WTN: La Fleur Peyabon 96, Albariño and S-Champigny.

Château La Fleur Peyrabon cru bougeois Pauillac 1996 – Alc. 13% - (€22 for 2002 ex Millésima) was a very good and well balanced bourgeois claret showing medium/full body, lively acidity, savoury fruit, firm but not spiky tannins supporting the finish. Perhaps lacking the charisma which I would expect (but would not always get) from its more grandly classed Pauillac neighbours, it was nevertheless very satisfying; 15.5/20++.

Rias Baixas Albariño 2008 – Ophalum – Alc. 12.5% - was sold to Germaine as a vinho verde !! It may be better that most of those with its crisp dryness and acidity, juicier fruit than many RBs and good mouth-fill. It, however, lacked the class of the Dônnhoff and Fèvre Chablis, subjects of separate TNs; 15.5/20 QPR. (Bob, I have now found a real vinho verde for the OM.)

Saumur-Champigny 2006 – Château de Villeneuve, Chevallier – Alc.13% - (€9) was another satisfying and well balanced effort with less solid shoulders but fresher fruit and more minerals, graphite, clay and stones, than the previous; 15.5/20++ QPR!.

Satisfaction all round eh! You got me in an Albarino mood.