The Wine & Whisky Thread

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Originally Posted by Barry

Not the golden elixir, but a couple of books about it:

The Classic Whisky Guide by Jim Murray

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ISBN 978-1-85375-741-9 (1977)

Jim Murray is the world's only full-time whiskey writer, and, despite his outspoken views, is much in demand as a consultant to the industry on both sides of the Atlantic.

Unlike anyone else in the field he has visited just about every working whisky distillery in the world and sampled its product in the true locale - a labour of love which has given him insight into the spirit in all its varied forms.




The Legend of LAPHROIAG by Marcel van Gils & Hans Offringa

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ISBN 978-90-89100-276 (2007)

This 'coffee table' book of one of my favourite Islay whiskies is a delight to read and is a labour of love by the authors. Not only does it chart the development and history of the distillery, but includes photographs of all the bottles and packaging used over the years.


As an added bonus, both books were picked up at a recent boot-sale for 50p each, and both are in mint condition.

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a couple of great book buys there Barry

A recent purchase, although my bottle is still in its very nice packaging.
https://i.ibb.co/ZXSyTT6/IMG-0087.webp

Latest purchase , another Billy Walker
https://i.ibb.co/YRhJ4Tw/IMG-2979.jpg

Château Capbern, Saint-Estéphe, 2021

https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images...ng?w=1920&q=75

From the same team as renowned Third Growth Calon-Ségur, this is a firm, sleek fruit claret from the Haut-Médoc’s revered Saint-Estèphe. Silky blackberry, currant intensity and a graphite edge, a fine Left Bank claret the classic 2021 vintage.

https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images...intestephe.jpg

Tasting notes:
Chewy tannins still, creamy edge to black fruit and graphite notes

Aroma:
Black berry fruit, currant intensity, stony, earthy

13% ABV, Drink by end of 2036. £28.00 per bottle.

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Originally Posted by Barry

Château Capbern, Saint-Estéphe, 2021

https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images...ng?w=1920&q=75

From the same team as renowned Third Growth Calon-Ségur, this is a firm, sleek fruit claret from the Haut-Médoc’s revered Saint-Estèphe. Silky blackberry, currant intensity and a graphite edge, a fine Left Bank claret the classic 2021 vintage.

https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images...intestephe.jpg

Tasting notes:
Chewy tannins still, creamy edge to black fruit and graphite notes

Aroma:
Black berry fruit, currant intensity, stony, earthy

13% ABV, Drink by end of 2036. £28.00 per bottle.

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You do seem drink some very nice wines Barry, wish I had your knowledge

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Originally Posted by rmcin626

You do seem drink some very nice wines Barry, wish I had your knowledge

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That is very kind of you to say that Robin, but the truth of the matter is my knowledge of wines is largely defined by the wines I buy from my wine club (The Sunday Times Wine Club, which is an outlet for Laithwaites wine).

I may be an oenophile, but to put it simply: "I know what I like". It's true I do have a few books on wine, as well as having once attendied evening classes in wine appreciation, but what I write in the posts here is often taken off the bottle itself, or from the web. So it may look impressive but it's almost all "cut and paste".

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Originally Posted by Barry

That is very kind of you to say that Robin, but the truth of the matter is my knowledge of wines is largely defined by the wines I buy from my wine club (The Sunday Times Wine Club, which is an outlet for Laithwaites wine).

I may be an oenophile, but to put it simply: "I know what I like". It's true I do have a few books on wine, as well as having once attendied evening classes in wine appreciation, but what I write in the posts here is often taken off the bottle itself, or from the web. So it may look impressive but it's almost all "cut and paste".

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like you , for me fairly straightforward wither its wine or whisky , I know what I like, will maybe have a look at the Sunday Times wine, I did order stuff from Naked wines before some of which were fairly decent and nothing was terrible.

Château de la Grande Tour, Cuvée Phoebe, Bordeaux AOC, 2022

https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images...ng?w=1920&q=75

Located in the village of Saint-Martial in Bordeaux's Entre Deux-Mers, has been in the Dumas family since the end of the 19th century. The old stone farmhouse once boasted a large watchtower, hence the name. Xavier Dumas is today the fourth generation of his family to run the estste, combining tradition and modernity in the winemaking.

Crafted mainly from plummy-smooth Merlot (plus a healthy dash of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc), Château de la Grande Tour is a medium-bodied red with aromas of ripe damson, blackberry, black currant and hints of earthy spice; and is a classic example of how Bordeaux’s many petites châteaux can over-deliver on value for money. For instance, the 2020 vintage won a Gilbert & Gaillard gold medal. Judges raved:

“Perky nose of ripe garden berry fruits. The palate is crisp, well-balanced and savoury and shows more of the same, extremely delightful aromas...already very enjoyable.”


Bordeaux blends like this are all about a balance between ripe fruit flavor, structured tannins and fresh acidity. In short: it’s a wine that will really come into its own with a meal. Serve alongside a Sunday roast beef with mushroom sauce (to really play up the earthy notes in the wine).Some of the world’s finest red wines are from Bordeaux. Château La Grande Tour is an elegant example from the highly respected Christian Dumas.

https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images...e_bordeaux.jpg https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images...aux_france.jpg

Wine Flavor Profile:
Château de la Grande Tour is a medium-bodied red with aromas of ripe damson, blackberry, black currant and hints of earthy spice. Look for similar flavors on the palate. Round tannins frame the long, complex finish.

Wine Food Pairings:
Aged cheese, duck, game birds, venison, pork, vegetarian

14.5% ABV. Drink by February 2033. Gold Medal winner, Paris 2023. About £15 a bottle'



This is a fabulous wine - I'm ordering a case for Christmas.
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