This promises to be one of our blockbuster tastings of the decade.  To celebrate the Club’s first physical tasting since February last year, we shall start with Dom Perignon Brut 1993 (£340 / bottle).  This is the flagship Champagne from Moet & Chandon using the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from their best vineyards.  Since its launch in 1935, it has only been made in outstanding vintages!

In order to ensure social distancing, the event will be in the Lower Hall (capable of taking an entire local school for prize givings) of St Columba’s, Pont Street, SW1.  This is not our usual room but far more spacious.  It is a Grade II listed building from 1955, designed by Sir Edward Maufe who is noted for Guildford Cathedral and Cambridge’s Festival Theatre.

Our wines are:

• Macon Vergisson, Chateau de la Lavernette 2018 is a crisp white Burgundy from an estate originally belonging to the monks of Tournus Abbey.  The property is now owned by the Boissieu family.  Since 2007, it has been organic and biodynamic.

• Monthelie Blanc, Sous le Cellier 2017 comes from Domain Garaudet in the heart of Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune, lying between Volnay and Meursault.  Paul Garaudet is the fourth generation to cultivate the family vines which cover 10.5ha.

• A charming single village, single estate Beaujolais follows: Fleurie, Domaine Lafarge Vial 2019.  This is the Gamay grape grown on granite.  The 4.1ha (10.13 acres) await certification for biodynamic cultivation.  Frederic and Chantal Lafarge are also Volnay growers and decided to 
  buy in Fleurie in 2014.  They use Max, a grey horse, for vineyard work.

• Maranges is just the secret that an auction will reveal.  It is the southernmost wine hamlet in the Cote de Beaune, yielding wonderful value Pinot Noir reds.  Our 2018 example comes from old vines (Vieilles Vignes), made by Thierry and Pascale Matrot.

• Fixin 2018 is an appellation lying just south of Dijon in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits.  In the mid-19^th century it sold for the same price as neighbouring Chambertin.  Young winemaker Amelie Berthaut is the seventh generation to cultivate the 16ha land.  She made her first harvest in 2013 and has received multiple awards for her wines.

• Domaine de L’ Île Margaux 2016 is really special.  It comes from an island in the middle of the Gironde estuary opposite Chateau Margaux and originally formed part of the First Growth estate.  After the aphid Phylloxera devastated the land it was abandoned, but a few years ago it 
  was replanted using cuttings from the original vines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot).  It is comparable to a Second Growth Claret.

• A Grand Cru St Emilion, Petit-Figeac 2014 follows, exuding blackberry and blackcurrant fruit.  The 54ha on limestone-clay are owned by the Manoncourt family who use one-fifth new barrels for the fermentation.  Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are each planted 35% with 30% Merlot.

• Finally, there will be a sweet South African, Naude Mourvedre 2014, made from a block of old vines discovered by Ian Naude in Swartland.  The 2014 harvest was the earliest in decades.  This naturally sweet wine is rich (14% alcohol) and stylish.

With a Mayfair merchant, this tasting would cost £350-400.  The Club price is just £46 (guest £70, maximum TWO) with a concessionary (under 30 years) £30.  We expect high demand; please apply NOW to not be disappointed.

The tasting starts at 6.30pm.  Knightsbridge Underground is 5 minutes away.  Please do NOT arrive earlier at the Committee needs time to prepare.

Date:       Monday 2^nd  August

Time:      6:30 pm 

Venue:    St. Columba's,  Pont St,  London,  SW1X 0BD

Dress:    Jacket and tie for men please

Tasting Costs

HOW TO BOOK

Options:

• E-mail your tasting request to treasurer@redherringwineclub.co.uk and make a payment; or

• Via the on-line form below

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 020 8947 5082 or by e-mail to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk  but bookings will only be allocated when funds have been received.

HOW TO PAY

Options:

• By cheque (made payable to The Red Herring Wine Club) to:  THE RED HERRING WINE CLUB,  4 CHURCH ROAD, CHRISTIAN MALFORD, CHIPPENHAM, WILTS, SN15 4BW

• By on-line banking (details below) 

Your reference should be as follows:

Bookings will only be allocated when funds have been received.

If using this method to pay your membership subscription(s), please advise membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk.

Please remember to advise the club of any home or e-mail address changes

Tasting Application

Diary Dates: (until Covid19 restrictions are fully removed, events are subject to postponement and dates are subject to change)