A Faithful Old Servant - 2015 Periquita, José Maria Da Fonseca

When did I first drink a bottle of Periquita? 1984? 1986? 1989? I don´t recall but it was a looong time ago. Since then I have drunk many vintages. It has had its ups and downs, mostly ups from my recollection though. I still have some magnums from the 90´s tucked away.
A every day drinker and a real bargain at 7 Euro.
A tasting sample from The Wine Agency.

2015 Periquita, José Maria da Fonseca
A cool, petite, peppery nose with notes of bluberries, gravel and herbs. Light, open and very nice.
The taste is medium bodied and fresh with notes of crowberries, dry tapenade, gravel and some low keyed but still rugged tannins. A very good food wine - was drunk with a roasted chicken, garlic sauce and root vegetables - and it worked great. First wine drunk after almost a week long cold. Tomorrow I head to Langhe with the Barolo Boys!
86p   (tasted 2017/10)

1997 Shiraz, Ingleburne Estate

This McLaren Shiraz was drunk with some juicy burgers a couple of weeks ago.

1997 Shiraz, Ingleburne Estate
An open, warm but not overly so, nose with yummy notes of plums, asphalt, sugared coffee, star anise and licorice. A fine depth with some maturity. Bonfire scents and meat stock with some time in the glass. Very good.
The taste is structured and rich with notes of Finnish licorice, ripe blueberries, warm gravel and some dark mint. A long, warm, round finish with still a nice bite to it. Mature, yes, but this could be kept for another 5+ years. Went perfectly with the grilled burgers.
88p   (tasted 2017/10)

A Hideous Wine - 2011 Limited Edition Syrah 1865, San Pedro

I have said it before, I am lucky. For the most of the time I taste and drink good, great & gorgeous wines. Sometimes "interesting" wines.
But every now and again....something really nasty appears.
This was such a bottle. I had read good things about it and ordered a bottle (25 Euro). I wish I hadn´t, most of it was poured down the drain.

2011 Limited Edition Syrah 1865, San Pedro
The nose is a in-your-face kind of style with over the top notes of VA, melted asphalt, burning table tennis balls (trust me, I have first hand knowledge of that smell), violets drenched in bad hard liquor, rotting flowers, burning rubber and lots of ink. Unbalanced. Lots of VA.
The taste is big and foursquare with lots of grain alcohol and notes of burning tar, violet liquor, old rosemary and lots of wood. A very long, fiery finish which, and that is the only redemming part of this wine, ends with a nice dryness. Don´t know what will become of this with age, but I´m not going to find out. Saved for two days and it didn´t change at all.
60p   (tasted 2017/10)

1922 Boal Reserva, d´Olivieras (?)

My mother in law turned 95 a couple of days ago and when the family celebrated her this weekend I opened this bottle (among others). Bought at auction some years ago with the information - "believed to be
d´Olivieras"

1922 Boal Reserva, d´Olivieras (?)
A very, very deep, intense and complex nose with stunning notes of pan fried nuts, nail polish, dried figs, old leather, cranberries, mature banana peel, old flower water, red tea - the scents are just oozing up from the glass, one more sublime and interesting than the previous one. A poster child for a multi layered nose. Breathtaking,
The taste is thick as motor oil, while at the same time light as a feather and with an intensity that is of the charts. The finish goes on for minutes. Old wrinkled red apples, furniture oil, assorted nuts, dry caramel and dark dusty chocolate are just some of the notes that caresses the palate. The acidity is searing through everything, leaving the taste buds wanting more, and more. Magic in a bottle.
98p   (tasted 2017/10)

A Half Bottle Of 1952 Rioja Gran Reserva, Bodegas Berberana

Sometimes a half bottle is just right...

1952 Rioja Gran Reserva, Bodegas Berberana
A whiff of some funk when its poured, but it only needs 15 minutes breathing time before it displays a round, mature nose with a fine dried up sweetness and aromas of autumn leaves, dried strawberries, old leather, matchbox and root vegetables. A very fine warmth. For a 65 year old wine, and from a half bottle, it is in really good health.
The taste is velvety, soft and mature with notes of warm rocks, dried strawberries, smoke and dry minty notes. A medium long, elegant finish that ends with a fine dryness. Really, really good.
89p   (tasted 2017/10)

Two Days In Piedmont - Enoteca Regionale Del Barolo

View of part of Bussia from our hotel

Bussia grapes

Before my visit to Marchesi di Barolo I had an hour to spare. I went to the regional Enoteca in Barolo and tasted through some more 13 Baroli.

