Rhône Valley

Pretty good, and classically-styled Chateauneuf from a producer I’d not come across before. An exam wine. What was particularly noteworthy was that the alcohol …

This wine is well-rated, but disappointed on opening the first of 12 of these, so opened another a few days later. Better, but still …

Over dinner with Tracy, I gave her the choice of wine, and this was it. I was a little nervous this might be too …

Wine of the night. Coming into maturity – of tannins and flavour intensity – yet still showing pure fruit at the core. And very …

After Bollinger Grande Année 1999, this was a comedy / random first still white at dinner with Tim, Kristy, Matt, Ellie and Goof. And …

Served a little cold at Boxing Day lunch with Andy, Sarah, Janet and Steve. But once it warmed up, it hit its stride pretty …

This is superb – showing the finer side of 2010 Northern Rhône whites – especially Condrieu. More fruit-driven than the toastier Grand Vallon. But …

Really annoyingly, lost almost half a bottle, messing up decanting this from its heavy sediment. Anyway, perhaps not the greatest bottle of this wine, …

One of 3 reds I brought for Whippet’s leaving BBQ, as I figured it’d be at maturity, and good for meat – both of …

Dessert was a superb, dense chocolate mousse, with caramel ice cream, and red fruit sauces. After an initial thought of tawny Port to match …