Happy New Year!

Another vinous year has passed - lots of great bottles and fantastic tastings. In a few days the list of my 10 most memorable wines of 2013 will be posted. But there is one day left!

Maybe one of these bottles, which I will be bringing to a friends place for New Years Eves dinner, will make the list...? And there will surely be more memorable bottles tonight!

A Happy New Year to all!

The Great Syrah Competition!

I'm wasted...

23 wines tasted - I will be back!

And yes, we have a winner...:-)

The line up:
2005 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett
2002 Keller Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Spätlese (Goldkap)
2007 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Spätlese A.P. #7

2002 Sine Qua Non Just For The Love of It
2003 Sine Qua Non Papa
2001 Sadie Family Columella
1999 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah
2004 Viña Montes Folly Syrah
1998 Guigal Cote Rotie La Turque
2001 Domaine Pierre Cros Les Aspres
1997 Tenimenti Luigi d’Alessandro Podere Il Bosco (magnum)
2009 Clonakilla Shiraz
2001 Torbreck Run Rig
1999 Greenock Creek Creek Block
2008 First Drop Shiraz The Cream
1996 Clarendon Hills Astralis

1998 Noon V.P.
1990 Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg 1er Trier

Just Bought

Santa delivered a Christmas present a couple of days late but given what was inside, I forgive him!
Five more bottles to add to the 1964 stack - next year will be fun...:-)

Two 1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Time again to test drive two more 1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the forgotten stash...:-)

1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Bosquet des Papes
This has a deep, warm, mature nose with notes of raspberry jam, thyme, garrigue, raspberry liquorice and dried resin. A nice warmth but it is a tad flabby in its structure.
The taste is big, warm and ripe with notes of thyme spiced raspberries, lingonberry bushes, resin, milk chocolate and forest floor. Soft tannins. Good but it hasn´t got much of a backbone. Fully mature and should probably have been drunk some 5+ years ago.
85p   (tasted 2013/12)

1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Le Vieux Donjon
This on the other hand is a really fine bottle of an almost mature Châteauneuf. The nose is deep, creamy yet intense with lovely notes of dried strawberries, root vegetables, violets, dried rose petals and lots and lots of herbs. Very complex and fine. A very fine warmth. Very floral. Great.
The taste is big, warm and juicy with still a firm tannin grip and notes of strawberry compote, licorice, fried root vegetables, forest floor and fresh rosemary. The finish is long and balanced. This still needs a couple of years to hit its plateau, but it is impossible to resist today. Bought in 2000 for 20 Euros - too bad I didn´t bought more...
93p   (tasted 2013/12)

Some Christmas Bottles

These bottles were opened over the last couple of days. More to follow...:-)

2011 Rosso di Montalcino, Castello Romitario
A young, fresh nose with notes of sour cherries, rosehips, lingonberry bushes, rosemary and road dust. Very nice. Upfront juicy fruit.
The taste is young, tight and firm with notes of red cherries, lingonberries, liquorice and Tuscan gravel. Luscious and fine. Some violets in the medium long finish. A fine acidity. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2013/12)

2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Collosorbo
I have missed drinking Brunello lately! This bottle consoles me with an open, semi mature, spicy nose with notes of red cherries, black tea leaves, dried rosemary, tobacco ashes and autumn leaves. A fine warmth. Not that complex but a very yummy fruit.
The taste is big, warm and maturing with notes of sweet and sour cherries, asphalt, autumn leaves and some tobacco. A long, warm finish with nicely polished tannins. The taste is verging on great. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2013/12)

2010 Gigondas Sieur Alphonse, Bonpas
A medium deep, nice nose with notes of resin, Christmas spices, white pepper spiced blueberries and some earthy aromas. A fine warmth.
The taste is young, warm and spicy with notes of cooked blueberries, warm rocks, balsa wood and old leather. Some dried strawberries in the rather short finish. Good.
84p   (tasted 2013/12)

2012 L´Integrale, Domaine des Pothiers
I received my first case from Vinlådan just before Christmas. This cuvee is made from Gamay and has a young, seedy, fresh nose with notes of cool blackberries, thyme, violets, liquorice and a hint of blueberry yoghurt. Fruity and fine.
The taste is young, clean and medium bodied with notes of blueberries, resin, liquorice and thyme. A medium long, fresh finish with pleasing tannins. Hard blueberry candy. Very good.
88p   (tasted 2013/12)

Merry Christmas!

