Dry
240. Michele Chiarlo, Barolo Cerequio, 2000
At last, a nice Barolo. Brought over by Steve Otterburn for Christmas Eve. Barolo is supposed to smell of violets, and this certainly had …
239. Champagne Jean Moutardier, Brut Millésimé, 1996
Whereas this was a real pleasure and a great example of a ‘96! A second entry for Moutardier’s vintage, and the middle of a …
238. Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Brut Millésimé, 1996
Disappointing, this one. For a Champagne from one of the greater vintages, it seemed a little harsh, and less complex than I expected. Medium …
237. Reiner Probst, Spätburgunder Achkarrer Schlossberg Kaiserstuhl Auslese Trocken, 2001
When I opened this, I remembered why I’d picked up a bottle at the cave. Limpid, mid-garnet with a medium-width brick rim. Intense, bright …
224. Cave de Tain l’Hermitage, Hermitage Nobles Rives, 1995
Picked this up from the cave in Tain on a return visit in 2004, where they’d hold back some of the older vintages for …
223. Bodegas Trapiche, Trapiche Medalla Mendoza, 1996
Top end of the Bodegas Trapiche range from Argentina, that was available in the Diageo staff shop, so I thought I’d test. Deep yellow-gold …
222. Geyser Peak Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 2002
By comparison, the Cabernet Sauvignon was notably better, and suggested that the Reserve Cabernet would be worth holding onto. Nonetheless, this was lacking in …
221. Geyser Peak Winery, Sauvignon Blanc California, 2004
Brought as a set of gifts from someone staying with me to see U2 in Dublin, who worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado. …
214. Kokuryu Shuzo, Nihonshu Daiginjo, 2003
My favourite Japanese Sake – the Daiginjo (50% milled rice) from Kokuryu (Black Dragon) sake company. They do a JPY5,000 top version (might be …
213. Thummerer, Egri Bikavér Reserve Eger, 1999
Picked this up at Budapest Airport after my first visit to Hungary (DUB -> BUD -> DUB) along with a couple more bottles of …