I have a bottle of Bonterra Organic Merlot '08 lined up for tonight, looking forward to that. I put a chablis and a MSB in the fridge this morning, keep my options open.

I have 40 pints of real ale to bottle this weekend and lots of digging/planting out on the plot tomorrow, while the sun shines.

Have a good weekend all.

Banana.

I'm interested to know if Bonterra can do it now.

Mendocino Oak with that Merlot ? Not sure now, cos I haven't ventured there for many years.

Many moons ago Bonterra could'nt do it, even though they achieved a satisfying earthy and an engaging rustic quality, legs were weak, not tannic enough either (smile).......BUT....... I was more steeped in affordable claret back then And half decent claret was still affordable. And Bonterra must be learning.

GK, I am positive, if you get to this - Please say.

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Duncan

Will let you know how I get on Dunc.

Think about it..... If a wine is made with organic grapes, does that make it an organic wine?

Aha - Yeah ....A total bollocks marketing statement.


I wonder if it is actually possible. Let me think this thru:-

a) potassium sulphate from wood ashes for preservative
b) ground rock sulphur also for preservative.
c) mix washed clay with wild yeasts to keep them on the bottom of the oak barrels with wrought iron bands to secure the staves
d) use egg whites from free range chickens to do the fining.
e) all racking and syphoning pipework from smelted bronze

f) There will be a lot more things to do. And then we ship the wine to market on horse powered wooden carts, and then load the shipment onto Egyptian cotton sail powered ships.

g) Give up.

The list goes on

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Duncan

I was thinking along the same lines

Now then...any living orgasms or even dead ones are organic. I have my SCPB19 of course plus a new Reuilly and more Poda. Not too sure about the sun GK 'specially if your trying to grow bananas.

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

So, you like the Poda, then.

And, Dunc, which do you prefer, JE 7 or VM WR 09.

I preferred the VM WR.

Tonight I shall be drinking 2003 Finca Las Moras Tannat Reserva.

Tomorrow a Tulloch Kester 2000

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He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

I've only ever had Tannat once. A Madiran which beat me up and slung me into the corner.

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

Mr ~.g.~

This is a teasing jobby - Huh ? TBH I find that the wines are different, and may have enjoyed a score of JE'07 over the years and only one VMWR'09 which wos pretty nouveau. Rose tinted spectacles / ole friends.

Whilst both are on nice gooseberry transport......

The JE07 wos currant/currant budded MSB with a dash of lychee - more subtle. Sometimes at 2 years on, I got what I percieved as a nectarine squeeze - sounds a bit mad.... .
The VMWR09 is passion fruited MSB with a dash of scented shrub - a richer nouveau flavour with sweet bell peppers and stuff - less trad elegance, but only one bottle tasted so far.

So - I dont know my preference, if I ever will. cos there is all sorts of other stuff involved when your satisfaction level is right Up There. They change a load as they evolve.

Shall we settle on both being Up My Street. I'll add something here when I next 'ave a VMWR'09.

JE07 is waning now, whilst the VMWR'09 may become the model, at this level.

I'm thinking of doing an SC Oh block 6 2008 tonight. 1 left, depends on supper.

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Duncan

The Bonterra is a big disappointment, no luscious, sweet fruit with quality oak and dark chocolate. Just green fruit and a dryness that has you reaching for your chapstick. Heavy on the alcohol too.

It was a gift, otherwise it would be going back. One to avoid.

Still, wolves beat Villa and Im on my third glass, and the new Elbow album is starting to grow on me. Im happy.

No change there then ! I may have bought mine on a riper vintage, or drunk it within 2 years. I don't remember it being quite that bloody puckering. Sounds like an austere palate wincer - I can take'em a bit more green that you

Thanks for keeping us up to date.

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Duncan

Teasing, indeed.

The VM WR is one of my favourites. The flavour is exactly how I want it. It does lack a little elegance though but it has no rough edges.

I've got 10 Clifford Bay 2010 on the way and, for old times sake, 2 Dashwood 2010 ( it's not been the wine it once was since the gorgeous 07. Pithy twaddle the last two vintages ). I haven't ordered in case they go belly up ( I do hope not though as I kinda like the place ) but instead have a pal who bought them in store and will deliver when passing my way next.

I resisted the Blind River 2010...there's oak in that did you know...

Ooo err

2 wines drank with a friend on Saturday:

Winegrowers of Ara Composite MSB 2008.
The guy at Maj recommended I give this a try as it was such good value from its rrp.
I knew going into it that 2008 wasn't the best of vintages but thought what the hell.
Sadly it seemed a bit tired - it has lost the tropical zippiness one looks for in MSB which seems to have been replaced by a grassy waxy type flavour. Was probably pretty decent when young but its evident that the reason Ara has given these to Maj to shift is coz they've past their best

JE Vintage Widow PN 2005
Picked this up as a bin end for 9.99 at my local independent
Still quite deeping in colour. Nose was nice with initial red fruit leading to stinky farmyard. Same in the mouth too.
It's good to see that NZ PN does have the potential to not just be fairly deep purple and fruit forward.
I now realise that it is always going to be a different expression to Burgundy, somewhere inbetween chilean and burgundian PN but a nice bottle like this is very enjoyable

Shez .....Very Nice stuff - that's the best 10 quid's worth you've had for a while - Eh ? Good to know that V.Widow evolves this way. I shall keep my eyes peeled for the '07 clearance

I'm sure I warned everyone about the '08 Ara compo ! It's gone futher downhill since the post Xmas tasting table then. Feb19th.

I could have sworn that my local were trying to move it 2 weeks ago for £4.99 on a multi buy that week-end (a hand written dangle tag). Praps Mark, was clearing space under a store mng't discretionary basis, or HQ said move it. It was on the tasting table - I tried a smidgeon, with one of his staff ...err no ... why bother carrying it out ? It would go though, at a fiver. Sorry tribs, I should'ave said something, but like Ba at the time - hardly worth the effort for a null.

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Duncan