Have tried three of them. Had 9 for dinner last night. We sank the St Veran during cooking. Very nice. Very southern on the acidity front. Lovely nutty aroma. Oak on the palate but nicely integrated with the ripe fruit and buttery roundness Not chewy at all. For me, I'd add a dash more acid, but it is from the south. A really very nice wine.

The Chablis I also loved - drank with sea bass (lightly dusted with seasoned flour and fried, served with fried chorizo and morcilla, wilted spinach and new potatoes, with a salsa verde) and the Chablis more than stood up to all that. Very leesy and tasty and well balanced with good, full body. A cracking wine.

The Albarino was fizzy, as expected, and tasted quite sweet after the Chablis. It was definitely dry, but had a ripeness that is unusual in Rias Baixas.

We then had a blackberry souffle with (sorry, but it was necessary) a blackberry coulis. I wasn't prepared for pudding wine, having catered for ten for three days, two meals a day, but grabbed some Quarts de Chaume 2002, Dom des Forges and shoved it in an ice bucket full of snow. Completely lacking in nose and dark golden but delicious mouth. A touch of marmalade but biting acidity so sweet but not at all cloying. Good with the blackberry.

Off to the bottle bank. Taking the kids to help so I don't get RSI.

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mel

Nice, sounds like my kind of dinner party.

Thanks for the positive notes Mel.

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Yep, Im still here.

Stop it - you're making me feel tired. Looks like you need a cook, a cleaner and a chauffer to me.

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

Chablis, wow....

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Yep, Im still here.

I now have four days alone - apart from lunch on Sat at some friends'. Peace and quiet. Mmm.

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mel

Yeah, I should have gone yesterday - but most urgently called to Dorset, and left at sparrow farts. Palliative care for dear ole Dad is now arranged, and he's happy to be there - God bless those folks who do this work over Christmas

Of GKs find,

Hey, well done Marks. We have a textbook St Veran for this vintage characteristic and southern style as well. Cheers for the TNs as well Mel, we have half a dozen nice ones for current drinking. Excellent score. I'm Very jolly after reading your notes.

The Albarino- but had a ripeness that is unusual in Rias Baixas.
I must learn somewthing about this, can't keep up at the back, I'd better do some homework !

Time to recover for you, for me I must finish dressing the tree, otherwise I'll be in very hot water. Cheers for now.

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Duncan

"Stop it - you're making me feel tired. Looks like you need a cook, a cleaner and a chauffer to me."

Yes, there was a moment when it crossed my mind that only one of us had spent the summer having body parts removed and vile chemotherapy, and guess who was doing everything.

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mel

Mel, ask yourself - Has it ever been different ?

Those that are efficient or skilled, always get lumbered !

As grandparents - we shall be worked off out feet......but then, someone will have to take over when we've gone

However - Laying all that aside, it is Christmas....so

Happy Christmas to You.

now, what am I going to enjoy this evening while I hang all the cards from the picture rails ?

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Duncan

I had half a bottle of Tim Adams Semillon. mmm

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mel

,

I'm half way thru a bottle of Chateau De Ligny (chab 2008), odd that, this one is perfect, and yet the last two bottles were losing it. Waitrose trout fillet next.....we haven't eaten, but we are nearly ready....I think ? The storage on the last 6 pack from another Tesco store, not my usual mega one, must have been over warm, the bottles were rather dusty - even though the box was sealed.
Later I'm going for something that will still be good for my end of the table tomorrow, it is going to be a '03 St Esteph, Haut de Pez ... I think, or may be....

I have the Yali for the boys end

It's great when you save up your babies

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Duncan

All that glisters...from such euphoria it just had to go downhill. The SB is OK, no more, the Albarino acceptable but I can do better at the price. The Chablis is undrinkable and the St Veran little better. Drat and treble drat.

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

Bacchus,

I have not tried the other wines, I went for the Chablis this evening, we had cold left over chicken, we bought the largest and juciest one available for Xmas lunch, we had left over smoked salmon and prawns, and lots of fine leftover savoury mushroom and cheesy tartlets, quiches and gurkins, all were great.

The chablis was wonderful, realy lovely with the supper. In fact I couldn't decide which, the Te Muna Road SB (Craggy Range) or this Chablis were nicer with this supper we had this evening.

Sorry Ba - the Chablis is a star here. Very sorry, you don't get on with it.

Don't know what to say.

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Duncan

Loved the St Veran and the Chablis. Albarino is fine but probably only worth £6. Haven't tried the fourth wine yet.

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mel

Swapped 2 x Chablis for 1 ea. Kaituna Hills SB, Darting Estate Riesling, Friuli SB.
The manager was expecting me and was charming and efficient. Had chat with the Wineman who acted likewise. What a pleasant experience after the 20 minute 8-person battle at Sainsbury's with additional calls and e-mails to head office. Full marks Marks!

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

The Albarino has been highly recommended in next months Decanter (arrived in post on Friday).