1985 Château Siran

Some meat, some potatoes, a red wine sauce - and a mature Bordeaux - what could go wrong?

1985 Château Siran
A bit barnyardy at first, but that receded to the background with some air. Then scents of autumn leaves, dried red and black cherries, graphite and dry tobacco arises from the glass. Very classic and very good. A fine earthy aroma. A fine maturity.
The taste is medium bodied, mature and dry with polished, salivating tannins and notes of cool black currants, tobacco, autumn leaves and dry leather. In a fine drinking phase. From time to time it is hard to beat a classic Bordeaux. A tasty bottle.
89p   (tasted 2016/10)

Barolo Boys Plans The Upcoming Invasion Of Piedmont

On the 30th of November, the Barolo Boys lands in the holy land of Nebbiolo. For three days we will drink, sip, taste, occasially spit, eat truffles, coniglio, braised meat; and meet those fantastic people who transforms Nebbiolo into nectar.

It has been too long since tha last trip.

But these visits have to be planned. More so than the D-Day. So I opened a couple of bottles and we discussed what producers and restaurants we will grace with our visit...

2008 Special Club, Juillet-Lallement
I tasted the 2006 recently and liked it a lot. Lets see how the 08 is. The nose is fresh and racy with notes of lemon peel, matchbox, green cabbage and gravel. Very good. Young of course.
The taste is perky and fine with notes of white peaches, lemons, gravel and the white beneath the orange peel. A long finish with a hint of bitterness. Needs some time. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2016/10)

1964 Eltville Marcobrunner Riesling Auslese Cabinet, Langwerth von Simmern
I opened these two older gems to go with some coniglio paté and truffle salami. The Eltville shows a big, mature, round nose with notes of rubber, dried apricots, moist earth and cigarette ash. A fine maturity. A bit loose around the edges though.
The taste is mature, velvety and semi dry with notes of blood oranges, dry honey, moist earth and a hint of saffron. The acidity is a tad low. Good.
85p   (tasted 2016/10)

1964 Niersteiner Hehr Riesling Feine Auslese, Heinrich Seip
Beforehand I thought that the Eltville was to be the winner, but with old bottles you never know. This is a stunner! The nose is deep, mature and vivid with notes of dried oranges, spices, some honey scents and lots of wet crushed rocks. A very fine balance. Perfectly mature.
The taste is mature, long and semi dry with lovely dried orange fruit and additional notes of smoke, rubber and minerals. A fine acidity. In a great drinking stage. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2016/10)

The first red flight was three old Barolo´s from Enrico Serafino. A few years ago I had a very good 58 from this producer. We had gnocchi with pancetta and fried sage with these bottles.
1947 Barolo, Enrico Serafino
The 47 has a deep, round nose with notes of undergrowth, dried flowers, candle grease and some animal scents. With more air, they all got 1,5 hours in the decanter, dried mushrooms and smoke comes forward. Deep and fine.
The taste is dry and intense with notes of dried red currants, cigarette ash, dried mushrooms and a hint of tar. A long, dry finish with a fine warmth. Very, very good although this bottle has reached its peak some 10+ years ago.
88p   (tasted 2016/10)

1949 Barolo, Enrico Serafino
A great bottle of aged Barolo! The nose is deep, compact yet lively and rich with notes of dried red cherries, wood smoke, rosehips, dog fur and mushrooms. Very, very good. Some veal stock scents. High and fine. A very fine maturity.
The taste is mature, velvety and dark with notes of dried red cherries, red tea, rose petals, cigarr smoke and undergrowth. A long, lingering, dry finish. A laid back power and intensity. This is really fine. Bottles like this will hold for 10+ years.
93p   (2016/10)

1952 Barolo Riserva Speciale, Enrico Serafino
Oh dear. Even if you strain the wine from lumps in it.....its not drinkable. Looked good but have been badly stored somewhere along the line.
50p   (tasted 2016/06)

