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Done a little looking into this and am fairl sure that it is the 2nd wine of Ch. de Pez. Taking that into consideration I would definitely say that it would be past it as 2nd wines by their nature are not supposed to age as well as the 1st wine (with a few ntoable exceptions).

I would have thought that the 1962 from a property of this stature would be well past its best to drink but only pulling the cork would tell.

about 10 years ago when I was working retail in a bottle shop and used to finish at about 11pm (but start late) I used to get through about 3 bottles of Mount Gay a week. Now I am a lot more settled I usually get through about a bottle a month but of far better quality.

The rudest were the people running the tasting of the 2003 en primeur at the youngest of the 1st Growths in Bordeaux. They were so off hand and actually did not say one word. I know that they must get bored doing it but it common courtesy to at least smile when a group of professionals turn up. Years ago the property I worked for was showing their wines at a UK newspapers wine club with a lot of people present. Someone was sick in the middle of the room and plenty more were vomiting outside.

I had some last night. Was Valdespino and for the price, under £10 a bottle I think that it was great.

I have a friend who is the importer into the UK and I had the 1999 a while back. It sounded pretty similar to the 1998 although the barnyard smells on the nose weren't present. When you get these dirty smells on the nose, do you ever blow into the glass and then smell? It is amazing what a difference there can be.

of the two people running the shop (when I say that it includes doing bottlings) one has gone to do other things and the other is running Berry's whisky side.

Hallmark of St. James's is no longer around (although the shop on St. James's still has their name above the door). It is quite a sad situation and is being investigated both in USA and UK for fraud. It is unfortunate that one of the directors of the company found the situation so bad that he took his own life. I think that there is a £5m hole somewhere. I knew the people who ran the shop and did the whisky side of things (perfectly above board and legal) and can assure you that the whisky will be good. I will find out the distillery for you.

I was discussing this with someone last week and their view was that it came down to the shareholders. As soon as you float yourself, you loose control over the property. The Mondavi family may well have wanted not to sell but as the shareholders saw dollars raining down from the sky............

Dinner with Dad, who is a wino like me but obviously has slightly deeper pockets! Laurent Perrier NV - from a magnum and had no age on it. Awful! My dad couldn't finish his glass and I had to close my eyes and think of Briton (as I am loathe to leave any booze in my glass). Over acidic, unattractive bubbles, muted fruit and much worse than the Nyetimber that I had the other day. Having said that I know that LP does age very well so perhaps rather than being overly commercial they should change their marketing strategy and try and keep the stock back in the cellars for a while. A brand that is resting on its reputation of its rosé? 1996 Rayne Vigneau (Sauternes) with Terrine de Foie Gras - very full nose and instantly recognisable as a Sauternes (opposed to other sweet wines that you are served with Foie Gras). The body lacked a bit of depth and was a little short. But it was clean and was OK with the terrine. 1989 Leoville Las Cases with grouse - Impressive colour, huge Cabernet fruit on the nose. On the body there was plenty of minty cassis fruit with excellent length but still the tannins were firm. We thought that it would be better in 5 years time but still we enjoyed it alot. 1977 Taylors - More subdued than the last time I had it. Lacking acidity and fruit on the pallate but still the fruit was lovely and sweet and not spirity at all. Not the best bottle of 77 Taylors that I have tasted, but still 3 big glasses have left their mark!

Jim, still waiting for that dinner invite Had a few wines with "Dinner with Friends" but not to the high standards of yours! 1996 Nyetimber - for what was supposed to be a past winner of the best sparkling wine in the world and more than a match for the big champagne boys, this was a disappointment. Slightly green and quite tight, it opened up very slowly. Acidity was fine. 2001 Riesling, JJ Prum - very nice although going through a quiet patch. Rich fruit with a nice touch of residual sugar. 1996 St Paul La Dominique - 2nd wine of St. Emilion's La Dominique, has a nice vibrant burst of red berry fruit. Good length and typically Right Bank. Accessible and easy but nothing exceptional 1994 Gruaud Larose - boring! Nothing wrong with it but there was a lack of class with the fruit. It was just there (and not in huge amounts) and lacked charm and sophistication. I will have to plow my way through 3 cases of it! 1993 Beaune 1er Cru, Jadot - nicely matured. Quite light in colour now. Sweet fruit with light tannins went very well with a rather bland cheddar.

