Wine of the week

At a Rutland Wine Society tasting by the York Chancellery of the Jurade de St. Emilion

Belle buttise Coureau 2001 AoC St.Emilion Ch. Bernateau 1998 Grand Cru St.Emilion Ch. Chante Alouettes 1995 Grand Cru St.Emilion Ch. Grace Dieu Les Menuts 1995 Grand Cru St.Emilion Ch. Cadet Piola 1994 Grand Cru Clbutté St.Emilion Ch. Fonplégade 1997 Grand Cru Clbutté St.Emilion Ch. Fonplégade 1998 Grand Cru Clbutté St.Emilion Ch, Berliquet 1996 Grand Cru Clbutté St.Emilion

The 1994 and 1997 both surprised many by their quality - is it now true that there is no such thing as a bad year - just a ”winemaker‘s year,• that is to say a year which demands technical expertise to produce good wine and overcome what would once have damned the whole vintage?

The 1998‘s were both showing what a great year this was for the Jurisdiction, both having along way to go and many years in which to do it. I have long thought 1998 to be at least as good a year as 2000 and of the same sort of quality as 1989 and the more of it I drink and the older it gets, the more persuaded I am. What is more it is still better value for money in many places.

Tim Hartley