Second flight of Baolo´s and I had HIGH expectations. A cep and sweetbread risotto was served to go along.
1982 Barolo Granbussia Riserva, Aldo Conterno
The 82 sports a mature, high, ethereal nose with notes of mushroom soup, dried cherries, liquorice and a beautifully perfume of aged Nebbiolo. Very deep. This has aged in a gorgeous fashion. Velvety. A great nose.
The taste is not as great as the nose, sorry to say. It is fine, oh yes, but the fruit has dried out somewhat and the finish is a tad liniar. Notes of hard cherry candy, mushrooms and forest floor. Long and warm, and dry. But, with the risotto it created magic, the best combination of the four wines.
90p   (tasted 2016/10)

1990 Barolo Granbussia Riserva, Aldo Conterno
Aaaaaaaah! What to say, this is sooo close to perfection. The nose is a dream, with notes of sweet rose petals, ceps, dark fudge, tobacco, tar and the same lovely perfumed scent as in the 82 but even better and more intense. Breathtakingly beautiful.
The taste is pure, intense and tight with notes of ripe red cherries, rosehips, ceps, raspberry liquorice and some chocolate wafers. The finish is looong, with a stunning acidity and some tannins creeping up at the end. I could drink this every day of the week. Probably peeking, but will hold for 10+ years.
Brilliant stuff!
98p   (tasted 2016/10)

1996 Barolo Granbussia Riserva, Aldo Conterno
The 96 is no slouch either. The nose is deep, intense and loaded with notes of ripe red and black cherries, dark roses, forest floor, coffee powder and a lovely perfumed mint scent. Very deep and very fine. Still young. Refined.
The taste is youngish, tight and intense with notes of fresh cherries, hard cherry candy, dry liquorice, tobacco and rosehips. A powerful silkiness. The finish is counted in minutes. Some still sturdy tannins in the end. Give this 8+ years and it will challenge the 90. Impressive.
96p   (tasted 2016/10)

2001 Barolo Granbussia Riserva, Aldo Conterno
The 2001 is a real youngster. The nose is upfront, rich and minty with notes of ripe cherries, fresh tobacco, new leather and sweet minerals. Very deep. A bit ungainly from time to time. Very deep and ripe. Needs time.
The taste is concentrated, rich and direct with notes of sweet black cherries, pipe tobacco, forest floor and asphalt. Very intense. The finish is very long and distinct. Needs at least 8 years. Lots of potential here. After two days in the bottle it was even better than on this night, had it 94p but after two days it is
95p   (tasted 2016/10)

After the deep impressions of the Barolo´s I thought we needed some Riesling to wind down. Both from half bottles.
2001 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*, Selbach-Oster
Smells like a perfect summers day! A beautiful, ethereal, delicate nose with notes of butter cup flowers, white peach, chalk and a hint of rubber. A lovely creaminess to the fruit. This is stunning.
The taste is pure, complex and light with a brilliant acidity and notes of peaches, lemon cream, matchbox and minerals. It dances over your tongue. Ooooh so good!
95p   (tasted 2016/10)

2001 Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Auslese Goldcap, Dönnhoff
The Dönnhoff feels "heavy" in comparison with the Selbach-Oster, but concentrating on it, it has a lot to offer. The nose is deep and multi layered with notes of ripe pears, gravel, warm grass and some vanilla ice cream. Deep and fine.
The taste is broad and intense with notes of dried apriocts, warm grass, lemon liquorice and minerals. A very long, tight finish. Aristocratic and fine. Still have places to go.
92p   (tasted 2016/10)

And now for the sweet stuff!
2015 Vouvray Moelleux Clos de Bourg 1er Trie, Huet
This was brought by S. A cool, grassy, elegant nose with a fine underlying sweetness in the shape of candied orange peels, sweet lime, oilcloth and warm hay. Very deep and fine.
The taste is young, sweet and complex with a brilliant acidity and notes of wet stones, kaffir lime, star fruit and minerals. A long, intense finish that ends semi dry. Very, very good. If this bottle is representative Huet has really got their shit together again.
93p   (tasted 2016/10)

1997 Coteaux du Layon Graine Nobles Marie Juby, Patrick Baudoin
A voluptuous, rich, sweet nose with notes of Tarte tatin, almond paste, smoked tea and spices. Very intense, very sweet and very yummy. Some maturity. Very concentrated.
The taste is big, sweet and dense with notes of apricots, almond paste, moist earth and ted tea. A long, long oily finish with a high acidity. Very impressive but should only be drunk in small sips.
92p   (tasted 2016/10)

Friday Dinner Barolo - 2009 Barolo Riserva, Elio Sandri

I needed something young and perky to go with a nice juicy steak, owen baked carrots and a truffle bearnaise sauce. My eyes caugth this bottle.

