Tuesday 29th March 2022 was a very special evening indeed – our first large scale event in 2 years! The wait had seemed never ending, but finally it was time to throw open the doors and welcome everyone back. A new venue seemed appropriate too – the stylish Stables in Covent Garden.

Our own excitement was seemingly surpassed by our customers, as tickets sold out within hours and we had to set up a waiting list for those hopeful claret lovers who had missed out. Oh yes, Bordeaux was back in town!

The room was packed with great châteaux, with over 90 wines on show; an opportunity to try vintages from every appellation and a smorgasbord of fine Bordeaux to make up for lost time. We also were able to run a separate masterclass, mostly from magnum, of back vintages of Château Léoville Poyferré. There was plenty going on!

With an array of vintages to taste, there was one in particular that most were tasting for the first time – 2019. Poignantly, this was the vintage first released during the early stages of lockdown, and a vintage which required collectors to put even more faith in our en primeur recommendations. If anyone needed reassuring that they had wisely piled in, then this tasting certainly left a satisfying finish. These 2019s showed so much promise, beautiful flavour profiles and sophisticated tannins. There is an elegance framing the richness; everything in balance. 2019 is a terroir driven vintage which, if can be resisted, will cellar gracefully.

Having not had the chance to showcase their wines in person for so long, it was evident that the visiting Bordelais fed off the energy of the room. How they had missed a central London venue full of discerning and enthusiastic Jeroboams’ customers – a knowledgeable crowd, that remains such an important market for Bordeaux. And a timely re-connect ahead of the forthcoming 2021 en primeur campaign.

As a footnote – many of our Bordelais friends had flown in first thing and hosted their tables from midday until gone 9pm before we dragged them off for a late dinner. Spare a thought then that they got to Gatwick early the following morning, to find their return flight cancelled! Merci à vous for all your efforts. À la prochaine!

Above all, thank you to all our customers for making it such a wonderful evening. A reminder, if one was needed, that wine is nothing without its relationships, and to be able to spend time with customers again was a real privilege. Not to mention, a lot of fun, and the first of many such events.

Our upcoming Piedmont tasting is on 5th May, tickets below.

Photography: Jan Rockar