Formal Hall

Seifried Nelson 'Winemakers Collection' Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 08
Naked Wines £18.99 A-

Really funky, yeast, toast, buttery notes, like mature champagne, mushroom brioche, still floral, white fruits too, green melons. Textured, really layered on the palate, rich, full, acid is really fat. Definitely buttery richness, still plenty of white fruits on the palate, peaches, nectarine, ends richly, lingers well. Would be interesting to see if this develops with time, so much pleasure now. Like a burgundy with expressive fruits.

Craggy Range Single Vineyard 'Block 14' Syrah 07, Hawkes Bay
Oddbins £18.99 A-

Floral red fruits, touch of mint, wood, cigar, pastilles. Nice fruit hit on the palate, not over the top, feels subdued, cool. Sustained fruits, not big hit, just good lasting fruits. Balance between mouthfeel, acid and fruit is right. Beautiful.

Berry's Meredith Full Rich Madeira 5 yo
Berry Bros £13.95 (50cl) A-

Dried figs, marmalade, burnt edges, orange peel, dried apricots, slight hints of coffee and chocolate. Nice fruits, god length, lingers well, acid is firm and lasts, hides the sugar well. Drinks so easily and so well.

Sandemans Vintage 1963
B+

Really pale, off-yellow colour, slight tinge of pink, smells of an old tawny, dried figs, but if tasted blind you could be convinced that it was a port. On the palate, there are hints that it was port, but I found the lack of colour really troubling. Lasts long, presence is good, there still life despite its age. Truly weird, a novelty.