2009 Barolo Riserva, Elio Sandri
This is a charmer from the first sniff to the last! A young, upfront nose with lovely notes of sweet red currants, red cherries, blood oranges, sweet rosehips and a gorgeous perfumed aroma. Just lovely. There is a lightness to it that is beautiful, yet you can sense the structure and depth beneath.
The taste is young, firm and slender with notes of red currants, dried raspberries, bakelite and gravel. A long, medium bodied finish with some palpable tannins. A very fine texture. Will surely be even better in 6+ years time, but sadly, this was my only bottle.
92p   (tasted 2016/10)

1990 Barbaresco, Carlo Quazzolo

Winding down from work midweek, I opened this Nebbiolo.

1990 Barbaresco, Carlo Quazzolo
It needs a good hour to open up, but when it does it shows a fine mature nose with notes of rosehips, dried strawberries, mushrooms and a nice perfumed scent. A hint of dog fur adds to the complexity. Very, very good.
The taste is mature, firm and dry with notes of dried red currants, raspberry liquorice, tar and autumn leaves. A long, dry finish with some Christas spices present. Maybe a tad dry at the end. Worked great with a simple pasta dish.
87p   (tasted 2016/10)

Some Wines From Jean-Louis Chave

A couple of days ago I got the opportunity to taste through some wines from Jean-Louis Chave, courtesy of Magnusson Fine Wines. Since I only spend a minute or two with each wine, the score is approximate.

2010 Hermitage Blanche, J. L. Chave Selection
A fat, creamy nose with fine notes of mango, grilled lemons and lots of sweet minerals. Very, very good.
The taste is young and tight with notes of ripe lemons, apricots and crushed rocks. Good acidity. Really good.
~90p   (tasted 2016/10)

2008 Hermitage Blanche, J. L. Chave Selection
The two year older specimen feels older than that on the nose with notes of almond paste, dried apricots and moist gravel. A tad heavy.
The taste is warm, rich and stony with notes of dried flowers, white raisins and banana peel. The finish is long and fine. Should be drunk sooner than later.
~86p   (tasted 2016/10)

2013 Hermitage Blanc, Domaine J. L. Chave
The real stuff, and its good! The nose is big, deep and focused with notes of spices, grilled lemons and lavender. A wonderful smokiness. Great.
The taste is tight and concentrated with stern yellow fruit, a great acidity and a finish that is counted in minutes. Needs 6+ years. Stunning.
~94p   (tasted 2016/10)

2006 Hermitage Blanc, Domaine J. L. Chave
The 06 is almost as good as the 13, but not quite. It has a big, outgoing, complex nose with notes of decaying flowers, mango and warm tiles. Almost a hint of botrytis. Rich. Very, very good.
The taste is big, smoky and a bit peculiar, but very, very fine. A hint of sweetness. Candied orange peel, asphalt and dried flowers. Not for everyone I guess, but I like it! Drink now and the coming 5+ years.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)

2014 Saint-Joseph Offerus, J. L. Chave Selection
A young, spicy nose with notes of blueberries, bacon, wood smoke and dark chocolate. Very good.
The taste is young, tight and smoky with notes of black peppered meat, forest floor and ripening blackberries. Young and sporty. Very good. Needs 3+ years.
~88p   (tasted 2016/10)

2010 Hermitage Farconnet, J. L. Chave Selection
A deep, old fashioned nose with notes of hot gravel, fir, fried herbs and dried raspberries. A fine floral note. Very, very good.
The taste is deep and inky with notes of bakelite, sweet blueberries, dried herbs and asphalt. A long, tight finish. This will turn out great.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)

2009 Hermitage Farconnet, J. L. Chave Selection
The 09 is as good as the 10, but it is more dark and meaty on the nose. Some dried flowers also. Very, very good.
The taste is warm, open and a tad funky, with notes of ripe blue- and blackberries, forest floor and smoke. A long, structured finish. Very fine.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)

