Potel Savigny les Beaune 2005. Lots of oomph and very long. Texture not quite as good as you would want from Burgundy but a bargain at the price.

Bombay and tonic in 9...8...7...6...

Carronne Sainte Gemme, '96, Cru Bourgeous, Haut Medoc. Nice

A very good value wine, would probably now be a third the price of last weeks Burgandy and in my view rather better to drink.

Last edited by The_Shooman (2010-07-31 18:13:18)

Vieux Telegraphe Le Crau 2003 - white (Chateauneuf du Pape- don't see it that often). Really delicious. 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc and 15% Roussanne with the smell of the Roussane totally dominant and the colour of butter.

Henney's Herefordshire cider 6%.

I do not drink much cider as it is quite alcoholic but I saw this one in Tesco and I have not tried it before.

Had a couple of espresso martinis made with actual espresso and "Van Gogh" espresso vodka and a splash of Kahlua. They weren't bad.

^ I prefer a more hoppy beer. Sam's bottled beers are better than the draught.

Draught can vary. I had Sambrooke's Wandle yesterday in a pub where I usually drink it and it is usually well kept. It was not off but it was a bit tired. I had a half of draught Budvar as a palate cleanser and left.

Lafleur Gazin, Pomerol, '98.

Not a prestigious name or “investment quality”  and in the modern context not a particularly good year for claret in general but the right bank was good and this is a nice example of the very good quality you can get at a decent price if you buy sensibly en primeur when it cost less than £14 a bottle duty paid. Of course it helps if you have your own cellar as storage charges would change the economics considerably.

Whilst I would probably not pay the c £55 now being asked for it (you can say that about almost all wines!) it is now very good after a bit of a “dumb” period. It’s still very dark, is well structured with low acidity, good fruit and soft tannins, decent length and nose and  some “legs”.  Very satisfying and probably not quite at it's peak so the future looks good for the 7 bottles remaining from the case .

Domaine de la Solitude 1995. I thought this was tired last time I had a bottle, but it seems to have revived. Completely mature with the graphite/cedar taste of decent claret. It will never be great but it is typical and it isn't so expensive that opening a bottle needs to be justified.

Good acting, camera work and well done gaffers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnSIp76CvUI

A cuppa.