Farmer's Daughter Wines
Louis Roederer
Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2015
Domaine Huet
Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux Vouvray Chenin Blanc 1985
A tiny oxy note on opening. Almond, marzipan nutty notes together with pear. Not a full on sweet dessert style like a Sauternes. Palate of lime marmalade and ripe mandarin flesh and a good discussion around the table with some time Delectable correspondent and WSET Level 2 , daughter Georgie. I have one of these bottles left which should be consumed this year. From half bottle. — 3 years ago
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Croix de Beaucaillou Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Blend of 85% Cab Sauv and 15% Merlot, with an impressive label designed by Mick Jagger’s daughter, Jade. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and tart black cherry with currant and black pepper. Fine tannins, well balanced ending with smoky spice. Tasting well now, crack it out of cellar. — 4 years ago
Château Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1995
Double celebration of the christening of our best friends daughter and a precursor to my wifes birthday (29 again). The quintessential Bordeaux...this is what they all should taste like! Still surprisingly fresh for almost 30 years. Yes this is perhaps not the best vintage but is that not exactly when an excellent producer should produce quality? I would drink this again any day! — 2 years ago
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989
Celebrating my daughter Georgie’s birth year before she returns overseas tomorrow. Notes of plum, cassis and tobacco all melded together with soft dusty resolved tannins. Hints of cowyard, dried rose and leather developed. A gorgeous Mouton from an excellent vintage and ready to drink now. — 3 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Willi Schaefer
Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese Riesling 2015
2015. The Oven has been our go to restaurant for the last 30+ years and that they continue building a huge cellar of awesome wines is a big bonus! My daughter is still learning wine and I thought we would show her the range of styles in just one region of Germany, the Mosel. This spätlese was the middle of a trocken GG and a beerenauslese that we paired with a variety of mild to spicy dishes. As I expected, this wine with its residual sugar and high acidity paired great across the entire range. My daughter’s favorite. — 3 years ago
Château Lilian Ladouys
Saint Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
2018 vintage. This estate was bought by Jacky Lorenzetti in 2007 and the investments are paying off (see also the spectacular quality improvement at their Pauillac estate Pédesclaux). While previous vintages featured a majority of Merlot, this 2018 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37%. Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. This might very well be the best vintage to date for Lilian Ladouys in a year where Jacky's daughter Manon joined the business. She is highly devoted to organic farming and the Lorenzetti estates are now officially in conversion to organic. Moreover, Lilian Ladouys was promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" status in 2020. An estate to watch and the wines are very affordable too at around 20 euros. Classic nose with ripe cassis and cedar wood, intertwined with a fresh minty aroma. In the mouth the fruit is concentrated and layered with amazing freshness and a solid ripe tannin structure that make the alcohol (abv. 14,5%) go unnoticed. Long mineral finish. Highly recommended. Still very young, give it time to open up or decant. Should age beautifully for at least 15 years. — 4 years ago
Bob McDonald
We had this a few days ago and I misplaced my notes. Citrus mineral and intensity I recall. Probably committing infanticide drinking this now but there were good reasons to. Firstly our son and wife plus our daughter home for Christmas from New York and secondly my retirement after 53 years at McDonald Group. — 3 months ago