General

1997 Vigna del Sorbo, Chianti Classico, Fontodi.
A-(+)

Sour cherry nose, also sweet spices; rusty and earthy notes quite prominent earlier on; floral elements also showing, violets; lifted nose; later develops to sweet cedar and dark berries / cassis. Lots of fruit depth and extraction, dark currants and berries, morello cherries; fresh acidity still, lively and feels youthful; textured, layered fruit structure; plenty in the mid palate, very long finish, persistence. Slightly drying, with a grainy grip at the end; this wine needed several hours to open up; truly a superlative Chianti with a long life ahead of it, drink now - 2022+.

2000 Saumur Champigny, Vielles Vignes, Domaine Langlois Chateau
B+

Crushed berries on the nose, really quite floral; followed by something somewhat hot and stewed. Palate has so much fresh acidity, lightly crushed dark cherries and berries; not fully extracted; lighter style, really feels rather nimble and light of foot. Touch of savouriness at the end too.

2011 Tilia Estate, Vipavska Dolina, Pinot Gris. Slovenia.
Naked Wines £12.99 | A-

Slightly oily on the nose; over ripe peaches, lots of ripe white fruits, moving to melons and such; floral too, acacia, quite floral; really lovely, rich nose. Nice acidity, fresh fruit showing; ripe white fruits again, filling but without being flabby; a touch off dry probably because the fruit was so ripe; acidity balance. \does have some length, lemony finish; a well constructed, highly enjoyable wine.

2010 Arco de Esporao Tinto. Alentejo, Portugal.
Cambridge Wine £9.50 | B+

Red fruit and currants; feels rather hot, wood smoke; cooked red fruit, and slightly smoked vegetal touches too; in all rather weird. Lots of fruit on the palate; slightly stewed, light cherry; freshness and lightness to the fruit, its not overly extracted; vegetal notes still persists on palate; has a weird slightly woody finish too it. An interesting, makes you ponder a while.

1970 Quinta do Noval
Cambridge Wine £68 | A

Holding colour quite well, browning touches only. Sweet, almost ester like nose; such floral nose, rose water; lifted, really fragrant. Sweet and candied red fruits in its core; still lively, plenty of fresh and lively acidity, really dances on palate, still so much life to this. Still a lot of fruit in the mid palate, juicy even; generous, lingering finish; excellent balance overall. Drink now - 2020+.