By David Porter on 20/05/2026
The 2024 Port Vintage Declaration is always an event. In the modern era, it has become rarer still. Which is why this week’s release of the 2024 Vintage Ports — the first full general declaration since 2017 — feels genuinely interesting. London Tasting Day, Christies, St James. Port’s grandees assemble.
By David Porter on 28/04/2026
As I climbed the steps up to the plane on a warm, sunny evening, at the end of a frenetic week in Bordeaux, I found myself reflecting on just how differently I felt compared to a few days earlier. It’s no secret that Bordeaux is facing a moment of real challenge.
By David Porter on 06/12/2023
2022 is a wonderful vintage in Burgundy. For both reds and whites, top winemakers have not put a foot wrong. It’s no surprise that we found winemakers so smiley - the quality is superb, and for the first time in a while, they have some quantity too.
By David Porter on 11/01/2023
It’s no longer breaking news that in 2021 Mother Nature threw everything at vignerons – across France – but in Burgundy the punishing impact on the vineyards, and on the yields, seemed somehow more tangible.
By David Porter on 12/05/2022
All my pre-departure research had left me rather gloomy about the week ahead, tasting through the latest vintage in Bordeaux. Thank goodness I was travelling with Jack, ever upbeat, hopefully we could buoy each other along through the teeth-shattering tastings.
By David Porter on 30/12/2021
Our visits to Burgundy in the Autumn each year are planned to coincide with the moment the vignerons have finally ‘got away’ all the wines from the recent harvest, and they've had a moment to recover from the strains and stresses of vintage, an all-consuming and monumentally physical time.
By David Porter on 20/05/2021
We had a brilliant, quite intimate conversation with Basile Tesseron of Lafon Rochet as we tasted together his fabulous 2020 release over the airwaves. This is a special year for him and the estate as they celebrate 60 years since his grandfather bought it.
By David Porter on 08/10/2020
We were very sad to receive this message today from our friends at Domaine Tempier: 'Lulu Peyraud left us yesterday morning to join Lucien. Of course, her spirit will remain with us forever; her 'joie de vivre' and happiness will always be remembered.
By David Porter on 09/06/2020
Our plans to taste the latest releases from Chateau Margaux face to face (at a safe distance!) with the team from the Chateau were thwarted last week by complications with travel for the Bordeaux contingent. We had been heading into London to the Mentzelopoulos family's Marylebone outpost - Clarette (the wine bar owned by Alexandra Petit Mentzelopoulos).
By David Porter on 04/06/2020
Wednesday was quite a day as we headed to the Rothschild family’s English home, Waddesdon Manor, for an impressive Rothschild double header – the 5 wines from the Lafite Rothschilds and 5 wines from the Mouton Rothschilds. It was a strange feeling – very reminiscent of our usual primeur pilgrimage to the great Châeaux of Bordeaux.
By David Porter on 15/04/2020
Is there anything that beats a good Dinner Party? Coming together to share delicious food, exciting wines, and lively conversation with friends now seems more essential than ever before – but how to have that experience now? In recent weeks, technology has really stepped up to the plate, changing the way we work, play, and socialise.
By David Porter on 23/12/2019
It’s the busiest moment of the year for our team as we try to help everyone get the right wines into their glasses as well as the perfect presents into people's stockings for Christmas.