Chianti Classico at £ 10.95...

A few months back we sold-out of the well-priced and terrifically easy-drinking, smooth, accessible little Chianti Classico “Terra Firma” 2007. I was more than a wee bit miffed that the Importer ran out without pre-warning me. Anyway, Henry and I tried the new 2008 Vintage yesterday. Differently styled but perhaps even better value than the 2007. The 2008 is more substantial, more structured, fruitier. A big and better wine overall. It will cellar and obviously soften in time but for a round a tenner this is a very engaging and in truth, practical little Tuscan. A Party Wine or for a simple Monday night…

Chianti Classico “Terra Firma” 2008 Tuscany at £ 10.95 per Bottle

(Or £ 10.00 per Bottle for 3 Cases)

In stock early next week.

Weekly indulgence:

12 Bottles of:

Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2001

Domaine Drouhin-Laroze at £ 55.00 per Bottle

Charity Kick

Earlier in the month we had a small soirée for a customer who is due to run the New York Marathon and he will be aiming to raise a few thousand pounds to donate to his chosen Charity, Whizz Kidz. During the evening about a dozen or so bought some specially selected half-cases of wine and as such we are just about to donate a tad over £ 500.00. Thank you to Christopher T. and good luck in the Marathon.

www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

Silly Season

I do realize that Russian leaders always end up being embalmed for gory public consumption but surely Putain, I mean Putin has jumped the gun a bit? Whatever work he has had done, whatever nail bar he is visiting, he simply looks like a Madame Tussaud’s waxwork figure. A taut, shiny face that looks as if he should be on a mortuary slab. It is supposed to be about vanity but I truly don’t understand it as there are almost always only ever two results – the dummy, so to speak either looks worse, or worse still, different. A different person. What is the point?  Shane Warne…Simon Cowell…Gordon Ramsay… When I looked on the front page of the Sunday Times Magazine I didn’t recognize the man but the title said Jamie Oliver. I looked again and again and I still couldn’t equate it. Sometimes it is just plain photography that can make you look totally different but whatever me mate Jamie has or hasn’t done (and I have no clue), I wouldn’t recognize him in the street. Come on men, what’s so wrong with just being a man?

I have written much this year about the relative crassness of Bordeaux. Whilst the financial world hangs by a long and narrow thread, many Châteaux owners restrict and brashly market to hype their wares. An agricultural product but one that can at times enchant. Nonetheless, these are not the times to be stitching up your customers 40% or even 10%. 5% in current times would be my ceiling. Now I do speak from a position of ignorance in that, is Jade Jagger actually a talented designer in her own right or only or mostly offspring of someone pretty famous on the music scene? I genuinely don’t know. Nonetheless, as I turned the page of the F.T. Magazine I almost choked on my Weetabix as I saw a full-page garish, Versace like, advert of gold rococo swirls on black heralding “JADE JAGGER SIGNS THE NEW JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU. Jade Jagger.” Has Ducru-Beaucaillou altered their famous yellow etiquette? No. The new jewel is a second wine. A second wine in Bordeaux serves its purpose (except perhaps at Pontet-Canet) but laughable prices of Carruades-de-Lafite aside, they will always and simply be that, a second wine. This is a sub £ 30 bottle of wine and it is being dressed up like an Essex dog’s dinner. Please, please Mike Leigh, start scripting your own jewel of these bouffon buffoons. (The advert is in our Shop if you wish to take a peak and judge for yourself its veritable merits.)

Still in the Sunday Times I read a pretty glowing review on “One On One” by Craig Brown. A clever idea as it takes famous people (starting with Adolph Hitler) and links encounters with other famous names, until it has run full circle (back to Herr Hitler). Some of the stories are genuinely interesting, beginning with Herr H being run over by an Old Etonian. Shame, if he’d been an Old Harrovian he probably would have done a better job of it and History would have been oh-so different. Others of interest, James Dean and Helen Keller but far outweighed by Kipling; Madonna; Michael Jackson, Nancy Reagan, Jackie Kennedy, Duke of Windsor, Andy Warhol…etc where I must confess that their little encounters are just that and in truth dreadfully dull. Furthermore, the writing I just do not feel gives it any lift whatsoever. A good story is still a good story and dull is as Warhol knows, dull. Moral of the story, don’t believe glowing reviews. Id est, disregard every piece of advice I have ever pushed out!

Technically I am not actually here, just a figment of my own imagination. I am on my Summer Holiday though I didn’t make it across the Channel as intended and I am still as much in the Shop as not. Henry will be here the rest of the week however. That has given me a chance to skip out and see a few films. A wee bit slow and simple is “Dolphin Tale” (with Morgan Freeman) but it is about a dolphin so you kind of have to take your children to see this one. It opens this Friday. “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” is equally slow but in a masterful way, brilliantly evoking the 1970’s with wonderful, almost painful, photography as it holds one firmly in the dour and grimy decade that the ‘70’s really was. This could not be more different from the Bourne Supremacy, Ultimatum etc., and for that difference alone, worth seeing.

