, garlic and rosemary.
- Jonathan Ray
"
thewinegang.com (21st Mar 2016)
"If you can't face
trying to say the name of this wine – that of its grape variety – just call it
Bull's Eye, which is what Oküzgözü means. After all, it would be a shame if a
little local pronunciation difficulty caused anyone to miss out on this
characterful, mellow red. With its warm, ripe flavours of baked cherries,
liquorice and linseed, it's not unike a rustic, simple version of
Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 87/100"
The Independent (19th Mar 2016)
"Great value … gutsy,
mulberryish . - Anthony Rose"