I have obviously been a good boy since Santa left me this case today for drinking over the holidays!

Merry Christmas to all!

And is there a better way to start Christmas then with a serene version of Silent Night - (after 0:52 you really get in the spirit of the holidays...:-))

A Great Evening With Great Burgundy´s

P invited to a evening with Burgundy´s. Lovely food, stunning wines and new acquaintances - thanks P for a great evening!

Alas, we opened with a bottle of non-Burgundy...
1999 Pol Roger Blanc de Blanc
A fine, elegant, somewhat mature nose with notes of yellow apples. dry caramel, hazel nuts and buckthorn. Very fine. A elegant perfumed note with some time in the glass.
The taste is fine, elegant and dry with lots of yellow apples and notes of dry fudge, buttercup flowers and minerals. A medium long, fine finish. Drinking well now and the coming 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2013/11)

Flight 1
2007 Saint-Aubin Murgeri des Dents de Chen, Domaine Gerard Thomas
A big, lightly butteru nose with notes of red apples, almond paste and warm gravel. A fine maturity. Very good.
The taste is mature, round and good with notes of red apples, clam shells, almond flakes and gravel. A medium long finish with a tad foursquare acidity. Ends dry and good.
85p   (tasted 2013/11)

2010 Saint-Romain, Alain Gras
This is good! A deep, tight, fresh nose with notes of white peaches, assorted nuts, sea shells, cap gun smoke and a tiny rubbery note. Interesting and intriguing. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and fine with yellow apples, sweet lemons, clay and chalk. A tight, fine acidity. Medium long. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2013/11)

2010 Rully La Pulelle, Paul & Marie Jacqueson
A deep, clean nose with notes of yellow apples, almond flakes, dried apricots and chalk. Medium deep. Good.
The taste is good, cleanly made and medium long with notes of lemon peel, elderberries, smoke and some oaky notes. Good but doesn´t seem to catch my interest.
83p   (tasted 2013/11)

Flight 2
2007 Meursault Les Meix Chavaux, Domaine Roulot
This young Meursault has a fine, cool, beautiful nose with notes of lemon cream, mussels, orange peel, hazel nut paste and summer flowers. Very elegant and a little restrained. Still young.
The taste is young, tight and fresh with notes of lemon and lime peel, chalk, mussels and pressed flowers. The acidity is very high and cleans the mouth effectively - a little to effectively on its own, this needs food. For hedonistic drinking, wait another 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2013/11)

2005 Meursault, Comtes Lafon
This has a more mature appearance on the nose with lovely notes of smoke, yellow apples, sea shells, banana peel and butter cup flowers. Rich and ready. Very, very good.
The taste is big, open and intense with notes of smoky yellow apples, crushed rocks, lemon cream and butter biscuits. The finish is long, warm and sumptuous. Drinking perfect now.
93p   (tasted 2013/11)

2010 Batard-Montrachet, Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard
Aaaaaaah, this more than made up for a corked Coche Dury. The nose is bottomless deep and hauntingly beautiful with notes of cold butter, paint, dried apricots, grilled lemons and some fugde aromas. Pure and really handsome. Great!
The taste is liquefied velvet with a stunning intensity and purity. Lovely notes of grilled lemons, passion fruit, fudge, wet rocks and a tiny smoky note. The acidity is beautiful balanced and the finish goes on forever. Still young of course but ooooh so good even now. In 6+ years time, this will be flirting with perfection.
97p   (tasted 2013/11)