2013 Barolo Bricco Luciana, Cascina del Monastero
A fine, earthy note with notes of strawberries, dried flowers, herbs and with a fine warmth.
The taste is young, tight and fresh with notes of red cherries, licorice and earth. Very good in a old school way.
90p   (tasted 2017/08)

2013 Barolo, Oddero
A dark, deep nose with notes of forest floor, ripe strawberries and a touch of chocolate.
The taste is big and broad with notes of dark undergrowth, candle grease, cherry jam and minerals. Long and very good.
88p   (tasted 2017/08)

2013 Barolo Ravera, Elvio Cogno
A finely tuned, multi layered nose with notes of dark earth, licorice, black currants and rosehips.
The taste is concentrated and fine with notes of ripe cherry fruit, tobacco and a tiny touch of stables. Very long and very promising.
92p   (tasted 2017/08)

2013 Barolo Panerole, Franco Conterno
A large scaled, warm nose with notes of cranberries, fried herbs, rosehips and forest floor.
The taste is big and brawny with notes of ripe lingonberries, red cherries, warm roses and licorice. A good earthy note. Not as high and energetic as many of 13´s but very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2017/08)

2013 Barolo Sarmassa, Brezza
A fresh, open, light nose with notes of strawberries, potatoe water, earth and rosehips. Very fine.
The taste is tight and good with cool red berry fruit, licorice, saw dust and tobacco. Long and fine.
88p   (tasted 2017/08)

2013 Barolo Castellero, Fratelli Barale
I have tried some nice, old school Barale´s in my days, but this isn´t one of them. The nose is a tad murky with notes of (over)ripe raspberries, moist earth and some dog fur.
The taste is steady and four squared with notes of dry tannins and red cherries in alcohol with some dry licorice and some alcohol in the finish. A tad unbalanced. From an almost full bottle, so it hadn´t been standing there for long.
79p   (tasted 2017/08)

2013 Barolo Castelletto, Mauro Veglio
A lovely, fruity, balanced nose with notes of ripe cherries, licorice, moccha and dark flowers. Very deep and fine.
The taste is long, multi layered and concentratd with notes of raspberries, tobacco, dried flowers and violets. Long and lingering. Lovely.
92p   (tasted 2017/08)

2011 Barolo Simposio, Bel Colle

2011 Barolo Simposio, Bel Colle
The grapes for the Simposio comes from different vineyards in Verduno. Fermented in steel tanks, the upbringing is 36 months in Slavonian casks.
The nose is - after two hours in a decanter - open and inviting with notes of dried raspberries, plums, smoke, bakelite and a touch of tar. Very, very good. A fine warmth to the fruit.
The taste is deep and seedy with notes of dry licorice, undergrowth, ripe lingonberries and some hard cherry candy. An upliftning acidity and fine grained tannins in the end of the finish. Gets better and better with air, the last sip is the best. 5+ years. More info here.
91p   (tasted 2017/10)

2013 Calfornia Cabernet - Part Six

Only two bottles this time, gotta get my hands on more of these fine Cabernet´s.

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ramey  (Napa Valley)
A tight, deep, concentrated nose with notes of ripe black currants, coffee beans, pencil shavings and a dark perfumed aroma. Very intense and focused, Great wine.
The taste is velvety yet with a firm backbone and notes of black currants, blueberries, graphite and sugared coffee. A very long, concentrated finish with polished tannins. This will age gracefully for 20 years. Lovely.
95p   (tasted 2017/09)

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Joseph Phelps  (Napa Valley)
A big, broad nose flows out of the glass with notes of ripe blueberries, graphite, asphalt and a whole lot of bonfire notes. Great fruit and concentration but a tad heavy handed. Better, more balanced on day two.
The taste is bold and broad shouldered with notes of sweet black currants, dark chocolate, asphalt and violets. A dark, sandy, stony note in the long, warm finish. Again, a better focus and delivery the next day. 10+ years.
92p   (tasted 2017/10)

