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Smedley's Corner

Tasting Notes of Older Vintages in Bordeaux

The following article goes through various tastings carried out recently by Derek. These include the St Emilion properties of Jonathan Maltus, as well as an assortment of 2005 and 2006 vintage St Emilions tasted at Ch Canon La Gaffeliere. We also have a note of Ch. Le Pin 2006 (96 points), vertical tastings of Ch Raymond Lafon, Ch. Climens, and then an assortment of notes on older vintages of the likes of Leoville Barton, Giscours, Branaire-Ducru and others.

Bordeaux 2007 - The Vintage Report

The report is Derek's complete work on the vintage. Over three hundred wines are discussed inside from the good, the bad and the ugly. Those wines Derek considers the best of the vintage are highlighted in red, those which he believes could offer good value (it's a matter for the Bordelais) are highlighted in blue and those in green are second tier Sauternes and Barsac which are worth a look in this vintage.

Bordeaux 2004 - Dry Whites

Following a recent tasting, Derek's has updated his scores on some white Birdeaux's from this interesting vintage that many continue to ignore.

Tasting Notes for Château Coutet, Saint-Emilion

We discovered this property which sits next to Angélus following a tip-off from one of our customers two years ago. The wines have particular style and identity and remains very good value. The enclosed notes cover vintages since 1995.

The Auction Crossing, South Africa

Tasting notes from a small property we have recently discovered in South Africa. Wines will arrive in the UK in June 2008.

Clarets from 1999-2005 recently tasted at the Roma Wine Festival February/March 2008

A mixed bag of notes from the Wine Festival in Rome including Mouton 2003, La Fleur 2003, Pontet Canet 1999 and Montrose 1999.

Bodegas Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero. New Releases, February 2008

Not only one of the great wineries of Spain, but one of the greatest in the World. The enclosed notes look at some recent releases.

Maury 1937 (Stock Available)

A comment on a 71 year old beauty. Something very different, and hugely exciting.

1977 Vintage Ports

The 70's was a difficult year for port, but 1977 came along and everyone sighed with relief. Thirty years later, these wines are now in their prime, but some have not lived upto expectations. Here Derek tastes and scores twelve of the top wines.

Aged Tawny Ports

Derek's scores on a variety of 10, 20, 30 and 40 year old tawny ports.

Opus One 1990

One of the greatest of the wines from the US. The 1990 vintage was still made within Mondavi's own winery. Tasted last year in September -  a real treat and 96 points.

Vertical Tasting of Coleraine, Te Mata, Hawke

Te Mata Winery is one of the oldest in New Zealand. We offer a full range of their wines. The Coleraine is their top end 'Bordeaux' blend.

Vertical Tasting of John X Merriman, Rustenberg, Stellenbosch

John X never ceases to surprise. Even those who profess to 'only drinking claret' think this is delicious, and even when they discover it comes from South Africa! The enclosed notes cover from 1999 to 2005 (the current vintage we are selling).