Flight 3
2006 Aloxe-Corton Les Grandes Lollierés, Domaine Maillard
A cool,, somewhat earthy nose with notes of lingonberries, Christmas spices, scorched earth and some bacon fat. Very good.
The taste is young, tight and on the light side of things but exposes a fine lingonberry- and strawberry fruit alongside some notes of earth, leather and meat stock. Good acidity. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2013/11)

2005 Beaune Clos du Roy, Domaine Prieur-Brunet
The nose is fine, tight and a little sweet with notes of lingoberry bushes, warm earth, dried strawberries and leather. After a while some dirty aromas appear.
The taste is tight and lean with notes of lingonberries, cherry pips and worn leather. A medium long finish that ends with a bitter twist. A little unbalanced.
78p   (tasted 2013/11)

2008 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Humbert Fréres
A warm, fruity, lean nose with notes of dried strawberries, root vegetables, orange peel and juniper berries. A bit rigid but it has a nice warmth.
The taste is young, tight and warm with notes of strawberries, mushrooms, fried herbs and some woody notes in the finish. Good.
83p   (tasted 2013/11)

Flight 4
2009 Vosne-Romanée Vieilles Vignes, Cecile Tremblay
This young Vosne has a deep, focused and fresh nose with notes of raspberries, eastern spices, leather and forest floor. Light on its feet in a very positive way. Structured. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and concentrated with notes of just ripening raspberries, licorice, forest floor and root vegetables. Very well balanced. Long and lingering. This is good!
92p   (tasted 2013/11)

2011 Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts, Domaine Dujac
The most interesting and enigmatic wine of the whole evening. This is what I wrote down when I sniffed it - smoked sausages, ginger bread cookies, rust, dried up Coca-Cola, cigarette ashes, mosquitoe spray, smoked fish.... What should one make out of that? Very concentrated. Very young. Would love to taste this again in 10 years time.
The taste is young, very concentrated and focused with notes of smoky red berries, cherry pips, expensive leather, moist forest floor and strawberry ice cream. Very, very long. This I would like to get reunited with...
92p   (tasted 2013/11)

2010 Echezeaux, DRC
A stunningly hedonistic, deep and complex nose with notes of raspberry truffles, parsnips, blood orange peel, black pudding and a perfect autumn forest walk. Just fascinating. Deep and very refined. Still young, but oooooooh so good!
The taste is young, fresh and very intense with notes of sweet raspberries, dark chocolate, moist forest floor, rosehips, Asian spices and new leather. The finish goes on and on and on... This will need another 10+ years to really show off, but you can´t resist this beauty today.
96p   (tasted 2013/11)

A extra bottle was brought by one of the guests. And this was no slouch!
2002 Mazy-Chambertin, Armand Rousseau
This has a semi mature, ripe nose with fine notes of sweet lingonberries, dried strawberries, moist earth, cigar smoke and worn leather. A very fine warmth. Deep and fine.
The taste is semi mature, lovingly sweet, refined and pure with notes of raspberries, licorice, Asian spices, leather and earth. The finish goes of for over a minute with a fine sweetness and structure. Very, very fine. A lovely maturity.
93p   (tasted 2013/11)

More impressions and info here and more pics here.

Two Times Pommard

As I have said before, Pommard is often my go to wine for every day drinking. Often rich, sturdy and drinking well with a variety of food. These two were opened and then drunk over a few days.

2003 Pommard 1er Cru La Platière, Domaine Vincent Sauvestre
A big, warm, open nose with notes of spicy red cherries, warm undergrowth, cherry liquor, rubber and some dog fur. With air and especially on day two it smoothens out and some dried raspberries emerge. Good but somewhat marked by the hot year.
The taste is big, tight and a touch foursquare with notes of warm lingonberries, warm earth, balsa wood and cherry liquor. The taste doesn´t change much over the two days. A lot of warmth in the finish. Good but not more.
82p   (tasted 2013/12)

2005 Pommard, Châteaux de la Charrière
The nose on the 05 is richer, not warmer, but the fruit has more dimensions and a laid back warmth. It has notes of warm lingonberries, red cherries, Christmas spices, ginger bread and some tobacco scents. Very good. The sweetness of the fruit is more prominent on day two.
The taste is young, tight and juicy with notes of sweet red cherries, lingonberry jam, licorice, Christmas spices and tobacco flakes. A medium long, balanced finish. More forest floor notes day two. Very good.
88p   (tasted 2013/12)

Drinking Tonight - 2012 County Line Pinot Noir

Recovering from a couple of days cold, I was up for some juicy, upfront Pinot but without any heat or jammy fruit. I had read good things about this producer and grabbed a bottle of the state monopoly´s shelves.

