Uncorked: Hew Blair, Justerini & Brooks

Hew Blair, Justerini & Brooks’ chairman who this year will celebrate 40 years at the firm, speaks to the drinks business about his love of Pomerol and Pinot Noir.

What Vintage are you?

1951 – one of the worst five vintages of the last 70 years in Europe 

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses 1964, Georges Roumier

Ambition or talent – what matters more?

I think you really need both to be successful. 

What would you be as a wine?

A Pomerol – because I have structure yet roundness, sweetness yet gravity.

Where are you happiest?

In my walled garden with my dogs and a glass of Mosel in my hand.

What’s your greatest vice?

Dark chocolate with creamed centres

Best advice you ever got?

Time spent on reconnaissance is rarely wasted.

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

I would save the Vosne-Romanée Cros-Parantoux 1990, Henri Jayer.

What’s the best & worst thing about the wine business?

Best is the people – the worst, is an ever expanding waist line.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points)

It swings from the early 80s to late 90s depending on how the day has gone.

Desert island vine?

Pinot Noir – because from it you can make great red wine, wonderful sparking wine and probably even good white wine.

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

Probably the wine that has consistently given me more pleasure than any other: Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatiéres, Bachelet-Monnot. The vintage would depend on which is drinking best when I am gone.