UK WineclubIntroduction
This is a record of the wines that I have tasted under controlled conditions over the past two years or so. I have ignored duplicates, except where my ratings of the wine varied drastically between two different occasions (faulty or badly kept bottles are the usual reason), or I feel it worth commenting on its development.
The wines are indexed by country, and in some cases by region and sub-region (eg Bordeaux and Burgundy ). As far as possible, wines are indexed alphabetically by producer, but in some cases only a brand name, shipper or merchant’s name is available. Where I have tasted more than one vintage of a wine, the oldest is listed first.
By the name and vintage, I have noted where and when the wine was tasted. Initials correspond to www.ukwineclub.org.uk club lists, except for private and trade tastings and commercial wine fairs (listed below). Where known, I have logged the supplier, and current market value of the wine. Older wines have often come from private cellars, or been bought at auction. Direct means supplied by the winemaker or estate. Ex-cellars means bought in country of origin, normally direct from the maker. Suppliers marked (W) are wholesalers.
Wines are rated on a seven point scale, where 1 is faulty, 2 poor, 3 commercial, 4 artisanal, 5 well made, 6 serious and 7 fabulous. Wines are marked down for being too young or too old for my palate.
Top and Good Value Wines
There are now 1,708 notes on different wines in the database – 552 from France (after a month or so of Bordeaux tastings), 465 from the rest of Europe and 691 from the New World (areas outside Europe). I’ve listed the highlights in the table – 177 Top Wines that I have given marks of 6 or above, and 109 Good Value Wines – those available for £11 or less (after the last duty hike) that scored 5 or higher. There are four wines in both categories: one is an oddity from Chile – Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2003 – where the crop unusually got Botrytis. Two others are from Australia: Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2002 and Ironstone Zinfandel 2003. The Clos de los Siete 2005 from Argentina scores in both as well. The highest scoring region is Portugal, with over a quarter of the wines qualifying, boosted by some Good Value table wines and Top Ports from the Christmas tastings. Australia has also done very well overall, with nearly a quarter of the wines tasted making one or other list. Germany and Argentina follow with the former concentrated on Good Value wines.
| TOP WINES | GOOD VALUE WINES |
| France | France |
| Alsace | Alsace |
| Jean-Marie Haag Gewurztraminer GC Zinnkopflé VT 2004 | Charles Bauer Muscat GC Eichberg 2005 |
| Rolly Gassmann Pinot Gris SGN 1989 | Dom Bott-Geyl Pinot Gris 2000 |
| Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer VT 2003 | Andre Dussourt Riesling Reserve Prestige 2003 |
| Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer SGN 1997 | Materne Haegelin Riesling GC Bollenberg 1997 |
| Zeyssolff Riesling GC Zotzenberg 2002 | Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer Reserve Particuliere 2007 |
| Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl 2002 | Zeyssolff Klevener de Heiligenstein L'Opaline 2006 |
| Bordeaux | Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Hospices de Strasbourg 2004 |
| Ch Margaux 1993 (1er Cru Margaux) | Philippe Zinck Gewurztraminer GC Eichberg 2004 |
| Ch Palmer 1990 (3me Cru Margaux) | Bordeaux |
| Ch Latour 1986 (1er Cru Pauillac) | Ch Doisy-Daene Sec 2007 |
| Les Forts de Latour 1995 (Pauillac) | Ch les Alberts 2005 (Lussac-St Emilion) |
| Ch Pichon-Baron 1989 (2me Cru Pauillac) | Ch Roches-Guitard 2000 (Montagne-St Emilion) |
| Ch Pichon-Baron 1990 (2me Cru Pauillac) | Loire |
| Ch Pichon-Baron 1997 (2me Cru Pauillac) | Les Ruettes Blanc 2006 (Sancerre) |