2012 County Line Pinot Noir
The nose is just what I looked for, a juicy, fresh nose with notes of frozen raspberries, rhubarb, forest floor and dried spices. Light but at the same time shows a nice depth. Very good.
The taste is easy going, young and fresh with notes of red currants, raspberries, liquorice and forest floor. It is a tad warm in the finish which I think will subside with age. It is good, it is easy to drink, it is very well made, but I had expected a bit more complexity for 30 Euro. Or am I just grumpy?
86p   (tasted 2013/12)

Six Bottles Of Port

"Port is not for the very young, the vain and the active. It is the comfort of age and the companion of the scholar and the philosopher."
(Evelyn Waugh)

Time again for ending this year in our tasting group, and as always we finish the year of with fortified wines, this time it was a Port line up, courtesy of Mikke (as he did in 2011, I missed the tasting last year).
All tasted double blind.

1987 Graham´s Late Bottled Vintage
Served out of a magnum - you don´t see a lot of Port magnums! A big, open, sweet nose with notes of figs, raisins, chocolate mousse and chocolate covered cherries. Touch of cigar smoke. A lavish nose. Very good.
The taste is big, sweet and intense with notes of liquor soaked cherries, chocolate mousse, figs and warm herbs. A long, warm finish. Not that most complex of Ports but drinking perfect right now, especially out of a magnum!
88p   (tasted 2013/12)

1984 Kopke Colheita
A big, tight, sweet nose with notes of green raisins, detergent, dried plums that have been soaked in cocnac and dark fudge. A fine depth. Rather complex. Very, very good.
The taste is lovingly sweet and intense with notes of milk chocolate, figs, candied orange peel and plums. A long, long finish that is balancing on the fiery side but gets away with it. I like this.
91p   (tasted 2013/12)

1982 Krohn Colheita
If I liked the Kopke, I love this one! The nose is a Port dream, with notes of French nougat, dark plums, pan fried nuts, detergent, milk chocolate and seaweed. Deep, intense and just lovely.
The taste is concentrated, tight and powerful with gorgeous notes of dark plums, fudge, nuts, dates and milk chocolate mousse. The finish goes on for over a minute with a lovely warmth and richness. Brilliant! The Colheitas´s from Krohn is very reliable, I have very found memories of several vintages, with the 1961 as a masterpiece.
95p   (tasted 2013/12)

S. Leonardo 30 Year Tawny
A deep, fine, almost ethereal nose with notes of burned almonds, green raisins, figs, milk chocolate and lots of mocha aromas. Very, very fine. An elegant scent of roses. This is good.
The taste is very intense, very tight and very expressive with notes of candied orange peel, plums, milk chocolate, hazelnut cream and sugared coffee. The finish is very long, warm and yummy. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2013/12)

1960 Warre´s Vintage Port
A mature, round and open nose with notes of raisins, dry chocolate, burned almonds, band aid, parsnips and shoe cream. Interesting. I think that this bottle have gone a bit to far, a perfect stored 1960 should be more perky.
The taste is big and fiery with notes of dried plums, burned almonds, iodine and old leather. Actually becomes better with more air, but still on the light side of things. Good though.
87p   (tasted 2013/12)

1937 Shepherd´s Vintage Port
A very fragile colour, but the nose is healthier than the colour leads you to believe. A big, ripe, semi sweet nose with notes of white raisins, dry apricot marmalade, stale nuts, iodine and bay leaves. A fine warmth.
The taste is deep, mellow and warm with notes of dried apricots, raisins, nuts, old leather and iodine. A long, warm finish with lots of glycerine. Very, very good. Fully mature (of course...) but holding well.
88p   (tasted 2013/12)

A New Player...? :-)

These guys fixed with the broadband to our house - I hope that they´re not in the wine business as well...:-)

Drinking Tonight - 1964 Château La Tour Baladoz

49 years have come and went. To console myself I open a bottle that share my old and wrinkled age...:-) Will open some more on Friday with dinner with the family.

