Red

When I first heard of Charles Back’s “homage” to the Rhône I laughed. When it was followed by stablemates “Goats do Roam in Villages” …

There were a bunch of reasons for picking this up whilst visiting Mas Amiel in Summer 2004, not least because it was a Vin …

One from the ‘expensive section’ of the Diageo Staff Shop, and frankly pretty disappointing, given that it’s not only a Riserva, but also from …

One more bought from the vineyard. The ’97 was excellent, so I left the ’99 for a year or so first. Good, but early …

This was a disappointment more because it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting than because of its quality. This is particularly surprising because I …

Not bad, but not great. Definitely something about raised expectations with a few Gran Reservas from the ’94-’96 trio of good Rioja vintages. Light …

Third of a trio of slight disappointments – not as good as the ’96 Reserva promised from Del Puerto. I was expecting more balance, …

Felt like some more exploration so picked this out of the staff shop in Dublin. Disappointing, however. Pale strawberry / red cherry colour, with …

The last of Otters’ contribution to Christmas 2005, and a ripe Rioja from a producer I’d not come across before. Similar quality to the …

A very nice accompaniment to Boxing Day roast goose, due to the structure and robustness of this Volnay. Medium garnet core with a medium …