We’re proud to sponsor a brand new dining experience at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds.
Dine in the Theatre’s wonderful auditorium with some very special guests. You can enjoy a sumptuous dinner on stage – with some fine wines!
See the Theatre Royal for more details.
To accompany a Chestnut Torte, recipe supplied by Robert Mace, Head Chef at the Adnams Crown Hotel in Southwold, Christopher is recommending a Dolgesheiner Scützenhütte Merlot Eiswein 2004, a half bottle of pudding wine, £12.99, from grower Biegler Müller in the Rheinhessen.
As discussed on this morning’s James Hazell show, chestnut can be very rich and you need something lighter and more elegant to accompany it.
Our tasting on 5th December 2008 showed every style of wine we could think of from all around the world from £6 to over £50. It also included some interest spirits and liqueurs idea for a Christmas treat.
This year Italy proved to be the most popular country but the Chateau Lafont Menault Vintage 2007 at £13.99 dry white Bordeaux caught a lot of attention. Not really a surprise as 2007 was such a good year.
Also from Spain, the Salmos Perpetual 2005, £19.99 came top of people’s tasting notes. It’s from the ultra trendy Priorat region in Spain and is much sought after. We were only able to show it as we managed to secure a few more bottles from another market. It will be in stock in January.
Thank you to the 130 people who attended.
A focus on selected wines from Bordeaux during November and December 2008
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this has been made using natural yeasts with lengthy vatting to maximise flavour and complexity. Nice nose and supple tannins make this very pleasant and excellent value – drinking right now.
(Merlot : 55% Cabernet Sauvignon : 35%, Cabernet Franc : 20% – 13% vol.)
Although of a lowly Bordeaux Rouge classification a wine we have shipped for a few years now because it is good honest claret. 2003 was a good vintage, very hot, which has meant some wines have not lasted, but this is still drinking well. For immediate enjoyment.
(Cabernet Sauvignon : 41%, Cabernet Franc : 20%, Merlot : 39% – 13% vol.)
A recent addition to the range. Lovely supple wine with aromas of red fruits that can be enjoyed now or kept for a year or so. From the commune of Pujols, very near to St Emilion. Gold medal at the Concours de Bordeaux.
(Merlot : 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon : 20% – 13% vol)
This Cuvee Tradition has no oak ageing but nevertheless shows just how good the 2005 vintage was. Full of soft fruit flavours and fleshy tannins this is one of the best Bordeaux reds you will taste at this price level.
(Cabernet Sauvignon : 41%, Merlot : 39%, Cabernet Franc : 20% – 13.5% vol.)
Classic Bordeaux from the ever reliable negotiant Sichel. Crafted by them to be accessible and ready to drink. Argadens consistently wins awards and is well priced.
(Merlot : 55%, Cabernet Sauvignon : 45% – 13% vol.)
Catch a glimpse of the exceptional 2005 vintage through this wine and it gives you an idea about what the fuss is all about! Still young and yet packed with fruit and soft tannins. Spicy but with nice vanilla overtones from the oak ageing, one third new barrels, one third one year old and one third two year old barrels.
(Cabernet Sauvignon : 50%, Merlot : 50% – 12.5% vol.)
Another example of great Bordeaux at a sensible price. Rich and full bodied but with a nice balance of blackcurrant fruit and oak. This 2003 is at its peak now and is one to enjoy over the next few months.
(Cabernet Sauvignon : 41% Merlot : 39% Cabernet Franc : 20% - 13.5 vol.)
A wine that defies its ‘superieur’ classification to which it is limited by virtue of its location. The wine. however, is made in a ‘grand vin’ manner – old vines, low yields, oak ageing and is a relatively new venture, undertaken by two talented vignerous brothers.
(Merlot : 82%, Cabernet Sauvignon : 12%, Cabernet Franc : 4%, Malbec : 1%, Petit Verdot : 1% – 13% vol)
Very Graves in style with good fruit and a cedary touch – one we discovered last year that stood out in a large comparative tasting, leaving us no choice but to buy some.
(Cabernet Sauvignon : 60%, Merlot : 30%, Cabernet Franc : 10% – 12% vol
A small family property well-situated in St Emilion.A full bouquet and ripe red fruit flavours on the palate from the Merlot grape. Whilst still young it is already soft enough to enjoy now.
(Merlot : 90% Cabernet Franc : 10% – 12.5% vol.)
Round and full flavoured with soft tannins and good fruit – good
for drinking now or keeping for up to five years.
(Cabernet Sauvignon : 50% Merlot : 45% Petit Verdot : 5% – 13% vol.)
A property on the up and up, consistently producing good wines. “Fine deep colour, with a lovely expression of Cabernet and Merlot fruit. Its floral fragrance, finesse and breed stand out amongst some good, but less elegant wines.” Drink 2009-18 (Decanter magazine)
(Cabernet Sauvignon : 60% Merlot : 25% Cabernet Franc : 14% Petit Verdot : 1% – 13% vol)
Like Senejac a property with a great reputation over recent years. Huge colour, terrific extract of really lovely blackcurrant leaf, small berry Cabernet fruit, smooth and ripe. Very good vinification combining intensity and elegance. Enjoy now and over the next five years.
(Merlot : 50% Cabernet Sauvignon : 30% Cabernet Franc : 18% Petit Verdot : 2% – 13% vol)
Produced from a tiny four-hectare plot, low yields for super concentration and then aged for seventeen months in new barrels. A wine of the modern style, not to everyone’s taste because the new oak dominates but wait for it to ease back and then be pleased you put some away for a year or two because this will be stunning! Fruity with a touch of coffee, roasted and grilled flavours full of blackcurrants. A worthy flagship wine from this estate!
