Christmas Day 25/12/2016 (RJB)
- Eden Valley Chardonnay 1991 (Mountadam)
Big and slightly blousy matured Chardonnay. Drinking OK for a twenty-five-year-old wine, but not as good as the Petaluma two days earlier.
- Brancott Valley Pinot Noir 2009 (Fromm)
Elegant easy to drink Christmas lunch red. Good acidity, and with berry and currant fruit. Not as obviously Pinot as I would have liked (although obviously Pinot!). perhaps
Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 18/01/2017 Return to top
Some birthday wines with Emily 23/12/2016 (RJB)
I thought that these would probably not have survived. But all were drinking well or very well.- Chardonnay 1986 (Petaluma)
Lovely buttery and nutty old Chardonnay. Just a touch of maderisation. Very pleasing. And well worth keeping.
- Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 1996 (Penfolds)
Drinking just fine. Not that different from how I remember it from 15 years or so back! I wouldn't guess it to be twenty years old. But probably not worth the laying down.
- Vouvray Molleaux 1976 Clos du Bourg (Huet)
A fair amount of ullage. The cork was dry and slipped into the bottle. Surprisingly Dry and honeyed.
Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 15/01/2017 Return to top
In London 21/12/2016 (TNB)
- Vina Tondonia Reserva 2004 (Lopez de Heredia)
This just looks so beautiful: bright, healthy and vibrant. High toned fruit, tending to red fruits, that empasises the similarity to Burgundy. Nice length and concentration too and all just slightly tending to understatement. Delicious: drining nicely but will age well too. even.
Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 21/12/2016 Return to top
18/12/2016 (TNB)
- Amontillado Olvidado 1/5 (Sanchez Romate)
Nutty, flor nose, with the polish of age. Succulent and very engaging on the palate. Bone dry too. Quite a light colour: there is a story on the label of the barrels being forgotten and rediscovered and it certainly gives an impression of being pretty old, although there is no formal designation. Whatever, it is delicious. Not a house I have tried many wines from, but this encourages me to sample some more.
Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 18/12/2016 Return to top
School of Maths wine tasting 09/12/2016 (TNB)
- Amontillado Olvidado (Sanchez Romate)
Nicely authentic, tangy Amontillado. Tastes quite old, but nothing indicated on the bottle. Delicious. Top
- Champagne NV Brut Reserve (Bereche et Fils)
I like this grower, I think. This may be at the bottom of their range but it is vinous and well balanced. Probably best with food. Good
- Riesling Abtsberg Auslese 1990 (Maximin Grunhaus)
As I would expect, mouthwatering with good riesling maturity. Very good.
- Timorasso Derthona 2011 (Massa)
Characterful: something herbal or spicy - possibly aniseed. Seems mature.
- Breg 1998 (Gravner)
Seriously weird, a bit reductive at first, quite orange. It has some interest and might benefit from more than the hour’s decanting it had. For now
- Barolo Cannubi Boschis 1993 (Sandrone)
Tar and roses, moderate weight, good mature Barolo from a moderate vintage. Very drinkable. Bare
- Gruaud Larose 1990
This has always had a lovely balance - ripe, fruity and very drinkable - rather in the 1985 style. Cedary mature Claret - for drinking in the next few years, I think. Top
- Spanna Campa Raudii 1955
Alive, gamy fruit. Lacks the clarity of both the preceding reds, but it has that seriously old wine character that is so appealing. Bare
- Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1988 (Huet)
As I would expect - lively, grassy Chenin fruit. Not a lot of sweetness evident now. Bare
- Mussbacher Eselshaut Rieslaner TBA 1992 (Muller-Catoir)
This has matured into a rather delicious “sticky” with almost marmalade fruit. Very enjoyable. even.
Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 11/12/2016 Return to top