Lockdown Drinking

[Alex Bridgeman]

In the last week a bottle of Penfold's Bin 707 1996 and compared that against a bottle of Penfold's Bin 707 1997 - a very interesting comparison. Both were fabulous but the 1996 was richer, sweeter and more rounded while the 1997 was a little more austere and had a much bigger tannic structure. The 1996 was a lovely wine to sip while sitting in the garden as the sun went down and the 1997 was a brilliant accompaniment for the roast lamb on Easter Sunday.

I have been saving a 1996 707 Since release having drunk the other five very early (doh!) Would you say it is for drinking now or wait a bit longer? It has a 96 Grange alongside it which may or may not accompany it as a point of comparison.

If you have one left, I say drink it now. It is absolutely magnificent - I scored it 95/100. I'd leave the Grange another 5-10 years.

[rich_n]

I’ve been working on a bottle of Taylor’s 10 year old port which is intriguingly red in comparison to any other tawny I’ve had at that age. I’ve also been cracking on with some outstanding craft beers, but I’m not sure maybe others here have any interest so I won’t go into detail unless someone want to compare notes.

[uncle tom]

What have I drunk recently? The part finished bottles of wine from the pub for a start, also an Offley '72 that I knew was light struck - really quite nice - just doesn't taste like VP.. - a very ordinary but rather lovely 1983 generic burgundy - a bottle of Porta 6 red from Portugal vineyards - great value, need to buy more.. and a cheap and cheerful Tesco Cotes du Rhone - also good value.

Currently have a glorious bottle of V96 in the decanter - way too young still but the makings of a classic VP, and am about to pop a Crasto Reserva 2009 to guzzle tonight.

I was going to go easy on the grub this evening, but after typing this have decided to order a ruby from the restaurant round the corner..

[nac]

...a bottle of Porta 6 red from Portugal vineyards - great value, need to buy more...

Totally agree with Tom. Both the red and rose Porta 6 are very good and excellent value. Usually available from Majestic. Think they come from Lisbon?

[uncle tom]

Both the red and rose Porta 6 are very good and excellent value.

Have never tried the Rose Porta 6 - at 3.58 euros a bottle from Portugal Vineyards, I can't go too far wrong! - have added to my 'cart'

Crasto Reserva 2009 is a beast of wine BTW - if you've got any, put them away for another decade at least..

[SushiNorth]

Croft 70, lovely body and slow caramel flavors, but showing its age in that tired dusty fruit manner. A bit of a metallic edge to the nose. Never regretted this case.

[winesecretary]

Puligny Montrachet 2015, Domaine Florent Garaudet - impeccable Puligny from a difficult vintage where most growers let it over-ripen.
Crozes-Hermitage 2013, Thalabert, Paul Jaboulet Aine - a really fine example of this from a difficult year, made by my dream woman, Caroline Frey.
Fonseca 1992, reported elsewhere...

[nac]

Since last update we have sampled:
- Nelson Estate 2008 Shiraz
- Olivier Leflaive 2011 Chablis "Les Deux Rives"
- 1998 Chateau Musar
- Enrico Santini's 2006 Montepergoli
- HdV "de la Guerra" Chardonnay 2011
- and the Sandeman 1977 at Virtual Tasting #3.

[nac]

Updated list of 67 Pall Mall virtual tastings:

Wednesday 22nd April - Richard Hemming MW
Syrah vs. Shiraz
12:00

Wednesday 22nd April - Ronan Sayburn MS
The California Dream
18:00

Thursday 23rd April - Dr Katharina Prüm
The iconic Joh. Jos. Prüm
16:00

Thursday 23rd April - Demetri Walters MW
The might of Madeira
18:00

Friday 24th April - Matthew Jukes
A trip through Australia
18:00

Saturday 25th April - Wink Lorch
The Jura
18:00

Sunday 26th April - Richard Hemming MW
Corbières & the Languedoc with Iain Munson MW
12:00

Monday 27th April - Jane Anson
The most famous Bordeaux village of Margaux
18:00

Tuesday 28th April - Nigel Greening
Tales from a Lockdown Vintage - Felton Road
12:00

Tuesday 28th April - Charlie Holland
Gusbourne & the new world of winemaking
18:00

Wednesday 29th April - Richard Hemming MW
Pinot Noir beyond Burgundy
12:00

Wednesday 29th April - Ronan Sayburn MS
Celebrating Champagne
18:00

Wednesday 29th April - Richard Bampfield MW
Exploring the flavours of red Bordeaux as it ages
20:00

Thursday 30th April - A Children's party
Keeping the kids entertained...
10:00 - 10:40

Thursday 30th April – Spencer Hyman & Cocoa Runners
Chocolate & Wine pairing
18:00

