Shane Grennan

8.6

86 pts I was expecting fairly significant results from a 10 year old Chianti Riserva from what was a very good vintage. Yes there are elements which have blended together and clearly have wonderful elements of age, however I was quite surprised with lack of back end integration and depth/complexity.

Didn't seem faded, or overly aged, but maybe just not a great example.

Great Chianti is reminiscent of Brunello which this isn't. — 7 years ago

Shane Grennan

8.9

89 pts A wise man once said, Margaux is a beautiful mistress. True she is mystical, like a dream she is just out of reach and so alluring and this is insane value. A very good Margaux vintage.

Entering its window now, the nose is med and very alluring, earthy black fruit, cedar and wet tea bags, toffee whiffs, it needs focus and is pure pleasure to concentrate on every step.
The palate is dark fruit, pencil lead with more tea leaves, good complexity, excellent intensity and a finish which is broad, long and elegant integrated tannin.

Very much enjoyed. — 8 years ago

Shane Grennan

9.0

90/100 Wonderful Marlborough offering, but more affordable and one which delivers an upfront intense nose. It has grass, gooseberry, tropical fruit, lemon zest, citrus,
apricot, nuttiness with elegant florals and delivers in spades.

The palate is generous but steely, chalky acidity, lovely mouthfeel with a very good length finish, dwelling and satisfying. Excellent example.
— 9 years ago

Shane Grennan

9.0

Croc di Febo Amore Mio Vin Nobile di Montepulciano Reserva 2010

90 pts I need to drink more of this Sangiovese DOCG full stop.

This organic one is only made in the best vintages and is pure pleasure. Aged 2 years in French barriques and 1 in cement, it does needs an hour to open and then has super velvety tannins. The nose freely gives cherry, balsamic and smoky dark chocolate. The palate is congruent, full yet mouth watering, coasting into a full long finish.

Tremendously enjoyable, heart warming and a most definite repeat .
— 7 years ago

Shane Grennan

8.4

84/100 To complete the experience a €10 supermarket wine that advertises, on TV, ughhhhh So I was quiet surprised when it was good, quiet enjoyable infact. Yes it has gaps compared to the others but it's €10!

It's all about the palate which has a petrochemical tinge, not in a bad way. The intensity which is on offer is reserved for the palate and the nose is a little mute, both offer gooseberry, pineapple and citrus. The finish thins but holds well.

For €10 it it is excellent PPR. — 9 years ago

Shane Grennan

9.0

90/100 An icon and for good reason.
Straw yellow, the nose is barely restraining the intense floral, peach, apricot, pineapple, minerals and citrus. So engaging and easy to respond too but with controlled sophistication.

The medium palate has crispness but balanced with great full mouthfeel on the middle plate, wonderful acidity, vibrant, far reaching.
The finish reflects the whole journey but it a tad shallow, — 9 years ago

Shane Grennan

8.3

83 pts A basic Ribera but it has that wonderful typical fruit aroma and palate and paired with food, a chili cheeseburger in this case. Simple as you expect from a Crianza but quiet enjoyable with food.
— 8 years ago

Shane Grennan

8.7

87 pts When nothing in the list is jumping out at you and something is required to cope with Indian food, dependable Toro! Cinnamon Kitchen in London is Indian but not as you expect it, its not all about lashing of sauce so leave the Cobra beer alone and pair with wine.

Buckets of fruit on the nose and palate, soft and round without being weak like a lot of good Toro’s. Thoroughly enjoyable . — 8 years ago

Shane Grennan

9.0

90/100 This region is for me definitely. This is not as hedonistically upfront as the Cloudy Bay, more subtle but presents a better finish. You do however have to reach further for the nose.
Loads of tropical citrus, lime, pineapple, gooseberry, grapefruit as you would expect, though lots more on the palate than in the nose. Excellent mouthfeel, here it wins.
The finish is linear, no drop off and so scores the same as CB but a different experience.
— 9 years ago

Shane Grennan

8.3

83/100 Served in 1* Michelin restaurant at warm evening room temperature! I asked the Sommelier and the response was, we have no Enclave! Dumbfounded, it must have been 22C or more. It went to the fridge for a while and recovered a little.

Good nose of black fruit, little coffee and oak, the palate has nice earthy tones and is smoothed by time, giving a very enjoyable mouth feel and a mind-range finish. — 9 years ago