Sunday 27 November 2022

1993 Chateau Haut-Bailly


1993 Chateau Haut-Bailly
Lovingly mature, this classic Bordeaux offers up a light, autumn filled nose with notes of dried red and black currants, tiles, old leather, tobacco and a touch of bonfire. Elegant. Very, very good.
The taste is cool, mature and refined with notes of cranberries, tiles, coffee powder and autumn leaves. Medium bodied. Fully mature. Drinking perfectly now.
90p   (tasted 2022/11)


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Thursday 24 November 2022

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Renzo Seghesio



Renzo Seghesio
This estate has 14 ha of vines and produce ca 80.000 bottles per year. Federico, which I met earlier this year in Stockholm, took great care of me and poured these beautiful wines.


2021 Arneis
A fresh, steely nose with notes of lemon licorice, grass and white pepper. Very good.
The taste is pure and fine with a good mineral touch and a cleansing acidity.
87p   (tasted 2022/09)

2020 Barbera d´Alba
A very nice, open nose with notes of ripe raspberries, tobacco and Finnish licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is juicy and fine with notes of licorice, fresh herbs and raspberries. A very fine acidity.
89p   (tasted 2022/09)

2020 Barbera d´Alba Superiore
The grapes comes from Ginestra. The nose is very deep and concentrated with notes of wild raspberries, pipe tobacco, forest floor and a fine perfumed note. 
The taste is taut and multi layered with lovely fruit, a crisp acidity and a finish that goes on and on. Very fine.
93p   (tasted 2022/09)


2020 Nebbiolo d´Alba Roè
A fine, spicy nose with notes of cool cherries, sun warm rocks and hints of cigarette smoke. Very, very good.
The taste is nicely structured with silky tannins and a fine cherry and licorice fruit. 2+ years.
88p   (tasted 2022/09)

2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Ruri
A large scaled, tight nose with notes of ripe cherries, plums, hot earth and violets. Deep and fine.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of ripe cherries, undergrowth and rosehips. 4+ years.
90p   (tasted 2022/09)

2018 Barolo Commune del Monforte Ca´d´Nalin
A deep, cool nose with notes of dried strawberries, Christmas spices, forest floor and rosehips. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of red cherries, licorice, fir wood and spices. Very handsome. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/09)

2018 Barolo Ginestra
A tight, concentrated nose with depth and focus. Lovely notes of dark cherries, mushrooms, asphalt and ripe flowers. Very fine.
The taste is racy and refined with lots of dark, ripe fruit, taut tannins and a long, long finish. A fine future. 7+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/09)



2016 Barolo Riserva Vigna Pajana
A very deep, layered nose with notes of asphalt, dried cherries, autumn leaves, dried flowers and incense. Lovely.
The taste is taut and aristocratic with a great backbone, gorgeous cherry fruit, polished tannins and a long, seamless finish. Great wine. 6+ years.
95p   (tasted 2022/09)

I also had the opportunity to taste the wines below from barrel. I didn´t take any notes, I was to busy enjoying the wines and the conversation with Federico, but needless to say, these are some gorgeous wines, reflecting the vintages. I´m looking forward to taste these from bottles down the line.

2021 Barolo
2021 Barolo Ginestra
2021 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Pajana
2020 Barolo
2020 Barolo Ginestra
2020 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Pajana
2019 Barolo Ginestra
2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Pajana




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Wednesday 23 November 2022

2016 Brut Rosé, Louis Roederer


2016 Brut Rosé, Louis Roederer
From a great line of Rosé´s from Roederer, see below, this is another stunner. The nose is young and energetic with notes of red apples, orange, birch leaves and a very fine salty touch. Very fine.
The taste is cool and creamy with a lovely acidity and notes of blood grape, red lemons, lots of minerals and apple skin. Long and refined. 6+ years. Tasted at the recent Shafer tasting - Barolista: Shafer In Town
93p   (tasted 2022/11)

Other vintages tasted of the Roederer rosé:


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Wednesday 16 November 2022

2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Fattoi & Val di Suga

2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Fattoi
Two inexpensive Brunello´s from the monopoly (25 Euro each) - lets check them out.
The Fattoi shows of a medium bodied nose with notes of dried red cherries, furniture polish, dry tobacco and gravel. Lack a bit in the charm department.
The taste is dry and good with a nice warmth and notes of chocolate covered cherries, dry almonds, dried herbs and gravel. Rather short. Worth the tariff but not more. Drink over the next 5+ years.
85p   (tasted 2022/11)


2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Val di Suga
The Val di Suga is much better with an open, direct nose with notes of ripe black cherries, fried herbs, leather and forest floor. A fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is tight and fine with notes of ripe cherries, chocolate wafers, tobacco and herbs. A good length. Very, very good. 4+ years. 
89p   (tasted 2022/11)

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Monday 14 November 2022

Shafer In Town


Vinunic invited to a tasting of new releases from Shafer. Matthew Sharp and Jake Watson from the estate presented the wines and talked among other things about the recent sale of Shafer to a Korean company.
Lots of Shafer tasting notes below.

