Both were 'birthday' wines consumed with Dad on his 69th during what it likely to be my last visit to Station House. The claret was one from his cellar. The Cab. Sav is one that Daniel and I bought him in 1995 ('love from The Burkes' I'm told the wrapping said. The latter had help up very well despite year of vertical storage in the bibby (with resultant dessicated cork). Still instantly recognisable as a new world ball buster but the years had mellow it considerably to take on a pleasing rustic edge. The claret was very poor given the region (St George St Emillion) and the year (2000). It had no recognisably Claret like strengths and while not unpleasant it was a disappointment. Sadly there are about 8 left which I doubt will prove good value.
The attritional loss of faith in Claret continued a week later with the consumption of the birthday wine I bought him: La Croix de Beaucaillou 2006 St-Julien. At £30 p/b this was criminally unremarkable. I have definitely enjoyed wines (with Geir) from this stable previously. Perhaps that was the producer's first wine but I doubt it as that now seems to come in at about £80 p/b. It is a long time indeed since I have had a pleasurable Claret experience which as also felt like reasonable value. One exception might the WS's Château Canada (£7.50) but they seem to be increasingly thin on the ground. Perhaps my tastes have changed rather than the wines? Possible, but unlikely, given that the bottles I've enjoyed recently from South Africa are those that remind me of Clarets past.
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