2010

[Owner, Giovanni Manetti signature] This Riserva served beside Fontodi’s regular Chianti Classico. This had more density, length and overt oak. Dense, deep ruby with …

The interloper, courtesy of Tina! Really interesting to drop this in after some very good Champagnes. The acidity really stands out (though not unbalanced). …

A decent Condrieu, though perhaps not as high up the scale as Villard’s 2010s, that stood on the knife-edge between fullness and crispness; ripe …

An exam wine, this one. Great to taste a Jurançon alongside Sauternes and others, to get the distinguishing characteristics. Mid-deep gold – depth of …

Interesting to test this sequence of sweet Riesling styles from the same producer. Noteworthy that the Auslese only is vineyard specific. Clear botrytis progression …

A half-bottle of this was fortunate, as I have some unopened bottles in my cellar. Youthful yet drinkable now; a star of the sweet …

A first chance to taste Kumeu River’s wines, and they’re certainly aiming for quality. Characterised by new oak, ripe, but linear fruit on the …

By contrast, although this was clearly Californian, its Sonoma restraint was evident, compared with the Shafer. Vanilla ice cream – very oaky. Caramel and …

Served to us blind in a line-up of 8 Rieslings, by Christina’s brother – all dry styles. This was the wine of the night …