IF IT'S FRIDAY AT NINE IT'S TIME FOR WINE!

Tony and The Guru leads you to the vineface

A NEW WAY TO VIEW THE WORLD OF WINE

WINEFULLNESS

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Please remember to approach the world of wine responsibly

Tony in the Red

So many wines and so little time. I'd like to give you the lowdown on those that I loved, those that challenged me a little bit and those that I'm hoping to never meet again.

Chateau Lynch-Bages 2004 - Pauillac

In the glass it's starting to develop a slight orange/garnet colour. The nose is not overpowering but there's a spicy edge. The taste is like faded beauty and while I was getting the fruit notes it feels as though it's not giving up its secrets to easily. The wooden box and blackcurrant hedge tastes are supported by lovely tannins. It is a wine to be savoured and not rushed. 4/7

Sine Qua Non 2008 The Line

One of California's stars. A cult wine that says a lot before you even taste it. The raspeberry colour is beautiful. On the nose it's sticky toffee apple with a cinnamon stick for company. The taste is complex with plum rearing its head amongst all that fruit. The tannins are so soft that it's like a pillow for your mouth. The finish is longer than a jazz record and the way they treat Grenache is so lovely. It's elegant and marvellous 7/7

That's all for the reds. I'd love to hear what you've all been trying so send me an email with your recommendations. I'm dying to explore, and you might receive a winefullness t-shirt for your efforts.

The Colonial Estate 2016 - Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz

A wonderful rich and ruby colour. On the nose there's a restrained but smooth blackcurrant and clean wood polish smell. As you taste you get the dark fruit and young sprouting bark. Top lip tannins that are restrained come through at the end. 4/7

The Crusher 2016 - Wilson Vineyard

The long range smell of liquorice candy is supported by notes of blackcurrant and black cherry with a creamy scent. To the taste it's a bit cold, but after a while the fruit grows. There's earthy leather and cedar box. The get out is almost treacle and fruit. I should have served at room temperature but I was in such a rush. You cannot mistake this for anything but a California Cabernet Sauvignon. 4/7

The 2018 Bordeaux Vintage Tasting.

It's six of the best for you

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

An almost delicous colour that hints at such promise. It's a typical Entre-Deux-Mers colour that is almost glassy and oozes purity.

The taste is lemon and grapefruit battling for attention. For a young wine it's putting up such a fight, then it surrenders in your mouth and you just have to give it a ton of attention.

It's almost creamy with fruit hinting that this wine will be something of a star in the next few years.

5/7

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

This was making me work, but when the nose comes through it a subtle fashion statement. The wine has potential, but needs a few more years before it is truly approachable. It is clear from what I'm getting that this is a wine with a lot going for it now and in the future.

5/7

Château Phélan Ségur

Phélan has always been a wine that seems on the periphery of something special, but has often the Bordeaux boat and felt like the bridesmaid and never the bride. I think this wine will remedy this.

On the nose it is attractive, but not too upfront. There is a slight peppery taste that is not unpleasant or distracting and the more one tastes the more the fruit grows.With age this is going to be a beauty.

4.5/7

Château Léoville Barton

Reserved at a distance with blackberries that are so light and teasing you might want to beg for mercy. The fruit is still youthful and lively, and I can't wait to revisit this wine in a few years. It is a wine that is striving to grow up and become truly blanced.

4/5

Château Rauzan-Ségla

The dark fruit seems to contain an edge of cream that I find quite attractive and this is a beauty I would nurse if I had the time. The fruit is giving more than one usually does at this age and there's a rich toffee taste coming through.

4/5

Fattorie dei Dolfi. Imeneus 2011

Just when you don't think it can get any better. This glass of seduction arrives on my doorstep. The colour is so strawberry that they should serve it at Wimbledon! Stick your nose on the edge of the glass and be welcomed by red plums that continue as you take a sip. This wine is a lesson in integration and well worth hunting down.

7 out of 7

Domaine de Chevalier Blanc

It's such a grown-up calm wine for one so young. It's nose is not too forthcoming but that bold mix of Semillon and Sauvignon fruit grows as the glass is lifted.

The taste makes that fruit lovely and giving in the mouth and I'm being seduced. As age takes hold this could be something special. At the moment the fruit are still fighting for attention like a rowdy youth.

5/7

Taste

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