Piemonte in the snow – Nebbiolo & Pasta
By Patrick Sandeman on 27/02/2012
A two day trip to Piemonte with Julia Harding (www.
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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.
Aristocratic Brunello – lunch with Roberto Fuligni at the River Cafe
By Patrick Sandeman on 08/02/2012
Roberto Fuligni came to London this week to launch the new releases of Brunello, the 2006 'Riserva' and the 2007 'normale', and this gave us the perfect opportunity to show off a number of his wines to a select number of journalists and wine buyers over lunch in the private dining room of the River Cafe.
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.
Natural Wine – the debate rages on.
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'.
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.
The last shot – end of a season.
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.
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.
An Estuarine Christmas with the Sandemans
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.