Had a lovely evening last night with a small group at 67 Pall Mall, the wine-friendly club that opened last year. It was my first time at 67 Pall Mall,…
California, day 5, in Napa
The final full day of our California trip was a little less frantic than the rest of the itinerary, with just one lunch visit and one dinner visit. This left…
In California, day 4 – Napa Valley with Peter Michael, Corison, Trinchero, Silverado and Chimney Rock
Day four of the California trip. By now, the group was certainly performing, and this was to be one of our strongest days in terms of banter and general foolery….
In California day 3, Sonoma with Iron Horse, Wind Gap and Arnot Roberts
Day 3, Sonoma County. This is one of the most important and diverse of California’s wine regions. We headed over to David Ramey’s cellar in Healdsburg for a regional overview…
In California, day 2 – Paso Robles, and an amazing visit at Tablas Creek
Day 2. On the bus nice and early, and a drive up the coast to Paso Robles, a large wine region that’s half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco,…
California, day 1, in Santa Barbara County
I’m in California again. This time for a press trip, with some fellow UK journos: Oz Clarke, Anne Krebhiel, Jane Parkinson and Erin Smith. We arrived on Tuesday evening, and…
Properly old vine Zinfandel: Precedent Evangelho Vineyard Zinfandel 2013
I’m not a massive Zinfandel fan. It tends to make the sort of wines I dislike: very rich, jammy and obviously fruit dominated. But I’m open minded and I’ll always…
Lo-Fi Wines Cinsault 2014 Santa Barbara County, California
I was really taken by this. And especially by the label. It’s from Mike Roth, who was winemaker with Martian Ranch until 2014, and then launched his own label, Lo-Fi….
Broc Cellars Vine Starr Zinfandel 2013 Sonoma County, California
This is a remarkable wine. It’s made from Zinfandel, which I admit to be a grape variety that I normally avoid. But this is a Zinfandel like no other. Weighing…