16 April 2012

I was lucky enough to have been given a bottle of Caymus Vineyards Selection Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 which was opened on the occassion of my youngest daughter's third brithday.

An absolutely wonderful wine. On the nose and palate - blackcurrant and other black fruit flavours, as well as notes of leather and spice. Long finish. Overall an excellent wine.

23 April 2012

I picked up a bottle of Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2002 and it turned out to be a real find. A complex wine showing aromas of black cherry, blackberry, with good spice and integrated oak. Hints of coffee. Long long finish.

30 April 2012

Something different, and possibly controversial for the 'Wine of the Week'. Tried a Moscato d'Asti (Vina Tendida 2010). A refreshing, sweet sparkler which was emminently quaffable and value for money.

7 May 2012

As part of a 'swap' with a colleague I was given a bottle of Domaine d'Aeria, Cuvee Prestige, Cairanne, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2000 to try. I was worried that it might have gone past its 'best before' date, but I needn't have worried. Blackfruit flavours supported by notes of leather, pepper and spice. Long finish. A really good wine.

14 May 2012

A Domaine Hamelin, Chablis Premier Cru hit the spot this week. Not the usual flinty Chablis but a much rounder, softer with (dare I say) a touch of oak. Very nice.

21 May 2012

Tasted a number of wines this week both at the London International Wine Fair and at the Oddbins Wine Fair. Some really good wines available but for me a stand out was the Matahiwi Holly Pinot Noir. Lovely pure red fruits (strawberry, cherry) with hints of vanilla and sweet spice. Well balanced with a good long finish. One of those lovely wines that you just can't put down.

28 May 2012

A lovely Kay Brothers' Amery Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 with some really good intensity on the nose with aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, vanilla and cedar which was confirmed by the palate. A lovely wine, definitely ready for drinking (it would be criminal to let this one get past its best!).

4 June 2012

A wine that won't be to everyone's taste - but I loved it! A Walter Hansel Chardonnay 2009 from the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma, California. A definite note of oak but this didn't overpower the tropical and ripe fruit flavours coming through.

11 June 2012

A present of a 1996 Roda I Reserva stormed its way into wine of the week by a country mile. Lovely garnet colour, with pronounced aromas of damson, raspberry, cedar, vanilla, sweet spice and real earthines borne out on the palate. The flavours stayed in the mouth for an age. A real stunner.