5.6.40
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Duval-Leroy 1er Cru 29/11/2008 (TNB)

Wine group at D.L's 24/11/2008 (TNB)

With dinner at Christ's 21/11/2008 (RJB)

Noval at the Scottish Malt Whisky Society 10/11/2008 (TNB)

The Diary - November 2008

Duval-Leroy 1er Cru 29/11/2008 (TNB)

Currently 50% off at Waitrose for a week so I thought I would try a bottle. Unlike most of the ofers from the big players, it really does seem to be half of a normal selling price, although I have to say mid-20's seems a bit high to me as its "usual" price.

Duval-Leroy are a fair size although not in the Moet league and it is said they are pretty quality-conscious these days. Certainly this is excellent at the reduced price.

  • Fleur de Champagne 1er cru NV (Duval-Leroy) This is 20-30 per cent Pinot I believe, which provides a certain strength and gamy roundness to the good-quality almondy Chardonnay fruit. Very decent fizz, if not absolutely riveting. ***
Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 29/11/2008   Return to top

Wine group at D.L's 24/11/2008 (TNB)

Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 18/12/2008   Return to top

With dinner at Christ's 21/11/2008 (RJB)

Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 22/11/2008   Return to top

Noval at the Scottish Malt Whisky Society 10/11/2008 (TNB)

  • Cedro do Noval 2006 Dry red from local varieties, treated in a fairly modern way (100% new oak and so on). Quite good of its type. **
  • Unfiltered LBV Port 2000 (Noval) Very drinkable - although a touch sweet perhaps. There's a touch of sediment. It might well keep for a year or two. A good example of the style top **
  • 10 Year Old Tawny (Noval) Quite elegant, cherry fruit with a touch of chocolate and tobacco and a citric edge. A good example of the 10-year old style. ***
  • Colheita 1995 (Noval) Bottled in 2007 apparently. Nutty, quite alcoholic, nicely rancio, lots of character. Very attractive. Top ***
  • Silval 2000 (Noval) Something in the way of a second wine to the Noval vintage, I think. Quite soft and suave with a liquorice character. Clearly designed for relatively early drinking. I don't much go for this sort of dumbing down exercise. Again though I have to say it is nicely done. Bare ***
Tasting notes added to Fine Wine Diary 06/12/2008   Return to top