Maison Louis Jadot is a family owned business based in Beaune, Burgundy. It was established in 1859. They also have substantial vineyard holdings throughout the Cote d’Or as well as the Maconnais, They produce wine from a number of other appellations throughout Burgundy at Chateau des Jacques, Domaine Ferret and Domaine Prieur-Brunet.
We will be trying six wines from their portfolio including the following wines with a matched three course delicious dinner in Frederick’s private club room. Their Ambassador Olivier Gasselin will be presenting the wines. Please mail me as soon as possible on adam@wandercurtis.com to reserve tickets.
Louis Jadot Chablis Cellier du Valvan 2020 by the Magnum
Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru exact wines to be decided
Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent in Magnum (Owned by Jadot since 1996)
Serving one of their single-vineyard wine in large format, either Magnum or larger…these wines are extraordinary.
Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuisse (owned by Jadot since 2008)
One of their wines, possibly Autour de la Roche…a jewel winery in the Jadot portfolio.
–Domaine Prieur-Brunet (owned by Jadot since 2017)
Please make a note in the diary for our dinner with Vasse Felix from Margaret River Australia on 26th November 2025
We have been so impressed by the wines of Errazuriz at previous dinners that we hosted another special evening with some of their new releases. The Errazuriz Estate was founded in 1870 in the Aconcagua Valley in Chile. Don Maximiano Errazuriz, the founder, planted the first French vines in this region and it is widely considered as the premier family wine estate of Chile. The Aconcagua valley’ is affected by cool ocean breezes, hot sunshine and rocky soils, this provides the ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines have intense flavours and a perfect balance of acidity and tannins. Hosted by Olivier their brand ambassador we tried 6 of their wines including their premium selections from a variety of grapes and vintages over a three course matched tasting dinner in Frederick’s private room.Full details of the menu and wines below.
Thanks to the lovely crowd of 30 who attended including newly weds Ankur and Pooja!!
We had another great wine dinner with Familia Zuccardi – Mendoza, Argentina presented by Eugenia González, UK Brand Ambassador, on Tuesday 11th February 2025 at Frederick’s Restaurant in Islington.
Alberto Zuccardi, planted the first Zuccardi vines in a small plot in the Maipu region in 1963. Located in the Uco Valley, Mendoza which is at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina
They were voted The World’s Best Vineyard in 2020. Sebastián Zuccardi the third generation of the family, continues the family business and is one of South America’s finest winemakers. He added a Research and Development Wing in the family winery, to learn and analyse more about the terroirs.
They are known to produce some of the highest quality of wines in South America. The vineyards enjoy the benefits of altitude and a cool dry climate throughout the year.
They are high-altitude wines (from grapes grown at least 500 metres above sea level). At high-altitudes, vines get more sun during the day and are cool at night. This diurnal variation intensifies the flavour of the grapes. Zuccardi’s San Pablo vineyards are situated 1500m above sea level. Their Paraje Altamira vineyards are at 1,100 metres altitude.
We had six brilliant wines including their single-varietal estate wines, primarily made from Malbec with a matched three course menu.
Zuccardi Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2017 Delicious, very Champagne like, autolytic with a lovely freshness and showing characters of 8 years of age. Made from single vineyard chardonnay grapes at an altitude of 5,000 feet
Zuccardi Serie A / Valles Torrontés – A more restrained version of Torrontes, some florality reflecting it’s familial connection with Muscat but not overtly floral. Beautifully textured lovely mouthfeel. Really paired well with mild chilli prawn pappardelle.
Zuccardi Polígonos Chardonnay a rich creamy Burgundian style Chardonnay with beautiful integration from 30% ageing in oak barrels. Pineapple hints of peach with minerality and flint. Really well balanced.
Pan-fried fillet of hake, seafood risotto ˝ Chateaubriand steak, chips, French beans, chimichuri Zuccardi Tito Malbec Zuccardi Concreto Malbec˝ aged in concrete, egg shaped vessels, helps to retain the fresh red and black fruits
We were lucky enough to try this at our recent wine dinner with Jackson’s family wines. Rather young but truly delicious even at this youthful stage. Tasting notes courtesy of Stuart Grostern who generated these over several hours of decanting in the afternoon prior to our dinner. Such was his excitement he arrived with the wines at 6.50pm for a 7pm Kick off!