| Ch Pichon-Longueville 1989 (2me Cru Pauillac) | Rhone |
| Ch Ducru-Beaucaillou 1982 (2me Cru St Julien) | Dom de la Soumade 2003 (Rasteau) |
| Ch Ducru-Beaucaillou 1986 (2me Cru St Julien) | South West France |
| Ch Leoville-Barton 1990 (2me Cru St Julien) | Ch Joly Cuvée Jean 2003 (Jurancon Doux) |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre 1990 (2me St Julien) | Germany |
| Ch Montrose 1989 (2me Cru St Estephe) | Bishofslichen Weinguter Avelsbacher Altenberg Riesling Spatlese 2002 (Mosel) |
| Ch Montrose 1990 (2me Cru St Estephe) | Guterswaltung Trabener Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2006 (Mosel) |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1986 (Pessac-L é ognan) | Weingut Nick Koewerich F ü r Tr ä umer und Helden Riesling Spatlese 2006 (Mosel) |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1990 (Pessac-Leognan) | Weingut Nick Koewerich F ü r Tr ä umer und Helden Riesling Spatlese 2007 (Mosel) |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1995 (Pessac-L é ognan) | Sommerhauser Reifenstein Riesling Spatlese Trocken 2005 (Baden) |
| Ch Haut-Brion 1995 (1er Pessac-Leognan) | Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spaetlese (Feinherb) E Cluesserath 2005 (Mosel) |
| Ch Smith-Haut-Lafitte 1996 (Pessac-Leognan) | Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spaetlese Grans-Fassian 2005 (Mosel) |
| Ch Climens 1990 (1er Cru Barsac) | Italy |
| Ch Guiraud 1997 (1er Cru Sauternes) | Antinori Casasole Orvietto Amabile 2007 (Umbria) |
| Ch Rieussec 1995 (1er Cru Sauternes) | Antinori Donato Vino Liquoroso NV (Tuscany) |
| Ch Yquem 1990 (1er Gd Cru Sauternes) | Apollonia Valle Cupa 2001 (Salento, Puglia) |
| Ch Le Bon-Pasteur 2000 (Pomerol) | Cantina di Negrar Soave Classico 2006 (Veneto) |
| Ch Rouget 2000 (Pomerol) | Feudi San Gregorio Flangina 2006 (Campania) |
| Ch Trotanoy 1990 (Pomerol) | Franco Todini Grechetto di Todi 2005 (Umbria) |
| Vieux Ch Certan 1994 (Pomerol) | Masi Campofiorin 2004 (Veneto) |
| Ch Angelus 1995 (1er GCC B St Emilion) | Piana del Sole Negroamaro 2003 (Puglia) |
| Ch Ausone 2002 (1er GCC A St Emilion) | Piana del Sole Primativo 2003 (Puglia) |
| Ch Canon-la-Gaffliere (GCC St Emilion) | Plozner Pinot Bianco 2005 (Friuli) |
| Burgundy | Portugal |
| Dom Bitouzet Prieur Puligny-Montrachet Les Levrons 2004 | Table Wine |
| Dujac Morey-St-Denis 2002 | Almeida Garrett Touriga Nacional 2005 (Beira) |
| Louis Latour GC Aloxe-Corton Clos de la Vigneaux Saints 1990 | Vinhos Borges Duoro Reserva 2003 |
| Dominique Laurent Nuits-St-Georges 1999 | Quinta das Carvalhais 2004 (Dao) |
| Maume Mazis-Chambertin GC 1999 | Lavradores de Feitoia Quinta da Costa 2005 (Duoro) |
| Meo-Camuzet GC Clos Vougeot 1992 | Tagus Creek Grande Vinha 2006 (Ribantejano) |
| Armand Rousseau Charmes-Chambertin GC 2000 | Tesco's Finest Touriga Nacional 2004 (Estramadura) |
| Tollet-Beaut Corton Bressandes GC 2001 | Port |
| Tollet-Beaut Corton Bressandes GC 2002 | Warre's Warrior Special Reserve NV |
| C Vienot GC Chambertin 1985 | Spain |
| Dom de la Vougeries Nuits-St-George 1er Cru Les Damodes 1999 | Campo Aldea Graciano Resrva 2003 (Rioja) |
| Beaujolais | Capcanes Mas Collet 2003 (Montsant) |
| Louis Jadot Ch Des Luminaires 2002 (Morgon) | Erminta Veracruz Verdello 2005 (Roeda) |
| Champagne | Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla NV |
| Hiedsieck Gold Label 2000 | Hidalgo Pastrana Manzanilla Pasada NV |
| Loire | Castillo de Nava 2005 (Rueda) |
| Maria Juby Dom Baudouin SGN 1997 (Coteaux du Layon) | Bodegas Navarro Moscatel NV (Montilla-Moriles) |
| Denis Goizil Dom du Petit Val 1989 (Bonnezeau) | Osbourne Plural 2003 (Castilla) |
| Rhone | Pazo Serantellos Albarino 2005 (Rias Baixas) |
| Ch de Beaucastel 1998 (Chateauneuf du Pape) | Val do Sosego Albarino 2005 (Rias Baixas) |
| Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde 1988 | Austria |
| Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde 1995 | Kirnbauer Classic Blaufrankisch 2006 |
| Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde 1998 | Greece |
| Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde 2000 | Hatzidakis Assytiko 2006 (Santorini) |
| Clos du Pape 2000 (Chateauneuf du Pape) | Israel |
| Dom de Pegau 1998 (Chateauneuf du Pape) | Golan Heights Gamla Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 |
| Dom de Vieux Telegraph 1998 (Chateauneuf du Pape) | California |
| Languedoc | Cycles Gladiators Merlot 2004 (Central Coast) |
| L’Esprit de Font 2001 | Kautz Ironstone Ridge Cabernet Franc 2002 (Sierra Foothills) 2002 |
| Arnaud de Villeneauve Muscat de Rivesaltes Ambre Hors d'Age 1982 | Mexico |
| Germany | L A Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 1996 (Baja California) |
| Graf von Schonborn Hallburger Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese Trocken 2005 (Franken) | L A Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2004 (Baja California) |
| Italy | L A Cetto Nebbiolo Private Reserve 2002 (Baja California) |
| Antinori La Braccesca 2003 (Vino Nobile de Montepulciano) | Pacific North West |
| Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgeri 2003 (Tuscany) | Ch Sainte Michelle Chardonnay 2004 (Patterson, Washington) |
| Antinori Tignanello 2005 (Tuscany) | Argentina |
| Brigaldara Amarone di Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto) | Andeluna Cellars Winemaker's Reserve Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) |
| Ca del Pipa Amarone di Valpolicella Le Vigne 2003 (Veneto) | Carinae Gran Reserva Malbec 2006 (Mendoza) |
| Copital de Roari Righetti Amarone di Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto) | Clos de los Siete 2004 (Mendoza) |
| Gallina La Spinetta Barbera d'Alba 2000 (Piedmont) | Clos de los Siete 2005 (Mendoza) |
| Gaja Darmaji 1998 (Piedmont) | Clos de los Siete 2006 (Mendoza) |
| Gallina La Spinetta Barbera d'Alba 2000 (Piedmont) | Clos de los Siete 2007 (Mendoza) |
| Macalun Torcolato 2003 (Veneto) | Colome Torrontes 2007 (Salta) |
| Meroi Picolit 2004 (Friuli) | Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Mendoza) |
| Pieropan Le Combare Recioto di Soave 2003 (Veneto) | Dominio del Plata Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2006 (Salta) |
| Querciabella Camartina 1997 (Tuscany) | Dominio del Plata Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec 2005 (Mendoza) |
| Selvapiani Chianti Rufino 2003 (Tuscany) | Masi Tupungato Paso Doble 2006 (Mendoza) |
| Portugal | Poesia Clos des Andes 2005 (Mendoza) |
| Table Wine | La Riojana Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (La Rioja) |
| Quinto do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa 2005 (Duoro) | Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Mendoza) |
| Niepoort Batuta 2005 (Duoro) | Chile |
| Prats & Symington Chryseia 2005 (Duoro) | Anakena Ona Vionier Riesling Chardonnay 2006 (Rapel) |
| Quinta de la Rosa Reserve 2005 (Duoro) | Ch los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon Vielles Vignes 2004 (Rapel) |
| Quinta do Vale Me ã o 2005 (Duoro) | Ch los Boldos Merlot Vielles Vignes 2003 (Rapel) |
| Port | Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2003 |
| Cockburn's Vintage 1955 | Cono Sur 20 Barrels Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Casablanca) |
| Cockburn's Vintage 1970 | Errazuriz Max Reserva Chardonnay 2006 (Aconcagua) |
| Croft Vintage 1960 | Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah 2003 (Aconcagua) |
| Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1985 | Errazuriz Max Reserva Shiraz 2004 (Aconcagua) |
| Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1987 | Errazuriz Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Casablanca) |
