....the 2012 vintage of the Villa Maria Wairau Reserve is a class apart from any sauvignon blanc from anywhere.

Do not fiddle about with other sb's. Even in it's youth it is intense and lush. And so light bodied !

Lithe and lush.

Gorgeous !

G, I'm glad you did remind me - cheers for this.

Please bear in mind that I have good Wairau Reserve stocks - I currently have 2 bottles of the lush 2009, and 3 of the full figured and feminine '10 as well as half a box of the '11, in addition to a good depth of exotic MSBs which are holding well.

I will buy half a dozen of the '12 - Promise

Given my consumption - I'm currently looking for a 12-12.5% ALC chardonnay made in the leaner chablis style (think Twiggy) for a fiver - Mission impossible me thinks

You'll be pleased to hear that I've drunk the cheaper Chilean SBs that I had on investigation - they don't hold as well.

Do not fiddle about with other sb's. I'm inclined to agree with that - there is a last call now for affordable ripe and balanced Loire SB, before the '11s and 12's fill the market.

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Duncan

After a very poor run, the Loire has defeated me. I will stick to the top wines and pay the extra as and when I feel a need.

I do think that the 2012 Wairau vintage is about to go down in history as exceptional. Even the basic Nobilo has plenty of passion fruit. Way too much sugar to recommend it even at £5 but very flavoursome. I am hoping that VM WR, SC's basic and the new JE will keep me in sauvignon heaven for a long while.

You have been punished by those indifferent '11s - If you are paying the extra for the top doggies, stick with the 2010's otherwise - you may be upsetting the budget for nothing "for the sake of need" - I fear.

Talking disappointment I'd been sat on this a while...........

I opened a bottle of 1998 cahors last night, the Clos de Gamot- only had the one. A reputed walled cahors property - they say ! This is an historic estate, tucked into a bend on the River Lot in the village of Prayssac, making very traditional unembellished Auxerrois - (French ancient vine 'Roman' malbec)

I think I'm done with any more cahors - disappointingly black for the 'sake' of it ! A blank black board, a null. Was hoping for hot stones, garrique scrub and wild herbs, annis, vanilla and dark damson plum. It was very hollow, a dank pool, and weedy in the mouth.

The 1990 sells for up to 40 euro in Ireland ?? Bah ! But in the States, these wines appeared to be significantly cheaper.

I don't understand these Auxerrois wines.

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Duncan