Deep dark bowl with mahognay rim, lovely sheen, nose youthful and complex, very elegant, polished black leather, cigar box, fine tanned leather, dried red fruits, cedar and tobacco, very well balanced long fruit similar to nose, well structured with nice fresh acidity. Fantastic.
Soft open full nose, bloody raw meat aromas, wet tobacco cedar wood and dried fruits, figs and damp undergrowth, little gamey. Palate soft easy and well balanced, great for game birds or veal/young lamb. Some truffles and chocolate on palate, very good.
Red bowl brown orange rim, nose open quite rustic and dried fruit aromas, cranberry and strawberry, earthy with hints of leather and kirsch cherries on the nose, some VA, dry and soft palate, not great length good aromas not substantial.
Wonderfully expressive nose, very open soft and ripe, mature and spicey, round soft fruirts strawberry and raspberry, with some tart cranberry, soft leather and earthy wet forest character, palate light well balanced with long firm acidity, soft dried fruits, shorter on length than expected.
Nose little tight, youthful still fresher oak more viognier lifts wood aroma, bramble and cassis with pepper and earthy full flavours, round and balanced, full long and complex.
Straw golden colour with slightly amber rim, needs air to open up, decanting required, honey, nuts, lanolin and beeswax aromas, orange, tangerine, herbal and camomile, still with a crisp fresh acidity and long complex mineral palate.
Nose open very aromatic, delicious old Amarone balsamic complexity, truffle and black chocolate aromas, earthy rich fruitcake like, palate quite soft tannins, very long and harmonious, delicious.
Brick red rim against a garnet bowl, nose open soft and aromatic, forest fruit aromas – strawberry, raspberry damsons and redcurrant, some earthy undergrowth sous bois aromas, mushroom and leather. Delicate palate, balanced earthy and long.
Pale red garbet, brick rim, nose little closed and light, earthy and vegetal forest floor with rowan cranberry aromas, not too complex, fruity round and rich on palate bright cherry acidity, easy drinking medium to long length. Pleasant.
Deep black purple, rim fades slightly to garnet, nose soft chocolate and earthy damp soil, spiced plums and cedar wood aromas, very well balanced earthy cedar flavours and black cherry, cassis. Superb balance.
Ronan is an excellent organiser and mentor and has one of the best wine knowledge in UK.
Isa Bal MS, Head Sommelier, The Fat Duck