Just Bought - 1900 Barolo, Luigi Arnulfo

 Santa delivered a nice Christmas present this year. The question is - is it mature enough...? :-)

2018 Scheurebe Kabinett, Keller

2018 Scheurebe Kabinett, Keller

A young, crisp, racy nose with notes of chalk, white peach, grass and that tell tale sign of Scheurebe - grapefruit. Very, very good.

The taste is high and fine with notes of ripe grey pear, grass, iron and grapefruit. A fine, palate cleansing acidity. Long and fine. Lovely to drink now but will age well. 

Drunk with a dish with grilled salmon, deep fried salmon balls with mustard and dill, a cauliflower and broccoli puree and a salmon roe sauce.

90p   (tasted 2020/12)

2017 Elgin Syrah Clonal Selection, Richard Kershaw

2017 Elgin Syrah Clonal Selection, Richard Kershaw

Reading the November 2020 issue of Decanter I noticed that from the article "Syrah vs Shiraz: 30 great buys from South Africa", the second highest scoring wine with a whopping 97p, was actually available on the sorry excuse of a wine purveyor that we have in Sweden, aka the state monopoly.

Popped and poured. Right out of the gate this is a charmer with a deep, spicy nose with notes of violets, ripe dark flowers, fried bacon, blueberry pie and sun warm rocks. High, floral and very fine.

The taste is young, tight and balanced with notes of ripe blueberries, damsons, veal stock, dried flowers and assorted spices. Silky tannins. Very long and fine. Well worth the 40 Euro tariff. 6+ years. But the Decanter score seems a bit steep. Great wine though.

94p   (tasted 2020/12)

2015 Efferus, Ruggabellus

2015 Efferus, Ruggabellus

More than two years since the last bottle tasted. On this evening it shows a fine, spicy, hight toned nose with notes of green peppers, blueberries, damsons. gravel and birch sap. Very fine and interesting.

The taste is medium bodied with a fine intensity and notes of green peppers, olives, cinnamon and gravel. Very long. Salivating tannins. Very, very good. 

92p   (tasted 2020/12)

2010 Barbaresco Riserva Spezie, Vite Colte

2010 Barbaresco Riserva Spezie, Vite Colte

I tasted the 2008 Spezie at the estate last year and was impressed so when the 2010 showed up at the monopoly I boght some bottles. Time to test drive one.

It needed a couple of hours to open up and then it displays a finely perfumed nose with notes of ripe lingonberries, some wild strawberries, hard cherry candy, shoe polish and heaps of roses. Very fine.

The taste is structured and fine with notes of cold coffee, dried strawberries, mushrooms and fennel salami. Very, very good. Tannins for the medium haul, give it 5+ years. Great wine.

93p   (tasted 2020/12)

Two Cali Pinot

2018 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir, Au Bon Climat

The Santa Barbara Pinot opens with a cool, fresh nose with notes of ripe strawberries, herbs, rhubarb licorice and red beet juice. A fine sweetness to the fruit. Very, very good.

The taste is juicy and fine with notes of ripe red currants, dried strawberried, herbs and a hint of smoke. A very good acidity. For drinking now and the coming 5+ years.

88p   (tasted 2020/12)

2019 Caiden´s Vineyards Pinot Noir, Block Nine

The Pinot from Block Nine is deeper and more structured with a lovely nose with a fine mix of rhubarb and raspberries alongside notes of violets, sun warm rocks and incense. Very fine.

The taste is juicy and taut with a very fine backbone and acidity paired with notes of raspberry truffles, forest floor, smoke and violets. A very fine dryness at the end. Long. Highly likeable now but I would wait 4+ years to unfold even more greatness.

92p   (tasted 2020/12)

2018 The Firs Vineyard Syrah, Craven Wines

2018 The Firs Vineyard Syrah, Craven Wines

This Stellenbosch Syrah offers up a delicate, lightly peppered nose with notes of ripening blueberries, violets, blue skiwax, smoked meat and geranium. Very, very good.

The taste is fine and elegant with notes of sandelwood, blueberries, dried flowers, candle grease and a fleeting bonfire smoke note. At 12,5% alcohol, light, persistent and very, very good.

91p   (tasted 2020/12)

Birthday Wines - Part Two - Three Bottles From The Greatest Vintage Ever

A small part of the closest family gathered yesterday for dinner. What to drink with my birthday classic - Coeur de filét Provencale? 

