Criccieth

To Criccieth to see  Starlight Players production of Three Weeks in August. Dan was stage manager for this.

Before show had dinner with Caroline and Stuart, Elliot and Amy.

Joan Peter Caroline Elliot, Amy at front

 

Joan, Elliot, Peter, Stuart, Amy at front

Amy, Peter, Joan

Peter and Dan at Abersoch

Hell Fire Caves

 

Entrance to Hell-Fire Caves

Sir Francis Dashwood's Hell Fire Caves at West Wycombe are a half-a-mile  complex of man-made  arched tunnels with  chambers, caverns and mazes descending for half a mile and ending 300ft under ground at the 'inner temple' reached after crossing the River Styx. 
 

There's low level electric lighting now, even more spooky with candles

Now crossed by a bridge, although originally a boat was used. The stalagtites above the river were brought from Wooky Hole.

River Styx and stalagtites

The caves were built by Sir Francis Dashwood and used by his secret society  Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe, later known as the Hell-Fire Club. The 'friars' comprised the elite of society and dedicated themselves to drinking and whoring.

 Amazing visit, brought to life by our guide Jack in Georgian clothing.

Good cafe at the entrance with home made food at reasonable prices.

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Bordeaux Tasting at Central London Wine Society

 




Bordeaux and Bordeaux Blends presented to Central London Wine Society at their monthly Wine & Dine tastings in the restaurant with guests choosing from the regular menu.

Because the main restaurant was in use by a function we had the  Elizabethan Room to ourselves. Note the appropriate wallpaper!

As well as the six red wines shown above we had two whites, I have visited five of the wineries in this tasting: Craggy Range, Beringer, Kanonkop Estate, Château Tour St Bonnet and Château Batailley.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Price

Wines 

La Perriere Cave Co-operative de Rauzan  2016 AC Bordeaux (France) abv 11.5% Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon

Château de Ricaud 2016 AC Bordeaux (France) abv 13% Sauvignon Blanc 60%, Semillon 40%

Craggy Range Exhibition Hawke’s Bay 2014 Hawke’s Bay (North Island, New Zealand) abv 13.5%     Merlot 61%, Cabernet Sauvignon 19%, Malbec 14%, Cabernet Franc 6%

Château Ksara 2012 Bekaa Valley (Lebanon) abv 13.5% Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 30%, Petit Verdot 10%

Château Tour St Bonnet  2011 Cru Bourgeois AC Medoc (Bordeaux, France) abv 13.5% Vineyards planted  60% Merlot, 35%  Cabernet Sauvignon,  5% Petite Verdot, tiny amounts Cabernet Franc & Malbec

Concha  y Toro Terrunyo Lot 1 Block 16 2014 DO Pirque Valley (Maipo, Chile) abv  14.5% 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc

Beringer Estates Cabernet Sauvignon  2013 Napa Valley (California, USA) abv 14.5%  (Estate Grown) 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot 1%, Merlot 1%

Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer 2008 Estate Wine of Origin Simonsberg-Stellenbosch (South Africa) abv  13.5%  Cabernet Sauvignon 69%, Merlot 22%, Petit Verdot 9%

Château Batailley 2009 5eme Grand Cru Classe AC Pauilllac (Bordeaux, France) abv 13% Cabernet Sauvignon 74%, Merlot 22%, Cabernet Franc 2%, Petit Verdot 2%