2013 Hermitage, Domaine J. L. Chave
A cool, finely tuned, refined nose with notes of lightly peppered meat, ripening flowers, sweet red currants and wood smoke. Very deep and adolescent. Needs time.
The taste is young, stern and promising with notes of smoky blueberries, white pepper, herbs and smoke. A very long, structured finish. Needs at least 8+ years.
~93p   (tasted 2016/10)

2006 Hermitage, Domaine J. L. Chave
The 06 Hermitage is a stunner! A deep, deep, complex, impressive nose with gorgeous notes of warm tiles, ripe blueberries, red currants, dried flowers and cigarr smoke. Very refined. Some maturity. This is great. And it will get even better.
The taste is deep, concentrated and perfectly balanced, and shows notes of wood smoke, liquorice, ripe blueberries and veal stock. The finish goes in and on and on. Just lovely.
~96p   (tasted 2016/10)

2004 Hermitage, Domaine J. L. Chave
One of the guests kindly opened this for another Chave reference. The nose is deep and mellow with a fine meatiness and additional notes of red currants, herbs, forest floor and dried herbs. A fine maturity. Really good.
The taste is cool, dry and long with notes of dried red berries, warm earth, herbs and dried flowers. More like a maturing Vosne-Romanee than a Hermitage, but ooh so good. Very, very long.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)

Tasting The Penfolds Collection 2016

The other day I had the opportunity to taste through the newly released vintages of the upper echelon in the Penfolds family.
A lot of quality here but what have they done with the prizes? 420 Euro for Grange?! 250 Euro for the Bin 707?! Have they gone mad?! I´m not byuing, but I´m glad I got the chance to taste them :-)

2015 Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay
This is a juicy, upfront Chardonnay with notes of lemon cream, summer flowers, almonds and some smoke. A nice nerve to it, Very good.
The taste is young and forward with lots of sweet lemon fruit and additional notes of smoke, minerals and almond paste. A good acidity. But there is a hint of warmth at the end of the finish when it gets a little warmer in the glass.
88p   (tasted 2016/10)

2014 Bin 389
This 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Shiraz blend offers up a deep, warm, spicy nose with notes of ripe black currants, liquorice, smoke and some perfumed aromas. A warm earthy scent after a while. Open for business. Very good.
The taste is ample and warm with notes of peppered black currants, wood smoke, blood  pudding and dark chocolate. A long, hearthy finish. For drinking now and the coming 8+ years.
90p   (tasted 2016/10)

2013 St. Henri Shiraz
A deep, high toned, expressive nose with notes of ripe blueberries, starch, ink, meat stock and some dark perfume. A whole another style of Shiraz compared to the RWT and Grange, and better for it. Leaning more to a European style. Very, very good.
The taste is young, seedy and inky with notes of blueberries, bakelite, green peppers and hard liquorice. A very fine concentration. This is really good. Lots of polished tannins in the long, long finish. This will turn out great after at least 6 years in the cellar. Worth the tariff of 68 Euro. 96% Shiraz, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.
94p   (tasted 2016/10)

2014 RWT
The RWT is 100% Shiraz from Barossa Valley, and it shows. A rich, lush nose with notes of (over)ripe blackberries, rosemary, toothpaste, sweet liquorice and dark smoke. Very deep. Dark, moist earth.
The taste is full bodied, warm and tight with notes of spicy blackberries, dark chocolate, wood smoke and black peppers. The finish is long, heady and intense, and maybe a tad so for poor, weak me... Very good though.
92p   (tasted 2016/10)

2014 Bin 707
The Bin 707 (even though the price is insane) is a terrific bottle of wine. The nose is deep, intense and seamless with stunning notes of ripe blueberries, warm gravel, grilled peppers, mint and graphite. I would say that the nose is more of a Shiraz/Cab mix than a 100% Cab, but all the same, it is a great wine.
The taste is refined and gorgeously structured with notes of ripe black currants, mint, black cherries, warm tiles and some smoke. Perfectly polished tannins shows themself in the long, long finish. Will get even better with 8+ years cellaring.
96p   (tasted 2016/10)

