Even as a regular Sherry drinker and incredible fan, I cannot possibly summarise the drinking experience this wine presents in a sentence. Head down the page and the note will make all clear. Just so you know: this is a Fino Sherry bottled at ten years old when, we are told, the growth of flor [...]
When I mention my interest in wine to a new acquaintance I am rarely surprised by the responses I hear. Sadly, the most frequent reaction is for someone to adjust their face to a woefully tiresome expression and say, in a tone more appropriate for accusing someone of farting in their granny’s face, “Oh you [...]
Once again it was our pleasure to host Peter Sidebotham (of Hand-Picked Burgundy) and Peter Palmer (the Black Sea wanderer) at Elitistreview Towers. We drank quite mind-bogglingly well, but I was a tad dejected that three weeks off the sauce whilst in hospital has done my historically epic tolerance no favours at all. I was [...]
Right, let me make one thing entirely clear from the start: Sherry is a fortified wine that comes from the Jerez area of Spain. There is definitely no such thing as British Sherry, Cyprus Sherry, Wodonga Sherry or any similar variety of filth that the mendacious purveyor of sordid dross might try to coerce you [...]
Hidalgo make one of the most affordable and one of the best Manzanillas. Stick a bottle in the fridge and when it is chilled enjoy its refreshing vivacity. Manzanilla la Gitana, Bodegas Hidalgo A fresh nose with a slightly salty aroma, there is something of the sea about this nose. It is quite nutty too [...]
Hawksmoor’s wonderful red meat provided an excellent foil for solid Syrah and Grenache last night as we dined to celebrate the birthday of our chum James and also my birthday. I shared a 1.2kg prime rib of beef and it was totally brilliant meat. Really amazing, so much flavour and such a wonderful texture. The [...]
I keep thinking I should write a ‘hilarious bargains of the wine world’ post for here. Two wines that would feature near the top of that list are Manzanilla sherries from Hidalgo: La Gitana and . Earlier we drank some of the Pasada Pastrana with dinner at and I was, once again, stunned by its [...]
I ran a little tasting last night. Apart from the Salon, only one wine was generally sniffed at. Blanc des Blancs Le Mesnil 1996, Salon Corked! Bums. I haven’t had so much luck with Salon recently. Manzanilla Pasada Pastrana, Hidalgo This had a delicious aroma of nuts. It was very characterful, with a decent degree [...]
Some good and some truly shocking wines. La Bota de Manzanilla, Equipo Navazos Really powerfully nutty on the nose. It has a good minerality to it as well. The palate is light and refined with good acidity to balance its depth of flavour. Champagne La Grande Dame 1996, Verve Cliquot Quite fruity and biscuitty on [...]
Sunday’s general drinking saw an increase in pace. The football was on, I suppose. Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg Cuvée St. Catherine l’Inedit 1998, Weinbach Weighty nose, ripe and concentrated. Palate is weighty with good acidity and lovely fruit. Really concentrated, ripe and stylish. Great long finish. Lovely. Clos St. Denis Grand Cru 1985, Domaine Dujac [...]
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