First wine of the evening, contributed by CVA, my first experience with this producer. We were treated to an education on the wine from its owner and a nice preview of what were about to drink. Very rare and sought after Rhone wine.

Medium ruby/brown color. Nose of damp earth, mushroom, some animal notes. Palate showing dusted bramble fruits, dark cherry. earth notes and herbs through the mid palate. Elegant texture, smooth mouthfeel. Medium weight and finish. Finish notable for its layers and secondary notes.

Drank over the course of the evening, saved a bit to try after about an hour. The wine continued to evolve and impress for the entire evening. really impressive for a wine at this stage, no fade after a few hours...Wow. Excellent quality and age-ability, really special wine and a real treat to experience

One of the bottles that made the trip with me, classic and nicely aged Calif Cabernet, good excuse to check in on it. Decanted for about 45 minutes, drank over an hour.

Dark violet/purple color, no separation. Ripe nose of dark fruits, floral, earth, smoke. Rich palate showing dark fruits, high toned black raspberry, cassis and . Floral/violets and licorice through the mid palate. Creamy/plush texture, some sweetness in the mid palate. Full body and long finish. Tannins still there but softened.

Haven't tasted in several years, it has evolved a bit (from memory) but still a vibrant and young wine. Have had the good fortune to taste over its evolution. This still has another 10+ years in it - should continue to evolve.

Our Grange connoisseur, Andrew, brought this as a contribution for the evening... a great opportunity to taste a well preserved bottle

Consistent with notes from Jan 19 tasting:"Dark garnet color, no separation. Nose of dark fruits, leather (classic Grange), picking up menthol/eucalyptus behind the fruit. Palate showing dark cherry covered in chocolate - getting both flavors at the same time...savory (Bacon fat), tar(?) Medium/full bodied, long finish...."

Held some back, tasting later in the evening. After sitting in the glass (open about 90 minutes) show caramel/creme brûlée on the nose with the red fruits underneath. Really striking, fruit continued to evolve in the glass during course of the evening. Spectacular wine with many years ahead of it

Another bottle that made the trip with me, the oldest Frog I have in my cellar and have not tasted previously. A good opportunity to open a unique wine with Andrew, our Syrah/Shiraz aficionado. Slow-oxed for almost 2 hours prior to drinking, then decanted

Deep ruby/purple color. Ripe and "savage" nose showing plum, earth, mushroom, and balsamic. Rich and viscous texture, palate of black raspberry, baking spice, garrigue, olives, black pepper...Mid palate showing notes of Christmas cake (a consensus from the group...). A lot going on here, a rich and complex wine. Rhone like in its profile with distinct new world fruit...

A fantastic showing on this evening. Showing the complexity and age worthiness of the wine. Not many bottles of the Frog make it across the Atlantic, it was fun to introduce this to the London based somms.

A generous contribution from CVA. The oldest Riesling I have had the opportunity to drink. Slight chill, PnP

Light straw/gold color with tinge of green. Nose showing classic Mosel petrol, kerosene and rubber...some "racetrack" according to my guests...Palate was "old orchard" fruits, apple and quince. Delicate texture, old but still expressive. Light weight, medium finish.

Great tribute to the age-ability of well made German Riesling. A fitting end to a fantastic evening.