Doesn´t matter - as long as it is from The Greatest Vintage Ever!

1964 Beaujolais Grande Cuvée, Collin & Bourisset

I have had fine old bottles from this negociant before and this bottle was no exception. The nose is delicate and soft with notes of cranberries, dried raspberries, earth and herbs. Very good. Not that deep though.

The taste is dry and herbal with notes of red currants, dried nuts and forest floor. A tad short but still lively and with a good acidity.

85p   (tasted 2020/12)

1964 Château La Bécade

This Haut-Medoc has traveled to New York and back, ending up on my dinner table. The voyage doesn´t seem to have had a negative impact, since this is a fine bottle of mature Bordeaux.

The nose opens a tad shy but with air it displays fine notes of black currants, leather, tobacco and clean stables. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied, dry and fine with notes of red and black currants, tobacco, chocolate wafers and earth. A fine warmth. Has aged gracefully.

89p   (tasted 2020/12)

1964 Barolo, Prandi

From the old vineyards of Marchesi di Barolo - "Tenuta di vigneti proprii giá antichi Marchesi di Barolo", this bottle from Prandi hasn´t faired well ovef the years. The nose is full of cooked red berries, moist earth and VA.

The VA comes through in the taste alongside som murky red berries and moist cellar notes. Got worse with air. A 64 that gets 

64p   (tasted 2020/12)

Birthday Wines - Part One - 2004 & 2010 Barolo Bricco Luciani, Silvio Grasso

Yesterday was my official birthday. What to drink on a Thursday? Barolo of course!

Bricco Luciani is a 16,09 ha big MGA in La Morra. Only three producers bottles a Barolo from this vineyard - Silvio Grasso (which I visited two years ago), Mauro Molino and Cascina del Monastero (both estated visited on the same day last year). 

2004 Barolo Bricco Luciani, Silvio Grasso

After two hours in a decanter this 16 year old Baloro offers up a deep, balsamic mnose with notes of undergrowth, dried strawberries, rosehips and violets. A fine, dark perfumed aroma. Moist forest floor. Some maturity. Very fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips, asphalt and dry chocolate. Long and fine. Still some perky tannins. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2020/12)

2010 Barolo Bricco Luciani, Silvio Grasso

A very deep, tight, multi layered nose with notes of ripe cherries, tar, ginger bread, polished mahogany and mushrooms. Very complex, very young and very fine. 

The taste is seedy, polished and laid back with notes of pure cherry fruit, pomegranate, tar, dark flowers and salt licorice. Taut tannins, for those into this, I guess they are perfect. Wait at least 10 years. But what a wine! A very generous gift from Paolo Grasso.

94p   (tasted 2020/12)

Tonight we are having a small family dinner and of course there will some bottles from The Greatest Vintage Ever! :-) Notes to follow.

2017 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Puillets, Château de Santenay

2017 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Puillets, Château de Santenay

A open, inviting nose with notes of spices, red cherries, raspberries, forest floor and a discreet scent of used oak. Very, very good.

The taste is soft and fresh with notes of dried raspberries, licorice, Christmas spices and clay. A good acidity. A tad short. For drinking now and the coming 5+ years.

87p   (tasted 2020/12)

2018 Pinot Noir, Argyle

 

2018 Pinot Noir, Argyle

An open, direct, highly likeable nose with notes of strawberries, fennel seeds, spices and dried oranges. Very, very good. A hint of sweet tobacco.

The taste is medium bodied, dry and herbal with fine notes of dried strawberries, rhubarb, spices and earth. A fine acidity. Maybe a tad, tad short in the finish, but a very good mouthful of Oregon Pinot. Interesting enough, cheaper on the Swedish monopoly than at the estate...

90p   (tasted 2020/12)

2017 Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay, Racines Wine

 
2017 Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay, Racines Wine

I tasted this beauty a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed. I bought a couple of bottles and I thought it was time to test drive one.

The nose still is racy and spicy with lovely notes of ripe tangerines, smoke, lemon licorice and sand. Very deep and fine.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of grilled lemons, sand, smoke and tangerines. A very fine acidity. Long and lingering. Lovely now but I think it will be even better with 6+ years in the cellar.

