May Day….& it’s raining again!
By Patrick Sandeman on 01/05/2012
May Day, it's raining again and with forecasters predicting yet another wet month ahead of us, surely this must already the wettest drought on record? It certainly feels like it.
Red Wine
Lea & Sandeman Pinot Noir – the Wine Gang report
By Patrick Sandeman on 22/03/2012
Lea & Sandeman Pinot Noir - the Wine Gang report A selection of fabulous drinking Pinot Noirs as selected by the Wine Gang in their March report. 'This was in fact a tripartite tasting, with a substantial Nebbiolo flight between the Pinot Noirs and the Sangiovese, but we're putting the spotlight on the latter two this month and will cover the Piedmont reds in a forthcoming report.
Money Week ‘Wine of the Week’ – Matthew Jukes
By Charles Lea on 03/03/2012
Matthew Jukes, wine writing's ebullient enthusiast, came to our last tasting, and was very complimentary - like the Wine Gang, of which more shortly. He chose just one wine, as it happens it is the same vineyard that Neal Martin picked out in the 2010 vintage from our 2010 Burgundy tasting, but this is the 2009 which is available now.
Tim Atkin MW on 2010 Burgundy
By Charles Lea on 29/02/2012
Tim Atkin MW published his take on the 2010 Burgundies last week (while I was scooting about the Languedoc unearthing new jewels (of which more later) and attending the ViniSud wine fair in the not so romantic expo park next to Montpellier airport, so there's been a small delay in passing on his recommendations.
2010 Burgundy – Jancis Robinson’s stand-out estates
By Charles Lea on 16/02/2012
Jancis Robinson, in her article in the Financial Times on 2010 Burgundy, picked out some producers dear to our hearts, in particular Daniel Barraud, whose remarkable wines from his vineyards in Vergisson continue to thrill - (see previous post about Steven Spurrier's best wines of 2010), and Jean-Marc Boillot, particularly for his very reasonably-priced Montagny, but do note that we can also still offer a wide range of his Pulignys right up to Batard Montrachet.
Steven Spurrier on 2010 Burgundy
By Charles Lea on 08/02/2012
In the recent Decanter Magazine Steven Spurrier writes "Compared to 2009, the 2010s are less rich but more precise. Compared to 2008, they are more rich and more balanced. Precision and purity were the buzzwords during the tastings, then character and depth; elegance wasn’t mentioned, as it was common to all.
The Wine Gang February Report – Lea & Sandeman
By Patrick Sandeman on 04/02/2012
The Wine Gang will undoubtedly be familiar to many of our customers, but for those who are not the 'Gang' is made up of five of the UK's foremost wine writers and tasters: Tom Cannavan, Jane Parkinson, Anthony Rose, Joanna Simon, and David Williams.
Happy Monday – New Burgundy Star: Domaine de la Douaix
By Charles Lea on 30/01/2012
The Today Programme (never wrong of course) said this morning that psychologists have determined that this is Happy Monday (coming a mere two weeks after miserable Monday when the Christmas festivities are over). Why not celebrate with some cracking Burgundy? In keeping with the slightly austere feel of the beginning of the year, these too are bargains even if not in the Sale.
Producer on the bike – Albert Jané
By Charles Lea on 24/01/2012
Dreary day in London town, but no day so dreary it cannot be lightened by adding to our occasional series of visiting producers on Patrick's motorbike. The old Ducati ST4 has been worn through pounding round the restaurants of London, and has been replaced by an even more ancient Sneeze sorry Cagiva 'Grand Canyon' which was obviously previously owned by a real fair-weather and weekend-only biker, since he had only managed 4500km in ten years.
2010 BURGUNDY – some thoughts and recommendations
By Patrick Sandeman on 19/01/2012
Moreua2010 BURGUNDY - some thoughts and recommendations Last week we saw what has become the annual round of tastings of the new Burgundy vintage put on by the merchants and importers, mostly for journalists, but also for trade and private customers.