Thoughts on Two Bordeaux Tastings

I have recently been to two excellent tastings organised by the Wine Society of a wide variety of wines of Bordeaux which focused on 2008, 2004 and 2007 vintages. The overarching impression (as an amateur) was that 2008 will be an excellent vintage with depth and complexity (the Langoa Barton looked a good bet), and that 2004 is better value for money than 2007 (as their prices seem to be similar). However some of the prices charged were (or will be) excessive, and few of the wines were really worth the money being charged. Chateau Beaumont 2004 was good value at £12.95 and put many of the other more expensive wines to shame with its depth and fruit. Other highlights were a Barsac Chateau Coutet (about £20), Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste (£27) flowery and complex, and Chateau Palmer (£100ish) on a different plane to other wines, all 2004 vintage.  It seems to me that Bordeaux only becomes magical with age, because that is when greater complexity becomes apparent. Bordeaux's sweet wines (sauternes/barsac) are often better value for money than their reds, and have the advantage that they can be drunk earlier with pleasure.
    There is better value for money elsewhere in France such as in the Rhone, Loire Valley or Languedoc/Roussillon where you can also get wines that age. If one goes beyond France there is also good value to be had such as in Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Australia. A good Australian Coonawarra Cabernet is usually a much better buy than Bordeaux.

Greek Wine Tasting

At the Kingston University Wine Club in February we had an excellent tasting given by Yamas Wine Company  www.yamaswines.co.uk- with Nick Kontarines and Geoff Morris. They had driven all the way from Malvern to Kingston with some really interesting and good wines. I think the reds were more interesting than the whites although the Ino Moschofilero 2008 at £7.50 was good value and had a light citrusy quality. There were also some good examples of the Agiorgitko grape which is fruity and intense with black cherries. However my favourite wine was Amethystos Red 2008 with Cab. Sauv, Merlot, and Agiorgitiko for £13. This smelt of blackberries, was very rich with good length. Greek wines are certainly worth a try either from Yamas or elsewhere. Waitrose do an excellent Cab Sauv for about £8. The problem for Greek wines is image (retsina anyone?) and the fact that we don't get enough of the good stuff in this country.