2004 Gaston Chiquet Champagne Special Club Brut – showing some colour now, but still bright with a toasty nose with citrus, smooth on palate – very enjoyable.
2004 Albert Mann Riesling Rosenberg – from a magnum that looked like an Indian club. Now showing some colour- medium apricot – and a pronounced petrol nose, the wine had a sweet entry but was fairly dry in the mouth, and had good length.
1989 Jaboulet CNduP Les Cedres – getting long in the tooth for many CNdup, this one actually showed very decently. Medium colour with pale edges, serious tar in the nose and some leather and meaty notes, and quite good length ending with decent acidity. Not everyone’s idea of a CNduP, but I really enjoy them when they become almost Burgundian.
2001 Castelgiocondo Brunello – fairly dark with a slightly cheesy, earthy (in a good way) nose. Good underlying fruit, good levels of acidity and still showing soft tannins.
2000 Sette Ponti Oreno – medium colour, nice dark fruit in the nose, earthy and nice, still showing tannins on palate and decent length. Drinks well now but may improve.
2007 Cypres de Climens – medium straw coloured, a slightly unusual nose, with coconut and apricot, full mouth feel, fairly sweet and OK acidity. Great Barsac value, with a somewhat jarring blue label.