Neil Phillips

Suertes Del Marqués El Ciruelo Listán Negro Viñas Viejas 2015, Valle De La Orotava, Tenerife, Canary Islands

Pale garnet intensity. Noses of dusty rose, sour cherry, dried cranberry, mineral and herbs.

On the palate, high acid, mid-weight, medium+ tannins, with a finish that goes on forever. Gritty mouthfeel, peppery notes with a melange of savoury herbs.

Listan Negro from the Canary Islands - an absolute treat.

Tasted March 2018.

Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley

Taylor Fladgate is often considered the standard-bearer for Tawny Ports - at least those readily available. With this 10-year, it's easy to see why.

Floral aromas with clay, wood, red berries and dried fruits.

Wonderful palate of spirits and savoury dried fruits, resinous notes, medium+ finish.

Tawnies are generally more versatile than LBVs, with the savoury backbone offering a lot of latitude. An excellent introduction to the style.

Last tasted November 2016.

Benjamin Bridge Brut Brut Rosé Sparkling 2011

Aromas of wild strawberry, cranberyy, rose petal, toast, bread dough.

On the palate, strawberry and cranberry, lemon, cherry, a hint of spice and a slightly fleshy mouthfeel.

Tasted December 2016.

Château Pontet Canet 2011, Ac Pauillac, 5e Cru

A wonderful Bordeaux, with nose of cassis, plum, toast, cedar, nutmeg, fig.

On the palate, the medium+ body holds acid and tannins and fruit all in check. A lot to chew, but the tannins are strong but nicely subdued at the same time. Dark fruits predominate (cassis, plum pudding), with added dried herbs, nutmeg, mushrooms.

Will happily age further.

Tasted October 2016.

Bowmore 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Darker hue as the name suggests, more golden brown than red, from aging in Sherry casks.

Rich nose of dried raisins, dates, caramel, slight brine.

On the palate, very luscious, sweet hint of Christmas pudding, smoky, resiny finish that's long. Spice notes more prevalent than smoke; this is a rich whisky for those who don't want the smoke to be too over-powering.

Gaia Assyrtiko Wild Ferment 2016, Santorini Pdo

Possibly the finest Assyrtiko I've had - or certainly the most distinctive.

Classic crisp acidity with lemon zest, minerality, and an almost Sherry-like salinity - but all wrapped in a rich broth of earthiness, faint tarmacadam, and almost luscious stone fruits.

Long finish, an excellent accompaniment to baked whole branzino.

Tasted May 2018.

El Esteco 1945 Old Vines Torrontés 2018, Calchaquí Valley

Nose is subdued by some Torrontes standards; white pepper spiciness with acacia, mint, pineapple, mandarin peel.

Round and structured on the palate, mid+ acidity and beautifully balanced. Fruits and herbal characteristics in equal portion, with a long savoury finish.

Drinking well now, but am looking forward to see how this is in another 3-5 years.

Tasted October 2019.

J.L. Chave Crozes Hermitage Rouge Silène 2014

Complex aromas of earth, blackberries, plum, black pepper, mushrooms, cured meat.

On the palate, cracked black pepper, plum & blackberry jam, leafy herbs. Fruit,pepper and slight savoury finish. Perhaps not as nuanced as the nose would suggest.

Tasted October 2016.

Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf Du Pape 2015, Ap

Lush with lots of red fruit compote, some Nibs, sage, black pepper and aged balsamic. More fruit than savoury.

Tannins are medium+, but still quite smooth. Well-balanced, it carries 15% with ease.

This CdP is drinking well now, and will certainly age.

Tasted September 2018.

Aurelio Settimo Rocche Dell'annunziata Barolo 2008

Nose of tomato leaf, anise, sage, oolong tea and stewed cherries. Slight spiced pancetta.

Tart raspberry and cherry on the palate. Chewy tannins with high acid.

This is old-school and demanding; perfect for food. Not beefy, but mid-weight. Great long finish. Will definitely improve with cellaring.

Tasted November 2014.