Hartenberg Mackenzie comparison and Paul Pillot 2005, by Claire Scott-Gall

I spent last weekend with my in-laws in the countryside and yet again was utterly spoilt with good food and excellent wine. My husband and I store wine in his father’s cellar since the “cellar” in our one bed flat in London merely equates to a cupboard under the stairs. It is always very exciting delving into the boxes we keep there (I must make an inventory next time!) and this visit we found a bottle of Hartenberg Mackenzie 2004 that we bought on our first trip to South Africa in 2007. I couldn’t believe it when Will’s dad pulled out a bottle of the 2006! Having never done a Mackenzie vintage comparison, I was beside myself.

Cornas, Pierre Gaillard 2010 in the office, by Sean Burbridge

This is the 5^th vintage of this Cornas made by one of our favourite Northern Rhône producers, Pierre Gaillard.

Hartenberg Steak and Wine Dinner, Christopher's

Starting an evening with a Merlot Martini is a very good indication that you are going to have fun! And last Wednesday was no exception.

Our Portfolio Tasting - Part 2

We had a huge number of growers this year at our annual tasting and showed some 300 wines from over 30 domaines across the world.

 

Bernard Billaud

Cederberg Shiraz - great with chocolate!

We are huge fans of the Cederberg shiraz and Tom Cannavan has just recommended it to go with chocolate.

Cederberg, Shiraz 2008, South Africa
"A serious, range-topping Shiraz from the coastal region of Cederberg, this wine is aged in mostly French oak from Nevers and Alliers, around 70% of which is new. It is an immediately powerful and concentrated wine suffused with smoke and rich black fruit, but there's a little cooler, herby and green olive note too that gives lovely earthy authenticity and a savoury appeal. On the palate it is concentrated and muscular, the rich, ripe fruit layered with pepper and meaty, spicy notes, with plenty of chicory-like tannin and acidity adding more tension and drama. Terrific. 92/100."

Australia Trade Tasting January 2012

After the huge success of the Australia Trade Tasting at the Saatchi Gallery, we are pleased to see a video summary by Wine Australia on the event. Martin Spedding from Ten Minutes by Tractor is interviewed at the tasting.

Bouncing with Wine, by Amy Ramage

Claire made it sound quite glamorous when she asked, but what we thought she really meant, was could Lucinda and I be bouncers for the evening? The evening to which I am referring of course is our Annual & Portfolio En Primer tasting at The Westbury Hotel in Mayfair.  We didn’t hesitate in agreeing to Claire’s request. Whatever she wanted us to do, we knew it would be a fabulous night and were only too happy to be a part of it. 

 

Our Portfolio Tasting - Part One

We had a fantastic day yesterday at our annual portfolio tasting at The Westbury Hotel, Bond Street. With nearly 300 wines on tasting and 30 producers ready to present, the day started very well.

Austria MW Trip, by Alex Harper

It was with trepidation that the group of fledgling Master of Wine students met at the airport to fly to Austria for the first year seminar course; nervous and convinced we would be found out for the wine frauds that we were. The schedule had assured us it would be a punishing week of lectures and wine tastings. A vinous boot camp.