94p   (tasted 2020/12)

2018 Roero, Giovanni Almondo

2018 Roero, Giovanni Almondo

This producer is mostly known for his great Arneis, my favourite alongside the ones from Bruno Giacosa and Vietti. Luckily for the Swedish market, a new importer, Budbreak, has started to import the wines from Almondo. I recently bought some bottles and this is the first bottle of red wine I taste from this producer.

The nose is fresh, fragrant and energetic with notes of red currants, rosehips, Langhe earth and dry licorice. Feels like a high altitude grown Nebbiolo. Light in the most positive sense. Very, very good.

The taste is cool and tight with salivating tannins and notes of red currants, dried strawberries, spices and fresh mushrooms. I would love to get some cellar time on this, say 3-5 years, but at the same time it is sooo easy to gulp down now.

89p   (2020/12)

2015 Brunello di Montalcino, Il Marroneto

2015 Brunello di Montalcino, Il Marroneto

This youngster needed time to open up. Very light at first, it builds body and character with air. After two hours it shows of a deep, intense, layered nose with notes of perfectly ripe red cherries, chestnuts, fir wood, violets, rosemary and sun warm gravel. Very, very fine. Delicate.

The taste is young, tight and structured with notes of sour cherries, violets, gravel, salty minerals and flower water. This will need 6+ years in the cellar. Very balanced. Great wine in the making. I also loved the 2012 Il Marroneto two years ago.

For another view on this wine, check out John Fodera´s website, always interesting. He calls this wine "stately". I concur.

94p   (tasted 2020/11)

2016 Rosso di Montalcino, Il Poggione

 2016 Rosso di Montalcino, Il Poggione

An upfront, highly likeable nose with notes of sour cherries, hyacinth, rosemary fried pork and tobacco. Very good and expressive. Youthful and forward.

The taste is more structured, cool and tight with notes of ripe cherries, gravel, fresh rosemary and tobacco. A fine acidity and smooth tannins. Very, very good. 4+ years.

A grass widower on this night I found a pizza dough in the freezer and some truffle salami in the fridge, voila!

89p   (tasted 2020/11)

Louis Roederer Vintage - 2013 Brut & 2014 Brut Rosé

Two fine tasting samples from Vinunic, enjoyed over two days with some good food.

2013 Brut, Louis Roederer

This 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay blend offers up a intense, focused nose with notes of toasted bread, grilled lemons, red currants, almond paste and cap gun smoke. Very deep and fine. Still young.

The taste is tight and intense with notes of sweet minerals, smoke, white and red currants and sour dough bread. A high acidity. Very long. Young, wait 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/11)

2014 Brut Rosé, Louis Roederer

I tasted this a couple of months ago and it behaved in a similar manner. At least on day one. On the second day it was even more harmonious with added notes of ripe red berries - raspberries, strawberries and red currants. Lovely.

The taste is more creamy, rich and layered. A very fine acidity. Very long. Preferred it on day two. 

93p   (tasted 2020/11)

2018 Langhe Nebbiolo Pian Delle Mole, Giulia Negri

2018 Langhe Nebbiolo Pian Delle Mole, Giulia Negri

A pure, high and energetic nose with notes of red currants, shoe polish, rosehip and a light touch of tobacco. Very, very good.

The taste is silky and fresh with notes of forest floor, roses, red currants and dry licorice. Cool, smooth tannins. For drinking now and the coming 8+ years.

90p   (tasted 2020/11)

2007 Barolo Brunate, Marengo

2007 Barolo Brunate, Marengo

This 13 year old Barolo needed some serious time in the decanter before open up. Then is displayed a handsome, earthy nose with notes of ripe red cherries, rosehips, licorice and dried up raspberry jam. Very deep and fine. Not a hint of heat from the vintage on the nose.

The taste is rustic elegant and structured with notes of earth, red cherries, roses and licorice. A hint of warm truffles. Very, very good. There is a smidge of warmth in the finish. Still young, 6+ years.

Always when I drink a bottle from Marengo I vividly remember The Barolo Boys first visit to Marco and Jenny in April of 2008 and walking away deeply impressed. 

92p   (tasted 2020/11)

2001 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldcap, Joh. Jos. Prüm

2001 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldcap, Joh. Jos. Prüm

Breathtakingly beautiful with lift, hight, depth and focus, the nose is a dream with notes of para nuts, candied lemons, summer grass, orange peel, dried peach, wet asphalt and much, much more. Light and intense. Stunning.

