Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Tuesday, 1 August 2017

A couple of recently enjoyed bottles: Villebois and Bouscassé





2007 Chenin Blanc, Vin Val de Loire

2007 was the last vintage of the Villebois Chenin Blanc from 40 year old vines. A pity because this was rather good – deep gold in colour with just a hint of oxidation that added complexity, quite a rich honeyed palate with very clean vibrant acidity. Sadly this was our only bottle. if we had more would have been confident that this Chenin Blanc still has a long life in prospect.  


1993 Madiran Vieilles Vignes Château Bouscassé


The Bouscassé Vieilles Vignes, Alain Brumont is 100% Tannat. Although 1993 isn't a special vintage this still powerful wine is still drinking quite well but may well be on the way down. If I had any more bottles I would be planning to drink them up over the next couple of years.   

1 comment:

Bob Rossi said...

Now Bouscasse is a producer I can relate to. We visited there last year, and were very impressed by their wines. While they can't be found here in Maine (or even Boston), they are available in Quebec and sometimes by mail order, and I've bought a bunch.
As to Villebois, I've never had their wines, and now I'm disappointed I didn't visit them when I was in the Mareuil area last year. I'm curious as to why the 2007 was the last vintage from a 40-year-old vineyard. Were the vines torn up?