Thursday 30th April - Benjamin Anglade
Mas de Daumas Gassac
20:00

Friday 1st May - Nic van Aarde
Oldenbury Vineyards
12:00

Friday 1st May - Rebecca Gibb MW
The vines of New Zealand
18:00

Friday 1st May - Paul Roberts MS
Colgin Wines
20:00

Saturday 2nd May - Jasper Morris MW
Chablis
17:00

Saturday 2nd May - Wink Lorch
Savoie
18:00

Sunday 3rd May - Richard Hemming MW
Iona Wines featuring Andrew Gunn (owner)
12:00

Sunday 3rd May - Cyril Brun
Champagne Charles Heidsieck
18:00

Sunday 3rd May - Jasmine Hirsch
Hirsch Vineyards
20:00

Monday 4th May - Jorge Navascues
Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE)
18:00

Monday 4th May - Doug Shafer
Shafer Vineyards
20:00

Tuesday 5th May - Martin Skelton
Introducing the Jewels of Gonzalez Byass
12:00

Tuesday 5th May - Frédéric Barnier
A glass of Louis Jadot
18:00

Tuesday 5th May - David Baverstock
A trip through Portugal with the Winemaker of the year
20:00

Wednesday 6th May - Richard Hemming MW
Chardonnay beyond Burgundy
12:00

Wednesday 6th May - Ronan Sayburn MS
The Rhône Valley
18:00

Wednesday 6th May - Damian Barton
Château Léoville Barton
20:00

Thursday 7th May - Mac Forbes
What does wine of place mean? An Australian perspective
12:00

Thursday 7th May - Brad Greatrix
A contemporary look at the Traditional Method with Brad Greatrix,
Winemaker at Nyetimber
18:00

Thursday 7th May - Jeremy Seysses
The Wines of Domaine Dujac
19:30

Friday 8th May - Hans Astrom
Vin de Constance - a journey of 330 years & the resurrection
18:00

Friday 8th May - Frédéric Panaïotis
Champagne Ruinart - oxidation vs reduction in Champagne
20:00

Saturday 9th May - Tal Sunderland-Cohen
An expert guide to Israeli wines
18:00

Sunday 10th May - Matt Walls
Rhône - the inside scoop
12:00

Sunday 10th May - Heidi Mäkinen MW
The Wines of Austria
18:00

Monday 11th May - Clovis Taittinger
Champagne Taittinger
18:00

Tuesday 12th May - Anne McHale MW
Beaujolais
18:00

Tuesday 12th May - Rajat Parr
Sandhi Wines
20:00

Wednesday 13th May - Ronan Sayburn MS
The oldest of the New World - South Africa
18:00

Wednesday 13th May - Richard Hemming MW
How to find the world's best value wines
12:00

Thursday 14th May - Tim Atkin MW
The natural wealth of Argentina
18:00

Thursday 14th May - Elin McCoy
The Wider World of Napa
20:00

Friday 15th May - Gavin Quinney
Château Bauduc
12:00

Friday 15th May - Peter Liem
Champagne - Côte des Blancs
18:00

Friday 15th May - Frédéric Panaïotis
Ruinart Rosé: History in the making
20:00

Sunday 17th May - Bee Thomson (winemaker)
Crawford River Riesling
12:00

Sunday 17th May - Andrew Jefford
Explore the South of France
18:00

Monday 18th May - Heidi Mäkinen MW
The New Order of Spanish Sparkling Wine
18:00

Tuesday 19th May - Matthew Jukes
Classic Piedmont
18:00

Wednesday 20th May - Ronan Sayburn MS
New Zealand - Ronan's picks
18:00

Thursday 21st May - Tim Atkin MW
Rioja
18:00

Friday 22nd May - Zsófi Kiss
Wines of the Northen Rhône
20:00

Wednesday 27th May - Ronan Sayburn MS
The diversity of Australia
18:00

Link to take part - https://zoom.us/j/652338194

[DRT]

My latest Lockdown Drinking was a fabulous half of a magnum of Fonseca 1970.

[Axel P]

I have been exchanging with a wine-lover who happens to be my neighbour. We pour a full bottle and exchange half bottles blind without any announcement:

Sometimes this is scary, because for two times we have exchanged the same produccer (mine was Beychevelle 83, his 98, mine was Carruades 99, his Lafite 95), but we also have very regular stuff. He tricked me with a Crasto Branco 2015 which I thought was a dry Riesling. Excellent way to enjoy and to train the palate.

I also took some online tastings. One was Sake, where I was not happy about the presentation, but also not about Sake. These were 3 above-level Sakes and they tasted like industrial spirit. Axel and Sake will not be friends in this life and due to Axel's liver capacity I will stay with Champagne, wine and Port.

[nac]

Update on 67 Pall Mall tastings...

Demetri Walters MW doing a Port session on 13/5. Details here - https://www.67pallmall.com/events/wedne ... alters-mw/

[uncle tom]

Recent encounters include:

Taylor 10yr bottled in 1980 - loads of sediment and no sign of going south.

Loads of cheap white wine - mostly SB or SB blends.

Wade decanter of Bells made for the wedding of Prince Andrew, complete with fancy box - cost £5 at auction. The whisky was quite nice..