The taste is focused and intense with notes of white peaches, candied lemons, sweet minerals, dried up vanilla ice cream and a touch of matchbox. The lenght is counted in minutes. Cristal clear acidity. Just gorgeous.

I opened this bottle because I noticed that it had some seepage. When the foil was cut I saw that the cork was pushed down 5 mm. The cork came up easy and was soaked through. But the wine was great. Glad I have more, but I will waith 5+ years before the next one.

97p   (tasted 2020/11)

A Dynamic Duo From Aussie Land

Two tasting samples from Vinunic

2018 Ring * Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon, Ringbolt

This Margaret River Cabernet offers up a deep, rich nose with notes of ripe black currants, asphalt, ink, charcoal and salt licorice. A fine depth. Very, very good.

The taste is young and finely concentrated with notes of black currants, bay leaves, iron and sweet tobacco. Long. A bargain for 15 Euro.

90p   (tasted 2020/11)

2016 Southern Valleys Pinot Noir, Nautilus

A gorgeous, lively, spicy nose with notes of white peppered raspberries, star anise, rhubarb and chrushed rocks. A high, intense nose, Very fine.

The taste is tight and serious with notes of violets, raspberries, white pepper and forest floor. A crisp acidity. Beautifully balanced. Great wine.

92p   (tasted 2020/11)

2016 Barbera d´Alba Bricco Del Cucolo, Castello di Verduno

2016 Barbera d´Alba Bricco Del Cucolo, Castello di Verduno

Last time I tasted this gem was at the estate in March of last year and then I was really impressed by this Barbera. As I were on this evening. 

Barbera from really old vines has a different character, not as direct and juciy and more akin to a Nebbiolo (without the tannins). The nose is deep and tight with notes of dark raspberries, old balsamico, licorice, bay leaves and undergrowth. Very complex and fine.

The taste is tight and handsome with a perky acidity and notes of violet licorice, raspberry chocolate, bonfire and iron. Very long. Really fine. Drinking beautifully today but will go on for 8+ years. In the same league as some of my favourite Barbera´s, see below.

93p   (tasted 2020/11)

Giacomo Conterno - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-barolo-boys-visits-bartolo.html

Aldo Conterno - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2019/03/long-overdue-notes-two-visits-to-aldo.html

Vietti - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-barolo-boys-visits-parusso-vietti.html

Brovia - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2019/02/long-overdue-notes-barolo-boys-in.html

Two Bottles Of Pinot

2017 Auxey-Duresses, Domaine Jessiaume

A light, fine nose with notes of ripe red currants, cool tobacco, Asian spices and earth. Very nice.

The taste is medium bodied and finely structured with notes of red currants, rhubarb licorice and chalk. A fine acidity. Very, very good. 4+ years.

89p   (tasted 2020/11)

2018 Göcklingen Spätburgunder, Weingut Ehrhart

This Pfalz Pinot offers up a deep, complex nose with notes of raspberry, fried nuts, moist earth, chocolate biscuits and shoe cream. A very fine, low leyed sweetness. Very fine.

The taste is young and perky with notes of raspberry licorice, forest floor, herbs and sweet minerals. A very fine acidity. Balanced. Lovely.

92p   (tasted 2020/11)

1996 Barolo Cannubi, Serio & Battista Borgogno

1996 Barolo Cannubi, Serio & Battista Borgogno

This Barolo opens warm, spicy and deep with notes of muscovado sugar cooked strawberries, dog fur, leather, bonfire smoke and moist earth. Mature and fine. Wears its heart on its sleeves. Big. Very, very good.

The taste is broad and warm with notes of tobacco, dried strawberries, rosehips and old leather. Long and silky. Fully mature. Fine.

90p   (tasted 2020/11)

1964 Barolo Cannubio, Serio & Battista Borgogno

2012 Barolo Cannubi, Serio & Battista Borgogno

2016 Château La Tour de By

2016 Château La Tour de By

From a half bottle. This go-to Bordeaux in a attractive price range, usually delivers the goods, see previous notes below. The 2016 offers up a cool, restrained nose with notes of red and black currants, chocolate biscuits and gravel. Very nice.

