The Tower Of London
Kenwood Vineyards
Jack London Vineyard Sonoma Mountain Zinfandel 2014
Really great Zinfandel brilliant deep ruby, full body, fruity and flavors of raisins and redcurrant. Ready to drink. — 5 years ago
Equipo Navazos
I Think Manzanilla Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Palomino Fino
Sanlúcar de Barrameda was the port that Christopher Columbus set off from in 1492. Just 1 year earlier, duties on wine exports from Sanlúcar had been abolished to take advantage of English merchants desperate for new supply after the loss of Bordeaux.
It began a centuries-long romance between Sherry and English wine lovers, as immortalized in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 2, when Falstaff glorifies sturdy Spanish 'sack' over thin Bordeaux 'claret' and Rhine 'hock'.
But the honeymoon, quite literally, was not to last. Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon drove a wedge between England and Catholic Europe, and left English wine lovers in need of a new source once again. But Sherry fanatics wouldn't have to go entirely without. When Sir Francis Drake sailed into Cádiz and burned the Spanish fleet in 1587, he carried away 2,900 butts of Sherry - enough to supply London for years - as his most famous prize.
(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû’s Wines ‘History of Wine 1453AD-Present’ seminar, where this wine was poured) — 6 years ago
Schilling & Company
London Dry English Pub Style Cider
Ascender Ginger- Crisp dry with a hint of ginger — 7 years ago
Domaine de Chassorney
Bedeau Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Planque in London. Pretty nose with hint of dried roses. Raspberry on the palate with some potpourri flavours. Quite precise and proper. — 3 years ago
Hubert Lamy
Le Concis du Champs Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay 2018
Wha wha weeee waaah. Teleportation straight back to burgundy - escargot under the clock tower, lunch on a bike ride of the country. Beast. Doesn’t get much better. — 4 years ago
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1945
The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago
Kenwood Vineyards
Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Pastiche has half price wines on Wednesday’s so I went for one of their higher priced ($64) bottles. Haven’t had a Jack London Vineyard in a long time so I thought this was the time to try it. Not very complex and a tad sweet. I’m amazed that they can sell this at the $64 price on other nights. Don’t know the retail for this wine. Don’t think I would order again. — 6 years ago
Château Cheval Blanc
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1948
The 1948 Cheval Blanc may well constitute the most unheralded legendary wine of the 20th century, in no small part because it precedes the 1947. However, after years of several mavens lionizing this vintage and after one impressive but not convincing bottle, I encountered a 1948 Cheval Blanc that frankly, blew me away. This third bottle originates from the same source as that and mirrors its performance. Deep and lucid in color, it has a quite astonishing bouquet that is high-toned and decadent: kirsch, blueberry and a hint of liquorice, all beautifully defined. But it is the power that knocks you sideways. The palate is exquisitely balanced with supple tannin, velvety in texture with a multi-layered smorgasbord of glistening red fruit towards the finish – wild strawberry, Morello cherry, and cranberry all mixed with subtle ferrous and tobacco notes. It is a wondrous Saint-Émilion that I would dearly love to compare with the 1947 one day! Tasted at a private dinner in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2018) — 8 years ago
Tenuta di Fessina
Musmeci Nerello Mascalese 2015
Pale crimson in colour. An earthy, horsey, ultra savoury nose. A light to medium weight savoury palate with dried cherry, earthy mineral flavours and light Sandy tannins. I really loved this Etna Rosso which we picked from the all Italian Wine List at the River Cafe London. Went well with a lovely fresh piece of Turbot. — 3 years ago
Tenuta San Guido
Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2001
Our last bottle in London before we move back! Thank you to my team for the awesome gift!
1hr+ decant. Red color with brownish orange edges. Nose contains cedar, graphite, and green elements. Complex wine that has a nice balance of tannins and depth. Very lively and probably at the perfect drinking age. Long finish. Definitely a top echelon wine! — 5 years ago
Tower 15 Winery
Reserve Sierra Madre Vineyard Pinot Grigio 2017
Opened this wine on Saturday to have with a crab cake dinner and it was okay with some citrus notes but seemed a bit closed. Had it again on Thursday evening and it just took off with plenty of lemon, peach and some flowers. The finish had a good dose of acidy which off set the sweet fruitiness. Excellent balance and very enjoyable wine. — 6 years ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2012
The nose reveals; sweet & sour dark cherries, deeply, ripe & juicy strawberries, rhubarb & cranberry crossing, plum liqueur, blackberries, blueberries, candied raspberries, dark chocolate, limestone minerals, sandstone, anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks with blue, red, dark, fresh & withering florals with fields of violets.
The body is still firm, thick, grainy and full. The structure, tension are still tight. The length and balance are working their way into adolescence. Sweet & sour dark cherries, deeply, ripe & juicy strawberries, black raspberries, juicy, black plum, rhubarb & cranberry crossing, plum liqueur, blackberries, blueberries, candied raspberries, caramel, clove, touch of nutmeg, vanilla, dark chocolate, semi-sweet tarriness, understated herbaceousiness, limestone minerals, powdery sandstone leather, dry tobacco, saddle-wood to cedar plank, dark spice, sandstone, anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks with blue, red, dark, fresh & withering florals with fields of violets.
It’s still a youthful wine with another 10-15 years ahead.
Photos of; the hilltop town of Barbaresco with the Produttori tasting room underneath and right of the tower, the Produttori tasting room and the co-op of Produttori. Third largest in Europe. — 6 years ago
Château Fuisse
Tête de Cru Pouilly-Fuisse Chardonnay
A 15th Century tower flanks Chateau Fuisse, a family home whose history is evidenced by a number of 300 year old artifacts and adornment. From a blend of over 20 vineyards, and about 70% sat on oak for 20 months (25% new), the remaining 30% in stainless steel tanks. Aromas of stone fruits with cedar and floral spice notes. On the palate apple and pear flavors with a citrus oak character. Lingering finish, well balanced but a little forward now, ending fresh and crisp with oaky edge. Needs more time to calm. — 7 years ago
D'Oliveiras
Vintage Madeira Sercial 1908
This is the sort of epiphany about Madeira or Port I've been waiting to have. Served as part of a savory course at Clove Club in London.
Any sweet element of this wine has relaxed to the background and gorgeous acid accompanies complex burnt citrus and smoky, nutty stone fruit. 45 second finish. — 8 years ago
Bob McDonald
The 2018 Winner of the Margaret River Cabernet Trophy at the London International Wine Challenge. This is a producer new to me in Marg River. Medium bodied but intense Tomato Leaf, Capsicum Mulberry and Black Fruits. A classic Margaret River expression of Cabernet Sauvignon in a good vintage. Ticks all the boxes - finishing with resolved tannins. Quite delicious - deserves a Gold Medal at 95 points. — 3 years ago