E.McC.'s wine group dinner (at D.L.'s) 30/06/2008 (TNB)

• Chateau La Louviere blanc 2001 Gooseberry and peach fruit, Sauvignon quite apparent. Dry, softly engaging. Nice wine.
• Chateau La Tour Martillac blanc 2000 Slightly oily, quite rich yet with no huge depth and quite evolved - rather in the style of Laville in this vintage. Some say they have had better bottles. Bare
• St Joseph blanc Clos d'Arbelestrier 1998 (Florentin) Very smoky - almost burnt. This wears off a bit but still I find the palate characterful but a bit unsatisfying. Not the best vintage of this, I feel.
• St Joseph blanc Clos d'Arbelestrier 1995 (Florentin) Slightly spritzy - I suspect this is not quite right.
• Rioja blanco Gran Reserva Castillo Ygay 1986 (Murrieta) Thyme and honey again (I had the 78 of this wine a few days ago). Lemonty palate, quite rich and delicious. Top
• Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia blanco 1976 (Lopez de Heredia) A bit reductive, high-toned and quite long. Rather upstaged by the Ygay. Opens up in the glass.
• Rubesco Vigna Monticchio 1990 (Lungarotti) Slightly corked.
• Rubesco Vigna Monticchio 1988 (Lungarotti) Splendid wine sweet with liqueur fruit, very much at peak.
• Rioja Gran Reserva 1981 (Muga) Complex, intriguing nose. Good length on the palate but only so much breadth. Good but not that exciting.
• Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea 1981 (Muga) Broader with more interesting, slightly medicinal fruit. This is in completely lovely condition. Top
• Chambolle Musigny 1er cru Charmes 1996 (Ponsot) High-toned (in the way of a lot of 96's), bright red fruits. Very pure and transparent.
• Chambolle Musigny 1er cru Combe d'Orveaux 1996 (Perrot-Minot) Broader and richer, rather muddier than the Ponsot because (perhaps) of more extraction. This might get rather good but the weight will not make up for the Ponsot's finnesse, I think.
• Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal 1997 (Zind-Humbrecht) "A little thin for the time of night" remarked D.L. Certainly a bit difficult with cheese. The time of night again perhaps, but this seemed rather finer and drier than some Z-H wines and correspondingly pleasant.
• Tokay Pinot Gris Clos St Catherine 1995 (Weinbach) Richer, perhaps a touch sweeter than the Z-H. More substance too. Top
• Calem 1985 Meaty nose with blueberries and raspberries. Elegant, chocolatey Port - and really rather good. even
• Calem 1970 Dark berries, more cooked fruit, creamy and rounded. Really a good Port from a house I tend to ignore. Bare

European Championship wines 29/06/2008 (TNB)

• Rioja Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial 1978 (Murrieta) Spain seemed the more stylish side so we drank this during the final. Lemons and honey with a touch of thyme. Quite weighty in the mouth - a delicious old Ygay.
• Barolo Bricco Boschis Riserva San Guiseppe 1989 (Cavallotto) Stinky - needs lots of air. Once open, rather fine dense "tar and roses" fruit although it's a bit edgy and reductive even the next day.
• Champagne Grand Cru 1999 (Launois Pere et Fils) This has come on greatly over the last year or two. Now really splendid, mineral wine. Bare even.
• Meursault Le Tesson 2002 (J-P Fichet) Still quite oaky, and in the modern style. It is good in its way, but I would prefer something with more tension. Bare

In Maresfield with Toby 19/06/2008 (RJB)

• Funtanaliras 2004 Vermentino di Gallura (Cantina del Vermentino) Interesting aniseed and apple-skin nose with a seemingly high alcohol level. Pleasanty different and drinkable.
• Chablis 2006 (Pierre Ponnelle) Disappointing - rather dilute and simple and with soft, soft flavours.
• Champagne Brut (Autreau) Perfectly acceptable fizz with a touch of black fruit on the nose. Very lively wine when the cork was taken out - it couldn't wait to get out of the bottle. maybe?