GARMON 2020   Lukasz and I are getting ready to drive out to Burgundy tomorrow, but before we set of, the Vinous (magazine run by ex Parker contributors Antonio Galoni and Neal Martin) has published reviews of latest Ribera del Duero releases. As usual, our favourites have been given quite a high marks and inspiring notes, so before the traders and brokers start chasing me for the allocations, I thought I would release the stock first to my regular readers.   Most of you would be familiar with the Garmon project. Eduardo was able to acquire limited number of old …

The time flies and we are mid-November already. Whilst I am organizing my appointments for our Burgundy trip from next Sunday, Lukasz reminded me that I have still not released the 2020 Ornallaia which was scheduled for release in September. It's not like I am trying to hoard the whole allocation for myself, just that last few weeks were taken over by trying to get as much stock into the UK before Christmas rush but avoiding the heat which was sitting over Europe till late September.  Still, better late than never, so here we go.         Tenuta …

Contino Gran Reserva 2011 magnums   As we are approaching the end of October, I thought I would send you some inspiration for a very fine Christmas present for those who appreciate a drop of vino at perfect maturity point.   I present to you the 2011 incarnation of Contino Gran Reserva in magnums (packed in individual wooden cases).   In 2011 the winery was run by Jesus Madraso who was at the time considered to be one of the best winemakers in Rioja and some of you might remember my enthusiasm and my releases of Continos back in late …

  Valeyo 2021 by Mauro       We are at the beginning of the Autumn tasting season and before I update you with new releases from the well known wineries (Ornellaia / Serre Nuove etc) I thought we should start the season with the new project from Garcia family - please meet Mauro Valeyo from Bierzo.   Most of you are familiar with their other wineries, Garmon, Mauro, San Roman, and associated wines which are in the Duero Valley and produce deep, rich and hedonistic wines. The idea with Valeyo is to produce lighter, more elegant wines with a …

Valeyo 2021 by Mauro   We are at the beginning of the Autumn tasting season and before I update you with new releases from the well known wineries (Ornellaia / Serre Nuove etc) I thought we should start the season with the new project from Garcia family - please meet Mauro Valeyo from Bierzo.   Most of you are familiar with their other wineries, Garmon, Mauro, San Roman, and associated wines which are in the Duero Valley and produce deep, rich and hedonistic wines. The idea with Valeyo is to produce lighter, more elegant wines with a different structure and …

Mauro and Mauro VS 2020 release    Whilst we are waiting for the Bordeaux 2020 prices to be released, I have had sample of 2020 Mauro VS delivered and thought it would be a good time to open it and release the stock.   Most of you would be familiar with Bodegas Mauro run by legendary Mariano Garcia and his 2 sons, Alberto and Eduardo. I have been working with this organically run estate (now in a process of conversion to Biodynamic) for many years and I am still amused by their ability to produce high quality wines with such …

AALTO and AALTO PS 2020   I was busy writing the 2021 Burgundy review when a notice came from Wine Advocate with the review of 2020 Aalto wines. For the 3rd vintage in a row, we got 94 points from Louis Gutierrez. Not bad for a wine which opens at these prices. This will create a feeding frenzy, I thought, better release it straight away. Burgundy can wait.    And here we go. Regular readers of these missives of mine are aware of my love affair with Aalto which goes all the way back to 2006. I am very happy to admit …

Garmon 2019 Release After a week of tastings in London, I will be in Burgundy next week trying to taste (and more importantly secure) whatever little 2021 white Burgundy has been made. If you have not already heard, most producers have lost over 60% of the crop (some over 80), so allocations will be very tight. In the meantime, Garmon 2019 was released a few weeks ago. There is already massive demand from the market, so I thought I better release it to the regular followers before the trade takes all my stock. Normally, I would wait for a few …