About Me

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Dublin, Ireland
Hi, I'm Dermot Nolan, and I became a Master of Wine (MW) in 1997, and resigned from the Institute of Masters of Wine in 2023 after being an MW for exactly 26 years. I opened a wine shop in DĂșn Laoghaire, Ireland, called The Wine Library, which closed in 2018, and this is my personal wine blog. I will do my utmost to be fair and responsible in my posts – please read my Who Pays article in re the ethics of wine trips and writing. I have worked in wine education, retail, and consultancy since 1990. I was a Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) from 2008 to 2014 and was also a member of the Events Committee, founder of the Trips Committee, and member of the Governance Committee. Having had problems with potentially libellous comments from unidentifiable posters, I now require that if you post a comment, you must identify yourself properly or it won't be published. Please note that I do not review products or services on request so kindly don't ask. I value my independence and I believe my readers (few that they may be) do so also.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Lebanese charm

Well, tonight I tasted the first of my birthday wines. Massaya Classic 2005 is a blend of 60% cinsault, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 20% syrah. Produced in the Bekaa Valley it's an interesting blend of grapes and producers - Dominique Hebrard of Chateaux Bellefont-Belcier and Trianon, Frederic & Daniel Brunier of Vieux Telegraphe and Sami and Ramzi Ghosn of Tanail in Lebanon.
The wine has a lovely ruby, garnet colour evenly fading from core to rim, suggesting some maturity. The nose is ripe and spicy, with warm berry fruits, some dried fruit and some pepper, suggesting a rich wine beginning to mature. The palate has a sweet, smooth entry, soft tannins and supple acidity, a rich but elegant middle palate, and a sweet long fruity finish. Overall, a good to very good wine.
So, thanks Bren for the good bottle.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A birthday post

Well, a quickie - today I'm 50 and among the fabulous presents I got (having asked for none it's quite astonishing to get loads LOL) were 5 wines. At some stage I'll taste them and post the notes.

The wines are Chasse-Spleen 1985, Veuve Clicquot 1999, Marimar Estate Don Miguel Pinot Noir 2004, Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2004 and Massaya Classic 2005.

That's it - short and sweet.