Beaune Premier Cru ‘Les Aigrots’ 2017 from Heritier de Baudricourt. Actually a bit underwhelming - I would be hard pressed to identify it as a PN in a blind tasting and a very thin aroma - none of the farmyard smell I love. Donated by a v kind friend. Confirms the rule about not buying Burgundy that you haven’t tasted beforehand
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A classy Stellenbosch BDX blend on Friday night to accompany some great food at Chez Bruce. Even better, I have got another bottle planned for lunch next Thursday. Life is pretty good!
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Catching up with friends in Marlborough NZ over the weekend. Great time.
Also visited Wither Hills, Saint Clair (lunch) and Framingham on Saturday
Bottles left to right:
Siegfried Barrique Fermented Chardonnay Nelson NZ 2020
Cristal Vintage 2014
Bollenger PN TX17
Tony Bish Heartwood Chardonnay NZ
Church Rd Grand Res Chardonnay 2020 NZ
Billecart Rose
Krug Vin 2004
Trinity Hill Chardonnay 2020 NZ
Vidal Legacy Syrah 2016 NZ
Esk Valley The Terraces 2014 NZ
The half bottles are a Man O’ War Syrah blending kit, good fun to blend your own wine from different holdings they have etc
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A nice Sunday evening wine, quite light and fruity but enough bite to go well with the sausage and brussel sprout gnocchi made by Mrs B.
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Excellent Rioja from Contino that appears to be a Wine Society exclusive - cannot remember buying it but quite glad to have stumbled across it when rummaging in boxes of wine. Going to be good for next few years.
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Chateau Pouget 2008
I went out for dinner last night with my best mate to celebrate my 60th. With some beautifully cooked lamb fillet we enjoyed this immensely. Still a deep red with a small amount of bricking at rim. Nose was a lovely cassis, plum and chocolate. The palate was complex, good structure, nice acidity and those very firm 2008 tannins, leading to flavours plum and cassis and earthy notes and a hint of Margaux perfume, not violet, something darker. It was mid weight and reasonably long, really enjoyable.
I don’t know when I last had a Pouget, probably an ‘80s or ‘90s vintage drunk 20+ years ago, I’d mentally labelled it as clumsy and to avoid. This wasn’t the most sophisticated claret I’ve drunk, but as definitely a lovely drink. Most ‘08s I’m still giving an hour or two of air, this was popped and poured, a tiny bit heavy on first sip, but opened almost immediately, not one to cellar for ages, but 5 or so years of nice drinking.
Modelled by our very lovely waitress. 
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@Eoink happy birthday hope you have a great year. I was only thinking of that dinner and wine we shared earlier this year yesterday while talking to a friend, good food, great wine and wonderful company.
Take care. 
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A very nice restaurant in East Barnet, it’s called Bramley’s, near Oakwood tube station. It was our first time there, it won’t be the last. They were very quiet being a Monday, so we were chatting to the front of house team. They have a menu which is based on the fact that they have found a supplier who delivers fresh fish every day and another who delivers beef and lamb daily, so they focus on presenting this lovely fish and meat well. The wine list isn’t big and is mainly nice looking sensibly priced wines, I was quite tempted by their Sonoma Pinot.
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Thanks Pete. I really enjoyed the day, just a shame Ian had to get away early.
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@eoink happy birthday. Sounds like a wonderful wine to mark your 60th milestone. I’m thinking of opening a 2008 La Fleur Petrus for Xmas. I’ll decant it for an hour or two as you suggest.
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Thanks Hugh, have a great Christmas with that lovely wine.
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Very nice hands …
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Yes I thoroughly enjoyed the day also , I have to be meticulous in planning living miles from nowhere and the day sort of broke down when I got to Newbury as the taxi no showed and it was the Festival Of The Eid
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A belated happy birthday from me as well
My very best wishes
Ian
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Thanks Ian.
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Best wishes @Eoink and glad you are enjoying claret again. Hope this decade is marked by good dinners and wines.
Peter
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Belated birthday wishes “old boy” 
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Thanks Peter and Alan.
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I’m shouting “Happy Birthday” through a SW facing open window.
You getting me at all?
Aw ra best @Eoink. 
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