Shez - Sorry cant help just now

Shez, I took another Saint Clair Oh ! Block 6 and that very expensive Astrolabe kekeregue '09, with very persuasive assertions from Mark that I would find that allusive pungency refered to by BC's TN's and eluding me this year on the 09s, with a freshly poured glass ready and waiting.
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For principally storage reasons and account timing, I put off taking the Vav '09 until I pick-up the Volnay. I will phone my local to confirm my reservation for some, to make sure there is not a run on it now.

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Duncan

I finished the bottle of on Sunday (3rd day) and had improved quite a bit. It seemed lighter, the nose was cleaner. The tartness had faded so there was just a pleasant fizz on the tongue (from the tartness not CO2). There was more passion fruit and a hint of blackcurrant leaf (I think). I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of the Co-op Estate Reserve I keep banging on about and also last years Reach. Its still best cold.

This is how a MSB should taste like. It has the right flavours and none of these nuances that producers seem to be adding these days.

I picked up a 6 box yesterday at the new offer price and at that price its just short of a £. I can give it a though.

Its funny that it should be at its best after a couple days of opening, as MSB is usually best fresh.

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tribs

thx Tribs

Picked up 3 the other night with the intention of giving one a go this weekend.
fortunately the offer runs now until the end on Aug so still got time to pick up more unless the general public swipe it all after reading your write up...

...s'pose if worst comes to worst I could always pick some up from here: Vavasour MSB

Will you all shut up and go away. i will not be tempted into buying any MSB that hasn't got Saint Clair stamped all over it.

Any more threads like this and i'll be sending the mother in law around to ruin your weekends.

You've been warned !

I'm hoping to get some Vav today, and have prepared for any fall-out from the wild west.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Went in for a mxd doz today,but found the disco music had been re-introduced. Left forthwith and took my money to M&S only to find no discount.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

That image reminds me of this classic..

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Yep, Im still here.

Perhaps it was just me being in the mood but after only two sips in at 9C I was already telling myself that this is far superior to any other 2009 MSB I've tried so far
no blackcurrant but a bit of tomato leaf along with tropical fruit and a dash of grapefruit on the finish
think I preferred it colder having let it warm in the glass
as tribs said in the other thread, this thankfully isn't sweet but not tart either.
has very good length too
At 6.99 this is a great buy

Yep...

I picked-up my box of this wine last week. I liked this wine straight out of the blocks at about 9C. I have yet to experience the flavour and depth after re-sealing and overnight refrigeration

This is good and straight MSB. For the 2009 vintage this appears to be the benchmark for straight down the line "no mess no fuss" MSB.
High acidity, so not for the faint hearted, nor for Sensodine users when served extra cool.

Ok - this MSB does not have the lightness and transparency of dancing SC Oh ! Block 6 2009 nor the minerality and texture of CR Old Renwick monopole 2009....It is however, a fiver less at the mo !

When looking back at this price positioning and quality to value for MSB

Nor, the poise, grace and lychee tropical notes of Jackson Estate 2007 - But for the offer price and that this high acidity is balanced by the high note and freshness of the piercing fruit - This wine earns a star, and as Bob Campbell says, a cut to the palate, and a cut above the the rest for straight and true MSB on the '09 vintage.

No girly stuff here, and as such, to confirm Mr Tribs, this offer deserves a

Note for tribs: there was just a pleasant fizz on the tongue (from the tartness not CO2).
The wine may be settling down a tad. No spritz as such on the 1st bottle here, but that upfront acidity, certainly launches the piercing fruit to great effect. Reasonable length as well, because that "rocket fuel acidity" is half spent by the finish

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Duncan

Forgetting about the expensive price tag of the Oh Block 6 how do you rate the wine itself.

Does the Vavasour 09 remind you of any other MSB that I might have tried. The reason I ask is that I really didn't enjoy the 08. That said, the 08 had probably evolved into something other than what the winemaker intended by the time i'd got to it.

I just don't know how this Vav 09 will work out over longer term. At this stage I would say that it does not have quite the right sort of construction to hold for 2 years. I would not want to jeopardise the falling off of that piercing fruit.
It is less round than The Reach '07, yet has an edgy shine and great cut to the palate, without any gum gnawing. Reasonable mouth feel on the finish.

The reason why I give this wine a star, is because I like the way the fruit is launched on that acidity rocket, I also respect that the wine maker has created piercing fruit without overt tartness and that the pith is correct, not overly so, and spot on for good SB.

VAV09 is a damn good effort for 7 quid and no girly bits either. In fact some women will find it harder work.

I'd put good money on you respecting this wine for what it is:- A straight down the line, no mess, no fuss MSB.

Goose - I hope that helps, I've done my best to give a considered opinion, I will of course need to do more bottles.

edit: I've just sniffed the last quarter of the bottle 20 hrs after opening, the predominant nose comes through as fresh mango.

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Duncan

Hmnnn ? Goose........

Contrary to Mr Tribs, I think the intensity of the fruit in the wine deteriorates a little with time, also the acidity that transports the flavours seems to have faded a bit. The Mango nose is benign again, ** but that could be me. Other comments are still valid

No pungency, quite neutral.

** Miserable cold, wet and wretched dank evening here, the 1st rubbish evening for many weeks.

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Duncan

Thanks Dunc,

I enjoyed the Saint Clair wine made for Majestic in 08. So i'll try the Vav 09. The website has both 08 and 09 listed so won't chance it but will pick some up in store.

I'm glad you like the Oh Block as it's probably my favourite sb of all time. So light yet so flavoursome. That said I wouldn't dare have it with food in case the food killed it.

Off to Greece. Back in 10 days.

There's lovely.

You're getting out of the UK, just at the right time. I don't think we shall see too many more balmy evenings. I could be wrong, but I smell the end of a good summer spell, and a return to cyclonic weather.

Enjoy Greece. A bottle of extra cool retsina and a char grilled red snapper and baby octopus / or squid awaits

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Duncan

I'll go for the BBQ wooden horse. Retsina is Hercules's armpits

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.