Annual Tasting Round Up – Shining a light on some joyous wines By David Porter on 16/09/2017 Yesterday we held our 'Annual Tasting' - the biggest showcase event for our wines each year. As we closed the doors of the beautiful Trinity House at just after 8.30 last night the whole team were 'abuzz' after a fabulous, exhilarating day of tasting, chatting to the 20 winemakers who came to present their wines and catching up with so many customers and journalists too. Read more
First release of 2015 “Yquem without a hair out of place” and ‘Y’ Ygrec 2016 By Charles Lea on 15/09/2017 “…an astonishing Yquem that will rank alongside the 2001 and 2009.” If you want some of this gorgeous nectar in your cellar, the time to stash it away is now. Read more
The Outsiders, California Dreaming – 2014 Vérité Trio & Cardinale By David Porter on 12/09/2017 "Every hillside, every elevation and aspect offers us a different micro-cru, and the pure expression of these unique sites has from the beginning defined our winemaking philosophy." Vérité Winemaker– Pierre Seillan Vérité is another international collaboration, here it is a partnership between the Jackson family & the celebrated Bordeaux winemaker Pierre Seillan. Read more
“Already a classic” 2015 Seña, 100 points By Charles Lea on 11/09/2017 The final 100 point Chilean in this autumn's 'Outsiders' series is Seña, from Eduardo Chadwick of Errazuriz. This wine is described by Luis Gutiérrez from Robert Parker's team as being 'lower in alcohol and higher in acidity, which provide for a more vibrant mouthfeel and a more focused expression of the character of the place' than the 2014, despite coming from a warmer year. Read more
Champagne Taittinger – Back to School offer, make September sparkle. By David Porter on 08/09/2017 We are delighted to offer one of our favourite Grande Marque Champagnes at a very special price until the end of September. Always elegant and fine, Taittinger is the perfect champagne to watch the sun set on summertime. Special Price per single bottle £31.95 - normally £39. Read more
100 point Clos Apalta: a top Chilean with the emphasis on elegance By Charles Lea on 05/09/2017 We hesitate to use the word 'icon' in connection with wine ever since Jancis Robinson came up with the question 'is that one word or two?', but it is appropriate for some of the wines launched onto the market via the Bordeaux 'place' at this time of year. Read more
Autumn Release Wine Icons – proposed release schedule By Charles Lea on 05/09/2017 We hesitate to use the word 'icon' in connection with wine ever since Jancis Robinson came up with the question 'is that one word or two?', but it is appropriate for some of the wines launched onto the market via the Bordeaux 'place' at this time of year. Read more
Vina Laguna – a taste of Istria By Angus Barcroft on 25/07/2017 Five years ago, I visited Croatia for the first time for a music festival. It was in a small town called Tisno in between Zadar and Split. A lovely place, right on the beach. Crystal clear sea, beautiful food and amazing weather. A great place for a holiday. Read more
Time to drink German Riesling – Es ist Zeit, Riesling zu trinken! By Andrew Hooper on 25/07/2017 Is there anything finer than a glass of Riesling? To many in the wine trade a noble Riesling is a thing of beauty to be valued, adored and written lyrically of, and drunk with suitable reverence. Outside the trade, the wider wine drinking public remains to be entirely convinced, although early signs of a Riesling renaissance are welcome. Read more
A ‘terrific showing’ from Champagne Barnaut – Antonio Galloni By Ed H-B on 19/07/2017 We know Champagne Barnaut well, it’s been on the LEA & SANDEMAN list for many years and is our regular recommendation for quality and value and the brand that, perhaps more than any other, illustrates just what good value ‘Grower’ Champagnes can be. Read more
2015 La Gravette de Certan – second wine of a great vintage of VCC released today By Charles Lea on 06/07/2017 Today sees the initial release of 2015 Gravette de Certan, the second wine of Vieux Château Certan. Now, we have not tasted this, and as far as we can tell neither has any other journalist/commentator/critic, but the 'Grand Vin' from 2015 was awarded 98-100 by Neal Martin and certainly one member of the Thienpont family spoke of the 'Gravette' with awe at the beginning of this year, saying he thought it as good as many earlier vintages of the Grand Vin. Read more
Join L&S at The Game Fair: 28th – 30th July, Hatfield House. By Edward Richardson on 06/07/2017 Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July Visit us at: Stand F848, Gun Maker's Row. For the first time ever, Lea & Sandeman will be exhibiting at The Game Fair, held this year at Hatfield House from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th of July. Read more