Plan de l'homme, Sapiens 2012, Terrasses du Larzac

18.00€. Bought at the celler after discussion with Rémi Duchemin - the proprietor.

Not quite his flagship (I think there was another Syrah at 20 odd € that involved carbonic maceration?) but the most pricey of the three I bought from him.

Thankfully the second bottle was much better than the first (drank 3/12 ago).

Rich, sliky bramble fruit. Some black olive. Herby, dry.

Good, but the his 'Hablis' was better, despite being €4 cheaper.

Rémi was very good humoured about my error strewn attempts to find his place (eventually coming out onto the road to flag me down) as we're my family.

Les Caves Moliere, Lord Clive 2013

Another bargain from the Pezenas cooperative. I think I paid about €6 per bottle, bringing back as much as I could.

The significance of Lord Clive is explained here:

http://tastelanguedoc.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/two-very-french-experiences.html?m=1

Amusing to think that what's essentially a curried pasty has attained the status of regional delicacy.

Anyway, to the wine. 100% chardonnay, some time spent in oak, which you really can taste. It has an intense vanilla nose. Plenty of body but still dry on the finish. The fruit is perhaps dominated by the oak? I suspect white burgundy aficionados would find it vulgar but I love it. Immensely satisfying.

Some similarities with Iona (http://www.sawinesonline.co.uk/iona-chardonnay.html) at a fraction of the cost.

Cave de Tain, Crozes-Hermitage, 2014

£13, M&S. 100% Marsanne, no oak.

Shit, surprisingly so.

Bought on Matt Wells' advice that white Rhone would be a good accompaniment for blue cheese soufflé, this was a huge disappointment.

Really high acidity, thin and downright sharp.

A very, very far cry from the Brezeme.

Further evidence that white burgundy is more satisfying and reliable at this price point?

Schisterelle Coup de Coeur 2011 Faugeres

Last one. Drank on Jan 1st with DL. Without doubt the most fruity, satisfying red from my whole Faugeres experience. Wish I'd brought more back. Bright stoney berries. Very refreshing.

CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2003

A magnum won by DL in a works raffle!

No prior experience of this region whatsoever. I read that the grape is sangiovese and the area is tuscany.

It was hugely enjoyable. Earthy, funky nose. Some coffee/dark chocolate? silky, refined tannins. Still retained plenty of power but well balanced. A great wine.

Interesting that aged prestigious wines from different areas made with different grapes seem to converge somewhat over the years - it certainly had something in common with riojas and clarets of a similar price bracket and age.