Previously this goal was to get the WSET level 2 qualification, but now that I’ve taken the exam (haven’t had the result yet) I want to use it for more general comments and tasting notes.

Last night I had a call from G who had just opened the bottle of 1974 cabernet sauvignon from California which a friend had given him a while ago. Said friend knows a lot about US wine and said that the ones made before 1977 are different from the ones made after that date – before 1977 they were built to last.

Naturally I went downstairs to see what it was like. Absolutely sensational! It was up there with the best clarets I’ve ever had. In particular it had a kind of velvety richness to it, with a sweet finish which first reminded me of sultanas, then fruitcake, and then as we moved onto the next glass took on a hint of black treacle.

Although I’ve been a fan of Ridge and Napanook for ages, this took it to the next level. I’ve never had Ridge Montebello, their flagship wine, but it beat the French clarets at a well-known blind tasting and the French were very upset. Now I can understand just how good Californian wine can be.

The good news is that we’ve found a bottle of the 1973 from the same place for less than £30. I realise that’s a lot of money for a bottle of wine, but this stuff is actually worth at least £100. 1973 is my and G’s vintage but was generally rubbish in vinous terms, so I think we might have to get hold of it to drink at our summer celebration….