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.
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.
By Patrick Sandeman on 01/02/2012
The debate rages on about 'natural' wines and I, for one, am delighted that such a respected and great winemaker as Michel Chapoutier has now spoken out against this new trend, deriding it as a 'connerie'.
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.
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 The old Ducati ST4 has been worn through pounding round the restaurants of London, and has been replaced by an even more ancient Sneeze sorry Cagiva 'Grand Canyon' which was obviously previously owned by a real fair-weather and weekend-only biker, since he had only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.
By Patrick Sandeman on 23/01/2012
The Last Shot - end of a season. This week-end saw the end of the shooting season, for me at least, and what a season it has been. Please don't get me wrong, I am not out there biffing pheasants every week-end like many of my successful banking and lawyer friends.
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.
By Patrick Sandeman on 14/12/2011
An Estuarine Christmas with the Sandemans The Sandeman family are heading to the depths of South Devon to spend another Christmas in the Goodshelter estuary, inland from Salcombe. Not actually 'in' the estuary, of course, but in the beautifully secluded and remote cottage which sits on the edge of the water at the head of the creek.
By Patrick Sandeman on 12/12/2011
Great Whites by Jancis Robinson In Jancis Robinson's penultimate round up of seasonal wines in the FT Weekend Magazine she highlights some of her selected 'great whites', to accompany the sparkling and red wines already published over the previous weekends. There's nothing quite like six of the best from Jancis! South African Sauvignon with class: Dombeya Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Stellenbosch £10.
By Patrick Sandeman on 11/12/2011
PINOT PERFECTION Bodega Chacra, Argentina. When we introduced Bodega Chacra’s Pinot Noirs from Argentina two years ago, they were initially met with some scepticism. How could a country famous for producing monster Malbecs, brimming with rich, ripe fruit and high alcohol possibly produce Pinot Noirs which were anything other than monsters too? Well, Bodega Chacra is quite simply unique.
By Patrick Sandeman on 06/12/2011
Dazzling reds for festive fare - selected by Jancis Robinson In Jancis Robinson's Top 100 festive wines: part two, published in the FT Weekend Magazine, she selected a number of cracking wines from Lea & Sandeman. Only four were published in the magazine because of space issues, while the full list is on her site JancisRobinson.
By Patrick Sandeman on 02/12/2011
More Christmas treats & cases for giving.