Don’t miss the amazing line-up of iconic wines available to sample at The Sampler’s Islington branch from December 17 2010
Don’t miss the amazing line-up of iconic wines available to sample at The Sampler’s Islington branch from December 17 2010.
Domaine Leroy, Grands-Echézeaux 1962 :
Very pale colour, a faded ruby. Lovely aged Burgundy bouquet, mushroomy with undergrowth notes and some wild strawberry scent still present. The palate is pretty and elegant with more mushroomy characters and some earthiness. The wine is still fresh with a long finish.
Tasting sample: £42 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Château Lafite Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé, Pauillac 1966
Faded ruby colour. A very classic old Claret nose, very delicate and elegant, lots of green peppers and undergrowth bouquet and some earthiness. The palate is quite dry, leading to more mushroomy and undergrowth characters; medium length.
Tasting sample: £25.67 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Château Latour, 1er Cru Classé, Pauillac 1966:
Still has a deep and bright colour, much deeper than 1966 Lafite. The nose is intense, with ample black fruit and leather aromas – it has a lot on offer. The palate displays an amazing acidity and is still very powerful: complex with some lovely leathery and truffle characters. Very long finish. Still youthful.
Tasting sample: £38.27 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Château la Mission Haut-Brion, Cru Classé Graves, Péssac-Léognan 1975
Lovely garnet colour. Powerful on the nose with notes of tobacco, undergrowth and mushroom. Rich on the palate, with some savoury notes together with green pepper and mushroom characters. Decent length.
Tasting sample: £51.33 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Château Cheval-Blanc, 1er Grand Cru Classé, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1995:
The 1995 has a much higher percentage of Merlot than usual. Quite closed on the nose, smoky with undergrowth aromas. The palate is rich and complex with a vivid acidity and soft tannins; still very young.
Tasting Sample: £15.40 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Antinori, Solaia, Vino de Tavola 1978:
Very upfront, lots of sweet fruit with some mint and quite medicinal. The palate is well-balanced and fresh and has plenty of sweet black fruit flavours; nice minty finish.
Tasting samples: £14.47 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Henri Bonneau & Fils, Cuvée Spéciale, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998 :
Beautiful expression on the nose, very forward with attractive prune, cherry and blackberry fruit, some liquorice too, so there’s much going on. The palate is complex and intense with firm tannins and very direct acidity – lots of red cherry fruit with liquorice characters and a nice smoky hint on the finish. A stunning wine and still very youthful.
Tasting sample: £24.03 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Quinta do Serrado, Bual 1927:
Very attractive amber colour. Superb bouquet: coffee and hazelnut with some caramel. The palate is very fresh and has an amazing piercing acidity, plenty of coffee and caramel characters; extremely long and very fresh, amazing for an 83-year-old wine.
Tasting sample: £56 The Sampler, Islington (020 7226 8500)
Written by Christelle Guibert
