Chryseia 2004 (Douro Valley, Pratts and Symington)

Tasted 03/05/2012 at Fulham Wine Rooms with Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society. Tasting note kindly provided by Ian McLaren. 14%, about £35 UK retail. Touriga Nacional & T Franca blend. Colour black-red with oak fringe; nose vanilla over red fruit; still young structure, especially new oak, with lots of fruit and an excellent length; still needs time, from 2015, 18/20

Taylor’s Quinta de Terra Feita 1999

Tasted 03/05/2012 at Fulham Wine Rooms with Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society. Tasting note kindly provided by Ian McLaren. Single Estate Vintage port 1999, 20% ABV, cork stopper closure, about £25 UK retail. Young red colour, some browning; in the nose Red fruit, flowers, oak, cedar; great concentration, quite dry, well balanced, excellent length and development. Wonderful. From 2015, 19/20

Costilla de Molina Reserva Shiraz 2008 (Maule)

Tasted 05/05/2012, 14.5% ABV, cork closure, about £8 UK retail (e.g. Majestic). A wine from the relatively unknown Vina San Pedro. (Curico Valley, The Central Valley, Chile). This is shiraz as opposed to syrah and this seems to make a difference in Chile. I have had this wine since 2010 and it is certainly ready to drink up now. Deep purple colour, very ripe dark fruits aromas with a hint of oregano, there is sweetish fruit and a long-ish finish. Ready to drink now, 16/20

Villa Canestrari Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva DOC 2005

Tasted 28/03/12 at Central London Wine Society. 16%, cork closure (n/a UK, about €85). Classic, massive, brooding and rich Amarone wine, though not quite as huge in structure as some estates.
This is a beautiful wine, dark, smoky nose, with heaps of black fruit and pimento. In the mouth, the wine is still very young but enjoyable now: firm tannins and sweet fruit, warm finish with hints of bitter chocolate and coffee. This wine has a long way to go and a great life ahead of it but it's so seductive now.....
From 2015, 18/20.

Valpolicella Ripasso 'La Casetta' DOC 2006

This wine was last tasted in January 2011 at Central London Wine Society and has improved greatly:
See link
'Tasted 19/01/11 at CLWS. 13.5 % ca. £15 in Majestic. A fine example of
the Ripasso style, a wine that has become a little debased of late but
this wine shows that it can still be fine wine, if well made. This is
single estate (La Casetta di Ettore Righetti Estate) rather than a
blend, and it shows. Deep purple colour with a complex black fruits
nose. A silky, elegant, palate with a real mouthful of plums and
damsons, spicy kick on the finish. Great wine, drink now while it still
has some youth. From 2011, 17/20'

March 2012: tasted at Central London Wine Society. I would reinforce the comments above and just add that the wine has improved. Drink now to 2015. 17.5/20

Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society

Check here for all information on the Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society.

You have arrived here as you were forwarded from www.cfwinesociety.org.uk

I have now consolidated all the information in one place.

Information about future tastings:

3rd May 2012 at 6pm, Fulham Wine Rooms, SW6 - Portugal, presented by Gary White, £20
17th May 2012 at 6pm, at Fulham Wine Rooms, SW6 - Fine Burgundy by Steve Parsons, £25

Email CFWS for ticket bookings

Peth-Wetz Chardonnay-Pinot Blanc Rheinhessen 2010

Yasted 13/04/12. 13% ABV, screw cap closure. This wine was provided by German Wine Agencies, UK. Peth-Wetz is an up and coming Rheinhessen producer. This is a lovely light wine, the blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc works really well. A fruity nose, zesty on the palate. Fresh acidity and great balance. This shows what great quality is now available at entry level with German wines. 16/20. Drink now. Contact Claudia Pech at GWA sales@germanwineagencies.co.uk for availability.

Domaine de Chevalier (rouge) Grand Cru Classe 2001 (Graves - Pessac-Leognan)

Tasted 13/04/12. 13% ABV. Cork closure (available still from some merchants by the case at about £50 per bottle). This example kindly provided by Christopher Tew. A lovely wine, ready to drink now. The 2001's are overshadowed by the great 2000 vintage in Bordeaux but many of the 01's are coming round and provide great 'value' drinking. The DdC is perhaps more noted for its white wine but the red Pesac-Leognan wines provide excellent value compared to Medoc, if such a thing is possible in Bordeaux! The cepage is usually 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc
This a lovely claret, great balance. Medium red colour, medium bodied and dry. Great cured ham and crushed blackberries on the nose. It now has smooth tannins and well balanced fruit. Some people would lay this wine down longer but i think it's great now. From 2012. This wine has 89 Parker Points and I would award it now 17.5/20 (JR gives it 16.5).

