GK, we give up. Or we want a big clue.

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mel

zombie post.

Am 2/3rds way thru Ned '09.

Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey at cellar temp. Full depth of fruit, not good with salmon, quite good with mild Brie. Best on its own. Brent Maris has made a full wine from this sweet and softer 2009 vintage.

Went to the freezer and pulled out the hexagonal gel bottle wrap.

At 8 degrees, and I am more than slightly inclined to agree with Ba. At this temp more like sorbet, very refreshing, and you could drink dangerously large quantities.
Cool and pithy, much more cut, sea ice. No pungency, no nose at all at 8C,
but would be great on a warm evening on the patio. Will buy a few more for Summer quaffing.

Much much better than the '08. The next one I open, I will attempt to serve normally

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Duncan

I need an in your face clue ! - Tomorrow.

Log off now.

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Duncan

We re-tried the 08 with lunch yesterday (admittedly smoked salmon, but the Waimea had stood up well). It was horrible. Hot and the wrong sort of acidic. Now relegated to cooking wine.

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mel

Went to pick up more Ned 09 for £6.99.

Would have grabbed some of that Nelson '08 SB as well to try, but found Frederic Bourillon D'Orleans Vouvray demi sec on the '08 vintage for only £7.99

No contest I'm affraid, just can't believe that this Vouvray has remained the same price for nearly 10 years. Feel rather sorry for the frenchmen making this style, on smaller margins, just not trendy.

Lovely Vouvray, great on the patio in the dying sun, and with soft cheeses - serve cool.

I'm off to cut down the old raspberry canes, and clean between the rows, a- small fire at the top of the garden this evening, if it does not shower down again !!! - Nice and sweet smokey

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Duncan

would love to be doing the same, but have parents and so we're watching the boat race.

made an orange curd tart, which calls for 140g melted plain chocolate being painted on the pastry before you pour on the orange curd (with a lot of pith) and bake.

It's remarkable and the Co-op Ch Roumieu 2005 (11.99 down to 5.99) was beautiful with it. In fact, the Sauternes tasted like orange curd.

M M M

May have to drop off in front of the boat race.

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mel

No no. I am a grand parent as well ! Have downed tools.

Please don't sleep - Get ready for the 156th Boat Race. 15 minutes to go.

edited: 17:15

Such Power and Grace. A gigantic race of over 7000 meters, one of the very best I've seen. The Cambridge crew most deserving of their victory, Oxford quietly suffering. The tidal stream was running faster this year (a foul tide could be seen dragging the bouys), so despite a massive effort, both crews were a minute off the record.

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Duncan

My eldest (who was 20 this week) is on his way from S Burgundy to somewhere near Barcelona, towing various boats. He's had one week of French rowing training, and is about to start a second week of Spanish. I had to text blow by blow boat race situation reports.

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mel

Of course it's like that for us. I rowed bow in the unfit muck abouters 2nd coxless 4 at Pangbourne when a lad. The school boy division.

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Duncan

A skiff with picnic and bottles along the Avon is the best that I can manage. Two visits to the Broads for sailing as well.

Am a girl and so get a let for rowing, but can do pretty well on a Norwegian fjord. For a girl.

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mel

Not for long, Pal

Antonio Banderos Joins the Wine Business


Hand over the combination amiGKo

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Duncan

Erm, thought Id join in, just woke from an after dinner snooze, the '97 Valdeinfante and slow-roast lamb, spring cabbage and a stack of roast parsnips got the better of me. Have now made room for the apple pie...

Wife is taking MIL home, kids are tearing up and down the lane on their scooters, off their heads on chocolate (if I hear Alvin & the Chipmunks sing The Hits one more time I will kill someone.... ).

Clue? It’s a Spanish brand, available anywhere with a hint of a drinks licence, we've all had it, now stop being lazy!

I'll wager a leek against a case of '89 Petrus that I've never seen this.

Spanish brand. Not Campo Viejo, Altozano, Grinon, Berberana, Caceres, Riscal, Torres?

Help me out boys. Actually am off to bed. Will be interested to read your correct answers in the morning.

I too had an afternoon nap.

If you ever find yourselves in The Forest of Dean, The Ostrich pub in Newland is excellent. Cracking menu. Didn't order wine. A half of cider and 2.5 hours of driving had me dead on my feet. Slept for over an hour, as a log.

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mel