1964 Château La Tour Baladoz
This for me unknown St Emilion has a good level, just in the neck. The colour is a healthy red/orange with a little brown in the rim. The nose is a bit shy at first but soon evolve nicely in the glass, with aromas of mature red plums, sweet undergrowth, mocha, rosehips and lots of autumn leaves. Laid back, mature and velvety. Really nice.
The taste is as velvety as the nose with notes of plums, red currants, melted milk chocolate, autumn leaves and old worn leather. A medium long, soft finish with not a hard edge in sight. Maybe a bit to soft but the drinkability is high!
86p   (tasted 2013/12)

The label is a bit of fun. On the top of the label is says "Monopole" - isn´t all Bordeaux châteaux monopole's? Or do Latour have several owners who bottle their own version? :-)
Then it isn´t enough that this is a Grand Vin - it is a St Emilion Le Grand Cru - doesn´t this get confusing for the ordinary consumer...? :-)

Miscellaneous Bottles

Some bottles tasted during the last couple of weeks, both at tastings and on their own at home.

(2012) Antea, Tenuta Anfosso
I tasted this unique wine during a visit to the estate this summer and found it to be great. On this occasion, back home, it performed on the same high level with a lovely nose with lime, summer flowers and chalk.
The taste is cool, fresh and fine with notes of lime peel, summer flowers, chalk and a touch of pear. A long, fine finish with a very fine, although not very high, acidity. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2013/10)

1998 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Delas Freres
R poured this blind after our tasting of Guigal´s La Landonne. The nose is deep, spicy and mature with notes of sweet lingonberries, blueberry bushes, crushed white peppers and rosehip. A very fine maturity.
The taste is younger than the leads you to believe. A long, tight and spicy taste with notes of blueberries, violets, white pepper and a touch of toothpaste. Very, very good. Should still evolve with 3+ years in the cellar.
90p   (tasted 2013/10)

2003 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Rieslig Auslese, Dönnhoff
This stunner has a velvety, deep and semi sweet nose with notes of white peach, orange peel, dried honey and wet asphalt. Very racy. Refinement in a glass. Just great.
The taste is impressive with a soft, semi sweet entry that explodes in a myriad of lemon fruits and a acidity beyond words. Very, very pure. This is in a great drinking phase, just balancing the sweetness and acidity. Gorgeous.
93p   (tasted 2013/10)

2007 Riesling Kabinett, A. J. Adam
A young, fresh, pure nose with notes of yellow apples, ripe pears, pickled ginger and flint. Very good. Elegant.
The taste is cool and fresh with notes of lemon peel, pears, ginger and crushed rocks. A medium long, fine finish with good acidity. A fine bitterness at the end. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2013/11)

2012 Nierstein Riesling Kabinett -H-, Keller
This Hipping Kabinett is a divine wine. The nose is stellar, with great purity and elegance. Lovely notes of ripe pears, elderberries, liquorice, hazel nuts, rubber and sweet minerals - deep, complex and intoxicating. Just beautiful.
The taste is young, tight and refined with notes of lime juice, grapefruit, ripe pears, granite, grass and slate. A long, almost weightless, yet intense finish. Very, very fine. Still young of course, but impossible to resist today. Marvellous wine!
94p   (tasted 2013/11)

