695. Château Laville, Sauternes, 2001 
694. Château Sociando-Mallet, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc, 2001 
693. Mas Amiel, Prestige 15 Ans d’Age Maury, NV (2006) 
692. Rey Fernando de Castilla, Antique Palo Cortado Sherry, NV (2012) 
691. Equipo Navazos, I Think Saca de Abril de 2012 En Rama Manzanilla Sherry, NV (2012) 
690. Château Lascombes, Chevalier de Lascombes Margaux, 2004 CF
694. Château Sociando-Mallet, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc, 2001
The first of my first ever en primeur Bordeaux rouge. Yet still youthful – a ‘sleeper’ as RP might say. Surprisingly still ruby – …
690. Château Lascombes, Chevalier de Lascombes Margaux, 2004
Picked up at the Château when Katy and I visited, the day after the Marathon du Médoc. This was one of the tasting wines, …
673. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac, 2002
A very kind birthday present from Blue Rubicon, and my first experience of GPL. Not bad for the vintage. Particularly noteworthy were a distinctive, …
665. Château La Pointe, Pomerol, 1998
One added to the Princess first lot by Paul buying from his Dad’s stocks. Apart from the stupidly huge label, it actually turned out …
646. Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion Péssac-Léognan, 2001
A rightful second entry for the last bottle of my half-dozen. Perfect with boeuf-en-brioche for Christmas Eve main course. At its perfect maturity now. …
634. Grosset, Gaia Clare Valley, 2006
From the Princess Wine Club. Definitely ready-to-drink, if not getting on a bit. I was in two minds whether or not this was good, …
633. Kanonkop, Paul Sauer, 2007
Picked-up on sale from Majestic, whilst picking up another half-dozen Viña Ardanza 2001 Rioja. Thought I’d give a top South African producer the chance …
625. Château Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol, 2003
This is highly reflective of the oven-baked 2003 vintage. But nice, nevertheless – even if not ‘classic’ Pomerol. Reminiscent of Southern Rhône wine in …
620. Cave d’Irouleguy, Domaine de Mignaberry Irouleguy, 2007
Picked up in the deli / wine shop in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, as an ‘interesting interlude’, given we were in Irouleguy country. But surprisingly hard to …
Napa: exceptional Cabernets, and exaggerated too
Napa Valley, the Big Daddy of California wines, is today world-famous for Big Cabs and Bold Chardonnays, landmark wineries and the Napa Valley Wine …