Life is too short to drink bad wine

This beautiful chateau close to the Gironde is 4th rand cru classee. The names derives from an old story about the boats passing the chateau had to lower their sails (basse-voile) in respect. We had the hard task of tasting the 2004,2002, 1997, 1989 and 1985 (somebody have to to the job) Beychevelle is a medium to full bodied wine with more than 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and around 30% Merlot. Conclusions from the tasting is that the 1989 was at peak, but that the 1985 was still drinking well but maybe on the way down. 2004 could also be drunk now after a couple of hours in the caraffe, 2002 was corked and 1997 was most enjoyable right now leading to the conclusion that Beychevelle peaks between 10 and 20 years old.... The wines below cost from 30 to 110€ per bottle. 2004 ca 17p Very drinkable with soft tannic structure 2002 corked 1997 ca 18p Coffee, smoke, smooth firm tannins, great stuff 1989 ca 18.5 Drinking perfect now, with long velvety taste 1985 ca 18 Smoke, coffee...

Xmas lunch is a big tradition in UK and France, although a slightly different experience. In France it is the lunch, the wine and the food which is in focus, while in Britain return to work after lunch may or may not occcur... Anyway we found our way down to Neuilly and a brown cafe called Le Village. The boss chose a Cote Rotie 2006 from the wine list by Pierre Gaillard.  This is a small appelation in northern part of Rhone and is based upon Syrah (red) sometimes with up to 10 Viognier (white grape). This is an area of steep hills and schist granite type of terroir. The wine head a perfect delicate nose of dark berries and pepper with a very fruity round minerally taste with firm but soft tannins. Although very young and would keep for 10 years it was beautifully balanced and we kept asking for more more bottles..... Domaine Pierre Gaillard is a well recognised domaine with a small production of other wines from Rhone as well like like St Joseph, Cornas and Condrieu. Not to be missed....

Its getting close to Xmas so put your best wine in vertical position ready for cunsumption. Below some recommendable and affordable (15 to 20€) Cru Bourgeois in case you need to go the shop: Ch. Chasse Spleen, Moulis Ch. Clarke, Listrac Ch. La Tour de Mons, Margaux Ch. Larose Perganson, Haut Medoc Ch. Les Ormes de Pez, St Estephe Ch. Martinens, Margaux  Ch. Maucaillou, Moulis  Ch. Monbrison, Margaux Ch. Phelan Segur, St Estephe  Ch. Potensac, Haut Medoc  Ch. Poujeaux, Moulis Ch. Siran, Margaux  Ch. Sociando Mallet, Haut Medoc (25€+) Wine is bottled poetry. Robert Louis Stevenson Burgundy for kings, champagne for duchesses, claret for gentlemen. Anon French Proverb “I can certainly see you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here wouldn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret.”   Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) in Fawlty Towers