GSM
916. Charles Melton, Nine Popes Barossa Valley, 2012
Charlie Melton’s accidentally mis-translated Château-Neuf-du-Papes blend. Equal Grenache and Syrah, with 4% Mourvèdre. Mid ruby-garnet. Ripe, refined plum and ripe raspberry. Meat development to …
546. Domaine du Pegau, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réserve, 2006
The first bottle of this left me a bit ‘meh’, but the second, served on its own, showed real interest & quality. Phew! I’ll …
511. Domaine de Pisan, Rasteau Côtes du Rhône Villages, 2006
Dad and I dropped in here after Ventoux (it’s very close) and tasted the range at the cave co-operative, which is a class operation. …
508. Domaine du Pesquier, Gigondas, 2005
Also picked up in Gigondas itself, a day before (or maybe the afternoon after) riding up Mont Ventoux. Dad was less of a fan …
507. Cuvée du Vatican, Côtes du Rhône Villages, 2007
Given to me as a ‘freebie’ (having bought two cases of their Réserve Sixtine at €40 / bottle…) from Mme Diffonty at the Domaine, …
441. Domaine de la Pinède, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2004
An unexpected Châteauneuf, this one – relatively light bodied, red-fruited and fresh / high acidity – compared with some of the concentrated blockbusters that …
392. Domaine Font de Michelle, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1998
For my first ’98 Châteauneuf, this was rather disappointing (albeit better a day later, with some oxidation). Mid-depth garnet core, with a medium-width brick …
362. Lucien et André Brunel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux, 2003
First bottle of this was subtly corked, which was extra-annoying because I could see the quality smothered by the TCA. But the POTG lads …
358. Domaine Bois de Boursan, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1998
This was probably the night’s disappointment for me. Not a bad wine, but given the vintage and a pretty good producer, this should have …
297. E. Guigal, Côtes du Rhône, 2003
After the quality of the 1999, when I saw this in Majestic for £6, it was an automatic choice for a Christmassy quaffer. Didn’t …