2012 Grange
98% Shiraz and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Still a baby. The nose is very deep, warm and concentrated with notes of ripe blueberries, dark meat, forest floor, ink and smoke. Very complex, but ooooh so young. Somewhat withdrawn. Lots to unfold here, given time.
The taste is young, tight and intense with notes of ripe blueberries, hard cherry candy, ink, asphalt and dark violets. The finish goes of for minutes. Again, elusive. This will need at least a decade in the cellar.
94p   (tasted 2016/10)

Drinking Tonight - 2014 Le Volte, Tenuta dell´Ornellaia

Home made pizza with truffle salami, hand picked mushrooms from a nearby Swedish forest and buffalo mozzarella; and a straightforward yet satisfying bottle of wine - life is easy.

Seeing Tenuta dell´Ornellaia on the label gets me salivating for the upcoming Ornellaia vertical we got planned, with bottles from 1988 onwards...

2014 Le Volte, Tenuta dell´Ornellaia
The blend has changed compared to the 2013, with the Merlot pumped up to 70% and the rest is equal parts of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is medium deep and ripe with notes of plums, wood smoke, warm herbs and some chocolate aromas. Very good.
The taste is medium bodied with a fine warmth and notes of ripe blueberries, plums, chocolate wafers and Tuscan gravel. A nice long drying finish. Tenuta dell´Ornellaia writes on their webpage that "The 2014 vintage was the most challenging in our memory", but I think that they have produced a better wine this year than the previous one.
88p   (tasted 2016/10)

2005 Vougeot 1er Cru Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot, Domaine de la Vougeraie

A few weeks ago we went to Grand Hotel in Stockholm and attacked their fabolous seafood buffet - lobsters, clams, scallops, crabs, oysters and different dishes of these crustaceans, with sauces and vegetables. We ate, and ate, and ate.
But I needed something to drink! I went for a glass of 2006 Rol Roger (from magnum) which was crisp, clean and steely (92p).
I then opted for the 1914 Rol Roger from the winelist at 26.000 Euro but paced myself and ordered a half bottle of

2005 Vougeot 1er Cru Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot, Domaine de la Vougeraie
This 11 year old Burgundy needed a good half hour to really open up but when it did, it revealed great aromas of ripe blood oranges, summer flowers, lime fudge and warm chalk. Very fine. Some maturity.
The taste is deep, broad and structured with notes of lemon cream, sweet minerals, matchbox and almond paste. A very long, lingering finish with a fine warmth and a cleansing acidity. This is in great drinking phase. Really good.
93p   (tasted 2016/09)

New Vintages From Louis Roederer

The other day, I got the chance, through VinUnic, to taste the new vintages from Louis Roederer. This is what I thought.

2004 Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore
But we started with this 100% Chardonnay from the high hills surrounding Trento. 2,5 g/l dosage and aged on the lees for more than 10 years, has turned out a wine with a round, expressive nose with some maturity and notes of ripe yellow apples, almond paste, smoke and a touch of cinnamon. Complex and intriguing. Very, very good.
The taste is soft and broad with notes of a Tarte Tatin made out of yellow apples, slate, smoke and warm grass. A very nice bubbly but it lacks some weight and focus on the mid palate. Highly drinkable. Good acidity and medium long. The nose outclasses the taste.
90p   (tasted 2016/10)

2009 Brut Vintage
This 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay blend offers up a fruity, forward nose with lots of fresh bread and additional notes of hazelnuts, red currants, dark butter biscuits and some burnt toast. Very, very nice.
The taste is young, tight and elegant with notes of dark fudge, toast, warm grass and gravel. A medium bodied finish with a fine acidity and persistence. A very fine effort.
91p   (tasted 2016/10)

2009 Brut Nature
This is a none dosage (the wine above has 9 g/l in comparison) wine is a special one. I think it will need to time to settle and then some time to unfold. The stuffing is there but it is a bit disjointed today.
The nose is fresh and high with notes of lemon peel, elderberries, freshly cut grass and dusty gravel. Mountain river pure. A very salivating nose.
The taste is dry, then dry, then revealing notes of dry grass, white currants, lime juice and wet stones. It has an anemic feeling about it, yet the structure and backbone is there for something very good along the line. Give it 3-5 years.
91p   (tasted 2016/10)

