30/01/2008 (TNB)

One or two recent bits and pieces I haven't tried before from Raeburn Fine Wines

• Chablis 1er cru Cote de Lechets 2005 (Pommier) Pretty easy going, some oak influence, terribly balanced and drinkable. Nice minerality and real Chablis character. Good value. Top
• Savigny les Beaune 1996 (Camus-Bruchon) At first I thought a touch of 96 pox, but on reflection this is mainly just old-fashioned winemaking. It's a touch oxidative and far from fruit-driven. Pretty good I think - I must try some more whites from this grower. Bare
• Tocai Friulano 2005 (Vigna del Lauro) Very much almonds and peach kernels. Old vines apparently and the texture and density certainly suggest that. Very civilized stuff, and with all the up side of Italian whites: different and restrained - and rather good value.

---

New Year's Eve (and a small amount of New Year's Day) 14/01/2008 (RJB)

• Pinot Noir Brut Cava (Codorniu) Something pink and fizzy to start the evening. Pleasant enough and with more elegance than many a Cava, but really lacking complexity or depth.
• Champagne Brut 1999 (Foureur Pere et Fils) I don't think I've had this producer before, and I almost overlooked it so engrossed was I in cooking rather than seeing what our guests had brought with them. And that would have been a mistake. Lovely elegant Champagne with fine acidity and really good balance. A real delight. perhaps?
• The Malcolm 1995 Barossa Shiraz (Magpie Estate) I last had this almost five years ago and was a bit disappointed. Not so this time. This is big ageing Barossa Shiraz as it should be. Still plenty of fruit, and with a good acidity that keeps the heavy alcohol in its place. A big wine that can be drunk in quantity without getting boring or tiring. A joy!

---

Three New Year Fizz with a generous friend 06/01/2008 (TNB)

Notes (again) rather a while in retrospect.

• Deutz 1996 Excellent, like the Cuvee W.D. this seems relatively forward (although there is no hurry to drink). Perhaps it is a touch less fine than that wine.
• Veuve Cliquot 1988 Rather excellent mature fizz. A pleasure.
• Roederer Cristal 1975 Tending a little to maderisation. Not everybodies cup of tea, but it has a great depth of flavour with all sorts of smoky underbrush quality. Top

---

01/01/2008 (TNB)

• Champagne Grand Cru NV (Bonniare) Touch of lemon, fine fruit, hints of oyster shells and a lovely creamy texture. Really good - bare even

---