September Slumber? Juicy wines.....

September is never the month it threatens to be for some reason, credit card bills and that "back to school feeling" may be. Trade has been good but not exciting. Cecily in HK has a big launch tasting coming up which has been booking up fast - great news.

There have been a series of tastings in the last few days which has meant great bottles to try.

Dom Leflaive P-M Village 07 - stunning, complex, rich yet pure a stonking bit of burgundy value. Just my sort of wine.

Corton GC 2001 Bonneau du Martray - drinking perfectly from now on, red fruits combine well with good soft structure and a lovely minerality.

Clos de Tart 2006 - Big, full, masculine but with charm, all encompassing yet "slick" structure...will last and last and be superb, a special treat.

CNDP (Chateauneuf du Pape) Cuvee Felix 2006, Versino - The more Rhone 06's I have the more I like them, this could fool you into think it was "ready to go" as the fruit on the nose is bright, lively and delicious but then you realise the structure on the palate and it take on a whole new level of seriousness...with food now you would be ok but this in 5+ years will be a real treat.

Roc de Cambes 2004 - Juicy, slightly tarty and a real pound for pound champion, great anti-snob wine from the cotes de bourg that, served blind, causes many of the big names of Bordeaux a problem or two.....

Trotanoy 1999 - A wine I have had a few times and a good "proper Claret" for drinking now. This was the only wine that will have been better yesterday than now.

After this little array we looked at the 2008 Chablis range from Vincent Dampt (I am unashamedly the self-appointed chairman of his fan club) and compared some (Vaillons & Les Lys) of the 08's to the 07's. Cote de Lechet 08 was corked..another is on the way.

Les Lys 07 - good, tight and structured, not giving much away, I won't drink mine for 2 years 16-17
Les Lys 08 - taut, but fuller than 07, minerla but approachable very good, will buy 17-18

Vaillons 07 - fatter than Lys 07 but still tight, a sleeper, 3 years needed? 17

Vaillons 08 - one of the best 1er Cru Chablis I have tasted at this stage and instantly brilliant, as case to drink soon and a case for 3+ years, 18+

Bougros 08 - From Maison Dampt (Vincent and his brother) from grapes they buy rather than their own vines. Richness from some oak (not sure of the type, new/old etc yet) but not in a cloying way just in a "needs it way", very good wine and more Burgundy than Chablis if that makes sense.

Tomorrow Mr Bird gets married and Mr Eddleston ventures to our/the sister Champagne houses of Salon & Delamotte (250yrs old next year).