2011 Brut Rosé
Its hard not to compare to the glorious 2010 Brut Rosé, and as nice as the 2011 is, it is a far cry from the previous vintage. The nose is cool, low keyed and nice with notes of ripening strawberries, red currants and blood oranges. A hint of fir. Very good.
The taste is medium bodied, young and fresh with notes of red currants, gravel and some raspberry liquorice. A nice, refreshing finish. This is good but again, I am glad I have bottles of the 2010 in the cellar.
88p   (tasted 2016/10)

2007 Cristal
Aaaah Cristal! Always a treat, and the 09 is no exception. The nose is pure and refined with stunning notes of lemon cream, summer flowers, newly washed clothes drying in the wind, grape fruit and a hint of oak. Luxurious and handsome. Great wine.
The taste is complex, multi layered and rich with notes of yellow plums, lemon fudge, matchbox and chalk. The finish is long, focused and nuanced. It will get even better in 5+ years time. And now we wait for the 08, which should be an out of this world experience, given what that vintage has shown so far.
94p   (tasted 2016/10)

Some Birthday Wines

Not mine though. M had his birthday recently and invited a couple of the usual suspects, and we got to drink these bottles.
All wines tasted double blind.

2006 Special Club Rosé, Paul Bara
A young, cool, fresh nose with notes of red currants, gravel, heather and cigarette ashes. A fine depth. After some time in the glass aromas of dried strawberries emerge. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and pure with notes of ripe lingonberries, red currants, bark and gravel. A long finish which show a very high acidity. Ends with a touch of bitterness. Needs more time.
90p   (tasted 2016/09)

2010 Nierstein Pettenthal Riesling Trocken, Keller
A expressiv, deep and just fantastic nose with notes of grey pears, sunflowers, Jerusalem artichokes, a touch of band aid and boat loads of slate. The intensity of the fruit it almost of the charts. Very impressive.
The taste dances over your tongue with a cristal clear purity and stunning notes of lemon peel, grey pears, blood oranges, slate and chalk. The finish goes on for minutes and the acidity accompany the fruit perfectly. Still young, gives this 6-8 years and you are looking at perfection.
96p   (tasted 2016/09)

2015 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett, Max. Ferd. Richter
A trio of youngsters followed. The Richter has a light, elegant nose with notes of tangerines, candle grease and dry almonds. Nice enough but a tad shy.
The taste is light on its feet, has a medium body and shows notes of lime peel, green tea and minerals. A medium long finish. Should evolve well with 3-5 years in the cellar.
86p   (tasted 2016/09)

2015 Enkircher Ellengrub Riesling Kabinett, Weiser-Kunstler
A new producer for me and this example was impressive. It has a cool, refined nose with notes of elderberries, birch sap and chalk. A very fine dry sweetness to the fruit. Deep and fine.
The taste is racy and clean with notes of birch leaves, yellow plums and chalk. A long, intense finish with a fine acidity. Needs 3-5 years cellaring. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2016/09)

2015 Dhroner Häs´chen Riesling Kabinett, A. J. Adam
The Adam wine is as good as the one above, with a stony, crisp nose with notes of grey pears, spices, red lemons and a hint of detergent. Very fine.
The taste is young and focused with notes of grey pears, ginger, grass and chalk. A long, snappy finish. This is good amd will become even better in 2-4 years time.
91p   (tasted 2016/09)

2012 Nierstein -H- Riesling Kabinett, Keller
Tasted a year ago and it shows exactly the same. Stunning wine!
93p   (tasted 2016/09)

1998 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese, Dönnhoff
I kind of liked this, but its not what it is supposed to be. We guessed it to be 10-15 years older...
The nose is deep and mature with notes of dried apricots, dried honey, wet asphalt and some rancid butter - in a interesting way.
The taste is mature, dry and fine with notes of dry mango, orange blossom honey and wet stones. Long and fine. I liked it a lot but it should´t be like this.
88p   (tasted 2016/09)

