Had a particularly nice time tonight, at Joyce and Paul Mapplebeck’s annual ‘Best Wines Around the Wine Clubs’ tasting – always one of my favourite Central London Wine Society events in January. We tried two very good whites – a 2015 Torres Vina Esmeralda (a bargain at £6.99) and a 2015 Yalumba Y Series Viognier, although the third white, the Howard Parks Mount Barker Riesling was a little disappointing – it had a good colour and nose, but was very average otherwise.

Enjoyed some excellent reds: the 2010 Bodegones Del Sur Cabernet Franc, 2014 Campos De Cima-Assinatura (the first time I’d tasted a Brazilian wine) and the 2005 Turkey Flat Shiraz all received a 6/7 rating from me and also scored highly with my fellow tasters – in fact, the Brazilian red was the night’s overall winner. The 2013 Greywacke Pinot Noir and the 2013 Clos de Los Siete were also very good, particularly the latter (I do love an Argentinan red). What a night – it has set the bar high for all future CLWS 2017 tastings…