By David Porter on 11/01/2023
It’s no longer breaking news that in 2021 Mother Nature threw everything at vignerons – across France – but in Burgundy the punishing impact on the vineyards, and on the yields, seemed somehow more tangible.
By Peter Ogilvy-Wedderburn on 01/04/2019
Fine wine has long been a popular choice for christening presents. As the wine matures, so too does the recipient and eventually, many years down the line, a choice will be made whether to drink the contents or sell. Every year we are asked by godparents about purchasing wine and laying it down on the child’s behalf.
By David Porter on 28/02/2019
‘Simply put 2015 is a tremendous vintage for Bolgheri.’ Antonio Galloni, www.
By David Porter on 24/05/2018
The last full 'declaration' by the leading Port houses was for the very fine 2011 Vintage. 2015 came painfully close, and we were hugely impressed by the 'Single Quinta' releases last year. How good must 2016 be to have trumped those superb 2015s? 2016: The Wines There has therefore been a palpable sense of excitement in anticipation of this new Vintage.
By David Porter on 25/11/2017
2014 was undoubtedly a challenging vintage across Italy - and Bolgheri was no different with uncharacteristic rain, cool temperatures and a constant lack of sun adversely affecting the harvest like rarely before. This was a vintage that required understanding, hard work and unstinting commitment. Only in the right hands at the right estates was glory possible.
By Ed H-B on 16/02/2017
'A rockstar 2012 vintage for Brunello' 2012, looks to be a fantastic vintage for Brunello di Montalcino. Like 2010, it has been awarded a 5-star rating by the Consorzio Brunello. Walter Speller of JancisRobinson.com was convinced by the number of wines he awarded 17 to 17.5 in his initial tastings (again, Fuligni is rated 17.
By Beth Thomas on 20/07/2016
Following on from our successful offer of Louis Roederer's excellent non-vintage in June, we can now offer a special pre-release allocation of Roederer's superb Prestige Cuvée, 2009 Cristal. The warm year of 2009 has in general made generous, relatively rich Champagnes, but as none of the usual critics have tried the 2009 Cristal, this offer is based on the marque and the glowing tasting notefrom Roederer's own Chef de Cave.
By David Porter on 20/07/2016
[caption id="attachment_21141" align="alignright" width="349"] Rippon’s Nick Mills surveys his vines running down to the impossibly beautiful Lake Wanaka[/caption] Rippon and Felton Road are without question the two leading vineyards in New Zealand’s undisputed Pinot Noir capital - Central Otago. Both are making elegant, intense Pinots with beautiful finesse.
By Charles Lea on 27/04/2016
'This is simply a magical bottle. That's all there is to it' "Le Piane's 2011 Boca is simply dazzling. Rich, translucent and remarkably vivid, the 2011 encapsulates all the reasons the wines from Alto Piemonte are so compelling.
By Ed H-B on 25/10/2015
Brilliant '99 point' Brunello - First release of Fuligni's 2010 Riserva 'The year 2010 for Brunello di Montalcino is the greatest modern vintage of Italy’s most famous red wine region. Never have the wines been so profound in quality, character, and quantity from the best hillside vineyards of Montalcino.
By David Porter on 19/03/2015
Tio Pepe En Rama is very limited, it’s a pure, ‘un-mucked about with’ sherry that is best drunk at its freshest, perfect summer quaffing..
By David Porter on 23/06/2014
Our Wednesday afternoon a couple of weeks ago was cheered up enormously by a flying visit from Paul Symington. A more charming man it is hard to imagine, but not in a laid back, calm sort of way. ‘Ne Oublie’ – a very rare and very old release of a tawny port from barrels at the family’s Lodge in Porto.