With the nights’ drawing in it’s time for port. Not one of the modern wines but one of the great old fashioned houses. Served with walnuts and Stilton, with a fire burning bright. Perhaps not at its peak, but luscious with some length and pleasant feel in the mouth as it coated my tongue and cheeks. The aromas appear smoky with a hint of cedar, but it could be nose has been affected by a flu jab.
12 Likes
The nearest thing I have to a ‘house Claret’ -Chateau Puygueraud. Always reliable and good vfm. This is the 2014 and it’s drinking very nicely
8 Likes
Perhaps I should‘ve mentioned, for those who don’t know this winery, that the Shiraz from Oliver’s Taranga goes into Penfold’s Grange.
1 Like
Drinking? Nothing. 18 months sober after 50 years of committed daily boozing, enough was enough. Now my BP is normal, cholesterol normal, mornings productive and I’m spending the money I’ve saved on more Naim kit! Those of you who can have a safe relationship with alcohol are lucky: for me it was why stop at a glass when I can polish off the bottle? Well, not every day but many of them.
I thought I could take a long break and reset. Only drink occasionally. But what I’ve realised is that when you don’t drink at all there’s only one decision to make. When you moderate there are hundreds. That’s the revelation, and why for most people moderation doesn’t work. So, for me, wine is a ‘pleasure’ of the past. I thought I’d miss it, but I don’t.
Anyone else on this forum long term sober, or at least ‘sober curious’
5 Likes
Apparently you can buy the Gould Campbell in half bottles, which might be useful for a certain birthday coming up.
I do have at least one Gould Campbell in my small wine fridge , but at the moment I am teetotal following the “incident in May.
@soundorg85 yes, and enjoying it
2 Likes
News from the 2025 harvest in Cheshire. The single vineyard (well single vine) muscat yield is not delivering sufficient to vinify. Nothing from the Merlot or muller thurgau so we will just be drinking that which is already in bottle.
5 Likes
These are half’s … only 10 to go!
1 Like
Had friends over for dinner Saturday .
Enjoyed these two.
1818 Champagne FR
Clearview Reserve Chardonnay 2022 NZ
8 Likes
Weekend in the New Forest and this Argentinian Chardonnay is delicious. It needed the bottle age as we have tried younger vintages.
9 Likes
Love the label 
My last bottle of TWS Anniversary 2019 Moulin - A - Vent made by Jacques Depagneux. These fabulous wines from the best Beaujolais crus - MAV and Morgon - absolutely refute the notion that Beaujolais is ‘light and fruity’. As they age they become more complex and become harder to separate from a Pinot noir. If I was served this and was told that it was a PN I wouldn’t disagree in any way. Fantastic vfm to boot
11 Likes
had this wine over the weeked from one of my now X customers and now I am one of thier customers - lovely Gruner, and very good for this group and the name is Radio Silence
had with lunch yesterday with some of my first home made bread following by recent course wth Richard Berninet
10 Likes
5 Likes
It’s that time of year with the clocks going back, central heating being required in the morning, logs being sawn up for the fire etc. that warming reds start to issue their siren call. Some herdwick hogget steaks were on the menu along with some steaming ratatouille and the bottle that I espied while rummaging through the many boxes was this Crozes-Hermitage which is one of my favourite Jaboulets (and La Chapelle is way too expensive). My first glass of Thalabert was maybe 18 years ago and was quite revelatory in its introduction to my palate of how good Northern Rhône Syrah can be. The Wine Society kindly included the odd bottle in mixed cases and this 2009 is maybe the last of that vintage but was very much enjoyed. Dark bramble fruit initially on the palate then a rich, tarry note on the long finish caused me to just sit and blink at how wonderful that first sip had been. A lovely contemplative wine that certainly worked for the hogget. I now need a bottle for a casserole of shin of beef tonight.
16 Likes
Bahans Haut Brion 2005 and Domaine de Chavalier 2009 both Pessac
Pushed the bout for a family get together with some Moussaka.
The Bahans was pale garnet with bricking. Delicate perfume leather and pencil shavings. Plummy fruit, very smooth with minimal tannins. At the rnd of a drinking plateau in my cellar.
The Chevalier was darker. A more robust nose and slightly more tannin and still very smooth. Quite persistent on the palate.
Family felt wines were “ smooth” and “ quite nice”. Very enjoyable night.
14 Likes