I often get asked the impossible question. What is your favourite wine? For a wine professional, you can’t really afford to have a favourite. Let’s face it, the world of…
Syrah and Serine
I have just written up the wines of Eric Texier, who is doing some really interesting work in the northern Rhone. For me, his two best wines are both made…
Two lovely, affordable French reds from the Sampler
Two lovely southern French red wines from The Sampler. They’re some of the exclusive imports that they bring in. First, Domaine Rimbert Cousin Oscar 2011 Vin de France. 11.5% alcohol,…
Two brilliant 2010 Chateauneuf du Papes from Caillou
I really enjoyed these two brilliant examples of Chateaneuf du Pape from Le Clos du Caillou, a domaine with just 9 hectares in the appellation, as well as 44 hectares…
Northern Rhone series 16, Domaine Clape Cornas Renaissance
Hmmm, I’m enjoying this Northern Rhone series. A chance to drink some wonderful wines. Here’s the latest: it’s a Cornas from Clape, but it isn’t at all rustic. Some people…
Northern Rhone series 3, 1967 Hermitage
So after two white Hermitage wines, we’re heading to Syrah, but sticking with the Hermitage hill. This wine is very interesting. It was a gift from Richard Kelley MW, who’d…
Natural wines with Doug at Brawn
Had a tremendous evening last night with Doug Wregg at Brawn, out in the wilds of E2 (near Bethnal Green and Hoxton). It was my first visit to Brawn, which,…
Two Chateauneufs: Beaucastel 99 and Vieux Telegraphe 95
Nice to be able to compare these two side by side. The Beaucastel had the slight edge, although it’s not a competition of course. The VT 1995 is a wine…
A busy day’s tasting: IGP and Cote Rotie
So, today has been a busy day of tasting. It began with the IGP Top 100 tasting in Parson’s Green. Now IGP is what used to be Vin de Pays,…