VFM

A slightly unusual Aussie Shiraz that blends ripe, baked fruit with herbal notes and high quality oak. Mid-deep ruby-garnet. Breadth of cinnamon and vanilla …

Proof that trade consumer tastings work: I tasted the range of Delamotte Champagnes, along with the incomparably elegant Salon 2002, at Corney & Barrow’s …

Opened just because, and I’d say this is in early-mid maturity. Another 3-5 years for my 2nd bottle, perhaps. Classic Puligny, I think, and …

Bought en primeur, and finally opened the 1st of 6 in 2014. Has the ripeness and somewhat moderated acidity of 2005 whites, but still …

Also during audit, I finally opened this wooden box, bought 11 years before, en primeur. From an off-vintage, this was broadly worth waiting for. …

The exemplar Gran Reserva, and just that: a ripe, deep vintage giving black fruit character, with a careful coating of American oak primarily. Fine …

Nice, good value Margaret River Cab, bought as an extra Booker wine. Deep ruby with black glints to the core and a narrow rim. …

A revelation in Beaujolais! And a step up from the non-specified vineyard Moulin-à-Vent Jadot bottling. Medium ruby, if not darker. Black pepper, oak spice …

Not necessarily an auspicious vintage or producer, but a very interesting Burgundy nevertheless. Fragrant aromatics are the key to this, though sadly just missing …

Though not the deepest or most complex version, this is a good, classical example of an Alsatian Pinot Gris, with spice and concentration – …