Wine for the Common People

Sharing opinion and experience on wine, food and music. An escape from the everyday grind...

[wineforthecommonpeople]

So we opened a bottle of Ch. Beaumont ‘10 with some BBQ’d Rib Eye Steaks tonight.

I’ve been a fan of this vignerons since the ‘05 when we discovered them directly opposite another favourite Leoville Barton, and when we do our tours of Bordeaux we often stop here on the way to lunch in Margaux.

The 2010 is a big vintage, and for the cru classe wines not yet approachable, and hugely expensive. However, for Beaumont it is drinking beautifully right now and the price is more than approachable.

So my tasting notes from tonight...

Colour: Deep red, purple rim, clear.

Nose: Pencil shavings, tobacco, blackcurrant, blackberry, liquorice, morello cherry and hints of leather

Palate: Full, fruit driven, balanced acidity, tannins evident but not bitter (actually quite enjoy the mouth feel), spicy long finish. Warming and pleasant.

Verdict: This is highly recommended, drinking well now. Needs about 30 mins to breathe, opens up well and cuts through the steak very well.

Likely to improve for many years yet, and probably become reasonably complex if stored properly.

Glad I have a few cases in bond and one in the cellar! Was about £100 a case en primeur, so will be a good buy at about £15 a bottle now on general release.

Available at Berry Brothers.

[wineforthecommonpeople]

We spent a pleasant hour at the New Lodge Vineyard at Earls Barton just outside Northampton.

A lovely place, tended by an 80 year old lady with more energy than most half her age.

I tried a glass of the Bacchus dry white ‘13, and it was a very pleasant drop. Full of fruit, good balance and fresh on the palate.

A well attended event, and its great to see local artisans producing quality product.

You can follow New Lodge on Twitter and Facebook.

[wineforthecommonpeople]

So I pulled in a case of this winemakers experiment, Cuvee #2 from Farr Vintners early in 2014 and laid it down in the cellar at home. 

We decided to try a bottle last night as it promised to be ready for an approach. Being from the 2006 vintage we knew it might be grippy, but I have to say on giving it plenty of time to breathe this wine is still sulking. 

Broody, tannic, oaky and very dry it needs a lot longer to open out. The fruit is hidden underneath all of the ‘production’. I’m a little concerned it might not ever open out. 

The Cuvee #1 from the previous year is by Michel Rolland and in comparison is a triumph. But then it was a better vintage I suppose.

I didn’t buy any further flights, I’m not sure whether they binned it soon after as the prices in Bordeaux started to resemble Tulips in Amsterdam.

Perhaps it will become collectable in the future? Probably not...

[wineforthecommonpeople]

A mish mash of delivered EnPrimeur Bordeaux in the cellar. Debating whether to buy any '14 or wait until general release. Prices still seem inflated.

[wineforthecommonpeople]

Coming down to banana muffins straight from the oven. delicious!

[wineforthecommonpeople]

Saturday afternnons, iPhone timer set to 30 minutes as I browse the eclectic mix of vinyl recordss at Spiral Archive in Northampton. Time goes so quickly in a place like this. Its therapy...

[wineforthecommonpeople]

We found an ‘82 Rioja at Robersons, and paired it with Rib of Beef. I made some Yorkshire’s from my Nan’s recipe too. The cork was soooo soft I had to prise it out gently, filter the wine into a decanter, and wait as the room filled with the sweet aroma. Delicious game old bird, sweet, brick dust red with a loooong finish. Can still taste it now. Several more in the cellar... :)