By Patrick Sandeman on 16/08/2012
Through a glass darkly? (Or where are my specs?) Last night I hosted a 'shepherd's pie and claret' supper, something which has become a summer ritual, for nine of my closest 'August bachelor' friends. Only this year I intentionally did not serve any claret, but unintentionally served some wines as a result of not taking my specs into the cellar, which proved interesting.
By Patrick Sandeman on 15/08/2012
Wine & the art of seduction - Victoria Moore 'Does it matter what wine is poured when the intention is to seduce? And if so, what bottles might it be good to open? I ask these questions because I was browsing in wine merchants Lea & Sandeman last Friday when a chap, who I’ll call Mr X, walked in and asked for help.
By Patrick Sandeman on 30/07/2012
Decanter Magazine’s only ‘Outstanding’ 2010 Crozes Hermitage, & for under £20!
By Patrick Sandeman on 19/07/2012
Mas Fino? Por favor! La Gitana Manzanilla Fino 'En Rama', Hidalgo Anybody who bought Gonzalez Byass' Tio Pepe 'En Rama' this year will know by now what a great wine it is, and will surely be ready for yet more fabulous sherry to drink this summer! Shortly after this year's Tio Pepe release we were offered a tiny quantity of Hidalgo's stunning Manzanilla La Gitana ' En Rama'.
By Charles Lea on 26/06/2012
You may have already spotted the article in the Saturday Telegraph which featured their correspondent Victoria Moore with a huge bottle of L&S's smash-hit, quintessential Provence rosé MiP* (Made in Provence) from Domaine Saint Lucie:- :- Photo © Andrew Crowley - The Daily Telegraph 16th June 2012 Victoria wrote "For me, Provencale rosé IS summer.
By Patrick Sandeman on 25/06/2012
In November last year I wrote about my fabulous introduction to ZALTO glassware, and six months on I am delighted that my initial excitement has not been unfounded, and is being shared by a growing number of our customers.
By Charles Lea on 13/06/2012
Quoted in Decanter.com, Pierre Lurton, who runs both Cheval Blanc and Yquem for the LVMH group, has said that he will not be releasing Yquem en primeur for the moment: 'There is no question that we are following the example of Latour, (who have announced they will not be releasing their wines en primeur after this year) or legitimising their commercial decision,' Lurton told Decanter.
By Charles Lea on 07/06/2012
Today may see the final releases of the 2011 Primeur 'campaign'. After yesterday's successes for Ducru Beaucaillou and Vieux Chateau Certan, today will see the release of the stables of Léoville Las Cases and Ausone.
By Charles Lea on 06/06/2012
Domaines Baron de Rothschild chose yesterday to release the 2011 Chateau l'Évangile, a wine which I am surprised to find myself the biggest fan of amongst the critics. Today has seen another mini-avalanche of releases, including Talbot at a sensible price, and some at spectacular drops in price over their 2010 counterparts - Beauséjour Duffau Lagarosse was £2200 in 2010, and is £540 this year.
By Charles Lea on 24/05/2012
Late release of the day is Denis Durantou's flagship, l'Église Clinet at £575 per case of six bottles. At last someone who has listened to the market: this is offered at a price lower than any comparable vintage (2006 and 2008 are around £1400, 2009 and 2010 are over £3500). A 2011 primeur worth buying.
By Charles Lea on 24/05/2012
Latour, of course, stole a good deal of publicity at the beginning of the the 2011 campaign by announcing that it was going to withdraw from the primeur system from next year. (In future the wine will be released by the Chateau at ten years old or later).
By Charles Lea on 23/05/2012
Branaire Ducru looks fair value at £335 and joins the list of wines recommended in the 2011 vintage. Jean-Dominique Videau is rightly proud of this wine, and it was one of very few properties prepared to show us their 2009 and 2010 alongside the 2011.