Henry has finally persuaded me to get a Blackberry. Am I dumb or dumber? No Jim Carey comparisons please.

Weekly wine e-mail...the strong stuff...

With our bling-tastic “Louis XIII” Cognac Tasting later tonight (there are still 2-3 spaces if anyone is tempted last minute) I thought I would get my palate duly attuned and thus taxied off to Hakkasan in Mayfair on Monday to sample half-a-dozen different Armagnac’s from Château de Laubade. Two really stood out for me. The Extra (approximately 30 years old) was stunning but at nearly £ 200 a bottle, perhaps a tad steep. The other one, which was not the X.O., or the Vintages but the V.S.O.P. Not just a classic Bas Armagnac but it really had a nose with a nod to Sauternes so it obviously curried favour with me.

Château de Laubade Bas Armagnac V.S.O.P. Bas Armagnac at £ 32.00 per Bottle

A standard V.S.O.P. should have at least 4 years barrel ageing.

This is a blend of between 6 and 12 years.

Possessing a real backbone, slight austere structure,

yet a lovely rich Sauternes like nose and highlighting licorice with lovely long, dry, burnt flavours.

Tiny weekly indulgence:

Just 2 Double Magnums (individually boxed) of:

Ochoa Gran Reserva “Single Vineyard” 2000

Javier Ochoa, Navarra, Spain at £ 85.00 per Double Magnum

Silly Season:

Well as David Cameron feels a bit like a new School Prefect, so Ed Miliband looks like the new boy joining the School. Both well meaning but both “wet behind the ear”. I read yesterday however that Miliband Minor wants the Great British Public to vote for any future Labour Leader. First up, it wouldn’t be him. Secondly, just consider, who on earth would we get if Joe Public really could get their grubby mits on this - Simon Cowell…Susan Boyle…Wayne Rooney…Sir Tate & Lyle…? Really doesn’t bare thinking about.

A couple of customers have had babies in the last fortnight which is always lovely to see. Amuses me though that each parent always says the same thing: “we had a little baby”. Like, aren’t babies always little? Still waiting for someone to say “we had this monster baby, five foot tall…”. Parents, babies are ickle.

Well done to Ireland by beating Australia and thus putting a bit of much needed fire into the, fairly lack luster Rugby World Cup. One thing I don’t understand, though linesman seem to be involved in almost every refereeing decision they seem utterly incapable or unwilling to flag or signal forward passes. Not just Oz getting away with a hatful four years ago but they are invariably better positioned than the Ref to call this one, yet they don’t. Anyway, the Kiwis to waltzing Matilda this one. I predicted wrongly the Irish win so, don’t listen to me.

Downton Abbey back, so don’t think about inviting anyone for dinner on Sunday night. Restaurants might as well close. Despite the backdrop of trench warfare this seems all a bit too chummy and cozy over the edge that the first series had.

As the X-Factor moves to the next stage the real interest for me has all but disappeared. It is staggering to see people who truly have a gifted voice yet are genuinely oblivious to their actual worth and skill. Measured against others who are so excruciatingly bad yet they are struck with disbelief and downright anger when people who do know, say that they are not very good (even though they should be saying, don’t sing, ever, and not even in private). A couple of fascinating documentaries popped-up in the interim. Last night about “Code Red” and America’s 1930’s plan for all out war with, no, not Germany or Russia, but with Great Britain. Interesting one. Then on a different tact but about ten days ago I stumbled into the middle of a programme about psychopaths. Fascinating it was and primarily for two things I learnt. A psycho simply has a “warrior” gene so any such leaning is potentially pre-determined. The damage that might ensue appears to only come about is if that carrier has had an abusive childhood. Otherwise a psycho can function normally and not only normally but they are far more likely to scale the heights of society. This comprehensive American study concluded that for every psycho in society that you blithely walk past in the street, you will actually find four times more with the warrior gene in the boardroom of the world’s biggest and best companies. This apparently is where they thrive. So if your C.E.O. had an Enid Blyton childhood then you are almost certainly okay. Perhaps best not to ask them though!

T.

Weekly Email....

We have an E.T.A. of the end of the first week of October (three weeks away) for our 65 Cases of the Jean Daneel “Signature” Chenin-Blanc but also, in addition 10 cases of each of the terrific and respective new Vintages of the Chris Mullineux Red (Syrah); White (Chenin Blanc); Straw Wine (a sweetie). Most of you will know the Jean Daneel but I assure you all four of these wines are worth getting to know personally!

A whopping £ 1.00 off!! With the Summer fast disappearing from our grasp, not that it ever truly arrived, we have our last dozen Magnums of Provence Rosé at £ 16.00 each:

Our last 12 Magnums:

Le Canon Rosé 2009 Oppede, Provence at £ 16.00 per Magnum

  

Wednesday, 21^st September

A mere 6 days away!

We still have 3-4 places for our Remy Martin “Louis XIII” Grande Champagne Cognac Tasting.

