Recently, I was lucky enough to score a place with 37 other like-minded wine souls on the Grands Crus Classés 1855 tour of Bordeaux. This was an experience of a lifetime. An opportunity to catch up with some old mates and to make a bunch of new connections. Here's my story.
The wine in my glass tonight is showing beautifully, with only a hint of it's 9 years on earth with a little orange hue on the edges. The nose is bewildering to start with, there's this exuberance of red fruits, white pepper, herbs and tar, cola and with a hint of darker fruit if I …
Recently, I had the pleasure of trying 14 examples from around the world, tasted blind with a group of like minded pinofiles. (Yes, those who love Pinot even have a nickname. It’s that serious of a hobby for some.) It’s moments and events like that continue to capture my imagination, drive my curiosity and also …
Often branded a fickle grape. The difficult one. The mercurial or mysterious one. The seductive wine. Pinot Noir has beguiled people for generations. With over 1,000 registered clones it’s one of the most diverse families of grapes and has given us a range of wines we love and enjoy around the world. The ultimate Pinot …
An amazing 17yo red from McLaren Vale to delight the senses, opened with trepidation. Enjoyed leisurely.
I've had a run in with single vineyard wines here before. This is one of them. In fact it's one of three single vineyard examples that Mount Majura produces.Mount Majura is a suburb in Canberra, Australia. Also name of the vineyard, so here we have a Mount Majura Vineyard red wine. The estate tempranillo, normally …
When life gives you lemons... I've had a rough couple of weeks with a head cold that only got worse, some terrible news and lack of pizzazz generally has been a bit of a downer. So to take a break and stop feeling sorry for myself, especially now that the sinus is all clear and the …
Barolo. Barbaresco. Langhe. We know these names well, some of us better than others. We speak of unbelievable beauty and elegance, power, finesse, tension, etc. etc. Nebbiolo is one of the great grapes. Unlike cabernet and chardonnay it has not travelled well across the globe. There's no other "other home" for it. Only the hills …
A: deep ruby N: medium+ intensity of red plums and spice with vanilla and milk chocolate P: medium bodied, medium intensity of plums and heather and savoury crusty herbs on home baked bread. Lovely spice notes with very ripe and high tannins. Milk chocolate notes on the palate. Delicious but needs food. Great food wine …
A: deep ruby N: inviting medium intensity of dark forest berries, hint of oak spice and blue flowers (lavender) as well as some earthy beetroot (cooked) notes. Over time opens up... so perfumed! Red and blue flowers with a heady scent. Ripe fruit on the verge of turning. P: medium+ intensity of rich forest berries, …
Life in a glass 