Currently have a Q. Crasto 1993 LBV in the decanter - good colour considering the year, but this bottle has a hint of 90's earthiness - where has this come from? - it's mostly a bottle variation trait and I've clocked it from four producers now I think..

[Doggett]

Update on 67 Pall Mall tastings...

Demetri Walters MW doing a Port session on 13/5. Details here - https://www.67pallmall.com/events/wedne ... alters-mw/

Thanks Neil. Do you know if it is one with samples and if so what they are and how much? It looks like a virtual membership application will be on its way!

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've just opened a bottle of Gruaud Larose 1983. They were made to be drunk and you can't take them with you — sorry kids, more for me and less for you.

[nac]

Update on 67 Pall Mall tastings...

Demetri Walters MW doing a Port session on 13/5. Details here - https://www.67pallmall.com/events/wedne ... alters-mw/

Thanks Neil. Do you know if it is one with samples and if so what they are and how much? It looks like a virtual membership application will be on its way!

Doesn’t say yet, but there was for the Madeira tasting he did last week, so suggest keep checking.

[winesecretary]

The last of a case of Emmanuel Giboulot's 2011 Haut Cotes de Nuits 'En Gregoire' 2011. An old lady now, but a damned attractive one. Consumed over two nights, it evaporated rather than was drunk.

[nac]

Update on 67 Pall Mall tastings...

Demetri Walters MW doing a Port session on 13/5. Details here - https://www.67pallmall.com/events/wedne ... alters-mw/

Thanks Neil. Do you know if it is one with samples and if so what they are and how much? It looks like a virtual membership application will be on its way!

Doesn’t say yet, but there was for the Madeira tasting he did last week, so suggest keep checking.

Yes there is...

1963 Taylor
1966 Taylor
1977 Fonseca
1970 Graham's
1980 Warre
1963 Graham's Colheita 

Delivered to the UK £170.00
Delivered to Europe £180.00

Don't think the website has been updated yet, but just received this via email.

[Doggett]

Wow! That is a list of some fine port from great vintages. I am guessing it is 75mls sample bottles as per the first couple of tastings. So this one or Churchill's for a bit less?

[Glenn E.]

Yes there is...

1963 Taylor
1966 Taylor
1977 Fonseca
1970 Graham's
1980 Warre
1963 Graham's Colheita 

Delivered to the UK £170.00
Delivered to Europe £180.00

Don't think the website has been updated yet, but just received this via email.

I don't see any reference to a sample kit for sale on the website. I was checking because I thought that if they'd ship to the US that I might try to sign up!

[nac]

Yes there is...

1963 Taylor
1966 Taylor
1977 Fonseca
1970 Graham's
1980 Warre
1963 Graham's Colheita 

Delivered to the UK £170.00
Delivered to Europe £180.00

Don't think the website has been updated yet, but just received this via email.

I don't see any reference to a sample kit for sale on the website. I was checking because I thought that if they'd ship to the US that I might try to sign up!

Website hasn’t been updated yet.
They’ve previously said they can’t offer delivery outside of Europe yet, but they’re currently investigating options. If I get an update I’ll let you know.

[nac]

Yes there is...

1963 Taylor
1966 Taylor
1977 Fonseca
1970 Graham's
1980 Warre
1963 Graham's Colheita 

Delivered to the UK £170.00
Delivered to Europe £180.00

Don't think the website has been updated yet, but just received this via email.

I don't see any reference to a sample kit for sale on the website. I was checking because I thought that if they'd ship to the US that I might try to sign up!

Website hasn’t been updated yet.
They’ve previously said they can’t offer delivery outside of Europe yet, but they’re currently investigating options. If I get an update I’ll let you know.

Website now includes the wine offer.

[nac]

Wow! That is a list of some fine port from great vintages. I am guessing it is 75mls sample bottles as per the first couple of tastings. So this one or Churchill's for a bit less?

Yes, they're 75ml samples.

[nac]

Further sampling whilst avoiding the Four Horsemen...

- Domaine De Lubac CDRV, "Les Bruneau" Cairanne 2009
- Jaboulet CDRV "Secret de Famille" 2009
- Laroze de Drouhin AC Bourgogne Chardonnay 2012
- Francois Villard, "Les Contours de Deponcins" Viognier 2011
- Gilles Jourdan, AC Bourgogne Pinot Noir VV 2006
- Waitrose Manzanilla
- Mas de Daumas Gassac 1998 & 2007
- Ridge Lytton Springs 2010
- 1/2 of Croft 1960
- various Quvedo
- Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2013, 1/2s of Lytton Springs 2017 & Geyserville 2017, and Monte Bello (red) 2011
- Barrail du Blanc 2007

On reflection that's a lot of French, but highlight was definitely the Monte Bello.
Can also highly recommend aged Mas de Daumas Gassac - still loads of time left for this.

[winesecretary]

TV 1996 in half - lovely right now.
Musar 2001 - good, but not on a par with the 1999 consumed a few weeks ago.