Eight Bottles Of Barolo

1980 Barolo, Coppo
A deep, laid back nose with lots of maturity and notes of moist undergrowth, dried cherries, candle grease and mosquito repellent. Holding up fine in the glass for a couple of hours.
The taste is medium bodied with a high acidity and notes of dried red fruits, mushrooms, gravel and dry tobacco. A fine warmth in the dry, medium long finish. Has kept well over the years.
86p   (tasted 2017/08)

2011 Barolo, Silvio Grasso
An open, fruity nose with notes of cooked cherries, strawberries, hot spices and dried flowers. Very good. Some pipe tobacco aromas after a while.
The taste is young and warm with notes of cherry compote, forest floor, fried mushrooms and a hint of dark chocolate. Long and fine.
87p   (tasted 2017/03)

2012 Barolo, Andrea Oberto
A warm, fine nose with notes of ripe strawberries, forest floor, raspberry licorice and sun warm rocks. A fine warmth. Very good.
The taste is young, round and warm with notes of sour/sweet raspberries, licorice, asphalt and warm tiles. A nice tannin bite in the end of the finish. Still young of course but I don´t think this is for the long haul.
87p   (tasted 2017/09)

2009 Barolo Pressenda, Marziano Abbona
A deep, spicy nose with notes of warm black cherries, earth, raspberry licorice and dark roses. Deep and fine. A hint of tobacco with some air. Very, very good.
The taste gives a fine dry mouthfeel with notes of red and black cherries, undergrowth, warm sand and tobacco. Long and structured. A very fine warmth. 5+ years.
90p   (tasted 2017/08)

2013 Barolo, Diego Conterno
A finely tuned, cool and precise nose with notes of ripening red cherries, licorice, smoke and a touch of wild strawberries, Very nice.
The taste is young and stylish with notes of cranberries, dried strawberries, violets and earth, Silky, vibrant tannins. Give it 4+ years. Very, very good. Another winner from the 13 vintage.
91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2007 Barolo Riserva Vigna Della Serra, Feyles
A very fine, high, spicy nose with notes of dried raspberries, tar, bakelite and some smoke. Lively and refined. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and warm with notes of ripe lingonberries, dry licorice, smoke and rosehips. There are some sturdy tannins in the long, structured finish. Really fine. 8+ years.
91p   (tasted 2017/05)

1983 Barolo, Piero Lanzavecchia
A very mature, soft nose with notes of dried mushrooms, tomatoe purée, warm sand, undergrowth and dry licorice. Mature, a bit laid back and nice.
The taste is mature, dry and medium bodied with notes of dried red fruits, rosehips and gravel. Ends a bit on the dry side. Good enough.
83p   (tasted 2017/08)

2008 Barolo Vigna Gancia, Mauro Molino
A deep, warm nose with scents of walking in a autumn forest and additional notes of asphalt, rose petals and a touch of cinnamon. Really fine and interesting.
The taste is tight and dry with notes of hard cherry candy, dried strawberries, bakelite and some forest floor. A very fine finish with sandy tannins and a good acidity.
90p   (tasted 2017/08)

Lunch Tasting With Thomas Klinger From Weingut Bründlmayer

It was three years since I last met Thomas Klinger from Weingut Bründlmayer. It is always a treat to taste the wines from this estate and listen to Thomas energetic, fun, vivacious stories about Austrian wine making, Erste Lagen, vintages and much more.
It was also Thomas birthday so we sang Happy Birthday for him :-)
Thanks to Vinunic for the invitation!
(my phone died just a half hour in the tasting, hence the few pics)

Tasting with Thomas in 2014
Tasting with Thomas in 2013

Bründlmayer Brut
We started with the Bründlmayer Brut, a wine made out of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Grûner Veltliner. The nose is light and fresh with cool notes of herbs and chrushed rocks.
The taste is tight and dry woth notes of lemon zest, wet stones and grey pears. Very good.
87p   (tasted 2017/10)

2016 Langenloiser Grüner Veltliner
Thomas described 2016 as an acidic driven vintage and that showed in the 16´s we tasted. The Langenloiser Grüner has a flowery nose with notes of pears, star fruit and gravel.
The taste is dry and seedy with a high acidity and a long, easy going, easy drinking character.
87p   (tasted 2017/10)

2015 Loiser Berg Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner
A fine, deep, laid back nose with a hint of lemon licorice and ripe flowers. Delicious.
The taste has a nice mouthfeel to it with grapefruit, flowers and gravel. Very fine.
90p   (tasted 2017/10)

