Handford Wines



105 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3LE Telephone: +44 20 7589 6113 Facsimile: +44 20 7581 2983

Welcome to Handford's new-season of tasting, dinners and wine school. Our events are limited in size, and are offered on a first come, first served basis, so it is always advisable to book early. When you have chosen the events you wish to attend, call us on +44 20 7589 6113 to book your place/s. A confirmation ticket will be sent out approximately two weeks before the tasting. We regret that if tickets are subsequently cancelled we will be unable to issue a refund unless the place is reallocated.
Les Forts de Latour 1970 - 2001		£125.00
Les Forts de Latour 1970 - 2001 Thursday 8th October Sit down tasting with Richard Brazier Without doubt the most consistent and high quality of all the 2nd Wines in Bordeaux. Often suggested would be a 2nd or 3rd Growth if a separate producer. We know that Chateau Latour has the ability to age like no other wine but how far can we go with the Les Forts? They started in 1966 but we will be testing the 1970. A great insight to a great producer without paying a great price for the first wine. Vintages will include: 2001, 2000, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1978 & 1970.
40 Years of Badia Coltibuono 1965 - 2005		£75.00
40 Years of Badia a Coltibuono 1965 - 2005 Monday 12th October Sit down tutored with Emanuela Stucchi-Prinetti Badia a Coltibuono is synonymous with Chianti Classico. One of the most iconic estates of Chianti Classico, it is run by the Stucchi Prinetti family with the charming Emanuela the current chatelaine of the stunning 14th century abbey. The estate, with some 70 hectares of certified organic vineyards is set among the upper woodlands of Chianti Classico, surrounded by the Arno and Arbia valleys. Their wines are regularly featured among the greatest Chianti Classicos with numerous '3 glasses' ratings in the famous Gambero Rosso guide. At the Handford ‘Gallo Negro’ (Black Cockerel) Chianti Tasting last year, the Badia Riserva 2004 was the stand-out star of the tasting. Join us for this very rare opportunity to taste some wonderfully aged and preserved Riserva Chiantis including the iconic 1965, tutored by Emanuela Stucchi Prinetti herself. Badia Chianti Classico Riserva 2005, 2004, 1999, 1995, 1970, 1965 Sangioveto 2004, 1999, 1995 Badia Chianti Classico 2006
'95 vs. '96 Bordeaux Super Seconds		£115.00
’95 vs. ’96 Bordeaux Super Seconds Thursday 19th November Sit down tasting with Richard Brazier These are the two best Medoc vintages between 1991-1999. When they came out there was huge hullabaloo about them and many at the time thought 1995 was the better and now as many feel 1996 is thus. What is the current situation? Like 1990/1989 and 1961/1959 these two make a fascinating comparison with different styles but similarly impressive. We have selected the most impressive and even comparisons from various parts of the Medoc. We will be looking at Chateaux Cos D’Estournel, Palmer, Grand Puy Lacoste, Ducru Beaucaillou & Pichon Lalande.
Vilafonte with Mike Ratcliffe		£20.00
Vilafonté with owner Mike Ratcliffe £20.00 Tuesday 26th January Sit down tasting with Mike Ratcliffe Since its first vintage Vilafonté has quickly become one of the top South African producers and been awarded 5 stars by John Platter. Their philosophy embodies an obsession with quality from the soil through to the bottle - not surprising when you consider the pedigree of the people involved : winemaker Zelma Long, Phil Freese who designed the first Opus One Vineyards; and Mike who is both Vilafonté’s Managing Partner and Managing Director of Warwick Estate. The Vilafonté ‘Series C’ is a bold and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon blend while the ‘Series M’ is a luscious blend based on Merlot and Malbec. We will be looking at five vintages from their first release in 2003 through to the new release of 2007.
2008 En Primeur Burgundy		£15.00
2008 En Primeur Burgundy Tasting £15.00 Wednesday 27th January 2010 Stand up tasting with James Handford MW James will be paying a final visit to producers and collecting bottles during the first week of January. We’ll be offering a wide ranging selection for you to try and buy; the tasting price of £15 will be subtracted from any en primeur orders placed on the night.
Vieux Chateau Certan		£110.00
Vieux Chateau Certan from 1982 £110.00 Thursday 4th February Sit down tasting with Richard Brazier Verticals of top Pomerol estates are rare enough and certainly for the much loved Vieux Chateau Certan. Only 3,500 cases of this Merlot dominated wine are produced and the acid test of any top producer is to make good wine in less good years and they are one of the Commune’s biggest successes at that. Having said that we will be looking at a spread of almost entirely top vintages including 1998, 1995, 1994, 1988, 1985, 1982
Beaucastel & Vieux Telegraphe with Steven Spurrier		£75.00
Beaucastel & Vieux Telegraphe with Steven Spurrier £ 75.00 Wednesday 10th February 2010 Sit down tasting with Steven Spurrier Steven Spurrier joined the London wine trade in 1964, moved to Paris in 1970 and owned a wine shop there for 18 years and also opened the city’s first wine school, L’Academie du Vin. In 1982 he created the Christie’s Wine Course for Christie’s Education and during the 1980s wrote several books on wine. He is Consultant Editor for Decanter Magazine and in constant demand on the international wine judging circuit. Our first tasting with Steven and our first ‘zig-zag’ tasting; this format aims to show off these two wonderful Chateauneufs in tandem, rather than in opposition. We will be showing: Vieux Telegraphe Blanc 2007 Beaucastel Rousanne Vielles Vignes 2005 and 1987 Vieux Telegraphe Rouge 2007, 2005, 1995, 1981 Beaucastel 2006, 2001, 1998, 1990 (and an Hommage 2000 to finish!)
Introduction to Bordeaux with James Handford MW		£49.00
Introduction to Bordeaux with James Handford MW £ 49.00 Tuesday 23rd February 2010 Sit down tasting with James Handford MW A romp around the communes we know collectively as Bordeaux. With the outstanding classed growths Calon Segur, Pontet Canet and Leoville Poyferre on show this is something more than an introduction but less than a master-class! We’ll be tasting 5 left bank wines from the approachable 2004 vintage (along with the great 1996 Poyferre, just to see how it ages!) and then a small selection of right bank wines to include Pomerol and Saint Emilion of course. Tips and anecdotes as well as notes on the business of Bordeaux will add to the work load here. We’re sure it will all be worthwhile!
Five Decades of Gruaud Larose		£105.00
Five Decades of Gruaud Larose £105.00 Thursday 4th March Sit down tasting with Richard Brazier St. Julien is renowned not only for its quality but also as the most consistent commune in the Medoc. As much down to the long term ownership of Cordier as anything Gruaud Larose has been one of the most consistent Chateau within but certainly not in any bland way. Appealing throughout its development it has a great ability to age well and along with so many Chateaux had a string of successes in the 1980s. So along with an example from the 1960s and 1970s, still to be decided, we will be tasting 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1990, 1986, 1985 & 1982.
1994 Red Bordeaux		£135.00