Craig Hawkins (pictured above with significant other Carla Kretzel in the background) is one of South Africa’s most talented and brave winemakers. He’s the winemaker at Lammershoek, and also makes…
Casa Silva’s Cool Coast Wines
Impressed by these. A Chilean Sauvignon and Pinot from Casa Silva’s Paradones estate in Coastal Colchagua, a new-ish cool climate region of Chile. It’s just six kilometres from the chilly…
A couple from Jean-Luc Colombo
Jean-Luc Colombo, based in Cornas, is a Rhone modernist. His Cornas wines aren’t in my favourite style, I’m afraid. But I do like the wines he makes when he tries…
Covela reborn – Vinho Verde, Portugal
Covela is back. I was a fan of this estate, which was previously owned by Nuno Araújo (related to Pedro Araújo of Ameal), and which made really interesting wines from…
The Kalfu Sumpai wines from Chile
Kalfu is a new series of nine wines from innovative large Chilean producer Vina Ventisquero. They haven’t been released yet, but I got to try two of them. The Sauvignon…
Three lovely wines: Rousseau, Dujac and Cotat
So, the final instalment of my write up of Tuesday’s lunch wines. The great thing about sharing a bottle among four is that you get to drink a decent quantity,…
Nicolas Perrin Crozes Hermitage Blanc 2012
Northern Rhone whites are some of the unheralded stars of the wineworld. There’s a good story to this wine, too. Before around 1995, Jaboulet were one of the top producers…
The incomparable Yquem 1986
This was the star wine in a star line-up at Tuesday’s lunch. Just thrillingly good. Chateau d’Yquem 1986 Sauternes, Bordeaux, France Powerful, spicy and intense with lovely flavours of marmalade,…
Three lovely Rhones: two Chaves and a La Turque
Had a great lunch at The Glasshouse restaurant in Kew yesterday, hosted by Keith Prothero. In attendance: Malcolm Thwaites, Greg Sherwood and me. The Glasshouse is such a great restaurant….