The 27th September 2016 saw another edition of the Dirty Dozen Trade Tasting at the Vinyl Factory in London. 

This is still one of the most exciting events on the London tasting circuit as all the twelve “members” still endeavour to show some of the top wines in their portfolios.

Inevitably, over the years, the wines on taste have become ever so slightly more pedestrian as there really isn’t any point putting a wine on a tasting when it’s sold out pre-release on allocation… and most unicorn wines are certainly pre-allocated and practically unobtainable for most trade new comers. 

But I suppose these are the fine wine times we live in. Scarcity and rarity rule the roost. We all want what we can’t have. Nevertheless, here is a photographic snapshot of my top 12 wines tasted…in no particular ranking…in case you were not able to attend and want some top tips!

Whites:

Dewaldt Heyns Weathered Hands Viognier 2015 Tulbagh

Blank Bottle Riesling 2015 Elgin

Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc 2015 

Storm Vrede Chardonnay 2015 Hemel-en-Aarde

Pojere & Sandri Faye Bianco 2013 Dolomiti

Domaine Heitz-Lochardet Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru La Maltroye 2013

Reds:

Niepoort Poeirinho Baga Bairrada Tinto 2013

Niepoort Conciso Dao Tinto 2012

Envinate Albahra Tinto 2014

Mother Rock Mourvèdre 2015 Swartland

De Toren Fusion V 2012 Stellenbosch

Savage Red Blend 2014 Western Cape