Mourvedre

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 …

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 …

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 …

Another from the Optimor mixed case, and from a winery well-rated by Robert Parker. Initially, I thought this might be an overblown ‘taster’s’ wine …

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 …

A good Châteauneuf courtesy of the Diageo staff shop (interestingly Selfridges’ own label Châteauneuf appears in the same, uniquely shaped bottle). Mid-pale ruby-garnet with …

After the deflation of the 1999 Oratoire des Papes, this much cheaper Majestic offering restored my belief. Though not going to set the world …

An awesomely, stunningly, completely disappointing wine. Poured 75% down the sink ‘cos life’s too short! Particularly as I enjoyed their white, and I’ve tasted …

A bottle that Dad had picked up somewhere, and that we drank with pan-fried duck. Pretty good overall, if a little alcoholically overripe (albeit …

So this should be the test of a true “great producer”: quality in a truly awful vintage. Overall, not too great a “presence” in …