Clos du Marquis 2006
From a half bottle, lovely classy claret. Nose of blackcurrant, cedar and graphite, palate with more blackcurrant, earthy and cedar/tobacco tannins, some undergrowth, liquorice, lovely acidity, and a pretty floral perfume. Medium body, really enjoyable.
Chateau Ferriere 2006 Margaux
Not much bouquet. Green capsicum and tobacco on palate. Gentle fine tannins but not much fruit. Maybe not the ripest vintage. Glad I’ve got a few 2005 vintage which should be a bit better.
It’s the roulette wheel of fine wine drinking that keeps it interesting - good luck with the 2005! ATB
Ermelinda Freitas reserva 2017.
@Richard.Dane
When you have the oportunity to come visit your father, And if you decide to stop in Lisbon for a couple of hours , I would look for you and give you one of these, while presenting myself in person. ( we could speak about Naim to… 
Thank you. That’s very kind of you. If I ever return to Lisbon I’ll let you know.
If anyone is interested, my mini report (on the 135 wines that I did get to try) for Bordeaux 2019 is available for download - no charge (due to its incompleteness), and no paywall, from Tim Atkin’s site (.com), although you do need to register and order it.
Hope is okay to post (Richard?) but given no commercial aspect I think should be okay, although I will not put an actual link here.
The more people who do download it the better for me in terms of future access, though.
Thanks Rod, an interesting read.
Ouch my head hurts after celebrating a certain sporting achievement last night.
We had some friends over and enjoyed these wines with a decent selection of cheese.
The Mas La Plana was opened first which was a mistake as everybody wanted a drop and I didn’t get too much… what I did have was lovely, bursting with fruit, silky smooth and mouth filling flavours. There was something in there that tasted of Spain, just a hint that reminded me of the only other Spainish wine I know ie Rioja?!? It was barely decanted and was finished within an hour. I’ve got 2 more bottles though and I look forward to leisurely exploring them at another point.
My friend is a big Rioja fan and I’m gradually coming round to appreciating them having had too many cheap bottles over the years, it’s nice to discover the better producers whose wines are both more subtle but also more complex and interesting. This Muga was excellent and I thoroughly recommend at this price.
2009 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert from Jaboulet. Last night’s tipple, couple of hours in decanter. Deep ruby colour, powerful nose of blackcurrant and blackberry with black pepper and liquorice. Rich palate, lush mouthfeel with lots of sweet blue and black fruits, blackcurrant, blackberry, bluecurrant, nice acidity, spiciness of black pepper and star anise. Well balanced on the rich fruity side, not a classic structured Northern Rhone, I think the vintage dominates here. Very enjoyable wine, a bit too round for my personal taste, but I enjoyed it a lot while having a FaceTime chat with two good friends.
Just finished this rather good Grenache from South Africa. Started last night during an online tasting organised by Wines of South Africa as the industry struggles with the second alcohol ban of the pandemic. Greg Sherwood MW hosted and this was our top wine of the three poured. The Alheit Hemelrand was also delicious though young as was the Boejenhoutskloof Syrah 2015. Ian Naude is renowned for his Chenin but thus Grenache showed he is pretty good all round.
So, if you are out shopping for wine this week, why not buy South African and help some winemakers stay in business!
little red from last night - Asbourne Cinsault - Pinotage 2018 - the fruit comes off the Hamilton Russell Estate - which is in fact 3 different winearies on a farm in Hermanus, the famous Hamtilton Russell Estate Pinot & Chardonnay (world Icons) southern Right ocean facing and Asbourne - which is on of AHR pet projects, he wants ton grow the worlds best Pinotage - so the fruit comes off the farm and they purchase the Cinsault
cooking some rather nice steak for supper and this wine just slightly chilled was perfect
Not a fine wine man but enjoying taste testing the 2018 before laying down a few bottles.
One of the many benefits of living in France is the good wine at lower taxes than those exported.
Got something nice to go with our triple cooked chips and a steak, we’re treating ourselves tonight as it was our anniversary this week, tasting notes to follow later
Lovely selection, I’ve had quite a lot of the ‘08 Barton recently and it’s been superb, with a couple of hours of air I’d expect the ‘05 to be genuinely wonderful. Enjoy!!
Oh and Happy Anniversary slightly belatedly.
Thanks
I’ve been watching your notes with interest as I had this in mind to try soon, its been in the decanter for a couple of hours so should be good to go