The taste is medium bodied with notes of red currants, cold coffee, fried bread and fir wood. Some tannins in the finish that needs a couple of years to soften. Very, very good. 5+ years.

88p   (tasted 2020/11)

1983 & 2007

2008

2014

1996 Rivola, Abadia Retuerta

1996 Rivola, Abadia Retuerta

The debut vintage of Rivola consists of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers up a gentle, mature nose with notes of dried black currants, leather, green pepper and some dried up vanilla pod. Very, very good.

The taste is soft and mature with notes of dried up black currant jam, scorched earth, leather and tobacco. Medium long with a fine warmth. A fine drink now and way better than the 96 Cuvée Campanario tasted a couple of years ago.

But I can´t see Parkers despriction of this wine being true at this stage - "Think of it as a blend of a first-class Pomerol and Vega Sicilia Unico"...

88p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet et al Tasting Dinner

Last Saturday I held a tasting dinner at home with a 2010 Puligny-Montrachet theme with a ringer in each flight. This was what we ate and drank.

1964 Macon, Mommenssin

This 56 year old Macon was fantastic. Full of life and showing a great old Pinot character. The nose is light and lively with notes of red currants, Christmas spices and forest floor. Elegant.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of red beets, red currants, dry licorice and root vegetables. Medium long. Very fine. About one fourth was left in the bottle until the next day and it hadn´t declined a bit.

92p   (tasted 2020/10)

1964 Macon, Poulet

The next Macon wasn´t as fresh. A old, burly nose with notes of cooked red fruit, dog fur, shoe cream and compost. 

The taste is warm and compact with notes of mucovado sugar cooked fruit, wet undergrowth and bakelite. Long and structured. Better on the palate than on the nose.

83p   (tasted 2020/10)

Flight 1

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Le Cailleret, La Pousse d´Or

A cool, refined nose with notes of lime, lemon cream, wet asphalt and fine soap. Lots of chrushed rock after some time in the glass. Very fine.

The taste is racy and still young with notes of lemon zest, chalk, white currants and dry butter biscuits. A very fine acidity. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Meursault Charmes, Henri Germain

A rather large scaled nose with notes of fried nuts, banana peel, yellow apples and lemon fudge. Very good in a upfront way.

The taste is broad and velvety with notes of grilled brioche, para nuts and almond paste. Long and fine. Almost fully mature.

88p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Champ Canet, Jacques Carillon

A delicate, smoky nose with notes of lemon cream, yellow flowers, lavender and dried up lemoncello. Very handsome. Really fine.

The taste is crisp and intense with notes of lemon cream, dry lemon fudge, sweet minerals and smoke. A very distinct acidity. Still young. Very fine. 6+ years.

95p   (tasted 2020/10)

Flight 2

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières, David Moret

A large scaled, finely tuned nose with notes of candied lemons, papaya, white raisins and a hint of coconut. Very deep and fine.

The taste is tight and taut with lots of ripe fruit in the shape of passionfruit, pineapple and grilled lemons. A long intense finish with a lively acidity. Very fine. 4+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Les Chasselas Vieilles Vignes, Ganevat

A different creature to say the least. A touch of carbonic acid at first, then notes of root vegetables, lemon cream, burnt grass and raspberry jam!

The taste is tight and mineral laden with notes of linoleum, dry grass and lemon zest. A high acidity and not enough fruit to balance. Good but not great.

87p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Le Folatières, Bernard & Thierry Glantenay

A cool, restrained nose with notes of almond paste, chrushed rocks, matchbox and a salty scent. Very, very good.

The taste is racy and refined with notes of dried apricots, sweet minerals, matchbox and birch sap. A fine acidity. Long and distinct. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2020/10)

Flight 3

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières, Bachelet-Monnot

A pure, smoky, lovely nose with notes of grilled lemons, white peach, lemon fudge and lots of minerals. Great structure. Very fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of sweet/sour lemons, white flowers, peaches and cap gun smoke. A long, luscious finish. Great wine. 5+ years.

95p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Chardonnay Allen Vineyard, Williams Seylem

A hint of ox, but also notes of ripe oranges, pineapple, smoke and dried flowers. Rich and fine.

The taste is broad and velvety with notes of apricots, yellow apples and smoke. Long and warm. A fine drink.

89p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Folatières, Lucien Le Moine

A very deep, intense nose with notes of sweet lime, fish sauce, grey pears and chrushed rocks. Rich and very fine.

The taste is pure, intense and concentrated with notes of lime cream, matchbox, orange peel and blue ski wax. Very, very long. A very fine acidity. Almost fully mature. 

93p   (tasted 2020/10)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrières, Henri Boillot

S brought a bottle with him, not sure that there would be enough wine to drink... The nose is cool, elegant and a tad withdrawn, with notes of grass, lemon peel, gravel and white flowers. Very fine. Feels very young still.

The taste is racy and handsome with notes of white currants, chalk, matchbox and a fine salty touch. Long and distinct. Very fine. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/10)

1971 Château Guiraud

To finish the evening of, a bottle of mature Sauternes. The nose is very deep and perfectly mature with notes of detergent, dried apricots, skin cream and linoleum. Very fine. Some guessed it to be a Chenin, highly understandable.

The taste is deep and semi dry with notes of dried apricots, sandelwood, white raisins and moist undergrowth. Very fine. Long. A perfect drink to end a great evening.

93p   (tasted 2020/10)

Four Nice Verdicchio´s

I got an invitation to taste wines from Marche and a Masterclass with bottles of Verdicchio. 

Susanne held an interesting tasting, presenting the wines below.

2019 Q311, Piersanti

A fresh, grassy nose with notes of white currants, white pepper and ripening pears. A fine summer feeling.

The taste is light and juicy with notes of white currants, chives and sun warm gravel. A fine acidity. A plate of fried squid would be a perfect match.

86p   (tasted 2020/10)

2019 Vigna Vittoria, Luchetti

A deeper nose with notes of hay, tangerines, cement and a interesting note of dried up vanilla ice cream. Very, very good.

The taste is long and mineral laden with notes of gravel, tangerines and almond paste. A fine character.

88p   (tasted 2020/10)

2019 Macrina, Garofoli

A fine, herbal nose with notes of grass, dried peach and onion powder. A tad subdued but very good.

The taste is fresh and peppery with notes of grape, grass and gravel. A very good acidity. Very fine on the palate.

88p   (tasted 2020/10)

2018 Zecci Collezione, Piersanti

This apparently has some botrytized grapes in the blend, which is noticable on the nose in the shape of dried, sweet tangerines, grilled herbs, almond paste and gravel. A tad heavy handed.

The taste is spicy and medium rich with notes of ripe tangerines, warm grass and almond paste. A hint of bitterness in the finish.

84p   (tasted 2020/10)

2013, 2015, 2017 Dolcetto d´Alba, Sandrone

2013 Dolcetto d´Alba, Sandrone

A delicate, seedy nose with notes of cranberries, violets, fir wood and dried raspberries. A low keyed peppery note. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and dry with notes of a dried up blueberry pie, bakelite and iron. A fine dryness to the finish. Highly likeable in a dry, taut style.

89p   (tasted 2020/10)

2015 Dolcetto d´Alba, Sandrone

The nose is a tad subdued with notes of dry blueberries, violet pastilles and bonfire smoke. Some warmth. Very good but a tad locked up.

The taste is warm and seedy with notes of dried blueberries, warm sand and salted licorice. Big bodied. Warm. Very good but a tad marked by warmth.

87p   (tasted 2020/10)

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba, Sandrone

A young, spicy, upfront nose with notes of ripe blueberries, violet licorice, smoke and incense. Energetic and fine.

The taste is fresh and tight with notes of damsons, ripe blueberries, iron and ink. Perky tannins and a fine acidity. Very, very good. Same impression as when tasted at the estate in November 2018.

91p   (tasted 2020/10)

A Splendid Guigal Lunch

I was invited by Wine Affair to a lunch at the amazing Operakällaren to taste the new releases from Guigal alongside some older vintages. Philippe Guigal participated (after some initial technical difficulties) via Zoom and gave valuable information about the wines, vintages and much more, with his usual wit and charm.

A fantastic tasting!

Tasting

2019 Condrieu

An open, flowery nose with notes of peach, lavender and mosquito repellent. Very, very good.

The taste is pure and fleshy with notes of rose water, ripe peach and chrushed rocks. Long, fine with a good acidity.

