WHAT? 7pm and no drinking thread on a Friday!!
Guess I’d better start one then .
It’s rained ALL week in the North East and with the kids being on half term, that hasn’t been ideal. They’ve been to the cinema a number of times and partook in other half term adventures which have drastically damaged the “wine funds”… (They’ve also wrecked the house )
Anyway, I may try the Bobal over the weekend or may save it for Mr. Leah’s return in a couple of weeks time…
Back to this wine after 6 months. Still has that slight rubber, marker pen on the nose, good black fruit hit possibly cherry/blackcurrant, little spice, dry mouthfeel. TWS reckon it is drinking now, and it is very agreeable now. Interestingly Cellartracker say drinking from 2020. This is probably more realistic, tannins will round out more. I will be keeping the rest of my case for a couple of years. Good QPR in my view.
Key advice it is not a good match for cheese wotsits.
Another ‘blind tasting’ for me this evening, chosen by the other half.
My brain was fried, after day 4 of WSET 3 which included a mock blind tasting exam. Still, someone has to do it - so sniffed away… nose was a bit closed at first, but as it warmed up there were notes of golden delicious apple, some tangerine, peach and delicate spice. On the palate, distinctly off-dry, with lovely peach and tangerine, but also a twist of lemon zest and ginger on the finish. Lovely mouthfeel, which screamed ‘Alsace’ Pinot Gris… and so it was! Well, almost…
This is a Pinot Gris/Pinto Blanc blend from La Cave des Vignerons de Pfaffenheim, called tête-à-tête. It was part of Lidl’s ‘Wine Tour’ and cost £7.99 - very good value for money.
This would be a good introduction to Alsatian whites - perhaps a little off balance on the sweetness, but saved from the jaws of defeat by its lively citrus zestiness.
Inbetweenish sort of weather and have opted for a slightly cool Errazuriz 2016 Pinot Noir. Seems a good choice; lovely light colour and lots of cherry and raspberry flavours. Not too serious but ideal for watching Jo Konta cruise through her match.
Opened this yesterday and poured most in the eto to enjoy over the weekend. It is glorious, but so it should be for the price… can just about justify having it over 4 days.
Bought EP in 2012, I’ve totally forgotten about it or why I bought it, but gosh, it is delicious - very smooth, still plenty of fruit and enough tannin to make it work. Hoping it matches some rich roast vegetables and chorizo. If not, could see how this wine goes instead (the last 3, also from its temporary home in Stevenage)
Bought this on community recommendation, regret not buying more. Lovely riesling texture, good length, you can taste the ripeness in the grapes. Quite honeyed but dry. Another producer to follow.
Quite different from the 2013 which I had last weekend. Syrah more evident and linear too, it didn’t really change, a bit more one dimensional, preferred the 2013 which was superb.
Both with chicken in tomato and roasted red pepper sauce.
an evening in Haro before onward trip to Madrid tomorrow. Managed to arrive in time for a couple of tastings at La Rioja Alta including the Gran Reserva 904 and then on to Lopez De Heredia for a glass of Vina Tondonia.
I want to like the 904 more than I do, I think there are better Gran Reservas and Reservas in Rioja, it’s almost too smooth, losing the taste of the fruit and lacking the spicy notes of some of my favourite riojas.
Gentle evening in. This went well with a S&k pie from a charming lady who makes 20 pies a week and sells them on Ludlow market on a Friday. You gave to be there by 9am.
After the elegant 2011 and the ripe and joyous 2010, we found this one a tad underwhelming. The nose is mostly tertiary - earth after rain, mushrooms, tobacco cedar and a whiff of mint too. Whatever fruit there is, is mainly stewed plums, and dried berries. No problem with the nose - it is rather inviting. The palate, however, is a little less exciting. The fruit has almost completely faded (a bit of prune and dried cherries, perpahs), the tannins are mellow, for sure, as is the acidity - but there is just something lacking.
Not a bad wine by any means - but compared to the other two we tried, just doesn’t excite. Feels like it reached the end of the road. I’m curious to see if drinking it with the meal brings something further out of it.
In the meantime - a glass of La Gitana Manzanilla. Just the weather for it, too!
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both me and the other half LOVE this one! Hope it went well with your food! 