Tasting note – after opening with double decant – 30 mins
Deep crimson and ruby with lively viscous legs denoting the 14.5% ABV
Nose is superb: Ripe blackcurrant, blackberry liqueur, a lingering savoury meaty element with a bright red plum and cherry lift, followed by perfumed cedar, blackcurrant leaf, sandalwood, fresh vanilla pod, a hint of milk chocolate, a bit of pencil shavings, and lifted tones of violets encompassed by new oak.
Stunningly elegant and evocatively haunting palate: Fruit is all ripe not overripe with a strong surge of acidity highlighting the red cherry and plum and a long finish tending to concentrated blackcurrant with a hint of savoury meatiness.
Tannins are fine but very abundant and a bit grippy, with oak not feeling quite fully integrated. Warm finish denoting the ABV level. Super balance and elegance with an undercurrent of power supported by the structure. Will transform to a magnificent example of Napa elegance balanced with power.
We welcomed Michele Fazari, DWWA judge and Prestige Account Manager at Jackson Family Wines of California on Wednesday October 30th at 7pm
Jackson Family Wines are based in Sonoma County – in the heart of California’s wine country. Their flagship brand is Kendall-Jackson but their portfolio now includes 40 brands, sourced from vineyards and wineries in California, Oregon and many other wine regions worldwide. They produce wines with broad appeal including some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon. They are very focused on sustainability. Their founder Jess Jackson said, “Take care of the land and it will take care of you.”
We tasted a selection of five wines from the finest Californian wine regions served with a three-course dinner in the newly refurbished private room of the award-winning Bocca Di Lupo restaurant in Soho on Wednesday 30th October at 7pm.
The wines served include one of Napa Valley’s best Cabernet Sauvignon’s – Mt. Brave Mount Veeder see tasting note in our Wines of the month
Te Mata Estate is New Zealand’s oldest winery, dating from the early 1890’s. Vines were first planted at Te Mata Estate in 1892. The original three vineyards produce its most famous wines: Coleraine, Awatea and Elston.
It is a New Zealand family-owned winery, based in Hawkes Bay, North Island. John & Wendy Buck have been co-owners of Te Mata Estate since 1978. Te Mata’s wines are renowned as the country’s finest.
They produce a stunning array of red and white wines including Coleraine and Awatea Cabernet/Merlots, Bullnose Syrah, Elston Chardonnay, and Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc.
Coleraine was first made in 1982 vintage. It is a Bordeaux style wine described by Decanter magazine as “New Zealand’s First Growth”. It is made from their finest selections of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It is one of New Zealand’s iconic wines.
We were delighted to welcome Toby Buck, the son of the owner, over from New Zealand. Toby talked us through the history and his family wines.
We had a selection of five wines including Coleraine, served with a three-course dinner in the private room of the award-winning Boca Di Lupo restaurant in Soho.Tickets were priced is £95pp. We had a full house of 32 people.
Te Mata Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Rigatoni with ricotta, broad beans & basil
Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2023
Tagliata (served on sharing platters) Potatoes garlic & rosemary
Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2019
Te Mata Coleraine Cab/Merlot 2018
Dessert
Te Mata Estate Gamay Noir 2023
Te Mata Wines Hawkes Bay New Zealand
Some readings of the best wine descriptions of the night
Our first time at Bocca Di Lupo was a great success. The Tagliata (Thin slices of perfectly cooked beef tenderloin) was so good it almost overwhelmed the wines! Te Mata wines lived up to their expectations and previous tastings. Beautifully crafted and immaculately balanced.
The onset of 2024 has left me reflecting on my inherent Francophilia. This got the better of me towards the end of last year. I had been meaning to visit Alsace for years. It took so long partly because of my preference for red wine and more recently due to Covid.
