In my defence. I ordered the 2013 which was developing nicely.

There's nothing here. Nose, empty bottle. Taste, water, splash of lemon juice, acid and alcohol.

I did have one bottle of the 2013 that was like this but this doesn't bode well for this vintage.

Simple dry white pub wine

Hi G,

I recognize your frustration. According to those who write up vintage growing season characteristics, the 2013 should / or would have delivered more of the flavours we look for in an MSB. Therefore, when you order 2013 JE, you expect to get it!
Regrettably most, but not all of these newspaper wine writers continually pronounce that the current vintage is fine, and displays this, that and the other and then, when sufficient water has gone under the bridge, they will reminisce, and wistfully admit how wonderful a vintage 5 years ago was - Duh . . . You can't get into trouble with the big boys that way
The suppliers who accept your order will say: Uh, what's the matter with the latest vintage then ? So and so thinks it is good! so we just add the bottles to inventory, as they come in.

I'm jolly glad we have web sites like this, which sort out the wheat from the chaff

BTW, Vasasour 2013 wasn't much cop, improved though, so I wasn't miffed. Stich hasn't been on form for a while now. The volume producers treat UK demand for MSB style pub wine with a hit of cats pee as a cash cow. That's the demand, that's what they want.

May be we don't actually know where the bench mark has been set?

_________________
Duncan

An update on MSB in general and Vavasour in particular.

Vavasour 2012 which has been in the wine cooler for 2 years is a lot more pleasurable to drink than the 2013. I'm drinking a '12 now.

From this I deduce that producers are making a wine that appeals to a popular style that we think is inferior (out of climat fruit is added? Immature new vines ? I don't know). That comment is based on reports that SB growers were very pleased with the crop for 2013 - was it volume? or was it quality? That they were shouting about.

At any rate, I much prefer the flavour and the pungency of the previous vintage. Looking at verticals, the 2010 vintage was more elegant and complex than the '12 and the 2009 vintage had the kind of purity c/w lychee and mango notes that were very rare at that price level.

2009 Decanter gold

What does that tell you ?

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Duncan