It’s been – nearly-  five years since I started this blog.

It’s a selfish outlet for keeping some tasting and writing discipline. It’s a vehicle to describe some of the wines I’ve been fortunate to taste (focusing on strong and sweet wines – a severe minority of the wines I own, and drink), rather than random wines. Dodgy photographs, erratic fonts and links to other websites may sometimes help.

My preferred style is to taste the wine, then write some notes. Ideally I repeat this process at intervals (a few hours later, the next day, and sometimes again one day later). I sort through these independent notes and see which threads, conclusions and descriptions linger. I check for any of my earlier tasting notes to test if there is alignment (just for fun). A quick internet hunt follows to locate any technical information on sugar levels, oak regime etc.  Then it’s time to publish! I may try to combine a few of my recent notes where sometimes a theme has arisen.

There are certainly occasions when I do not have all these luxuries – when tasting wines, there may be little opportunity for leisurely contemplation, and lighting may be imperfect. In those cases I scribble impressions.

A few bonus pieces based on my meagre learnings have been inserted, along with some reminiscing. Cork problems have been noted – they continue to track at excessive levels, spoil enjoyment and hurt the wallet.

Hopefully my blog has been of some use- perhaps in retrieving wines deemed ready or finding a few producers to explore.

For hunters of the wines I’ve written about that scored at 96 points or above, here goes…There’s plenty more not on my blog. I’ve had plenty of pleasure from wines I’ve given merely 90. Read the note, not just the score! Anyway, I’m happy with the list below. Links are too troublesome – use the search function.

• 1927 Dow’s Vintage Port
• 2013 Ch D’yquem
• 2005 Ch D’yquem
• 2002 Anderson sparkling Shiraz
• 1991 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz
• 2004 Seppelt sparkling Shiraz
• NV Chambers rare tokay (Muscadelle)
• 1990 Craiglee Shiraz
• 1997 Hugel Sporen Gewurztraminer SGN
• 1998 Ch de Fargues
• 2007 Dirler Speigel Gewurtztraminer SGN
• 2001 Zind-humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal SGN
• 2002 Joh Jos Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein
• 1986 Morris rare muscat
• 2002 Bollinger RD
• 1990 Trimbach Clos St Hune Riesling
• 1990 Jaboulet Hermitage la Chapelle
• 2006 Joh Jos Prum Wehlener Sonneuhr Riesling auslese Goldkap

I’d like to post notes more regularly, but other life events keep intervening. Its worth mentioning that apart from a few trade tastings that I’ve weaseled my way into, there are no donated wines in my blog, or any commercial push.

I’m entirely unconcerned about monetising – but wider readership and comments would be appreciated.