2004 Vintage Champagne Dom Pérignon – Moet et Chandon
By Ed H-B on 24/05/2013
“Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 is both all-embracing and intriguing. It never fully reveals itself. It reveals and hides at the same time”.
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2012 Bordeaux – Denis Durantou’s ‘Haiku of the vintage’ & Las Cases, Saint Pierre, Vieux Chateau Certan, and yes… ÉGLISE CLINET
By Charles Lea on 23/05/2013
2012 Bordeaux - Denis Durantou's 'Haiku of the vintage' & Las Cases, Saint Pierre, Vieux Chateau Certan, and yes.
2012 Bordeaux – Brane Cantenac, Léoville Poyferre, Figeac, Clos du Marquis, Nénin
By Charles Lea on 22/05/2013
Brane Cantenac, Léoville Poyferre, Figeac, Beauséjour Duffau, Clos du Marquis, Nénin Today we have one of my favourite wines in Margaux, Brane Cantenac, where Henri Lurton has made another quintessentially elegant wine, and the release price is very realistic. The Cuveliers have released Léoville Poyferré at a price just under that of Léoville Barton, having been well above in some recent vintages.
2012 Bordeaux – Gruaud Larose and Sarget de Gruaud
By Charles Lea on 21/05/2013
2012 Bordeaux - Gruaud Larose and Sarget de Gruaud - and a reminder about La Conseillante The only significant releases this afternoon are Gruaud Larose and its second wine Sarget de Gruaud. Sarget is well-priced compared to some of the Saint Julien second wines, but on the other hand I think I'd still rather have the slightly juicier Connétable Talbot.
2012 Bordeaux – into the final week? – Ausone, Conseillante, Ducru Beaucaillou, Cheval Blanc, Cos d’Estournel, Lagrange
By Charles Lea on 21/05/2013
Ausone has just been put on the market at £3950. This seems a solid buy against the price of other vintages. Robert Parker calls this "a high class, aristocratic, nearly perfect wine to cellar for a decade and then watch it unfold over the following 40-50 years".
International Sauvignon Blanc Day 2013 – Rippon Valley & Two Rivers ‘Convergence’
By Ed H-B on 17/05/2013
To celebrate the fourth annual International Sauvignon Blanc day we are pleased to present 2 great examples of the grape that made New Zealand famous for wine production. Central Otago First off we have the deliciously distinctive 2012 Rippon Sauvignon Blanc from Central Otago.
2012 Bordeaux – Montrose, Clinet, Domaine de Chevalier, Rouget, Clos l’Eglise
By Charles Lea on 17/05/2013
2012 Bordeaux - Montrose, Clinet, Domaine de Chevalier, Rouget, Clos l'Eglise Château Montrose is on a real roll at the moment, and while the 2012 wine is not quite up to the (Parker 100 point) 2009 (currently £2500+, nor the 2010 (£1600+), it is a great Montrose, and as Robert Parker says 'one of the top successes of the vintage'.
Wine of the Week: 2011 CAIRANNE, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Domaine Romain Roche 2011 – Rhône France
By Ed H-B on 16/05/2013
An up and coming talent in the village of Cairanne, young Romain Roche is a vigneron to watch. With the help of super star consultant (and school friend) Philippe Cambie, he is making incredible wines at down to earth prices. 2011 CAIRANNE Côtes du Rhône Villages Domaine Romain Roche £14.50 or just £12.
2012 Bordeaux – Grand Puy Lacoste, Pavie Macquin, Branaire Ducru, d’Issan, Haut Batailley, Gloria, de Fieuzal
By Charles Lea on 15/05/2013
This morning's big releases are Grand Puy Lacoste and Pavie Macquin. I did not taste Pavie Macquin this year, but the critics who did seem united - Robert Parker 92-95, Neal Martin 94-96, and so on. It seems to have united both American and European critics, and as a regular favourite of ours amongst the Saint Emilions, this comes recommended.
2012 Bordeaux – Pichon Lalande, Leoville Barton, Beauregard, Marquis de Terme
By Charles Lea on 14/05/2013
2012 Bordeaux - Pichon Lalande, Leoville Barton, Beauregard, Marquis de Terme The tasting at Pichon Lalande was a cheering experience this year, bringing to mind the wines of the eighties which never missed here. Silky and 'feminine' in the inimitable Pichon style, it has depth and length - a real core too.