- Subscribe to RSS
-
Recent Posts
Topics
April 19, 2010
Azura, Plain Sailing
It was finally time to pack the bags, DJ and passports, jump in the car and head down to Southampton clutching a very impressive looking invitation. We were on our way to the naming ceremony and gala dinner for P&O’s latest unveiling. The Azura is the newest...
Read the rest of this post >>
April 2, 2010
Bordeaux 2009 day 7…the end in sight
So, the final push is on.
After a disastrous performance in the hotel inter merchant pool tournament last night it was actions stations to get packed, checked out and up to St-Emilion for a 9.15 appointment at Cheval-Blanc. Yet again some formula 1 inspired driving from Helen got us there with...
Read the rest of this post >>
April 1, 2010
Bordeaux 2009 day 6…UGC, Lafite and Sweeties
We woke to torrential rain that was to be with us for the entire day.
Lafite was first up. Very difficult to assess on this showing but, given the incredible demand for these wines, what they taste like seems to be almost secondary to anything else. Suffice to say that the...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 31, 2010
Bordeaux 2009 day 5……UGC’s…the most wines!
First day today of the Union des Grands Crus Tastings (UGC). We kicked off bright and early at Smith-Haut-Lafitte for the Pessac-Leognan tasting. An interesting start with the usual suspects performing well and true to type. In general terms the reds were more consistent than the whites with Domaine de...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 30, 2010
Bordeaux 2009 day 4…Monday must be First Growths
The middle day of our trip and a few Château visits before the onslaught of the UGC tastings tomorrow.
We kicked off with an early morning visit to Latour. A terrific range of wines here as you would expect, from the generic Pauillac to the big chap himself. The “Forts” was...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 28, 2010
Bordeaux 2009 day 3…Mitjavile Magic
Pretty dull and overcast but sun fighting to force through...A trip to a more general négociant tasting was first up this morning. An interesting opportunity to get a feel for the overall quality of the vintage from all the key appellations, including dry whites and stickies. We had an hour and...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 27, 2010
Bordeaux 2009 day 2….Moueix
So, Day 2 over. A simply sensational visit to Moueix. We kicked off with a chat with Christian Moueix at their offices in Libourne. We learned here that, at least on the Right Bank, 2009 is not an absolutely homogeneous success. The first chink in the armour of this much-hyped...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 27, 2010
Bordeaux 2009 day 1
Exciting but tiring day.....6am - Flight from Gatwick, everyone arrived, two Scots, one German and three Englishmen. Landed safely met up with driver for the week and off we go. 10.15 - Les Carmes Haut Brion was delicious, lovely fruit-driven style, elegant and beautifully balanced. 11.30 - Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 23, 2010
Franchetti – 2 estates, 1 evening
Last Wednesday evening was the first event we have ever done with the wines from both of Andrea Franchetti’s properties - Tuscany & Sicily. The event was a tasting & dinner with Dr Elena Capobianco & Alex Burge (Andrea’s export managers) @ Shoreditch House.
A bit of background for those who...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 17, 2010
Travels to Etna, Sicily – the challenges and the triumph
Fact: Until recently, Sicily produced more wine than the whole of Australia and New Zealand combined – this was mostly shipped as bulk and sold to the domestic market
Fact: In order to gain recognition for quality over quantity, the first fine winemakers on Sicily resorted to producing and promoting wines...
Read the rest of this post >> 