got plenty of bottles in the cellar that aren't being drunk yet many of which are open. But what i have upstairs and is being drunk is: R&A Golf Club 12yo Malt Whisky VAT 69 Whisky Cockspur VSOR Rum Torres 10yo Imperial (Spanish) Brandy Green Chartreuse Cock o'the North Martell VS Cognac A bottle made up of 3 separate bottles (sour cherry with vodka, huckleberry liqueur with grappa, blood orange with vodka) Havana Club Anejo reserva Rum Tullamore Dew Whiskey Jim Beam Black 8yo 26yo Jamaican Rum Mount Gay Extra Old Rum Mount Gay Eclipse Rum Bacardi Reserva Anejo Especial Rum Macallan 1974 Demerara Rum 19yo Smirnoff Red Smirnoff Black Ricard Beefeater Absolute Kurant (!!) Glenfarclas 1965 Archers Peach Scnapps Curacao Triple Sec Chesnut Liqueur

There is apparently a place in Pasadena which lists Ardbeg. http://www.missionliquor.com/ Over to you,

I deal a lot with Ardbeg but never consider shipping to the US. Too many laws, too expensive and I only deal in 70cl bottles which I believe are against the law in the US. (75cl are not strictly legal here).

Let me know where you are in the US and I can tell you who sells it. I have found sellers in FL, NJ, CA, NY, VT, MO, IL, MN, CO, WA and GA and I am sure that there are many others.

not sure of the reason but presume that it is to do with tax. I am also not sure of the tax system in the US but here in the UK 3% makes a difference (hence why gordon's Gin in the UK was lowered to 37.5% - same reason why Pimms dropped in strength). A 70cl bottle at 43% has duty of £5.89 and with sales tax (VAT) = £6.92 a bottle A 70cl bottle at 40% has duty of £5.48 and with sales tax (VAT) = £6.44 a bottle Knocking off £0.50 is quite a big deal when it is on the shelf. Presumably the bottle will also be cheaper so this £0.50 will actually be closer to £0.75 a bottle

I think that Lagavulin 16yo has become a bit of a "fashion" accessory. Whether it is good or not, it is the right whisky to be seen to be drinking. As a result the demand is outstripping supply resulting in big price increases. A similar thing has happened with Macallan 18/25/30 with respect to supply & demand. Lady Oscar - as you have good taste and like Ardbeg 10yo, have you tried the Uigedale? If so what do you think of it - I find it a bit OTT. The Ardbeg I really like is the Lord of the Isles.

does that mean that the excuses for putting up the prices - a lack of champagne - will no longer be "true"?

Where can we have a peak at this calender? Having worked in Bordeaux for a few years I can't remember seeing too many ladies who raised my blood pressure so maybe we don't want to see the calender after all!!

On the wine and spirits www. don't go to the others.

about 2 days (for the past 15 years) - I tend to get a bit grumpy if more than 24 hours

Many thanks

Laphroaig is often called this because it has quite iodine-y flavours to it. This is imparted to the whisky from various factors - where the water has come from etc. If you can stretch to the Laphraoig 15yo I would really recommend it as being a lot better than the 10yo. One of the heavier style whiskies that I like, and a lot of people don't, is Ardbeg. I find that the 10yo has a unique flavour to it which I suppose can be described as medicinal! It is commonly held that the Islays are the heaviest and peatiest of the malts. If you are concerned that you won't like these medicinal flavours you might be best sticking to a Speyside.

Not for publication. One of my customers is interested in the decantees but my supplier is fairly useless and can't get me a photo. I am 99% sure that they are the triangular decanters but can't find a damn photo!!!

Congrats, and if my little girl is anything to go by, you are in for some fun! "Basic" pink - Ruinart "better" pink - Billecart vintage (I think it;s called Cuvee Elizabeth) If you don't want pink, I always think that Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill is hard to beat and for the price is better than DP (by a long way)