2002 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese, Ziliken
This wine was poured after the stunning Hipping above, and time stood still. A candidate of white wine of the year, this semi mature Riesling touched me. The nose is very deep and concentrated with wondrous notes of lemon juice, blood orange, oil cloth, melting ice, liquorice and a touch of rubber. Very aristocratic. Very exquisite. This is goooooood!
The taste is light on its feet, yet intense and focused with magnificent notes of sweet lime juice, liquorice, rain water, dried pears, crumbled biscuits and a touch of hay. The acidity is not of this world. Balance is a key word to describe this wine. Delicate. Wow!
96p   (tasted 2013/11)

2004 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese, Dönnhoff
A deep, intense and solid nose with notes of dried apricots, orange juice, resin, cap gun smoke and white balsamic vinegar. Interesting and deep. Very good.
The taste is wide, tight and focused with notes of sweet lemon juice, orange peel, licorice, warm grass and minerals. A long, semi dry finish with a high acidity. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2013/11)

2000 Redigaffi, Tua Rita
This 100p Parker wine is a big mouthful of juicy Merlot, but it is not a perfect wine, not in my book anyway. The nose is deep, intense and full of sweet black plums, raspberry liquorice, moist earth, fresh herbs and some chocolate covered cherries. Very deep. Blood orange juice.
The taste is big and broad with lots of sweet black cherries and plums. Additional notes are sweet liquorice, autumn leaves, dark chocolate, expensive leather and warm tiles. Very big but extremely well polished tannins. There is a touch of alcohol in the end of the finish. Has started to mature a little bit, but I guess it will need 5+ years to really show its character.
92p   (tasted 2013/11)

2005 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Champs de Morjot, Château de la Charriére
A big, round, mature nose with notes of dried fruits in the shape of apricots, peach and pears. Some additional notes of smoke and saffron. A little front heavy on the nose. But a nice warmth.
The taste is big, ample and warm with notes of the above dried fruits, dried honey, saffron and moist forest floor. Long and warm. Marked of the warm 05 vintage. Ok drinking but a bit too heavy.
78p   (tasted 2013/12)

2003 Aloxe-Corton Les Maréchaudes, Domaine Vincent Sauvestre
A big, mature, warm nose with notes of (over) ripe lingonberries, cranberry juice, dried herbs, road dust and a burned character. Marked of the warm year. A bit rubbery from time to time. But the lingonberry fruit is nice.
The taste is warm, tight and dry with notes of lingonberries, dried raspberries, rosehips and forest floor. A good warmth in the medium long finish. The taste is less marked by the year. Good.
82p   (tasted 2013/11)

 

 

Then & Now - 1949 & 2009 Château Batailley

Two bottles of this fifth growth Pauillac - 60 years apart.
Batailley is a Bordeaux that I don´t have that much experience with - according to my notes I have tastes the 1975, 1983 and 1989, and have never been really impressed. But now I going both back and forward in time.

Parker says that those "who have patience doubt admire Batailley´s reputation for longevity". That sounds good!
David Peppercorn calls Batailley "solid and dependable, very consistent, but only occasionally memorable". My impressions so far...
Clive Coates tasted the 49 in April 1987 and found it "still very alive. Real breed. Lovely". Lets keep our fingers crossed!
Info here.

1949 Château Batailley
The nose is big, mature (!) and sweet with lots of old stables, coffee that have gone stale, old leather and some pencil shavings. There is lot of dried up sweetness here. Overly mature? Well, a bit but there is still some interest here.

The taste is round, full and with the same dried up sweetness as on the nose - 49 was a really great year. Notes of dried red and black currants, old leather and cold coffee. The finish is medium long and doesn't end up dry at all, as one would think. An old, rather fragile gentlemen that still has got some spirit.

85p   (tasted 2013/12)

2009 Château Batailley
The 60 year younger version of Batailley is a small wonder - from the first sniff and sip you can feel where its origin are, the ripe black currants are of the highest quality, the oak gives a gentle push from behind, the pencil shavings are fresh, the finish is long, perfectly balanced and the impression is of a wine, albeit young of course, in harmony. I will be getting more bottles of this nectar. This is drinking well now and will continue to do for at least 15+ years. Great wine!

93p   (tasted 2013/12)