By Charles Lea on 10/04/2012
Selection, Selection, Selection, seems to be the new mantra on Bordeaux in recent vintages, not only in terms of grapes before the fermentations, but also in terms of the wines that 'make the grade' into each of the different cuvées that the property produces.
By Charles Lea on 10/04/2012
2011 Bordeaux en primeur Dense and concentrated with flashes of brilliance In 2009 and 2010 it was difficult not to make great wine. In 2011 it was less straightforward. Location mattered, both in terms of the localised weather events, especially hail, but also in terms of the ground the vines were growing in.
By Patrick Sandeman on 09/04/2012
Traditionally at Lea & Sandeman we have always closed our doors for the four day Easter holiday so that we can all take a well earned break and enjoy the seasonal weather.
By Patrick Sandeman on 22/03/2012
Lea & Sandeman Pinot Noir - the Wine Gang report A selection of fabulous drinking Pinot Noirs as selected by the Wine Gang in their March report. 'This was in fact a tripartite tasting, with a substantial Nebbiolo flight between the Pinot Noirs and the Sangiovese, but we're putting the spotlight on the latter two this month and will cover the Piedmont reds in a forthcoming report.
By Patrick Sandeman on 21/03/2012
Lea & Sandeman - Independent Champagne Retailer of the Year Harper's magazine is the wine trade's leading review and at their recent annual champagne summit awards Lea & Sandeman were announced as the Independent Champagne Retailer of the Year.
By Patrick Sandeman on 08/03/2012
Central Otago
By Charles Lea on 03/03/2012
Matthew Jukes, wine writing's ebullient enthusiast, came to our last tasting, and was very complimentary - like the Wine Gang, of which more shortly. He chose just one wine, as it happens it is the same vineyard that Neal Martin picked out in the 2010 vintage from our 2010 Burgundy tasting, but this is the 2009 which is available now.
By Charles Lea on 29/02/2012
Tim Atkin MW published his take on the 2010 Burgundies last week (while I was scooting about the Languedoc unearthing new jewels (of which more later) and attending the ViniSud wine fair in the not so romantic expo park next to Montpellier airport, so there's been a small delay in passing on his recommendations.