90p   (tasted 2020/10)

2018 Condrieu La Doriane

I was fortunate enough to taste this and the Ex Voto below a couple of weeks ago and my impressions were the same as then.

93p   (tasted 2020/10)

2016 Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc

See above.

96p   (tasted 2020/10)

2017 Saint Joseph Vignes de L´Hospice

A deep, peppery nose with notes of cold meat, sun warm rocks and violets. Very pure and racy.

The taste is young, tight and concentrated with notes of violets, ripe blueberries and warm tiles. Polished tannins. Very long and very fine. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2020/10)

2016 Côte-Rôtie Château d´Ampuis

A very handsome, meaty nose with notes of ripe blueberries, bacon fat and ripe dark flowers. 

The taste is tight and seedy with notes of scorched earth, blueberries, minerals and some tobacco notes. Long and balanced. 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2020/10)

2016 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline

The three La La´s is simply amazing wines, with their own distinct character. La Mouline, normally my favourite, offers up a seamless nose with notes of ripe flowers, blackberries, violets and fresh herbs. Lovely.

The taste is taut and focused with notes of licorice, blackberries, rosemary and a gorgeously perfumed note. The finish goes on and on. 10+ years.

97p   (tasted 2020/10)

2016 Côte-Rôtie La Turque

On this occasion, La Turque, got my nod as the finest in this line up. The nose is dark and earthy with notes of granite, violets, meat and dried strawberries. Very complex and utterly gorgeous.

The taste is spicy and concentrated with notes of violets, salted blueberries, granite and dry licorice. The finish is counted in minutes. Just stunning. 10+ years.

98p   (tasted 2020/10)

2016 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne

I was very fortunate to taste this stunner a couple of weeks ago and it behaved identical at this tasting.

98p   (tasted 2020/10)

Lunch

2019 Côtes du Rhône Blanc

Some wines to go along the splendid food served. First up the perennial fine bottle of white Côtes du Rhone from Guigal - spicy and perfumed with fine yellow fruit, a good acidity and length.

87p   (tasted 2020/10)

2019 Condrieu La Doriane

The one year younger version of La Doriane is even better than the bottle above. The nose is deep and complex with notes of quince, fish sauce, sun warm rocks and ripe flowers. Gorgeous.

The taste is racy and refined with notes of ginger, ripe yellow pears, mineral and dried flowers. Very long. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2020/10)

2017 Côtes du Rhone

As with the white, this is great value for money. The nose on the red is fresh and fruity with notes of ripe lingonberries, blueberries, earth and ligthly seared meat. Very, very good.

The taste is cool and clean with soft tannins, a good lenght and fine blueberry/raspberry fruit. Perfect for drinking now but this can age for 10+ years.

88p   (tasted 2020/10)

2011 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline

The order is restored! I have La Mouline as favourite among these three 2011. The nose is deep, maturing and just lovely with notes of dog fur, dried up raspberry jam, forest floor, lavender and white pepper. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is rich and perfumed with notes of undergrowth, dried raspberries, lavender and sweet tobacco. Very long and velvety. Mature for a nine year old La La but ooooh so good.

95p   (tasted 2020/10)

2011 Côte-Rôtie La Turque

A very tight, inky nose with notes of cranberries, dried blueberries, bonfire smoke and iron. Sturdy and fine. Some maturity. Very fine.

The taste is restrained and earthy with notes of dried blueberries, iron, dry tobacco and warm tiles. Very long. More backbone than La Mouline. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2020/10)

2011 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne

As always, the most backward of the three, the La Landonne display a deep, dark nose with notes of dried herbs, blackberries, green peppers, smoke and some barnyard aromas, in a Bordeaux kind of way. Very fine.

The taste is tight and seedy with stern tannins, dark fruit and a finish that goes on for over a minute. Iron, violets, damsons. Needs time, 8+ years. Not the biggest charmer today.

93p   (tasted 2020/10)

2005 Côte-Rôtie Hommage Etienne Guigal

Only made in magnums (300 bottles) this 15 year old Hommage offers up a deep, smoky nose with notes of dried blueberries, soft earth, dried herbs and cigarette ashes. Deep and fine but lacks a little finesse.

The taste is big and brawny with notes of dried blueberries, violets and iron. Long and fine with some rugged tannins. Very, very good.

92p   (tasted 2020/10)