My favourite varietal though is Gewürztraminer. This is very much a marmite love or hate grape. For me it’s love. The most textured, succulent, floral powerhouse of a wine I’ve ever tasted was a Matawherho Gewürztraminer from Gisborne in New Zealand. It was an early 1990’s vintage tasted at a masterclass with my boss of the time Dr David Durham at his home next to Cloudy Bay, Marlborough New Zealand in 1995.
The 1976 Hugel Gewürztraminer with a nose distinctly reminiscent of cannabis was a highlight of many years of wine tasting.
This grape has mesmerised me since. I also have great appreciation of the other white Alsatian varieties. Well made Pinot Gris is also beautifully textured and aromatic. Riesling whilst not my first go to drink due to its high acidity playing havoc with my gastrointestinal equilibrium is still a wine I highly regard.
So I finally made it to Alsace, and the wait was worth it. Not only for the wines but for the delightfully preserved chocolate box towns and villages such as Colmar, Riquewihr and Ribeauville. It really feels like an amalgamation of France and Germany as its geography and history suggest.
I stayed in central Colmar at the Hotel Le Colombier. This is very conveniently located centrally and for the electric bike store on the same street. This is an excellent way to explore the region as there are many dedicated wine cycle routes throughout the area.
I wasn’t wild about the food, quite pork base and Germanic. They do an interesting pizza type of thing called a Tarte Flambee in French and FlammeKueche in German.
It was the first day of the Rugby World Cup so the flight was awash with excited fans.
I’d had also long wished to visit Chateau Coutet in Barsac having met Aline Baly on many occasions in London. I’m also a fan of dessert wines, again not everyone’s taste. Aline was in Paulliac but generously arranged the Maitre du Chai, Laurier Girardot to entertain us.
We started in the vineyards surrounding the pristine opulent Chateau.
Laurier discussed the terroir, which is slightly different to Sauternes and a little further from the River Garonne. The style here being a little less unctuous than Sauternes and perhaps less botrytis. They also make a dry white. The wines as ever, were finely balanced, long and delicious with complexity evident in older vintages.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Next up a flight to Marseille, en route to another region I’ve longed to visit, Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
It’s one thing reading about the ‘Galets’ (larger pebbles/ smooth rocks) which are characteristic of the area. it’s another thing to see them. The entire vineyards are literally covered with layers of Galets with virtually no soil evident. These rocks have been washed down from the Alps over millions of years dating to when the area was the bed of the Rhone river.
Beaucastel were in the midst of the most fascinating new build. They had a competition amongst world renowned architects who tendered for the job. It was finally won by and Indian based firm. In keeping with Beaucastel organic and biodynamic sustainability, the new structure is being built with products of excavation.
The excavated earth for the new cellar is gently crushed and then taken to a large vertical mold and compressed. This creates the large slabs to build the new winery. It already looks amazing and effortlessly blends in with the environment.
We tasted the 2008 and 2019 Beaucastel and also a 100% Roussane of which little is made. The wines as expected were spotlessly balanced and full of fine grained tannins.
I was impressed by the Chateau Mont Redon range, especially with their most moderately priced Lirac which is full of fruit but also has a lovely mouthfeel. I have been buying en primeur Mont Redon from the wine society for many years.
Final visit of the day was to a very welcoming and passionate Antoine at Chateau La Nerthe.
He gave us the historical background. There have been grapes here since Roman times. More recently they were one of the pioneers of the Appelation Controlle system
This a stunning chateau with views reaching far and wide. We toured the cellars and we were lucky enough to witness a live ‘remontage’ and sample 4 day old Mourvèdre from the tank. It was surprisingly delicious given its age.
Wine tasting here can be a little confusing as 13 grape varieties are permitted.
6 white grape varieties: Grenache blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Picardan. Grenache blanc, a mutation of Grenache noir, is the most commonly used grape variety. Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse, Terret, Counoise, Muscardin.
We tasted a range of their wines including
Château la Nerthe 2014 Clos de Beauvenir – it had an oxidised nose, almond, nice freshness and texture Good food wine
Château la Nerthe Barrel sample, Syrah amazing for only 4 weeks old! Full of fruit Soft tannins Delicious!!!
