I do like the First Drop wines with their creative branding. This Barossa Shiraz, called ‘Mother’s Milk’, is really good. It’s properly Barossa, with ripe fruit it’s key signature, but…
Casa Marin Miramar Vineyard Syrah, Chilean elegance
This is quite a remarkable wine. It’s also quite challenging, with really bold, edgy flavours. But brave winemaking like this – and, in particular, the decision to pick early, has…
New Kiwi wines from Rod Easthope
I first met Rod Easthope when he was winemaker at Craggy Range, based in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, back in 2008. I met him again in 2010 at the Hawkes…
Reyneke Reserve Red 2010 one of South Africa’s finest
This is probably one of the best South African reds I have tasted. And I have tasted quite a few. It’s a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon,…
Lunch with Pol, Cloudy, Lapierre, Jamet, Clair and Bachelet
Popped round for lunch at brother-in-law Beavington’s pad yesterday, which usually means that between us we’ll have something decent to drink. (In the process, I also very nobly assist him…
Three lovely, great value South African wines
So much fun to be had with South African wine right now. Here are three wine that are full of interest, and massively over-deliver for the price. They are available…
Some Rhône treats
Quite a few impressive Rhône wines at yesterday’s Bunch tasting. Here are some I enjoyed a lot. Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 2011 Northern Rhône, France Is this Graillot’s best yet?…
Syrah from Canada! And Gamay, and Cabernet Franc
I’m steadily writing up my producer visits from my recent trip to Ontario wine country. The latest report is from the visit to Tawse, where my highest-scoring wine was actually…
Aeternitas, a new Syrah from South Africa
Johan Grimbeek is the winemaker at South African winery Kanu. Through top restaurateur Bertus Basson, I managed to get my hands of a bottle of his home brew – it…