2016 Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner
A spicy, cool nose with an interesting mix of lemon peel and hairspray! Good.
The taste is linear and seedy with notes of lime, bitter almonds and chrushed rocks. A very high acidity that dominates the finish.
86p   (tasted 2017/10)

2015 Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner
The 15 Alte Reben is a different creature, with an open, deep nose with notes of red apples, summer flowers and spices. Very, very good.
The taste is high and pure with a great balance between acidity and fruit. A fine structure. Long. Very fine.
91p   (tasted 2017/10)

2016 Zöbinger Heiligenstein Erste Lage Riesling
The first Riesling poured in this mini vertical of Zöbinger Heiligenstein has a cool, fresh nose with notes of grey pears, slate and a touch of seafish shells. Very good.
The taste is elegant and fine with - again - a high acidity but in this wine it is fitting and balances the lemon and white flower fruit.
89p   (tasted 2017/10)

2014 Zöbinger Heiligenstein Erste Lage Riesling
A cool, stony nose with a hint of maturity and notes of dried flowers, cap gun smoke and a hint of passion fruit. Very fine.
The taste is refined and dry with notes of lemon peel, chalk, smoke and a hint of diesel oil. Long and rewarding. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2017/10)

2012 Zöbinger Heiligenstein Erste Lage Riesling
The 12 Heiligenstein has a low keyed nose with notes of not yet ripe pears, dried up petrol and dried herbs.
The taste is stony and dry with a anemic character, dry lemon fruit and a medium long finish.
85p   (tasted 2017/10)

1988 Zöbinger Heiligenstein Kabinet Riesling
A mature, deep, lovely nose with notes of dried apriocts, lemon licorice, minerals and a petrol station in a distance. A very fine maturity. Complex.
The taste is soft and mature yet with a fine intensity and notes of dried flowers, apricots and warm rocks. Long and fine.
90p   (tasted 2017/10)

2015 Zweigelt Reserve
A big, fruity nose with notes of ripe blueberries, raspberries, iron and smoke. Very good in a direct sort of way.
The taste is tight and bold with a mix of blueberries and raspberry with iron, earth and rocks tossed in. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2017/10)

2014 Blauburgunder Dechant
A very fine, spicy, cool nose with notes of wild strawberries, rosehips and forest floor. A Chambolle-Musigny feeling about it. Very fine.
The taste is handsome and elegant with notes of strawberries, spices, ldry icorice and dusty earth. Very fine.
91p   (tasted 2017/10)

2015 Pinot Noir
A deep, warm nose with notes of raspberries, Christmas spices, red plums and moist earth. A fine, funky scent.
The taste is warm and for a Pinot rather full bodied with notes of raspberries, hot spices and licorice. A long finish with a fine warmth.
88p   (tasted 2017/10)

2013 Heiligenstein Riesling Beerenauslese

A deep, sweet, inviting nose with notes of pine apple, lavender honey, rain wet stones and botrytis (even though Thomas said that there were none in this vintage). A salty scent. Very fine.
The taste is sweet and yummy with complexity and structure and gorgeous notes of apricots, pine apple and Finnish marmelade candy. A long, balanced finish that ends semi dry.
92p   (tasted 2017/10)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2008 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Bonnaire

2008 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Bonnaire
Another bottle from the the great 08 vintage. The nose is medium deep and fine with notes of yellow apples, oatmeal, dried fudge and summer flowers. A nice depth and a fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is young, dry and perky with notes of pickled ginger, lemon zest, dried flowers and lots of minerals. A fine acidity that cuts through the medium long, stony finish. Very chalky in the finish. 3+ years.
89p   (tasted 2017/10)

Two Days In Piedmont - Dinner At La Coccinella

The last evening on our Italian summer holiday, before going back home to Sweden, we visited La Coccinella. My third visit this year. And in a months time I will be there again!

2008 Barolo Cannubi, Luigi Einaudi
A deep, dark, fragrant nose with notes of ripe raspberries, moist earth, dark candle grease and fresh mushrooms. Very fine. A lovely sweetness to the fruit. A hint of maturity.
The taste is medium bodied, ripe and concentrated with notes of black cherries, raspberry licorice, undergrowth, rosehips and a touch of asphalt. Very long and fine. Beginning to drink nicely, but I would wait another 4 years until I would pop the next one.
92p   (tasted 2017/08)

2015 Coteaux Bourguignons, Louis Jadot

A tasting sample from VinUnic.