2020 Château la Nerthe Châteauneuf du Pape 25% Mourvèdre, Balanced, good year, plenty of fresh fruit alcohol well integrated
2019 Château la Nerthe Châteauneuf du Pape . 35 %Mourvèdre Syrah 31 %Grenache 33 % about a third each A bit more serious than 2020 and probably need more ageing to develop complexity
2020 Château la Nerthe Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Cadettes which is made from their best grapes 9.000 bottles only GSM blend
2019 Château la Nerthe Châteauneuf du Pape Cadettes 55 % Mourvèdre floral earthy savoury serious big wine.
Antoine then brought out a blind wine which I immediately described as Pinotesque. I was happy to be correct in my deduction that it was one of their very limited production 100% Grenache.
This tasting was one of the highlights of many years of different wine trips. Thanks to @bossofthewine, Bruce Baldinger and the New Yorkers. We had serendipitously met them on the tour of the old Synagogue in Carpentras the day before and tagged along to this visit.
Finally I must not forget the opulent Chateau La Coste in Provence. It was a short drive south from our accommodation in Lourmarin through the beautiful countryside towards Aix en Provence near the village of Le Puy-Sainte – Reparade.
This is a real destination owned by Irish property magnate Paddy Mckillen. It has its own art and architecture walk, 600 acre sculpture park, a luxury hotel Villa La Coste multiple very high end restaurants and excellent wine.
Despite the breadth and depth and quality of wines across the world, there’s nothing quite like returning to La Belle France!
Umberto Cantele third generation of Cantele Wines of Puglia hosted this memorable evening at Fredericks a day before Burns night 2024.
Adam, his father and brother visited Umberto at Cantele winery in Salento a few years ago and have been long planning this dinner.
The whole family is involved in the business. They have 50 hectares of their own vineyards and manage a further 150 hectares. Their primary focus is on local native grapes of the region, including Primitivo, Negroamaro and Susumaniello for the red wines, and Verdeca and Malvasia Bianca for the whites. The winery also produces pure expressions of international varieties such as Chardonnay.
Aperitif
2022 Verdeca, Cantele, Puglia Stone fruit with ice texture and medium acidity
With Starter
2021 Teresa Manara IGT Salento Chardonnay
2021 Teres Manara Vendemmia Tardiva Chardonnay The star of the show tonight
rich textured beautiful oak integration caramel vanilla butter stone fruit
With maim
2021 Amativo, Cantele, Puglia lovely blend of NegroAmaro and Primitivo delicious rich black fruits hints of smoke and choclate
2022 Primitivo Puglia IGP, Cantele
Thanks to the crowd of 31 who braved dry January. Special thanks to Umberto who gave us great insight into his family winery and brought his Italian warmth to a London January.
Olivier captivating the crowd of 34 at Frederick’s
We were so impressed by the wines of Errazuriz at our last dinner with Magui Chadwick that we have decided to host another dinner with some of their new releases.
The Errazuriz Estate was founded in 1870 in the Aconcagua Valley in Chile. Don Maximiano Errazuriz, the founder, planted the first French vines in this region and it is widely considered as the premier family wine estate of Chile.
The Aconcagua valley’ is affected by cool ocean breezes, hot sunshine and rocky soils, this provides the ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes such as Chardonnay,Pinot Noir Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines have intense flavours and a perfect balance of acidity and tannins.
We tasted 6 of their wines including their premium selections from a variety of grapes and vintages over a three course matched tasting dinner in Frederick’s private room.
A fine selection tasted over the course of the evening, not a drop leftMy Junior Doctors enjoying some extracurricular education
Apéritif
Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs NV
Lovely Zesty and biscuity 100% Chardonnay 4 years on Lees
With starter
Tomato & mozarella arancini
Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Nice texture taught capsicum notes hints of passion fruit
Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2021
ripe fresh great balance and some vanilla notes
Steak, chips, chimichuri sauce
Aubergine parmigiana
With main course
Max Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 vintage in magnum
Blackcurrant fruit and leaf
Don Maximiano Founders Reserve 2018
Rich layered and complex delicious now but built to Mature
WanderCurtis Wine 