Dolcetto D'Alba de Forville 2010 (Barbaresco)

Tasted 27/03/12, 13% ABC, synthetic cork closure. About £10 UK retail (e.g. Majestic).
Dolcetto plays second fiddle to Nebbiolo in Barbaresco but can make pleasant, everyday wines.
Light red in colour, reminiscent of a youthful. This is a wine that no doubt is best served young but this wine would probably benefit from another year in bottle.
After 2 hours of breathing, the nose had a hint of tar (like a young Barolo) with red fruits and violets. The palate was restrained red fruits, dry but well balanced. Slightly short finish. A great food wine - went well with my stuffed pasta and pesto.
15.5 / 20. From 2013.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Vina Mayu Syrah Reserva 2007, Elqui Valley

Tasted 17th March 2012 with Neville Blech. 14% ABV, 75cl, cork closure, about £12 UK retail. I kept this wine for about 2 years and this has paid dividends. It is drinking extremely well now.
Deep purple, almost inky colour. Grilled meat, pepper and spice on the nose. Spicy thyme and cassis, brambly, dark fruits on the palate. The sweet oak shows through but does overpower. Full bodied but with a great balance, elegant. Truly lovely - one of my best wines of 2012, so far. A great winery from Chile’s ‘hottest’ region (actually, one of the coolest at altitude). From 2013, 18 / 20.

Ager Sectus Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010

Tasted 16/03/12. 13.5% £11.99 (Sainsburys Taste The Difference).
Supermarkets always fascinate me, as they clearly have a very rigid view of their potential customers....own label wines generally have varietal character / region emphasised ahead of producer - e.g. Douro Red, Bordeaux Red. As in this case but it's a very good effort - a lesser-known estate in an iconic area of the North Island.
Bright purple, the nose is bursting with cassis and raspberries: the palate well balanced, with pimento, dark fruits and mocha. Tannins are soft-ish, I expect this is from young vines. Good value, in as far as NZ wines go.....
From 2012, 16.5/20

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Ager Sectus Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010

Tasted 16/03/12. 13.5% £11.99 (Sainsburys Taste The Difference).
Supermarkets always fascinate me, as they clearly have a very rigid view of their potential customers....own label wines generally have varietal character / region emphasised ahead of producer - e.g. Douro Red, Bordeaux Red. As in this case but it's a very good effort - a lesser-known estate in an iconic area of the North Island.
Bright purple, the nose is bursting with cassis and raspberries: the palate well balanced, with pimento, dark fruits and mocha. Tannins are soft-ish, I expect this is from young vines. Good value, in as far as NZ wines go.....
From 2012, 16.5/20

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Château Monlot Capet 1962, St. Emilion Cru Classé

Tasted 22nd February 2012 at Broadway House Club at David Beguier-Barnett’s tasting of fine, old and rare St. Emilion.
Ruby to brick red in colour. Cured ham and dark fruit on the nose, not old at all in character. Liquorice and red fruit on the palate. Still quite heavy and fruity, surprisingly so perhaps. Tannins restrained and a long finish. Drink now, 16.5 / 20

Château Monlot Capet 1964 , St. Emilion Cru Classé

Tasted 22nd February 2012 at Broadway House Club at David Beguier-Barnett’s tasting of fine, old and rare St. Emilion. Light brick red in colour of mature claret, with brown tinges. Powerful nose of cherries and dark fruits and forest floor. Drink up. Well integrated with the fruit fading slightly but still elegant and quite well structured. Drink now 17/20

Château de Ferrand 1966, St. Emilion Cru Classé

Tasted 22nd February 2012 at Broadway House Club at David Beguier-Barnett’s tasting of fine, old and rare St. Emilion. Light purple with brown tinges. Appealing. Classic old claret cigar box nose. Quite spicy and promising, some cassis. Showing well. Very dry now but with some nice red fruits remaining. Well balanced with restrained tannins. 16/20