At our Shop.

£ 125.00 per head.

The Lanesborough charge £ 160.00 for a tiny 15ml shot.

If we have 12 people tasting you will get about 4 times that quantity.

Tuesday, 18^th October

R.H.Lamotte Premier Cru Champagne Dinner

Probably at nearby Sally Clarke’s Restaurant. To be confirmed for venue.

We will show the current Premier Cru but also Rosé and some Magnums of family stock like the 1976 Vintage

With four on the panel and being asked last every time, it really does seem that Louis is totally redundant as far as the X-Factor is concerned. And poor old Gary Barlow has two facial expressions for whatever the situation. He seems such a simple soul. Though one of my customers (a grown man – T.W.) insist Take That are brilliant and historically important. Mmmm. The weird thing is, despite the doom and gloom mongers with Simon Cowell’s departure, I think it has been better than usual. Certainly the quality is up. Call me trashy but I’m hooked.

Next week – psychos!

New Pouilly-Fumé...

The 2009 Sancerre from Henri Bourgeois has just run-out so we thought we ought to try the 2010 Vintage to see if it was as good and thus run with a bit of continuity. Usually we try head-to-head his Sancerre versus the Pouilly-Fumé and choose the one we prefer. For the last three vintages that has been the Sancerre but in 2010, both Henry and I preferred the Fumé. And here is the flip side, it is £ 18.00 a case cheaper than the Sancerre. For those die-hard Sancerre lovers, don’t panic, next week we will likely have (albeit more expensive) the renowned Sancerre name of Henry Natter.

Pouilly-Fumé 2010 Domaine Henri Bourgeois at £ 14.00 per Bottle

Classic Sauvignon with the grassy and minerally characteristics one would expect but this is a little bit better integrated than the Sancerre.

A really solid example and at what I’d describe as an everyday price.

Should be in stock this coming Friday.

Weekly indulgence at £ 125.00:

Remy Martin’s “Louis XIII” Grand Champagne Cognac is arguably the bling of all blings. Less arguably it is an exceptional wee tipple. The reality however at circa £ 1,700.00 for a single Bottle (or rather decanter) not many of us will actually indulge this little beauty. Can I say that it is a beauty? Without doubt. I was lucky enough to try this most refined of Eaux de Vie about a year ago. The tiniest of drops just explodes and keeps expanding in the mouth. An exceptional Cognac for sure. Even if you did indulge you are unlikely to get the full financial benefit by drinking the entire bottle! Others will have that dubious pleasure, unless you are a match for Oliver Reed.

So, here is my idea, mid September (and each month on) I will have an effective “lock-in” at my Shop, where I hope we can gather a dozen customers and basically get to the bottom of the bottle. Instead of

£ 1,699.00, each of you would contribute £ 125.00 (including v.a.t.) and get to share one of the greatest alcohols money can buy! I will almost certainly be pitching something else in, a 1961 or 1971 Bas Armagnac or something of that ilk.

Do let me know if you are happy to stump up £ 125.00 for chance to see how quality and bling merges. We have six customers thus far so a few places still available. Bling me an e-mail.

Remy Martin’s “Louis XIII” Grand Champagne Cognac

Wednesday, 21^st September, 7.45 p.m. prompt.

(£ 125.00 per head)

Weekly rant:

Sally Bercow, well thank God that didn’t last long. Jedward – it’s like looking at a couple of Panda cubs at a Zoo but frankly, not as intelligent. Pop Culture is quite “brilliant” at marketing something to the masses where mere appearances alone can suffice. Yet under a microscope that “Big Brother” clearly is, a marketing gimmick such as Jedward, is simply speared on a surgeon’s scalpel. It is very painful to watch, true car crash telly. Ghastly but you’ve got to peak haven’t you?

As a Tottenham fan (that’s the Football Club and alas not the neighbourhood) you might think I am about to right royally rub Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal Manager’s nose in it. 8-2 in any game is a bit of a thumping. Well I do think Football Clubs are mimicking the Banking crisis circa 2007 when none of the big names had the proverbial balls or wit to say “hang on a minute, just because Goldman and Lehman and Morgan etc are…I believe we shouldn’t be sticking all the chips on number seven…”. Almost every Professional Football Club is in a dire financial position. I am told you can count on one hand the number of Clubs in the top-flight that are not teetering on a financial precipice. Wenger is one of the few Managers to believe that profligate spending on, unequivocally overinflated egos and bank balances of these diving footballers, should be diminished, reversed, put in check. I cannot agree with him more. So though most of his supporters are about to cut him off their Christmas card list, I have a sneaking admiration for this dour and perhaps brave little man. By the way, another great contribution from Rupert Murdoch. How long can it continue that is the question. Henry supports Chelsea so he doesn’t care.

Carnival. The mess is mostly cleared-up so it is safe to venture out of your bunkers and come and find us once more. Talking of finding, well if you want to find Muammar Gaddafi, might be a good start to look in Pakistan. They have, how do you say, previous! Answers on a postcard.