The 2002 was my house wine last summer so it’s only fair to try out the 2004. Medium yellow. The nose is less sweet oak dominated than the 02, it’s higher toned, just a little floral with a quite subtle oak base. This has a quite rich texture that’s offset by a little dissolved gas which makes the acidity a little prickley. There’s a nice expansion of creamy flavour in the mid-palate and a more than reasonable length. Give it time and the prickle is gone and the palate is nicely smooth. Just a little less rich and sweet than the 2002. It’s very good for the price if not quite as good as the 2002 – though this very young – it has a chance of being a house wine for summer 2008, but won’t make it for 2007, the 05’s are currently too good.

A medium yellow. The nose starts with a blast of fruit but quickly becomes more subdued – waxy with pineapple – with time a hint of wet wool. Nice weight in the mouth, reasonably sweet, certainly simple with medium length. Nothing to really dislike about this wine unless it warms up in the glass, if this happens the overall effect is a bit flabby and lacking balance. Kept chilled this is a very nice wine and still seems quite young.