2007 Hermannshöhle Kahlenberg Riesling Kabinett, Dönnhoff
This (still) youngster displays a light, smoky nose with notes of dry grass, lime peel, minerals and a hint of white chocolate. A fine depth. Very good.
The taste is fresh and energetic with notes of lemon peel, wet rocks and grapefruit. A long, very stony finish. Very good but verging on anemic.
87p   (tasted 2016/09)

1995 Pahlmeyer
This 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot is a beauty. 21 years old it displays a deep, concentrated, still youngish nose with succulent notes of ripe black currants, dark plums, chocolate biscuits, sweet cigarr smoke and graphite. Very deep, very seductive and very, very fine.
The taste is rich, structured and warm with notes of black currants, blueberries. liquorice and cigarr smoke. A very long, detail finish with still some well built tannins doing their work. This will hold well for another 10+ years. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2016/09)

2001 Clos Erasmus
This has a deep, inky, concentrated nose with notes of smoke, meat, blackberries and moist, dark earth. Lots of structure and body.
The taste is big and seedy with notes of very ripe bluberries, balsam vinegar and damson. A very long, ripe finish with a hint of warmth at the end. Lots of flavour and taste but not that harmonious. Will more time help?
89p   (tasted 2016/09)

1996 Pahlmeyer Merlot
93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, and outrageously good! A big, steady yet complex and multilayered nose with gorgeous notes of dark plums, liquorice, melted asphalt and chocolate biscuits. There is a hint of dog fur that adds to the complexity. Very, very deep and just awesome, as one critic would have said.
The taste is firm, focused and tight with notes of ripe black currants, plums, moist earth and some tarry notes. The finish is long, long, rich and velvety, yet shows of some still ripe tannins at the end. This is a stunning bottle of wine, that will go on for another 8+ years.
96p   (tasted 2016/09)

Just Bought

The second 47 Barolo bought in just a couple of weeks time...:-)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts, Domaine Bachelet-Monnot

We fancied salmon tonight and I grilled some succulent salmon fillets and made this sumptuous
Marco Pierre White butter- and tomato sauce to go along. I added some fried pancetta to accompany the wonderful smoky note of the wine I had opened earlier. A perfect match! :-)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts, Domaine Bachelet-Monnot
A wonderful rich, intense, spicy nose with notes of grilled lemons, pickled ginger, melted butter and a hint of banana peel. A underlying firmness that is impressive. Just lovely. Some apriots after a while. This is right up my alley. Still young.
The taste is opulent yet fresh and pure with notes of lemon cream, summer flowers, apricots and dark fudge. The finish is long, long. long and just brilliant. Manage to combine lushness with a firmness and playfulness. A very fine acidity. This is a serious wine. Too bad that this was my only bottle. The 2008 tasted here.
96p   (tasted 2016/10)

2012 Les Voisins Syrah, Copain

I fancied a Syrah to go with my home made special Parmigiano burgers and my choice was a bottle of

2012 Les Voisins Syrah, Copain
This youngster displays a cool, fine nose with notes of ripe blueberries, plums, sandalwood and bay leaves. With air it becomes more peppery and restrained. A hint of tar. Very, very good. Needs more time though. This is fine.
The taste is young, perky and gulpable with notes of a mix of blueberries and raspberries, with additional notes of warm sand, fresh meat and new leather. Medium long and nicely structured. Give this baby another 3-5 years in the cellar and it will turn out even better.
91p   (tasted 2016/10)

Our kitchen rat named Gunnar (who has his own Global knife) with this evenings bottle

1979 Barbaresco, Domenico Rivetti

1979 Barbaresco, Domenico Rivetti
After some looong days at work, why not open a bottle of aged Nebbiolo? This needed a half hour in a decanter before it got things together, and then it revealed a shy, mature nose with notes of dried strawberries, road dust, rosehips and old wood. A bit hollow in the middle. But nice in a low keyed, aged way. Holds well in the glass.
The taste is dry and mature with notes of lingonberries, old leather, undergrowth and some dry tobacco. Holding in there but this has gone a bit to far on its journey to death. With food it showed better, as always with these old bottles.
78p   (tasted 2016/10)