Yep, that’s why I changed “dud” to “disappoints” in the posting headline. I also checked with other wine makers and they agreed the tasting had problems – I only quoted you as you had gone public on http://www.winenews.co.za.

Cheers

The problem was not the vintage but the fact that the 2006 First Lady was a Cab/Merlot blend and the 2007 First Lady is a Cab, not a blend. I assumed the 2007 First Lady would also be a blend and didn’t check the invoice or the packaging.

As a result I didn’t change the wine list either and a customer brought my misrepresentation to my notice, very embarassing.

We tasted the 2007 Cab at lunch today. Very good and the price break is just right for our small wine list.

BTW we love your wines, so that is not an issue. But I have learnt a good lesson, to check incoming products more carefully

Hi Peter, I was sorry to hear about your troubles with getting the correct vintage of ‘The First Lady’ – please call me personally and I will assist in sorting out the problems. Have alook at this latest review of the 2007 vintage from Jancis Robinson http://www.jancisrobinson.com/.....09245.html – perhaps this might change your mind?
Regards
Mike Ratcliffe

From: Mike Ratcliffe
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 13h17
To: Neil Pendock
Subject: Mega-Tasting

Hi Neil
I think that ‘dud’ is a bit strong – actually for those producers that are organised and had pre-booked appointments, they had the opportunity to meet with all of the major buyers.
My comments reflect my feeling that the grassroots wine community of restaurant and bar staff and restaurant owners were conspicuous by their absence. Actually, it was a very successful business show for me – but I would suggest that majority of producers arriving unprepared would have wasted their time.
M

_______________________________________________________________
Mike Ratcliffe
Warwick Wine Estate
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Phone: +27 (0) 21 88 444 10
Email: mike@warwickwine.com
Web: http://www.warwickwine.com
Web: http://www.vilafonte.com

From: Neil Pendock
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 8:33 AM
To: mike@warwickwine.com
Subject: Mega-Tasting

Hi Mike

It seems from your last posting on http://www.winenews.co.za that the Mega-Tasting was a dud? No 2010 marketing, the USA sommelier jolly fell flat and there were no restaurateurs/small retailers?

What went wrong?

Cheers

–
Neil Pendock

Caveat emptor. I have been serving Warwick First Lady for a couple of years. When the stock of the 2006 blend (Cab/Merlot) ran low I ordered some more from Vinimark. Not a word from the distributor and guess what, the First Lady 2007 arrived, I paid and then discovered that the 2007 is a Cab not a blend.

Back on the phone next week to arrange to return it. Let’s hope it all turns out well and doesn’t end in tears.

Of course it was my fault – careless purchasing, but rest assured it won’t happen again.