Notes

JUKES Sparkling Pinot Noir – is launched with national distribution.
The Genesis of Jukes Sparkling Pinot Noir
Early one morning in the autumn of 2020, I arrived at Arch 40, in Battersea, where we make Jukes Cordialities in order to taste our latest batch of drinks ahead of them being bottled. The Victorian railway arches where we and around 40 other small businesses work are always buzzing in the early hours, receiving…

2017 Single Vineyard Releases from Henschke
2017s from Henschke
Embargoed until 28th March 2022
It is always a pleasure to taste with the Henschkes, and this year, it was another Zoom affair. This year the focus is on the Single Vineyard Releases of the 2017 vintage. They kindly threw in a bottle of Keynton Euphonium for good measure, not least because it falls into consideration…

Eight vintages of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti including the recently released 2019s
Eight vintages of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti including the recently released 2019s
2019s from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (tasted February 2022)
Only DRC could make a vintage comparison for the 2019 harvest as far back in time as 1865. Rather gratifyingly, they note that last year’s 2018 release (which was not tasted in London thanks…

First Taste – 2019 Ornellaia, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
2019 Ornellaia, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
2019 Ornellaia is the thirty-sixth vintage (a 1984 was apparently made but never sold) of this iconic ‘Super-Tuscan’ wine, and it is sure to grab headlines worldwide on its release on La Place de Bordeaux on the 1st April this year. The wine itself is a suitably impressive beast, and the artwork…

First taste – 2021 Whispering Angel, Caves d’Esclans
2021 Whispering Angel, Caves d'Esclans, Sacha Lichine, Côtes de Provence, France
RRP £20.00, www.finewinedirect.co.uk
I was unpacking a few cases of wine on New Year's Eve and popping the bottles into gaps in my cellar when I came across a plain brown single bottle sample box. How had I missed this? Perhaps my wife had signed for…

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Ideal for any occasion, it’s the gift for wine lovers that keeps on giving – every week through my Newsletter to be precise!
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2021 Piemonte Report is now live and available to download for Members
I am delighted to announce the publication of my 2021 Piemonte Report. This is the seventh and largest initiative I have ever published, whether in book format or online, and I hope that it enlightens Piemonte lovers like never before. With 126 estates featured and just over 1500 wines tasted and no less than 123,000 words of tasting notes,…

The Vineyard & Winery Show 2021 – 24th November 2021
24th November 2021
Kent Event Centre, Detling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3JF
New for 2021: The Vineyard & Winery Show will provide vineyard owners, winemakers and growers with a fantastic opportunity to keep up to date with the latest technology, meet with suppliers & allied trades that are supporting the industry as well as having the chance…

Matthew Williamson x Jukes – this summer’s must have alcohol-free drink
Matthew Williamson x Jukes
A quintessential Matthew Williamson design marks the launch of Jukes 8 to
the permanent range of Jukes Cordialities
LONDON Spring/Summer 2021
World-famous designer Matthew Williamson has joined forces with Jukes Cordialities to create a stunning new box to mark the permanent addition of the hugely popular, Provence…

The Penfolds Collection 2021 – embargoed until 22nd July 2021 00:01 AEST
The Penfolds Collection 2021
‘A return of the word Hermitage’
To be released for sale from Thursday 5th August 2021 at
With notes and scores embargoed until 22nd July 2021 00:01 AEST
Some or all of the wines will be available from the following merchants (they are the regular ports of call for Penfolds releases) and the prices noted below…

A late entry to my 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Report – Malartic Lagravière
2020 Château Malartic Lagravière Rouge, Pessac-Léognan
50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, 1.8% Cabernet Franc
65% new oak for approximately 18 months
26 hL/ha
This is a very fine effort from Malartic which cleverly balances intense forest fruit notes on the nose, lashings of juicy oak nuances and spice with a sleek, plump palate…

Matthew Jukes 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Report
The 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Campaign is proving to be one of the most fascinating in years and there is value to be found, too.
While the weather conditions during the growing season were anything but straightforward, this incredible region has given rise to some staggeringly delicious wines as well as some renowned estates who have missed…