(Merlot : 100%,- 13% vol)
Acquired by the Champagne House Roederer in 1992 the resulting investment has lifted the quality of this wine whereby it now represents excellent value for money. Lively on the palate with great structure that St. Estèphe is known for. Nice soft tannins and toasty oak combined with ripe fruit make this a wine for immediate enjoyment.
(Merlot : 52%, Cabernet Sauvignon : 40% Petit Verdot : 5%, Côt : 3% – 13% vol)
Decanter’s guide to Chile 2008 has featured some of our wines.
Two great winter warmers to offset the chill we’re being warned of:
Don Maximo Founder’s Reserve 2004 £29.99 …Decanter gives this a five star rating and a tasting note reading “very deep colour, terrific depth, very ripe and concentrated fruit, warm with a lovely touch of spice …excellent future”.
Terranoble Carmenere Gran Reserva Maule 2006 £9.99. Only a three star rating but we love it . Very spicy. Good for drinking now.
And if you are still looking for something cool and refreshing to remind you of warmer climes, there’s the Miguel Torres, Santa Digna Gewürztraminer Reserve, Curicó Valley 2007 at £6.69.
Domaine Faiveley … what a treat.
Domaine Faiveley, based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, now owns more domains than any other family in Burgundy. Set up in 1825, just one year before Thomas Peatlng, it’s now down to the 7th generation to lead the way.
We arrived on 6 October just two days before the end of harvest on 8 October. An unusual time to entertain but a fabulous time to visit the vineyards of Musigny, Romanee-Conti and La Tache on a lovely misty autumnal morning while they were still picking the last of the grapes lovingly by hand.
This was followed by a sumptuous dinner in the cellars in the Restaurant La Cabotte à Nuits St Georges. I reproduce it for you here just so that I can savour the taste …
Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2005
Meursault 1er Cru Blagny 2000
Mercurey 1er Clos du Roy 2003 Domaine Faiveley
Mazis Chambertain 2000 Domaine Faiveley
Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley 1998 Domaine Faiveley- Monopole
Cocotte de Langoustine et ses petits legumes
Epaule d’Agneau dy Quercy cuit en 19 heures et Cocos Paimpol
Assiette de Fromages
Charlotte de Fruits Rouges et Biscuit de Reims
And for lunch the next day:
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2006
Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2002
Latricières Chambertin 19999 Domaine Faiveley
Jambon Persillé, Jeunes Pousses et Crème de Moutarde
Mignon de Porc Laqué et Wok de Légumes
Assiette de Fromage
Tropézienne
Although these were meals I will remember for a very long time, the most memorable event was being able to taste the newly pressed Musigny 2008 grape, the juice of which goes to make only 150 bottles for world consumption.
An incredibly rare privilege.
“Australia is good at giving consumers what they want.” A common observation in the trade, but one that usually refers to wines in the £5-7 price range, many sold through the supermarkets on sometimes spurious offers.
But start looking beyond ‘Brand Australia’, into distinct regional wines in much the same way as we do with France for instance and a whole ‘new world’ of quality emerges.
We have noticed a move away from the powerful fruit and oak driven styles that are one dimensional and very alcoholic back to the old world. Subtle use of oak and styles more suited to individual regions are now emerging and provide wonderful drinking.
Don’t be scared of seeking out Australians at the £10 – 15 price mark and you will be in for a pleasant surprise.
Try our Xabregas range from Mount Baker, Western Australia.
Our wine shop within the shop at The Elveden Estate near Thetford in Norfolk is going from strength to strength.
We stock close to 200 lines from around the world. There are also an impressive number of local wines including Elveden’s House Red and White Wines. Plus there’s a range of East Anglian beer including ale and stout from the Elveden Brewery.
You can sample some of what’s on offer with some delicious food if you dine at the Café Restaurant Alfresco Courtyard.
You can also do most of your shopping in one place. The Elveden Estate Shop has a fantastic array of fresh, baked and cured foods.
Whilst numerous delicious Champagnes exist and continue to delight me, when I taste them I’m always conscious that these are expensive products. Very expensive when compared to many very good wines.
Of course the high costs of the raw materials and the added costs of prolonged ageing and storage go some way to explaining these premium prices. However, when I open virtually any glossy magazine or weekend colour supplement to be confronted with seductive double page spreads for famous Champagnes I am reminded that a large chunk of the price must feed these advertising campaigns.
This goes a long way to explaining why we like to source our Champagnes from smaller houses and why we import direct. They don’t have big budgets and providing we do our job properly and select the right Champagnes, we believe we can pass on really good quality products at a much lower cost.
Château les Bertrands 2004 Bordeaux Superieur Moelleux
WAS £8.99 NOW £5.99
Château les Bertrands Blanc 2006 1er Côtes de Blaye Cuvée Tradition
WAS £6.49 NOW £4.99
Guy Allion Sauvignon Doux 2004 Loire
WAS £8.99 NOW £7.99
Pinot Noir 2002 Gocker Alsace
WAS £12.99 NOW £10.99
Gewurztraminer 2005 Gocker Alsace
WAS£8.49 NOW £7.49
Domaine la Grange Tiphaine 2004 Tourraine Amboise Rouge
WAS £7.99 NOW £4.99
Akarua Pinot Rosé 2005 Central Otago New Zealand
WAS £12.99 NOW £7.99
