Ian's Wine Log Introduction


This wine log is a record of some 3,200 of the wines that I have tasted under controlled conditions over the past five years or so. In 2011, I tasted over 900 wines, of which about 500 were good enough to note. Many of the notes replaced earlier ones for the same wine, or older vintages that are no longer likely to be in good shape.

Each country has a separate tab. The wines are indexed by country, and in some cases by region and sub-region (eg Bordeaux and Burgundy ). In most areas, we have separated white, red and sweet wines. As far as possible, wines are indexed alphabetically by producer, but in some cases only a brand name, shipper or merchant’s name is available. Where I have tasted more than one vintage of a wine, the oldest is listed first.

The records do not include wines where the mark was less than 4, and I have removed the earlier vintages of wines designed for early drinking.

By the name and vintage, I have noted where and when the wine was tasted. Initials correspond to www.ukwineclub.org.uk club lists, except for private and trade tastings and commercial wine fairs (listed below). Where known, I have logged the supplier, and current market value of the wine. Older wines have often come from private cellars, or been bought at auction. Direct means supplied by the winemaker or estate in the UK . Ex-cellars means bought in country of origin, normally direct from the maker. Suppliers marked (W) are wholesalers quoting trade prices.

Wine s were rated on a seven point scale, where 1 is faulty, 2 poor, 3 commercial, 4 artisanal, 5 well made, 6 serious and 7 fabulous. Wine s are marked down for being too young or too old for my palate . About 460 of the wines scored 6, 6+ or 7, and another 320 scored 5, 5+ or 6- and were reasonably priced (up to about £13 at today’s prices). The most rewarding areas by percentage of wines making either category were Australia , Portugal and Argentina . The classic heartland of France , and the fringe areas of Europe were the least so. France did have the highest number of Top wines (130 out of nearly 900), followed by Australia (94 out of 450). However, Australia had 61 Good Value wines against only 32 for the whole of France . The country with the highest proportion of Good value wines was, however, Argentina (54 out of 270).



Private Tastings:
CI – organised by Christos Iannou
M&S – Marks & Spencers tasting for CLWS
MENSA – organised by Ian McLaren
NWB – National Westminster Bank Wine Society
SWS – Solicitors Wine Society
WL – Wine Lovers Group Dinners
Trade Tastings:
ADT – Australia Day Tasting
Arg – Argentine Trade Tasting
Aus – Austrian Trade Tasting
BFT – The Big Fortified Tasting
BWT – Boutique Wineries Tasting
Chi – Chilean Trade Tasting
Cro – Wines of Croatia
DIWT – The Definitive Italian Tasting
Jas – Jascots Autumn Tasting
LIWF – London International Wine Fair
OW – Oregon and Washington Show
WBG – Wine Barn German Tasting
WOP – Wines of Portugal Trade Show/ViniPortugal
Commercial Wine Fairs:
LWF – London Wine Fair (Sainsbury etc)
Odd – Oddbins Wine Fair
Tes – Tesco Wine Club Fair
GOOD VALUE WINES
France Spain Chile
Alsace El Bombero 2008 (Carinena) Anakena Late Harvest Vionier Muscat 2008 (Rapel)
Charles Bauer Muscat GC Eichberg 2005 Campo Aldea Graciano Reserva 2003 (Rioja) Anakena Late Harvest Vionier Muscat 2009 (Rapel)
Dom Bott-Geyl Pinot Gris 2000 Campo Aldea Graciano Reserva 2005 (Rioja) Anakena Ona Vionier Riesling Chardonnay 2006 (Rapel)
Andre Dussourt Riesling Reserve Prestige 2003 Capcanes Mas Collet 2003 (Montsant) Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon Apalta Vineyard 2006 (Casablanca)
Materne Haegelin Riesling GC Bollenberg 1997 Vinyas Carles 2005 (Priorat) Ch los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon Vielles Vignes 2004 (Rapel)
Rene Mure Gewurztraminer 2005 Vinyas Carles 2007 (Priorat) Ch los Boldos Merlot Vielles Vignes 2003 (Rapel)
Zeyssolff Gewurztraminer Reserve Particuliere 2007 Era Costana 2006 (Rioja) Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2003 (Maule)
Zeyssolff Klevener de Heiligenstein L'Opaline 2006 Ermita Veracruz Verdello 2005 (Roeda) Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Maule)
Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Hospices de Strasbourg 2004 Hermosa Crianza 2011 (Rioja) Concha y Toro Winemakers Lot 21 Carmenere 2009 (Colchagua)
Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Hospices de Strasbourg 2007 Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla NV Cono Sur Vision Gewurztraminer 2008 (Casablanca)
Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Reserve Personnel 2005 Hidalgo Pastrana Manzanilla Pasada NV Cono Sur 20 Barrels Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Casablanca)
Zeyssolff Pinot Gris Cuvee Z 2007 Marques de Cacares Reserva 2004 (Rioja) Cousino Macul Dona Isadora Riesling 2009 (Maipo)
Philippe Zinck Gewurztraminer GC Eichberg 2004 Castillo de Nava 2005 (Rueda) Errazuriz Max Reserva Chardonnay 2006 (Aconcagua)
Bordeaux Bodegas Navarro Moscatel NV (Montilla-Moriles) Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah 2003 (Aconcagua)
Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe 2007 (Cotes de Castillon) Osbourne Plural 2003 (Castilla) Errazuriz Max Reserva Shiraz 2004 (Aconcagua)
Ch de Beauvallet 2005 (Medoc) Pazo Serantellos Albarino 2005 (Rias Baixas) Errazuriz Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Casablanca)
Ch Beauregard-Ducasse 2005 (Graves) Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2005 (Catalayud) Montes Alpha Apalta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Colchagua)
Ch Doisy-Daene Sec 2007 Juan Rojo Matarredondo 2004 (Toro) Montes Alpha Apalta Vineyard Syrah 2005 (Colchagua)
G de Guiraud 2007 Romero de Condes Seleccion Privada 2003 (Castilla) Montes Alpha Merlot 2004 (Colchagua)
Ch les Alberts 2005 (Lussac-St Emilion) Val do Sosego Albarino 2005 (Rias Baixas) Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Colchagua)
Ch Roches-Guitard 2000 (Montagne-St Emilion) Virasa Vinacola Cerro Bercial El Perdio 2001 (Utiel-Requena) Montes Alpha Syrah 2005 (Colchagua)
Ch Vieux-Lascours 2003 (St Emilion GC) Austria Vina Morande Chardonnay Gran Reserva 2005 (Maipo)
Loire Kirnbauer Classic Blaufrankisch 2006 Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Chardonnay 2006 (Casablanca)
Clos de Ferre 2005 (Muscadet) Winzer Krems Goldberg Gruner Veltliner 2007 (Kremstal) Tabali Encantado Late Harvest Muscat 2007 (Limari)
Les Ruettes Blanc 2006 (Sancerre) Bulgaria Tabali Viognier 2007 (Limari)
Rhone Bessa Valley Enira 2007 Terranoble Reserve Syrah 2007
Dom de la Curniere 2007 (Vacqueryas) Telish Castra Rubra Nimbus 2009 Viajero Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Colchagua)
Dom de la Soumade 2005 (Rasteau) England Valdivieso Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Maipo)
Dom de la Soumade 2008 (Rasteau) Chapel Down Bacchus 2007 (Kent) Valdivieso Reserva Merlot Sagrada Familia 2007 (Colchagua)
Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2007 Greece Valdivieso Reserva Viognier Sagrada Familia 2009 (Colchagua)
Southern France Hatzidakis Assytiko 2006 (Santorini) Vina Ventiscuero Grey Single Block Merlot 2008 (Colchagua)
Blason d'Aussieres 2007 (Corbieres) Mediterra Mitravelas 2005 (Nemea) Australia
Ch Bouscasse 2007 (Pacherenc de Vic-Bihl) Tsantali Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Halkadiki) New South Wales
Domaine Nigri 2008 (Juarncon Sec) Tsantali Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Halkadiki) Millfield Semillon 1999 (Hunter Valley)
Simon Coulsham 2007 (Languedoc) Hungary McWilliams Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2005 (Hunter Valley)
Ch Joly Cuvée Jean 2005 (Jurancon Doux) Royal Tokaji Dry Furmint 2008 South
St Desirat Syrah 2006 (Ardeche) Israel Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache 2004 (Clare Valley)
Germany Golan Heights Gamla Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache 2005 (Clare Valley)
Bishofslichen Weinguter Avelsbacher Altenberg Riesling Spatlese 2002 (Mosel) Slovenia Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache 2006 (Clare Valley)
Domdechant Werner Hochheimer Domdechaney Riesling Spatlese 2004 (Rheingau) Tilia Estate Rubido 2008 Tim Adams Pinot Gris 2009 (Clare Valley)
Guterswaltung Trabener Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2006 (Mosel) Vinakras Sezana Kraska Penina Sparkling 2009 Tim Adams Semillon 2007 (Clare Valley)
Weingut Nick Koewerich F ü r Tr ä umer und Helden Riesling Spatlese 2006 (Mosel) Turkey Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra/Clare) 2006
Weingut Nick Koewerich F ü r Tr ä umer und Helden Riesling Spatlese 2007 (Mosel) Kavaklidere Ancyra Kalecik-Karasi 2007 (Ankara) Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra/Clare) 2007
Schloss Schonborn Riesling Kabinett 2003 (Rheingau) California Jim Barry Lodge Hill Riesling 2005 (Clare Valley)
Sommerhauser Reifenstein Riesling Spatlese Trocken 2005 (Baden) Cycles Gladiators Merlot 2004 (Central Coast) Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2005 (Clare Valley)
Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spaetlese (Feinherb) E Cluesserath 2005 (Mosel) Kautz Ironstone Ridge Cabernet Franc 2002 (Sierra Foothills) 2002 Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2006 (Clare Valley)
Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spaetlese Grans-Fassian 2005 (Mosel) Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel 2006 (Sacramento) Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2008 (Clare Valley)
Italy Mexico Battle of Bosworth Shiraz/Viognier 2005 (McLaren Vale)
Antinori La Braccesca Achello Syrah 2006 (Cortona, Tuscany) L A Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 1996 (Baja California) Botham Merrill Willis Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Coonawarra & McLaren Vale)
Antinori Santa Cristi Chianti Superiore 2009 (Tuscany) L A Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2004 (Baja California) Botham Merrill Willis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Coonawarra & McLaren Vale)
Antinori Casasole Orvietto Amabile 2007 (Umbria) L A Cetto Nebbiolo Private Reserve 2002 (Baja California) Boycat Merlot 2006 (McLaren Vale)
Antinori Donato Vino Liquoroso NV (Tuscany) L A Cetto Nebbiolo Private Reserve 2004 (Baja California) Leo Buring Riesling 2004 (Eden Valley)
Apollonia Valle Cupa 2001 (Salento, Puglia) L A Cetto Zinfandel 2006 (Baja California) Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Cantina di Negrar Soave Classico 2006 (Veneto) Estapor Venir Mezcla Tinto 2007 (Guadalupe) Chapel Hill Shiraz 2006 (McLaren Vale)
Castello di Buttrio Pignolo 2003 (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia) Pacific North West The Charter 2008
Celli, Bron & Ruseval Sangiovese 2008 (Emilia-Romana) Ch Sainte Michelle Dry Riesling 2008 (Washington) Clare Hills Tempranillo 2008 (Clare Valley)
Ceppaiano Alle Viole 2005 (Tuscany) Ch Sainte Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Washington) Coriole Vineyards Fiano 2007 (McLaren Vale)
Conte Zecca Donna Marzia Primitivo 2006 (Puglia) Texas Crowded Hour Chardonnay 2008 (McLaren Vale)
Coppo L'Avvocata Barbera d'Asti 2009 (Piedmont) Llano Estacado Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 D'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2009 (McLaren Vale)
Crypta Castagnara Greco di Tufo 2010 (Campania) Argentina D'Arenberg Hermit Crab 2006 (McLaren Vale)
Riccardo Falchini Vernaccia di San Gimigiano 2007 (Tuscany) Andeluna Cellars Winemaker's Reserve Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) D'Arenberg Money Spider 2006 (McLaren Vale)
Feudi San Gregorio Flangina 2006 (Campania) Jean Bousquet Malbec Reserva 2005 (Mendoza) De Bortoli Petit Verdot 2005 (McLaren Vale)
Franco Todini Grechetto di Todi 2005 (Umbria) CarinaE Gran Reserva Malbec 2006 (Mendoza) Dutschke Willow Bend 2005 (Barossa)
Gudarra Bisceglia Aglianico del Vulture 2007 (Basilicata) Catena Chardonnay 2010 (Mendoza) Fox Gordon Eight Uncles Shiraz 2006 (Adelaide Hills)
J Hofstatter Gewurztraminer 2007 (Alto Adige) Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Mendoza) Fox Gordon Hannah's Swing Shiraz 2006 (Adelaide Hills)
Inycon Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Sicily) Catena High Altitude Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) Heartland Shiraz 2006
Masi Campofiorin 2004 (Veneto) D V Catena Syrah 2006 (Mendoza) Kangarilla Road Primativo 2006 (McLaren Vale)
Menhir Primitivo di Maduria 2007 (Puglia) D V Catena Syrah 2008 (Mendoza) The Lane Pinot Gris 2006 (Adelaide Hills)
Morgante Nero d'Avola 2008 (Sicily) Clos de los Siete 2004 (Mendoza) O'Leary Walker Shiraz 2005 (Clare Valley/McLaren Vale)
Passione Venaccia di San Gimigiano 2008 (Tuscany) Clos de los Siete 2005 (Mendoza) Peter Lehmann Reserve Semillon 1999 (Barossa)
Piana del Sole Negroamaro 2003 (Puglia) Clos de los Siete 2006 (Mendoza) Peter Lehmann Reserve Semillon 2004 (Barossa)
Piana del Sole Primativo 2003 (Puglia) Clos de los Siete 2007 (Mendoza) Loom Wines Soaring Kite 2007 (McLaren Vale)
Planeta Dorilli Classico 2009 (Sicily) Clos de los Siete 2008 (Mendoza) Millers Grove Cabernet Dauvignon 2006
Planeta la Segreta Bianco 2006 (Sicily) Colome Estate Malbec 2005 (Salta) Mitchells Watervale Riesling 2002 (Clare Valley)
Plozner Pinot Bianco 2005 (Friuli) Colome Estate Malbec 2007 (Salta) Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (McLaren Vale)
Raucci 1870 Aglianico 2006 (Campania) Colome Torrontes 2007 (Salta) Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2003
Recchia Ripasso della Valpolicella 2005 (Veneto) Fabre Montmayou Patagonia Barrel Selection Malbec 2007 Pewsey Vale Riesling 1997 (Eden Valley)
Recchia Ripasso della Valpolicella 2006 (Veneto) Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Mendoza) Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2001 (McLaren Vale)
Sa Mola Cannonau 2007 (Sardinia) Dominio del Plata Benmarco Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2008 (Clare Valley)
Tenuta di Riseccoli Petit Verdot 2006 (Tuscany) Dominio del Plata Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec 2005 (Mendoza) Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Shiraz Grenache 2008 (McLaren Vale)
Uve delle Mure Trepastori Sangiovese Superiore 2007 (Emilia-Romana) Dominio del Plata Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2009 (Salta) Torbeck Marananga Dam GSM 2005 (Barossa)
Portugal Dominio del Plata Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2010 (Salta) Wingara Nick Faldo Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Clare Valley)
Table Wine Dominio del Plata Zohar Torrontes 2009 (Salta) Wynn's Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (Coonawarra)
Castello d'Alba Branco Reserva 2005 (Duoro) Etchart Cafayate Reserve Torrontes 2008 (Salta) Wynn's Shiraz 2001 (Coonawarra)
Almeida Garrett Touriga Nacional 2005 (Beira) Etchart Privado Cafayate Reserve Malbec 2007 (Salta) Yalumba Viognier 2008 (Eden Valley)
Quinta Ameal Louiero 2007 (Minho) Finca Flichman Gestos Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) Tasmania
Vinhos Borges Duoro Reserva 2003 Fin del Mundo Gran Reserva 2006 (Neuquen) Ninth Island Pinot Noir 2005
Cabriz Reserva 2005 (Dao) Fin del Mundo La Ponderosa 2006 (Neuquen) Victoria
Casa Cadaval Padre Pedro Reserva 2007 (Ribantejo) Fin del Mundo Reserva Pinot Noir 2008 (Neuquen) Buller Fine Old Muscat NV
Quinta das Carvalhais 2004 (Dao) O Fournier B Crux 2005 (Mendoza) Green Point Heatcote Shiraz 2006
Castelinho Reserva 2007 (Duoro) Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) Rutherglen Estates Shiraz Viognier 2005 (Rutherglen)
Quinta da Chocopalha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Estremadura) Marta's Vinyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Mendoza) Scotchman's Hill Pinot Noir 2006 (Geelong)
Duorum Colheita 2008 (Duoro) Felix Lavaque Quara Oak Cask Malbec 2009 (Salta) Western Australia
Esporao Reserva Tinto 2006 (Alentejo) Masi Tupungato Paso Doble 2006 (Mendoza) Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Margaret River)
Lavradores de Feitoia Quinta da Costa 2005 (Duoro) NQN Malma Reserve Malbec 2007 (Neuquen) Hill-Smith Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Margaret River)
Fundanus Prestige 2005 (Beira) Poesia Clos des Andes 2005 (Mendoza) Ironstone Zinfandel 2003
Howards Folly 2007 (Alentejo) Pulenta Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Mendoza) Plantagenet Omrah Shiraz 2002 (Mount Baker)
Mendes Pingo Doce Alvarinho 2009 (Vinho Verde) La Riojana Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (La Rioja) Xanadu Shiraz Cabernet 2002
Pena de Pato 2007 (Dao) Schroeder Apaltaco Chardonnay 2007 (Neuquen) New Zealand
Periquita Reserva Red 2007 (Dao) Scroeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Neuquen) Babich Syrah 2005 (Gimlett Gravels)
Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas 2007 (Duoro) Schroeder Saurus Patagonia Malbec 2007 (Neuquen) Majestic Peaks Pinot Noir 2009 (Central Otago)
Real Compania Velha Quinta dos Aciprestes Reserva 2003 (Duoro) Finca Sophonia Synthesis Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) Seifried Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Nelson)
Roboredo Vinha da Urza NV Sur de Los Andes Infinito 2006 (Mendoza) Two Rivers Pinot Gris 2008 (Marlborough)
Solar dos Lobos Reserva 2007 (Alentejo) Michel Torino Don David Tannat 2007 (Salta) Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Marlborough)
Tagus Creek Grande Vinha 2006 (Ribantejano) Pascal Toso Malbec 2008 (Mendoza) Waimea Pinot Noir 2007 (Nelson)
Tesco's Finest Touriga Nacional 2004 (Estramadura) Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2006 (Mendoza) South Africa
Vida Nova 2007 (Algarve) Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) Allee Bleue Starlette 2006
Vida Nova Quinta do Moinho Reserve 2008 (Algarve) Urban Tempranillo 2009 (Mendoza) Graham Beck Brut NV
Sweet Wines & Port Valle Perdido Patagonia Pinot Noir 2008 (Neuquen) Beyerskloof Reserve Pinotage 2006
Casa Amarela NV Vistalba Vinalba Malbec/Shiraz 2006 (Mendoza) Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Viognier/Grenache Blanc 2007 (Swartland)
Warre's Warrior Special Reserve NV Vistalba Vinalba Merlot Reserva 2008 (Mendoza) Delheim Shiraz Vera Cruz Estate 2006
  Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Mendoza) Jordan The Prospector Syrah 2008
  Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Mendoza) Kanonkop Kadette 2009 (Stellenbosch)
  Zuccardi Textual Tannat 2005 (Mendoza) Meerlust Red 2004 (Stellenbosch)
    Quintessence Semillon 2009
    Piemeet La Motte Shiraz Viognier 2009
    Rustenberg John X Merriman 2005 (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)
    Rustenberg John X Merriman 2006 (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)
    Rustenberg John X Merriman 2007 (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)
    Southern Right Pinotage 2007 (Walker Bay)
    Springfield Estate Special Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Robertson)
    Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2006 (Constantia)
    China
    Huadong Founder's Reserve CS 2002 (Shandong)