Tony & Anne brought this eponymous wine to our Early Valentines dinner with the two AK47’s and their respective Husband & Spouse.
We sampled it two weeks later. This is the second wine of Chateau Kirwan (Some Irish influence through a marriage) itself a third estate of Margaux.
Elegant, well balanced claret, http://www.chateau-kirwan.com/actualites.php?id=69
We offered this big boy up at a McConkey lunch and to our dismay it was Corked.
Brittle closure, really off odour and dull brown colour.
Badly stored, I suspect.
Disappointing, particularly for the day that was in it.
Maybe I didn’t chambre it properly or perhaps the food didn’t match however this didn’t pack the punch you’d expect from an Amarone from one of Italy’s top producers in the Commune di S. Ambrogio. Two o seven was an outstanding vintage for Valpolicella with tasting ratings in the nineties too.
Yes, rich Cherry colour and taste, black lips. No shazam unfortunately.
80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta and Croatina. 16.5% ABV. Fact sheet here
A family favourite. Tempranillo mainly. Distinctive. We actually prefer the simplicity of the standard Campo table wine as it’s nothing pretentious, though the Reserva – aged for 12 months longer in Oak – is always welcome. We presented this to the Geraghty’s: Erin, Simon, Stella & Leslie when they came to Dinner accompanied by Amy & Ross. We also enjoyed the Domaine Duffour Cotes de Gascogne 2012.
Crisp, Clean Finish. Lesley liked it. Tesco €9. More here.
Like most things that come from the Loire, delicious. Lovely fruit & Acid, Tesco (obviously) on offer @ €9
Difficult. Tasted like the look on Lesley’s face when she switches on R4 Longwave to discover they’re covering the Cricket! Avoid. In fairness, it was too old but should have aged better.
A motley cru of wines we enjoyed over Christmas and into the new year:
It’s a sparkler, classy:
One of the most reliable wines of the last few years. From Cellar Master. Alan tells me this is the House Wine in Rick Stein’s of Padstow. Smashing grapefruit hit, if you like that kind of thing.
Consistently good claret. Half Merlot, half Cabernet blend. Silky, unobtrusive. Went well with New Year
Always reliable, the Old Widow:
Nice and light, in-offensive and not unpleasant (!):
Vouvray (Chenin Blanc from Vouvray) is a style that appears to have disappeared from fashion, a shame, because this was competent:
Looks imposing but a pussy cat. Enjoyable, but didn’t live up to the cover:
A real stonker, explosive nose, great length, powerful stuff:
This Berbera by Berro from Piedmonte was very pleasant. Must research it properly.
In honour of our Spanish guests, we served the Marques as the Red with the Christmas Dinner. Consistently good.
This was surprisingly good value in Baan Thai, Leopardstown, where we had our annual Christmas catch up with John & Susan
McConkey Wine 