A couple of weeks ago it was time for a barbeque at our place - friends arrived carrying bottles. This is how it went.
The Champagne´s
2008 Saint-Vincent, R&L Legras
A very deep, complex nose with notes of nuts, lemon caramel, orange peel and newly washed linens. Really fine.
The taste is racy and rich with notes of almond, oranges, lots of minerals and a touch of ginger. A salivating acidity. Very long. Still young, 6+ years.
94p (tasted 2022/07)
2008 La Grande Cuvée, Jeeper
A cool, stony nose with notes of lemon peel, dry lemon fudge, dried flowers and chrushed rocks. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and linear with lots of dry yellow fruits, a fine acidity and long, creamy finish. Got better with air. 3+ years.
91p (tasted 2022/07)
The Whites
2014 Corton-Charlemagne, Louis Baisinbert
A handsome, mineral laden nose with notes of melon, lemon cream, shellfish and matchbox. Very fine.
The taste is velvety and elegant with notes of grilled lemons, warm grass, fudge and assorted nuts. Very long. 4+ years. A rather tacky blue bottle though - limited edition of 300 bottles for Palm Beach...
92p (tasted 2022/07)
2012 Montus Blanc
A large, mature nose with some fiery yellow fruit, dried apricots and earth. Note as good as I remembered it.
The taste is better with nicely concentrated yellow fruit, a warm character and a fine maturity. But still, better a couple of years ago.
87p (tasted 2022/07)
2014 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot, Domaine Ramonet
A high, intense, focused nose with everything but maturity in place. Just lovely. The freshest lemons, freshly cut grass, some buttery aromas and cap gun smoke. Very. very deep.
The taste is racy and refined with notes of chalk, lemon fudge, incense, minerals and chives. Very complex. Electric. Needs 10+ years.
96p (tasted 2022/07)
The Reds
1953 Château Haut-Brion
From magnum. Very ullaged and very old. There are some tell tale signs of an aged Bordeaux but this has, alas, gone too far. Not undrinkable though.
2001 Château Charmail
From magnum. A finely mature nose with notes of earth, tobacco and ripe red and black currants.
The taste is round, somewhat mature and easy going with nice fruit and a long, earthy finish.
87p (tasted 2022/07)
2015 Syrah, Lilian
A very deep, rich nose with notes of blackberries, fried herbs, sweet violets and asphalt. A very fine intensity. Gorgeous.
94p (tasted 2022/07)
2007 I Sodi Di S. Niccolo, Castellare
85% Sangiovese, 15% Malvasia Nera. A very fine, cool nose with notes of charcoal, black cherries, tobacco and white pepper. Intense and yet delicate. Very fine.
The taste is seedy and somewhat mature with notes of cool black currants, earth, herbs and dried flowers. Soft tannins. Drinking perfect today and the next 6+ years.
92p (tasted 2022/07)
2008 Finca Altamira, Achava Ferrer
A big, juicy nose with notes of sugared coffee, ripe plums, dark chocolate and diesel oil. Very deep.
The taste is big and brawny with fiery tannins, lots of ripe black fruit and stern tannins. Bold. 6+ years.
91p (tasted 2022/07)
2008 Estate Cuvée, Kapcsándy
A tight, concentrated nose with notes of ripe black currants, blackberries, new leather, expensive tobacco and violets. Very fine.
The taste is tight, concentrated and rich with gorgeous black fruits, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Really fine. 5+ years. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
94p (tasted 2022/07)
1983 Château de la RiviéreFrom magnum. A round, mature nose with notes of dried up black currant jam, plums, earth and dry tobacco. Very, very good.
The taste is velvety and warm with all the right mature Bordeaux trade marks. On top of its game.
90p (tasted 2022/07)
2004 Flaccianello, Fontodi
A deep, maturing nose with lovely notes of ripe black cherries, some meaty aromas, herbs and dusty earth. Very complex.
The taste is tight and concentrated with silky tannins, gorgeous cherry fruit and a one minute long finish. Almost fully mature. Great wine.
95p (tasted 2022/07)
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