Head of Biennale proved to be man of Taste – Caburnio 2010
By Charles Lea on 05/05/2015
Good to see Okwui Enwezor (head of this year’s Venice Biennale) is a man of taste in more ways than one. It this week’s FT ‘How to Spend it’
Author Archives: Charles Lea
2014 Bordeaux : Talbot, Chasse Spleen, Guiraud, Troplong Mondot
By Charles Lea on 04/05/2015
This morning – where France is not on holiday – the 2014 releases continue. The big one is Château Talbot 2014 (£290). We liked the wine, although the balance of all notes suggests a wine that maybe quite a firm style.
2014 Bordeaux – Lynch Bages and family – one that works
By Charles Lea on 29/04/2015
We loved Lynch this year, and so did everyone else: “Long and glamorous. Tasting it blind, I guessed it was Lynch” writes Jancis Robinson, and we like this ‘blind recognition’ – this is a wine with a personality which transcends vintages. Coming out at around £60 per bottle delivered to your cellar including VAT, this is recommended.
MiP* is back!
By Charles Lea on 29/04/2015
The first wines from the exceptional 2015 vintage at Domaine Saint Lucie and Domaine des Diables are now in stock and ready for delivery. Guillaume and Virginie report that 2015 will undoubtedly be the best vintage of the decade.
2014 Bordeaux Primeurs – Palmer, Angélus, Tour Carnet, Fombrauge
By Charles Lea on 29/04/2015
Angélus (released today at £1700), with Pavie, was elevated to the ‘Premier Grand Cru Classé A’ level in 2012, alongside Ausone and Cheval Blanc, so this is for them a big deal, although recently in London Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal agreed that nothing had really changed in terms of how the wine is made.
2010 Brunello di Montalcino new releases
By Charles Lea on 13/02/2015
Great excitement surrounds the new releases of 2010 Brunello. L&S has worked for a long time as exclusive UK importers of highly-rated Brunello producers Fuligni and Collemattoni, both of whom make wines true to the style of traditional Brunello, with an eye to modernity, but without the excessive use of new oak, which has momentarily led to a change in style and character of many of the wines in the region.
L&S 2015 Wine Magazine/Annual – on its way!
By Charles Lea on 12/12/2014
The LEA & SANDEMAN 2015 Wine Magazine/Annual Coming to your doorstep tomorrow or Friday is the new '2015 Lea & Sandeman 'Wine Annual', a magazine of photographs and pieces on some of our key producers, and articles from various luminaries of wine journalism - Victoria Moore, Tim Atkin MW, Tamlyn Currin, Steven Spurrier, Rosemary George MW, Harry Eyres, Sarah Marsh MW, and Robert Joseph.
Great White Burgundy recommended by Jane Macquitty in The Times
By Charles Lea on 16/11/2014
Jane MacQuitty recommends this sophisticated white Burgundy in glowing terms in her piece on the 1st November. As usual, once white Burgundy nears maturity it does not last long – 15 cases left of this vintage at time of writing, so get your skates on.
Victoria Moore of The Telegraph on Clos Manou and Capbern Gasqueton
By Charles Lea on 10/11/2014
A recent article by Victoria Moore in the Telegraph spoke of the ancient vines belonging to Stéphane Dief of Clos Manou – and pointed to his 2009 CLOS MANOU Médoc as a top value ‘under the radar’ wine.
Three Steven Spurrier recommendations in November Decanter Magazine
By Charles Lea on 10/10/2014
This month’s Decanter Magazine features recommendations by Stephen Spurrier for three wines from Lea & Sandeman:
‘Reliability and quality at the highest level’ – The Wine Gang selections from our Autumn Tastings
By Charles Lea on 08/10/2014
‘Lea & Sandeman, with its four shops in London and very good website, is one of Britain’s best wine merchants. No, let’s go big on this and say Lea & Sandeman is one of the best ever wine merchants.’