London wine fair, day two
Just a brief post tonight. Had a long journey home, and it's now past 2 am. Day two of the fair again saw me rock up after lunch, in time for the sold out Rustenberg seminar with Adi Badenhorst, looking at a vertical of John X Merriman (one of South Africa's most impressive and affordable Bordeaux blends), plus a preview of the 2004 Syrah. Met up with regular blog commentors Keith Prothero and Alex Lake (pictured here: you can see Keith's arm and Alex' head), plus a couple of guys I've met online but not physically.
Then it was time for a wander round. Did a bit of Madeira, some Portugal and then the remainder of the time doing a big tasting of Southwest France wines. These were great.
After the fair I took off for the Dorchester's China Tang restaurant, for the Dirk Niepoort dinner. Suffice to say the wines were very impressive, focusing mostly on 2005, a great Douro vintage, and finishing off with a 1917 white Port. Things went a bit crazy with the journey home, hence the late bedtime.
Labels: Portugal, south africa
11 Comments:
what Mediera you tasted ?
Hey Jamie
Would ike to hear your comments and thoughts on the South African wine you tasted - any good?
Glad you managed to avoid taking a photo of my face this time Jamie!!
Mr Cru--------I know you are asking Jamie but FWIW I thought the 2001 AND 2003 were by far the best of the JXM vertical.Both wines will benefit from at least 5 more years bottle age.
Also enjoyed the new syrah,although as Adi advised,the fruit is from relatively newly planted Rhone clones,and this wine should improve as the vines age.
How good was the JXM 2004? Tips for the cellar for it?
It was OK but 2004 was a difficult vintage in the Cape and I would suggest you give it a miss.Certainly it is a wine that should be drunk much sooner than the 2001 and 2003 IMHO.
Not sure whether it is good form to put my opinion on Jamies site but what the hell!!
Keith, I'm very happy for you to be sharing your views - that's what these comments are for!
I've just posted my report on the vertical on the main wineanorak.com site. I think Keith is right - 2001 and 2003 are the most impressive wines, although I also liked 2004 because of its structure. It's a tight, savoury style which I quite enjoy. Don't know if it will cellar as long as some of the others. I wonder if I was a bit generous with it? Hard to tell.
Great stuff - thanks Keith and Jamie.
Thanks for the tips about the JXM 2004 guys - will open it in the next 3 to 5 years in light of your comments.
Personally I don't think you're being over-generous on the 04 JXM at all - for me this will turn out to be a lovely wine and should be applauded for it's restraint in this vintage. Needs 3+ years. Unbelievable this wine is still sub £10...
What was the 2004 Syrah you tried, Jamie? I tried a barrel sample at the LIWSF last year that was superb. I've not seen it produced subsequently, so wondered what had happened to it. Maybe put into the Brampton Shiraz? Still to be released?
The Syrah was stunning, I thought. It definitely had a Cote Rotie style to it (bacon fat/olives). It's a new wine, just called Rustenberg Syrah. I understand it's going to be in the £12-£15 bracket (and I'm first in line to buy!)
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