Australia’s Clare Valley is a region I’m drawn to. It’s capable of making great Riesling, great Shiraz and great Cabernet Sauvignon – an unusual mixture. Perhaps this is because the…
Cain Five 2004: a serious Napa Bordeaux blend
I have a soft spot for Cain. It was the first winery I visited in Napa Valley (fairly recently, actually) and I was impressed by the thoughtful approach of Chris…
Spotted at the Portuguese tasting
Two meetings today meant I had less time at the annual wines of Portugal tasting, but I still managed to taste some interesting wines. Here are a few highlights. CARM,…
Wine has never been so good!
For all the moaning about the internationalization of wine styles (something that I am concerned about), I need to point out that there’s never been so much good wine in…
Serious NZ Bordeaux blend from Hawkes Bay: The Quarry
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…