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.
By David Porter on 29/06/2017
Brilliant Vintage Wines At harvest time in 2015, the shippers were all talking about ‘Vintage quality’ and fairly sure that there would be a general 'declaration' - but then came the impressive 2016 in the cellars too, and a decision had to be made about which to declare. Both really are very good indeed.
By Lucy Marcuson on 26/06/2017
14th September 2017 - Trinity House Join us for our Annual Tasting in September, at Trinity House, home to the General Lighthouse Authority. Designed by Samuel Wyatt in 1794, this beautiful neo-classical building is located in the heart of the City overlooking the Tower of London.
By Edward Richardson on 18/06/2017
We sample a staggering number of wines during the tastings of en primeur week and there is always a treasure trove of beautifully made and very well priced options. There are particularly rich pickings in a vintage with the quality and consistency of 2016. The *Fill your cellar for under £250 a dozen* list is our pick of the bunch. £2k could easily get you 10 cases of superb claret that will bring huge amounts of pleasure in the years ahead
By Edward Richardson on 14/06/2017
The (lengthy) en primeur show is drawing to a close but there are still a couple of the greatest hits left. First is LAFITE, out today at £2,950 per 6 bottles IB. Alongside HAUT BRION (now sold out) this was the first-growth that most impressed us en primeur. We found it silky, dense and brooding but still unbelievably pure.
By Edward Richardson on 13/06/2017
FIGEAC has been released at £930 per 6 bottles IB. This is another potential 100-pointer according to Neal Martin. He said, 'the 2015 Figeac was stunning and the 2016 no less.
By Edward Richardson on 12/06/2017
Today's releases include some of the top-rated wines from the vintage. The Chateaux certainly believe they have produced something very special, wines that are blessed with genuine greatness. The critics seem to agree. Léoville Las Cases, L'Église-Clinet and Ausone are all touching 100 points. Sadly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, the pricing reflects the hype and the high scores.
By David Porter on 09/06/2017
Louis Roederer is one of the very best of the Grande Marque Champagne producers. Perhaps most famous for its uber cuvée Cristal – the house’s real focus, however, is the Brut Premier. Made by the same team with the same principals in the cellar as its famous stablemate, this is a pure pleasure to drink.
By Edward Richardson on 09/06/2017
Out today is PICHON LALANDE at £710 per 6 bottles IB. This left Galloni completely spell-bound. He scored it 97-100/100 and described it as 'simply extraordinary.
By Charles Lea on 08/06/2017
CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE have released their wines. The grand vin is out at £467.50 per 6 bottles IB. This was a really classy wine with an intense core of outstanding Cabernet fruit. There's gorgeous texture and lovely length here too - it's a supremely well made Pessac.
By Edward Richardson on 08/06/2017
PICHON BARON has been released at £1,350 per 12 bottles IB. It is very hard to exaggerate just how good this wine is. When we tasted at the Château in April we discovered something with the level of freshness, purity and richness that you'd normally associate with a first-growth.
By Edward Richardson on 08/06/2017
Two of the big-guns from Saint-Julien are out. DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU is at £852 per 6 bottles IB. Neal Martin scored this a very impressive 96-98/100. Galloni rated it 94-97/100 and called it 'simply magnificent', and 'one of the highlights of the vintage'. We found it had lovely even-toned harmonious fruit, beautifully pitched tannin, and remarkable concentration.