2015 Coteaux Bourguignons, Louis Jadot
Coteaux Bourguignons became an AOC in 2011. This Jadot version sports a young, fruity nose with notes of red currants, ripening raspberries with some blueberries tossed in, fresh herbs, licorice and forest floor aromas. Perky and fine.
The taste is medium bodied with a fine acidity and notes of raspberries, spices and gravel, Very attractive, easy going but with substance and character. This could become a daily clunker in this house hold. A bargain for 12 Euro.
88p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Bordeaux - 20 Bottles Tasted & Also Some Bottles From 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014!

I recently had the opportunity through Winefinder to taste through a range of 2016 Bordeaux. Lots of winemakers were present and even though it was crowded you had the chance to talk to most of them.

After tasting through 20 bottles from the 2016 vintage there is no arguing against the hype of this vintage, this is a great vintage.
Judging from these bottles they will drink beautifully from 10 years of age and then for 20+ years on. Bordeaux is expensive in the upper echelon but there is plenty of fine wines to be found without an outragous price tag.

All wines are given an approximate score since I only spent a minute or two with each wine.

2011 Château Lafon-Rochet
A classic, low keyed but fine nose with a tight, medium bodied finish with a fine coffee note.
~89p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Lafon-Rochet
The 16 Lafon-Rochet is a stunner with compact, finely tuned black currant fruit and a long, intense finish. Going to age beautifully.
~92p   (tasted 2017/09)

2011 Château Phelan Ségur
A round, elegant, fine nose with a long, fresh, dry taste.
~89p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Chàteau Phelan Ségur
A firm, tight nose and a concentrated, ripe, black currant filled palate. Really fine.
~92p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Haut-Bages-Liberal
A fine, deep, warm nose with cold coffee and chocolate and a stern palate that is a bit dry in the middle.
~85p   (tasted 2017/09)

2012 Château Pichon Baron
A cool, finely tuned nose with a lighter style palate with dried black currants and warm gravel.
~89p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Pichon Baron
A very deep, handsome nose alongside a refined, long, beautifully structured palate. One for the ages.
~93p   (tasted 2017/09)

2011 Château Pichon Lalande
A smooth, intense nose and a long lasting, silky palate. A lovely drink now and the coming 10 years.
~90p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Pichon Lalande
A restrained powerhouse, both on the nose and palate with a silky, concentrated black currant fruit. A truly great wine in the making.
~95p   (tasted 2017/09)

2008 Château Beychevelle
Nine years old and showing of a beginning maturity with notes of tobaco and autumn leaves. The taste is restrained and fine with notes of cold coffee and warm tiles.
~90p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Beychevelle
A deep, concentrated nose with a very fine black currant fruit and a tight, intense, lingering taste. Really fine.
~92p   (tasted 2017/09)

2012 Château Léoville Poyférre
A somewhat, mature, lightly smoky nose followed by an oaky taste with blueberries and smoke. Good but not more than that.
~86p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Léoville Poyférre
Surprisngly, one of the weakest of the 2016 tasted. A inky, hot nose with lots of sweet tobacco and a big, seedy taste with lots of ripe black fruit and stern tannins. Will maybe melt together?
~87p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Durfort-Vivens
A deep, focused nose with notes of ripe black currants and blueberries. The taste is tight and very fine with sliky, salivating tannins. Very, very good.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2010 Château Cantemerle
A slightly mature, refined nose and a long lasting, structured palate that ends dry and inviting, like old school Bordeaux bottles.
~90p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Cantemerle
The 16 Cantemerle offers up a dense, structured nose with smoke, plums and graphite. The taste is tightly knit with ripe fruit, silky tannins and a finish that goes on for over a minute. Very fine.
~92p   (tasted 2017/09)

2012 Château Haut-Bailly
One of my favourite wines from Bordeaux delivers a cool, balanced wine in the 2012 vintage with a smidgeon of maturity and notes of ripe red currants, warm tiles and tobacco. Really good.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Haut-Bailly
A deep, dark, tobacco filled nose that is dense and restrained. Needs air. The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of hot gravel and black currants leaves. Needs lots of time.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2013 Château Latour-Martillac
A cool, spicy nose with notes of leather and cold coffee and a fine, medium bodied taste. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.
~88p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Latour-Martillac
A racy, balanced and yummy nose with lots of ripe black currants and some pencil shavings is followed by a refined, structured taste with an impressive finish. One for the cellar.
~93p   (tasted 2017/09)

