Vintage: 1998
Type: Bordeaux
Country: France – Bordeaux – Pomerol
Still has lovely tones of florals and earth. Colour still deep red with fading at the edge. Flavours of plum and berries with a long finish. Drinking well now and it had the tannins for keeping a bit longer.
Vintage: 2007
Type: Barbera d’Asti
Country: Italy – Piedmont
I purchased this wine after reading a good review of it a couple of months ago. The label, especially the back was quite humorous and jolly — typically a warning for a mediocre bottle. Of course this wasn’t the case.
I decanted the wine around midday and at the time it was closed up tight, so I left it to rest until the evening. One thing to note is that the cork on the bottle was very serious (which is great as this wine will benefit from laying down for a number of years).
In the evening, I poured a glass and began to explore. The colour was incredibly dark, almost opaque. On the nose it was full of berries with a bit of earth on the side. On the tongue it is a true pleasure of tannic acidity (your mouth waters as you taste) filled with vivid fruit flavours. It’s full bodied and serious, so it may not be to everyone’s palette.
Given the acidity and the quality of the bottling, this wine will happily sit for many years. You can find the wine here: www.findwine.co.uk
Vintage: 2004
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Epernay
We had this champagne one evening to celebrate a special occasion. Boy were we not disappointed. This champagne has great citrus tones, a slightly malty vintage flavour and smooth uniform bubbles. Certainly worth giving a try and I recommend it, if you can find it outside of France!
Vintage: 2008
Type: Rioja – White
Country: Spain
This wine was presented to us as a gift and we had high expectations of this Baron de Ley sibling. You might be fooled to think that the flavour might be washed out due to its severely pale colour. Think again! This wine is well-structured and has a fresh after-taste. This would go well with a summer salad or a mildly spiced oriental stir fry.
Vintage: 2008
Type: Riesling
Country: Canada – Okanagan Valley, BC
One of the few bottles we carried back from our wedding, we savoured this gorgeous Riesling a couple of weeks ago on a hot evening.
This is a zesty wine that is fresh and aromatic. It has flavours of pineapple and green apple. Just lovely. This would go very well with a sweet and spicy dish, for example, Thai chilli chicken cashew stir fry with egg noodles.
Vintage: 1998
Type: Bordeaux
Country: France – Bordeaux – Margaux
This Margaux is quite lovely with a nose of flowers and berries on the palette. It is still quite closed at the moment and requires decanting and at least an hour before drinking. Recommended. You can find this wine at Costco in the UK for a very reasonable price.
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Pink Port
Country: Portugal – Douro
This was the first blush Port I was served, ever, so I had no expectations! It didn’t make the best first impression because it had stolen Thomas Pink’s logo. Oh well.
The wine itself is bright and refreshing, reminiscent of a sparkling raspberry cocktail laced with floral notes. This would appeal to the ladies. I think that the lads will stick with white port mixed with tonic water and mint and lime.
Vintage: 2006
Type: Bordeaux
Country: France – Bordeaux – Graves
This classy claret has an excellent earthy nose and mineral taste that you would expect from a Bordeaux. Not the type of wine for everyone, but I quite enjoyed it. Certainly will age well and will need to be decanted. Quite good for the price.
Vintage: Non Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Champagne
We tried this champagne because it had been recommend to us by a friend. Overall, it was quite good (and great value for money). This medium sweet champagne had great hints of citrus and a nice creamy texture.
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: White Port
Country: Portugal – Douro
Beautiful floral yet zesty nose. Deliciously sweet and would go well with desserts. Pale golden colour.