California

[On label: To Tim the label nut! David Rafanelli] [On book: Salute and Bona Fortuna. David A. Rafanelli] Visiting Rafanelli was great fun, because …

Wow! A really, very pleasant surprise. Also bought from Tracey’s Mum’s place near Nahant, where the guy had described it as a eucalyptus-style classic …

A disappointing wine, because it lacked the freshness and zip of a good quality Sauvignon Blanc. This may be a style issue, since this …

Randall Grahm’s hommage to Châteauneuf, and their official banning of UFO landings in the town in 1954. A wine (and label) that had great …

Second of 3 1997 US Chardonnays from Majestic’s “parcel”. This “Napa County Chardonnay” was quite different from the Oceana style, but still excellent VFM. …

One of the best VFM bottles of wine I’ve had for a while. A Majestic “parcel” of sort-of bin-end, older wine, and what a …

Writing a bit from memory (because getting the label off was evidently a challenge!): a classic Californian Napa Cab – the 4 Americans I …

Classic “hot climate” oaked Chardonnay. Deep yellow colour. Aromas of pineapple but particularly butterscotch. Thick texture with flavours of vanilla-coated tropical fruit. Some acidity …

Randomly won this in a Pimms-making competition at Diageo (they own BV). Thank God. On cracking this open, for the first day, it had …

Spicy red pepper and dark fruit aromas with some leathery notes, or maybe it was tobacco… not too sure, as I got quite drunk …