By Charles Lea on 01/06/2016
This afternoon has brought the releases of our perennial favourite in the sheer deliciousness stakes, 2015 CHÂTEAU HAUT BATAILLEY as well as its senior stablemate 2015 CHÂTEAU GRAND PUY LACOSTE . Both these were showing well and confirming their places as some of Pauillac's most gorgeous wines.
By Charles Lea on 01/06/2016
Yesterday was the opening of the new tourist attraction in Bordeaux, the Cité du Vin, so nothing happened in the way of releases until late in the day when the two hugely rated wines from the Chanel group, Canon and Rauzan Ségla (£570) were released.
By Charles Lea on 01/06/2016
Bank Holiday Monday saw just one release, with the Pomerol Château Rouget coming out at £330. Given Neal Martin's 92-94 note in the Wine Advocate, this might not seem dotty, but the 2010 (RP 93) is available for the same price. All the same we liked it enough for it to rate a in the vintage.
By Ed H-B on 31/05/2016
Whilst an old estate with a consequentially long history, Quinta da Romaneira only really becomes of note when new purchasers of the estate placed it under the management of Christian Seely and Antonio Agrellas who had worked such wonders at Quinta do Noval.
By Charles Lea on 29/05/2016
'This is a dream vintage for sweet wines' Tim Atkin MW Lea & Sandeman offers the opportunity to buy a mixed case of 2015 Sauternes en primeur, as this is enough for many people and allows a bit of variety, and to make it easy to buy a selection of these gloriously fine wines.
By Ed H-B on 25/05/2016
Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke Leaders in the Rioja and roll movement in Spain's best known wine growing area, These wines from Rioja are rooted firmly in their terroir. Artuke is all about small scale, biodynamic production: twenty two hectares of vines spread over thirty two plots between the stunning, hilly villages of Baños de Ebro and Abalos on the upper terrace of the river Ebro in La Rioja Alta, Northern Spain.
By Beth Thomas on 25/05/2016
This week sees the release of Château Clarke, (£115 per six) a Listrac-Médoc which belongs to the Baron Edmond de Rothschild, who also has a share of Lafite, and which has had a lot of investment since they bought it in 1971.
By Beth Thomas on 19/05/2016
Join us for Tio Pepe sherry this Friday, and a must book Tuscan Treasures tasting on 22nd June. As the sun (mostly) continues to shine, we thought why not crack some 2016 En Rama Tio Pepe open for all of you this Friday.
By David Porter on 19/05/2016
The dismal day here in London yesterday was somewhat mirrored by the dispiriting news from Bordeaux that they are not really getting the message on pricing! There were several releases that we would like to get excited about - some good wines - but they are as ever, only interesting en primeur at the right price.
By Charles Lea on 19/05/2016
'an outstanding, classic, drop-dead gorgeous Léoville Barton that is destined to give immense pleasure over the coming years'. Neal Martin, erobertparker.com The big one out this morning is Château Léoville Barton, always a decisive moment in any en primeur campaign.
By Charles Lea on 18/05/2016
The visit to Ducru Beaucaillou this year was another great tasting, with all the wines singing and showing lovely real Saint Julien character - a fine well-knit delicacy of expression, while certainly not lacking oomph. These two 'lesser' wines are good examples, Lalande Borie should be a good drink from the moment it is delivered ('Very sweet and perfumed.
By Charles Lea on 18/05/2016
Just as we were thinking that the big names would all wait until after Vinexpo Hong Kong to release, along comes Alfred Tesseron with Château Pontet Canet at £795, one of the real big beasts, and a wine with universally high scores across the board - 97 - 98/100 James Suckling, 94 - 96/100 Neal Martin, 17 Jancis Robinson, 94 Tim Atkin etc.