Steve Elder

Lavau Vacqueyras 2012, Ac

Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2012, Docg

Excellent sangiovese in the traditional style, dominated by dried fruit and earth notes. Really opened up with breathing.

Luis Felipe Edwards L F E 900 Single Vineyard Blend 2012

Deep garnet colour. Quite full and expressive, with ripe fruit and the tannins well integrated. Good complexity and length and carries the 14.5% alcohol well. Unusual and engaging.

Socré Barbaresco 2011, Docg

This is fine nebbiolo for the price, with lots of depth and great earthy complexity while staying well clear of da funk. Fruit is in the dried, pruney end of the specturm as expected, with really lovely tannins on the finish. Drinking nicely now and fairly evovled. Will likely hold a few years but not a cellar-dweller. Going back for more!

Vincent Girardin Vieilles Vignes Santenay 2013, Ac

Pale ruby at this stage, quite attractive. Full nose of ripe berry fruit, which carries on to palette. Nice mineral notes beneath. Medium bodied, taught and linear. This is quite fine for Santenay, although perhaps lacking the layers of complexity of great PN. Holding well, but at its peak.

Theulot Juillot Vieilles Vignes Mercurey 2015, Ac

Pale ruby, with a hint of brown starting to develop; more evolved than you’d expect. But flavours are all in ripe red berry spectrum in a med-bodied package that is all about zip and zing. Descent mineral finish wth some persistence. Not the most profound PN you’ll come across, but very satisfying. Nothing weak or washed out here. Made for food and conversation.

Moillard Cuvée Prestige Rully 2015, Ac

Nice med red colour, quite deep for PN. Nose is a bit reserved, with hints of red berry fruit. Quite rich on the palate, solidly mid-weight with nice tart fruit notes (cranberry) and some spice for complexity. Good persistence. Enjoyable now but I suspect will reveal more in a couple of years. Good value in the world fo Burgundy but for a true PN drinker; not a party wine!

Lustau Solera Reserva Dry Amontillado Los Arcos

A fantastic amontillado. Med brown in colour. Full nose and palate with plenty of rancio but also some delicate dried fruit that really ups the complexity. Dry without being astringent. A wine to sip slowly and contemplate life. Excellent value.

Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Wo Stellenbosch

Tawse Riesling Quarry Road Vineyard 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge