Wow… I can’t believe I’ve been writing the blog for 6 months now. This will be the 66th post in that time – I never thought I’d be able to manage that when I was writing my email postcards on our journey through the Rhone, Burgundy and champagne last summer.

In the tasting notes section there are now just shy of 200 wine reviews; a combination of wines bought from supermarkets, independents and online retailers, along with some amazing wines I’ve had the privilege to try at the numerous tasting events I’ve attended.

I love writing about wine and gladly you seem to enjoy reading about it too – today the number if views has ticked over the 5,000 mark so thank you all very much.

Here’s a few of my favourite wines and events so far:

Best reds:

Domaine Armand Rousseau, Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, 2000 (Jeraboams £195)
(Tasted at West London Wine School Burgundy tasting February 2013)
How many times can I say wow?? Wow! There is so much fruity aroma here, with red, even dried cherries and wild strawberries, backed up by a light, savoury meatiness, forest and truffle. There is so much red fruit on the palate, with sour cherry and wild strawberry at the fore, providing amazing acidic freshness, making your mouth water for a very long time. So much fruit, so bright and so, so elegant. More Chambolle than Gevrey but that just suits me fine… Incredible! 97 points

Chateau Cheval Blanc 1995, St Emilion (Roberson £380)
(Tasted at Roberson 1995 Bordeaux horizontal tasting, March 2013)
And I thought it couldn’t get better. Smells of sour cherries, raspberries, leather, sweet spice, pencil shaving and cedar. The aromas fill your nostrils with goodness. And the the palate… It’s lake waves of silky flavour on your receptors – fruit, spice, leather, sweetness, freshness…. And it just keeps coming and stays there for an awfully long time. It’s delicate yet concentrated, rustic yet integrated. This is absolute class. One of the best wines I have ever drunk and for me(and eight others!) the standout wine of the night. 97 points

Chateau Leoville Barton 1990, St Julien, Bordeaux (@£120)
(Tasted at West London Wine School Leoville Barton vertical tasting November 2012)
Looks very young and very dark with just a hint of age starting to show at the edge. Really deep and powerful nose. Intense aromas of black currants, plums, earthiness and minerality. I smelt this for some time! In the mouth it is so fresh and has lovely grippy tannins. The fruit comes first and then the menthol freshness of mint and then the smoky, cedar kicks in. This is harmonious and the balance of acidity and tannin is amazing, with a wonderful fresh and very long finish. Can I really pay £120? Maybe for one! 97 points

Best Whites:

Domaine Blain Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Caillerets 1990 (Nickolls & Perks £120.00)
(From the “Respect your elders” post)
Golden, honeyed colour… I couldn’t wait to smell and taste it. The smell is the essence of hot buttered toast. It’s nutty, its brioche, its amazing. ‘Where’s the fruit?’ I hear you ask: well, the peach and even a bit of baked apple hits your palate. But it’s the honey, nuts and toast that takes your breath away. And it just goes on and on and on. It’s amazingly fresh and the acid backbone is beautifully balanced. This wines makes you close your eyes and say thank you. 95 points

Maison Nicolas Potel, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, 2005 (Exel Wines £60)
(Tasted at West London Wine School Burgundy tasting February 2013)
Oh my this smells amazing. Oakley, floral and delicate, with plenty of white peach and sweet vanilla. In the mouth there is a wonderful streak of acidity – really zesty green apples and wonderful ripe peaches. The oak is beautifully integrated and kisses your tongue, providing a lick of vanilla. This is elegance personified and amazing fruit, oak spice and toast that lingers and lingers and lingers… 94 points

Sandhi Wines Bentrock Chardonnay 2010 (Roberson £69.95)
(Tasted at Roberson Sandhi & Kutch tasting February 2013)
Wine of the night by some distance. Tropical aromas, especially mango along with a lovely touch of brioche. Quite a nervy palate of lemon and lemon balm, with a surprisingly grippy, almost tannic structure. Salty again but with a delicious tension between the salinity and the fruit. Delicious savoury and long finish. 94 points

Best bubbles:

Camel Valley Chardonnay Brut 2009, Cornwall, UK (£24.95)
100% Chardonnay (tasted at Camel Valley)
Vanilla and floral nose. Rich and creamy palate with a peachy fruitiness and a pleasant biscuit-lick at the finish. Gentle and elegant, like a kiss. So good but so modest. This is an ethereal wine that gets even better with every sip. A tasting glass simply isn’t enough. 94 points

Best tasting events:

Grand Crus of Burgundy, West London Wine School
I love Burgundy and this was the opportunity to taste the real cream of the crop.

1995 Bordeaux horizontal tasting, Roberson
My first taste of Bordeaux royalty, including the spectacular Cheval Blanc.

Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron vertical tasting, West London Wine School
An amazing tasting from a chateau that has gone though lots of changes over the past three decades.

My favourite posts:

My Wine Hero
A post about Jez from Wine & The Vine, and why you should get to know your local independent wine merchant.

Riesling from the ashes
Lots of reasons for us all to love the amazing Riesling grape.

A wino is born
How the blog turned my Dad to drink!

Thank you all again for your support and there’s plenty more to look forward to, including tastings of German Riesling and Aussie Shiraz.

Cheers & enjoy!