Lest we forget that Hawkes Bay (and, more specifically, the Gimblett Gravels) is just about Syrah, here’s a serious Bordeaux blend from Craggy Range. Craggy Range ‘The Quarry’ 2008 Gimblett…
A lovely white Burgundy from Sauzet
Sometimes the hierarchy of Burgundy vineyards can be a bit of a problem. It magnifies the label effect: when critics see the name Grand Cru on a label, it usually…
Another brilliant New Zealand Syrah
Really like this: yet another superb New Zealand Syrah, from the Gimblett Gravels district of Hawkes Bay. Kiwi Syrah has a distinct personality. Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Syrah 2008 Hawkes Bay,…
Pancho Campo hits out against bloggers
[POST DELETED] I have just had a lengthy phone conversation with Pancho Campo, in which he explained all the details of the trip he organized for Dr Jay Miller of…
Tasting the 2009s from the northern and southern Rhone
Yves Cuilleron Great tasting of Rhone 2009 put on by Berry Bros and Rudd in the grand but rather dimly lit surrounds of One Great George Street, in Westminster (this…
Dark Island Reserve Orcadian Ale: amazing stuff!
This is a remarkable beer. One of the most interesting I’ve tried. It’s from Orkney, and it’s so thick you could probably stand a spoon in it. Dark Island Reserve…
Grape juice concentrate and Mega Purple
Grape juice concentrate is a controversial topic in winemaking. It’s widely used, but people don’t really like to talk about it, because it sounds a bit like cheating. It’s a…
FFS goes for a walk
Quick FFS update. She’s now had all her vaccinations and is free to encounter the wide world. We took her for her first walk. She loved it. We’re thinking of…
Seven Springs: an interesting new South African Sauvignon
Seven Springs is a new South African producer, located just outside the current boundaries of the Hemel en Aarde region near Hermanus. This is their debut wine, one of just…