My first short blog is a daunting one as I was immersed in the world of SW France and the Producteurs du Plaimont. A wonderful location at Home House on Portland Square greeted me on what must have been the hottest late September day I'd ever experienced. I was shown into the small but elegant tasting room and unlike some other generic press tastings this was a small and compact but still spacious salon. I was immediately drawn to the wonderful courtyard, beautifully decked with relaxing tables and chairs, one of the best outside areas I've ever seen in London.
My first visit was to the Chateau de Sabazan, with four vintages from 1987-2008. As I am very rarely introduced to older French vintages this was an interesting treat. The 2008 was big and well structured with a good deal of dry fruit. The 1998 had immense tannin and a little less fruit but showed its ageing potential. My favourite was the 1990 a superb mixture of ripe tannins, moorish acidity played off against the soft cherries and stewed blackcurrants.