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
A lovely, crisp, high nose with energy and intensity. The taste is complex and balanced and the fruit is of the highest quality. A gorgeous 12.
~93p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
The 16 Smith Haut Lafitte is strikingly beautiful with everything you want and ever need. A perfect wine in the making. 8 years.
~96p   (tasted 2017/09)

2014 Domaine de Chevalier
A deep, fine nose with plums, black currants and pipe tobacco and a rich, velvety palate. Really good.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Domaine de Chevalier
Very, very good but compared to most of the 16 and being Domaine de Chevalier, somthing is missing. Deep, dark, concentrated fruit, yes, but the real nerve, balance and energy are not.
~87p   (tasted 2017/09)

2014 Château Beauregard
A warm, comforting nose with notes of plums, tobacco and moist earth. The taste is round, warm and long lasting. Very, very good.
~90p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Beauregard
A deep, structured nose with a lovely sweetness and a fine coffee aroma and a following ripe, balanced palate with lots of enjoyment. For the shorter term, 5 years.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2012 Château Clinet
A maturing, fine nose with notes of leather, plums and fresh stables. The taste is round, inviting and with a fine warmth. Drinking great now and the coming 8+ years.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Clinet
The 16 Clinet has a more structure, restrained nose with notes of ripening plums, dark chocolate and sun warm rocks. The taste is strong ans sturdy with a very fine, ripe fruit and polished tannins. 6+ years.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

2014 Château Petit-Village
A warm, grassy and plummy nose and light chocolaty flavours make up a nicely structured wine.
~87p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Châtau Petit-Village
The 16 Petit-Village has a young, hedonistic nose with ripe plums and coffee scents and a multi layered, intense palate. Great wine.
~92p   (tasted 2017/09)

2011 Château La Conseillante
A balanced, maturing nose with notes of sweet red currants and autumn leaves and a round, inviting taste with warmth, balance and a sense of lightness.
~90p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château La Conseillante
A very deep, structured and classy nose and the wine flows over the palate with grace and harmony. A stunner in the making. 8+ years.
~94p   (tasted 2017/09)

2012 Château Gazin
A warm, spicy nose with notes of asphalt, plums and autumn leaves. The taste is mature, velvety and fine with soft tannins and a long, rewarding finish.
~90p   (tasted 2017/09)

2015 Château Gazin
A deep, concentrated nose with notes of ripening plums, bakelite and chrushed rocks. The taste is tight and seedy with a fine mineral touch and notes of black currants, coffee powder and dark chocolate. 6+ years.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)

The Whites
2013 Château Malartic-Lagraviére
A pure, grassy nose with additional notes of elderberries and yellow apples. The taste is cool and fresh with a fine acidity and stony yellow fruit. Very, very good.
~90p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Malartic-Lagraviére
Very young, very handsome and very, very good with beautiful notes of ripe lemons, white flowers, vanilla pods and freshly cut grass. A beauty.
~93p   (tasted 2017/09)

2014 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
The wine of the tasting. Gotta get me some of these. A brilliant, focused nose with notes of white pears, grass, white pepper, birch leaves and minerals en masse. The taste is pure as a mountain river, one minute long and very intense and concentrated. Perfection in the making.
~97p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Domaine de Chevalier
A big, open, finely tuned nose with notes of green apples, lemon fudge, grass and minerals. The taste is tight, stony and grassy with a very fine lenght and cleansing acidity. Really fine.
~92p   (tasted 2017/09)

The Sweeties
2014 Château Suduiraut
A deep, complex, utterly gorgeous nose with notes of ripe peaches, vanilla cooked pears, handcream and dried up lavender honey. The taste is luscious, sweet, balanced and loooong. Great wine.
~95p   (tasted 2017/09)

2016 Château Suduiraut
A large scaled, intense nose with notes of peach, melon, pine apple and smoke. The taste is long and concentrated with massive fruit and a fine supporting acidity. Still young and a tad ungainly but this will surely turn out really fine.
~91p   (tasted 2017/09)