After returning from Bordeaux, I was off on travels again. that moment, it was with the family, down to the West country to visit my brother Arthur and his family in Plymouth. It was a lovely weekend. On Saturday we crossed on the Torpoint ferry and hit Tregantle beach in Cornwall. It was beautiful….

This Languedoc wine dark and rich looking with dark rich bouquet of fresh grapes with a nose that is nearly inky with sweet notes of cedar–unique!In the mouth though–on opening–the wine is too tart with bready flavors and puckery tannins with tight fruit. I will decant that wine.After an hour or…

This super bargain wine is a Black cherry red with fruity, grapy bouquet with nice aromas.Palate is fruit forward, tasty and some black licorice and dark fruit. I am finding that wine for under $6 and for that price and that quality, raise a case!–A Review from The Wine Cask Blog.
Creative Commo…

This super bargain wine is a Black cherry red with fruity, grapy bouquet with nice aromas.Palate is fruit forward, tasty and some black licorice and dark fruit. I am finding that wine for under $6 and for that price and that quality, raise a case!–A Review from The Wine Cask Blog.
Creative Commo…

Tasting notes:Rich nose of plum and berries, with subtle spice tonesSlightly leaner fruit on the palateFinishes with blackberry, anise, and chocolateThis is a good Merlot and has a strong track record. I was surprised to see it featured at a steakhouse for only $88 a bottle as it retails for up to $…

Just back from two action-packed days in Bordeaux. Day 1 was very practical, spent in Entre-Deux-Mers researching integrated viticulture - a scientific approach to sustainability that attempts to forge a balance amoung the environment, economic considerations and product quality. Yvon Mau have a cl…

Tasting notes:Blackberry and currants on the noseJuicy palate of rich fruiteFinishes with berries and dark chocolateThe Malbecs from Argentina can be dark and dominant. that one has those qualities, although somewhat simple in composition, at a fair price of $11 or so. In that price range they tend …

Think of the Simon and Garfunkel song, Old Friends, and sing Old Wines. I was recently asked to examine my friend Peggy’s collection of old bottles mostly from her father’s cellar. Highlights included 1970 Chateau Latour, 1970 Cos d’Estournel, and various vintages from the 1970s of the fine Sauterne…

One of my favorite inexpensive Chards, that is very light golden with vanilla curd and light citrus with ripe mandarin orange notes in the bouquet.In the mouth that wine is sharply acidic (in a good way) with lovely flavors of vanilla and lemon. It is just a super value at $10 (Sam’s Club) and a gr…

Asda press tasting today was well attended. I bumped into Tim Atkin, Victoria Moore, Anthony Rose, Joanna Simon, Malcolm Gluck and Julia Harding. additionally present (bizarrely) were Christine and Neil Hamilton. I was surprised just how drinkable Asda’s half-dozen sub £3 wines were. I thought tha…