Abrie Beeslar (above) is the winemaker at Kanonkop, and he’s doing a bit of homebrew. This, his debut vintage, is one of the most profound interpretations of the often tricky…
Judging the International Wine Challenge
So we are four days into judging the International Wine Challenge. Now, as a panel chair, contracted for all 10 days of judging, I am biased, but I think it’s…
Should critics allow personal style preferences to influence their work?
Should wine critics allow personal stylistic preferences affect their judgments on wine? I recently had a discussion on twitter with a respected US wine critic from a major publication, who…
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, comparing 2012 disgorgement with 2005
This was an interesting excercise. The same NV Champagne – the excellent Charles Heidsieck – from disgorgements seven years apart. The older bottled had been professionally cellared in the interim….
Lindes de Remelluri 2010 – a lovely new-wave Rioja
I was really impressed by this new-wave Rioja from Remelluri. 2010 was the first vintage with Telmo Rodriguez back at the helm of the family winery, and this is a…
Learning to love Nebbiolo: Langhe Nebb from Vajra and Massolino
So I’ve been trying quite a few Nebbiolos of late, in a quest to learn to love it more. This has meant tasting a fair few young Barolos, and struggling…
Gandolini 3 Marias, a brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo, Chile
Stefano Gandolini’s winery focuses solely on Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley. This wine was new to me: nicely packaged, in a big heavy bottle, it made me a little…
Two great own-label wines from Fortnum & Mason – Franken and Margaret River
You have to love the way Fortnum & Mason get the world’s greatest wine producers to make their own-label wines. Here are two such examples, which we drunk yesterday afternoon…
Wakefield (Taylors) The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Back in 1969, Bill Taylor bought 440 acres of land on the banks of the Wakefield River, near Auburn in the Clare valley. At this time, the Australian wine industry…