| Graham's Quinta do Malvedos Cententary 1990 | Montes Alpha Apalta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Colchagua) |
| Graham's Vintage 1991 | Montes Alpha Apalta Vineyard Syrah 2005 (Colchagua) |
| Quinta do Noval Nacional 1955 | Vina Morande Chardonnay Gran Reserva 2005 (Maipo) |
| Taylor's Vintage 1966 | Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Chardonnay 2006 (Casablanca) |
| Taylor's Vintage 1970 | Australia |
| Warre's Vintage 1977 | South |
| Warre's Vintage 1980 | Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache 2005 (Clare Valley) |
| Warre's Vintage 1994 | Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra/Clare) 2004 |
| Madiera | Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2002 (Clare Valley) |
| D'Oliviera Boal 1958 | Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2003 (Clare Valley) |
| Spain | Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2005 (Clare Valley) |
| Clos Mogador 1996 (Priorat) | Battle of Bosworth Shiraz/Viognier 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
| Condado de Haza Alenza 1996 (Ribero del Duero) | Botham Merrill Willis Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Coonawarra & McLaren Vale) |
| J C Guitierrez Colosia Moscato Soleado NV (Jerez) | Botham Merrill Willis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Coonawarra & McLaren Vale) |
| Marques de Grinon Syrah 2000 (Toledo) | D'Arenberg Hermit Crab 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
| Montecillo Gran Reserva Selecc í on Especial 1981 (Rioja) | D'Arenberg Money Spider 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
| Pesquera Crianza 2004 (Ribera del Duero) | De Bortoli Petit Verdot 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
| Pesquera Reserva 1996 (Ribero del Duero) | Peter Lehmann Reserve Semillon 1999 (Barossa) |
| Tierras el Guijarral Rudeles Seleccion 2004 (Ribero del Duero) | Peter Lehmann Reserve Semillon 2004 (Barossa) |
| Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Penedes) | Pewsey Vale Riesling 1997 (Eden Valley) |
| Vega Sicilia Alion 2004 (Ribero del Duero) | Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2001 (McLaren Vale) |
| Vega Sicilia Pintia 2004 (Toro) | Torbeck Marananga Dam GSM 2005 (Barossa) |
| Vega Sicilia Unico 1987 (Ribera del Duero) | Victoria |
| Vega Sicilia Valbueno 5o 1999 (Ribera del Duero) | Buller Fine Old Muscat NV |
| Greece | Rutherglen Estates Shiraz Viognier 2005 (Rutherglen) |
| Gaia Estate Agiorgitiko 2003 (Nemea) | Western Australia |
| Hungary | Ironstone Zinfandel 2003 |
| Royal Tokaji Szt Tamas 6 putt 1993 | Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Margaret River) |
| California | New Zealand |
| Dominus 1995 (Napa Valley) | Seifried Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Nelson) |
| Francis Copola Presents Rubicon Estate Cabernet 2003 (Rutherford, Napa Valley) | South Africa |
| Ridge Getserville 2003 (Alexander Valley) | Beyerskloof Reserve Pinotage 2006 (Western Cape) |
| Ridge Lytton Springs 1998 (Montebello) | Rustenberg John X Merriman 2005 (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch) |
| Rutherford Edizione Pennino Zinfandel 2004 (Napa Valley) | Springfield Estate Special Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Robertson) |
| Saintsbury Pinot Noir 1986 (Carneros) | Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2006 (Constantia) |
| Saintsbury Pinot Noir 2004 (Carneros) | |
| Selby Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (Alexander Valley) | |
| Selby Old Vines Zinfandel 2001 (Dry Creek) | |
| Pacific North West | |
| Col Solare 2004 (Columbia Valley, Washington) | |
| Dom Drouhin Pinot Noir 2000 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) | |
| Texas | |
| Fall Creek Meritus 2004 | |
| Argentina | |
| Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador 2006 (Mendoza) | |
| Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2002 (Mendoza) | |
| Alta Vista Alto 2005 (Mendoza) | |
| Andeluna Cellars Grand Reserve Pasionado 2004 (Mendoza) | |
| Bressia Profundo Malbec 2004 (Mendoza) | |
| Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Mendoza) | |
| Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Mendoza) | |
| Caro 2004 (Mendoza) | |
| Clos de los Siete 2004 (Mendoza) | |
| Lagarde Henry Gran Guarda 2005 (Mendoza) | |
| Noemia 2006 (Rio Negro) | |
| Poesia 2006 (Mendoza) | |
| Terrazas de los Andes Cheval des Andes 2004 (Mendoza) | |
| Valle Perdido Gran Patagonia Malbec Merlot 2006 (Neuquen) | |
| Chile | |
| Caliterra Cenit 2005 (Colchagua) | |
| Concha y Toro Don Melchior CS 2005 (Maipo) | |
| Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2003 | |
| Cousino-Macul Finis Terrae 2006 (Maipo) | |
| Errazuriz Vinedo Chadwick 2004 (Maipo) | |
| Viña Haras de Pirque Elegance Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Maipo) | |
| Neyen Espiritu de Apalta 2003 (Colchagua) | |
| Sena 2005 (Aconcagua) | |
| Vi ñ a Siegal Gran Crucero Assemblage 2005 (Colchagua) | |
| Undurraga Late Harvest 2007 (Maipo) | |
| Australia | |
| New South Wales | |
| Nuggan Cookoothema Botrytis Semillon 2005 (Darlington Point) | |
| South | |
| Tim Adams The Aberfeldy Shiraz 2004 (Clare Valley) | |
| Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 2002 (Clare Valley) | |
| Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2002 (Clare Valley) | |
| Jim Barry The MacRae Wood Shiraz 1998 Museum Release (Clare Valley) | |
| Jim Barry The MacRae Wood Shiraz 2003 (Clare Valley) | |
| D'Arenberg Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (McLaren Vale) | |
| Ben Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley) | |
| Ben Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2006 (Barossa Valley) | |
| Greenock Creek Alice's Shiraz 2004 (Barossa Valley) | |
| Henschke Hill of Grace 1996 (Eden Valley) | |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2004 (Eden Valley) | |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 1998 (Eden Valley) | |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 1993 (Eden Valley) | |
| Charles Melton Nine Popes 2000 (Barossa Valley) | |
| Mollydooker Carnival of Love Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale) | |
| Noon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Langhorne Creek) | |
| Penfolds Grange 1996 (mainly Barossa Valley) | |
| Penfolds Grange 1980 (mainly Barossa Valley) | |
| Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 2002 (McLaren Vale) | |
| Tintara Reserve Shiraz 2000 (McLaren Vale) | |
| Talumba Octavius 2004 (Eden Valley) | |
| Victoria | |
| Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 (Ngambie Lakes) | |
| Western Australia | |
| Ironstone Zinfandel 2003 | |
| Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (Margaret River) | |
| Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Margaret River) | |
| New Zealand | |
| Stockman's Station Pinot Noir 2003 (Central Otago) | |
| South Africa | |
| Allee Bleue Pinotage 2005 (Western Cape) | |
| Beyerskloof Field Blend 2001 (Stellenbosch) | |
| Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2002 (Constantia) | |
| Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Stellenbosch) |
Private Tastings:
CI – organised by Christos Iannou
M&S – Marks & Spencers tasting for CLWS
MENSA – organised by Ian McLaren
WL – Wine Lovers Group Dinners
Trade Tastings:
Arg – Argentine Trade Tasting
Aus – Austrian Trade Tasting
Chi – Chilean Trade Tasting
IWC – International Wine Challenge
Jas – Jascots Autumn Tasting
LIWF – London International Wine Fair
WOP – Wines of Portugal Trade Show
Commercial Wine Fairs:
LWF – London Wine Fair
(Sainsbury etc)
Odd – Oddbins Wine Fair
Tes – Tesco Wine Club Fair