Château Monlot Capet 1970, St. Emilion Cru Classé

Tasted 22nd February 2012 at Broadway House Club at David Beguier-Barnett’s tasting of fine, old and rare St. Emilion. Brick red. Rather tarry, smoky nose, pleasing ‘old leather’ and farmyard nose. Still has some life. Pleasant tannins, very soft now. Still some red berries fruits, classy and elegant, just a very slight hint of madérisation. Drink now. 14.5 / 20

Domaine Vieille Eglise 1985, St. Emilion Cru Classé

Tasted 22nd February 2012 at Broadway House Club at David Beguier-Barnett’s tasting of fine, old and rare St. Emilion. Very light brick red, hint of farmyard. Perhaps a little past its best.
Fruit gone really but soft tannins and bone dry. Not unpleasant on the palate – perhaps 10 years past its best. Drink now. 14.5/20

Château de Ferrand 1996, St. Emilion Cru Classé

Tasted 22nd February 2012 at Broadway House Club at David Beguier-Barnett’s tasting of fine, old and rare St. Emilion.
Light purple with brick red round the fringes, showing some age. Nice hit of cassis and some red fruits, good whiff of vanilla and old leather. Ready to drink now. Very dry, a strong sense of cured ham with red berry fruits on the finish. Complex and quite elegant. 17.5 / 20

Jerez NV Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Old Oloroso

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
20%. Mahogany with amber edge; complex, rich fruit and nut aromas; Rich and quite sweet on palate with excellent acidity; long finish with primary and secondary aftertastes, 20/20!

Rioja 2001 CVNE Real de Asua

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
14%. Great depth, little browning; oak, black fruit and some woodland notes; great fruit with balancing oak tannins; finish has good length and some complexity, but should still improve . from 2013, 18+/20

Ribero del Duero 2002 Pago de los Capellanes Reserva

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
13.5%. Quite mature looking; maturing, with quite light fruit tones; Wood tannins over ripe fruit; finish is long but still rather tannic. Needs time. From 2013, 17+/20

Jumilla 2008 Bodegas el Nido Clio

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
15.5%. Black-red, narrow red rim; dark rich fruits, but a bit backward; balanced, dense palate – finish has great length and complexity, with lots of chocolate. 18/20

Penedès 2006 Miguel Torres Mas la Plana

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
Solid colour with hints of ageing; oak, blackcurrant, and some vegetal development; ripe fruit, excellent balance and length, but a bit hot and astringent on finish still. 17+/20

Mallorca 2009 4 Kilos Vino de la Tierra

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
14%. Young purple-red, red fruit, spice overlaid with oak; tannic, with rather weak fruit and thin in middle; some finish. 14+/20

Priorat 2007 Mas d’En Gil Corna Velha

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
15%. Young, moderate depth; Grenache, red fruit and spice aromas; power, depth and complexity showing on palate, from 2012, 16/20

Navarra 2007 Chivite Coleccion 125 Chardonnay

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
13%. Pale gold, oak and yeast aromas; good fruit and structure, rather oaky at present, but with the length and components to improve with keeping, from 2012, 16/20

Ribiero 2009 Viña Mein

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
12%. Pale, complex primary aroma; good fruit and acidity and some length, but fairly straight-forward; 15/20

Cava 2009 Cordoníu 1551

Tasted 12th January 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Ian McLaren at Vagabond wines in SW6. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian from the night.
11.5%. Pale, good mousse; quite grapy; fine mousse, with good fruit and acid balance – some length. Drink now 14/20

Chateau Morange Le Fleur 2006, St. Emilion

Tasted 2nd February 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Nick Stephens of Bordeaux Undiscovered. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian McLaren.
Excellent body colour, with little ageing; rich fruit, spice and oak notes; good ripe fruit under wood tannins and acidity: excellent length, some development, but a long way to go. Best wine of the night, superb. From 2015, 18/20

Chateau Morange Le Fleur 2007, St. Emilion

Tasted 2nd February 2012, wines presented to Chelsea and Fulham Wine Society by Nick Stephens of Bordeaux Undiscovered. £47.50. Tasting notes kindly provided by Ian McLaren.
Fair depth of colour, browning rim; austere, slightly green fruit; austere on palate as well, although well balanced; very good length, mostly green herbs. From 2014 16/20