Matthew Sharp

2021 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay
Less oaky than in the past - I liked the old style... - but this is really good to. :-) The nose is open and forward with notes of grilled lemons, yellow plums, white flowers and hints of matchbox.
The taste is young and nicely concentrated with rich yellow fruit, a fine balance and a very good acidity, leaving the mouth dry at the finish. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/11)



2019 TD-9
Last vintage of TD-9. From 2020 it will be called just Cabernet Sauvignon since it will consist of more than 75% Cabernet. Then it will be three levels of Shafer Cabernet - Cabernet, One Point Five and Hillside Select.
The nose is open and fine with notes of plums, black cherries, tobacco and ripe herbs. Very, very good.
The taste is juicy and direct with notes of black currants, plums, hot earth and herbs. Long and lush. 4+ years.
55% Cabernet, 33% merlot, 8% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot.
91p   (tasted 2022/11)



2019 One Point Five
This 83% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot wine oozes up from the glass with gorgeous notes of ripe black currants, forest floor, bay leaves, tiles and sugared coffee. Very fine.
The taste is taut and bold with notes of dried up black currant jam, cigarr smoke, lavender, tiles and tobacco. Very, very long with juicy tannins. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/11)

2018 Relentless
A beauty. A finely focused notes with notes of ripening blackberries, black pepper, asphalt, fir wood and a lovely perfumed note.
The taste is broad yet refined with gorgeous peppered black fruit, silky tannins and a long, long finish. A very fine spicy note. Great wine. 6+ years. 76% Syrah, 24% Petite Sirah.
95p   (tasted 2022/11)

2017 Hillside Select
Its always an honour to taste the Hillside Select. The 2017 shows of a very deep, magical nose with notes of ripe black currants, wet cement, black flowers, graphite and bonfire smoke. It took some time to open in the glass but then...
The taste is very concentrated and focused with every component - fruit, tannins, acidity - in perfect place. It will just need 8+ year. Stunning wine.
97p   (tasted 2022/11)



2012 Hillside Select
The 2012 is not as stunning as the 2017 but still a very good wine. The nose is big and forward with notes of cooked black currants, wet asphalt, fir wood and decaying flowers. Very, very deep.
The taste is rich and rewarding with notes of (over)ripe black currants, Finnish licorice, leather and charcoal. Very, very long. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/11)



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Sunday 13 November 2022

Two Dogliani Superiore

2015 Dogliani Superiore, San Fereole
A deep, tight nose with notes of red currants, damsons, a fine mix of blue- and raspberries and a hint of barnyard. Very, very good. Even better the second day, with deeper fruit and the barnyard funk gone.
The taste is nicely structured with crisp tannins and notes of dried raspberries, damsons, earth and violets. A fine warmth. Better in the Burgundy glass. 
91p   (tasted 2022/11)


2019 Dogliani Superiore Pianezzo - Vigne Sorí San Martino, Francesco Boschis
A young, tight, focused nose with notes of violets, blueberries, dry licorice, tiles and fir wood. Very deep. 
The taste is taut and concentrated with notes of blueberries, iron, blood, lavender and earth, Very, very long. Very promising, needs 5+ years. Also better in the Burgundy glass.
90p   (tasted 2022/11)

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Wednesday 9 November 2022

Some Bottles Tasted At Divine


I had the opportunity a couple of days ago to taste some wines at Divine.

2019 Ciuri, Terrazze Dell´Etna
A fresh, grassy nose with notes of red apples, bay leaves and a fine spiciness.
The taste is cool and fine with crisp, mineral laden fruit, a good acidity and a medium long finish.
88p   (tasted 2022/10)



2021 Langhe Bianco Cinerino, Marziano Abbona
100% Viognier. An open, flowery nose with notes of soap, warm rocks, ripe melon and a creamy note from Acacia wood.
The taste is structured and good with round, yellow fruit and a long finish. A good acidity. 
87p   (tasted 2022/10)

2021 Dogliani San Luigi, Marziano Abbona
A lovely, open, spicy nose with notes of blueberries, iron and a fine earthy scent.
The taste is upfront and juicy with fresh blueberry fruit, silky tannins and a long finish. 3+ years.
90p   (tasted 2022/10)


2021 Dogliani Papa Celso, Marziano Abbona
Papa Celso always delivers. The nose is deep and concentrated with notes of ripe blueberries, bay leaves, ink and chrushed rocks. Intense.
The taste is tight and focused with solid blueberry and damson fruit, stern tannins for aging and a long, long finish. A serious wine. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/10)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo. Marziano Abbona
A delicate nose with notes of red cherries, salt licorice and spices. Very, very good.
The taste is silky and warm with fine cherry fruit, notes of licorice, herbs and forest floor. 4+ years.
90p   (tasted 2022/10)


2018 Barbaresco, Marziano Abbona
A deep, herbal nose with notes of hard cherry candy, earth, tobacco and dried strawberries. Lovely.
The taste is cool and refined with gorgeous fruit, polished tannins and a long, elegant finish. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/10)

2018 Barolo, Brezza
A cool, fresh nose with notes of pomegranate, dried strawberries, rosehips and a fine perfumed note.
The taste is young and finely balanced with notes of red currants, dried cherries, earth and rosehips. Long. Very, very good. 6+ years.
91p   (tasted 2022/10)

2018 Alonso Del Yerro
This Ribera del Duero is a stunner. The nose is large scaled yet focused with notes of plums, pipe tobacco, watm tiles and a dark floral note. Very fine.
The taste is rich and concentrated with lush black fruit, sturdy tannins and a long, long distinct finish. Right up my alley. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/10)


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Tuesday 8 November 2022

2015 Gran Cava Barrica, Castell Sant Antoni


2015 Gran Cava Barrica, Castell Sant Antoni
A delicate, cool nose with notes of birch sap, lemon peel, gravel and white pears. Elegant. Very, very good.
The taste is dry and tight with a fine acidity and notes of ripe lemons, sun warm rocks and some grassy notes. A fine finish. Great Cava.
90p   (tasted 2022/10)

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Sunday 6 November 2022

2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio, Ricasoli


2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio, Ricasoli
Some on Decanter´s tasting team should look for new jobs. In the May 2022 Issue there was a large tasting of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione with 111 bottles tasted. Dead last I found the 2018 Castello di Brolio from Ricasoli, with a score of 81p.

Having recently tasted the whole range of 2019 Gran Selezione from Ricasoli, I thought something was wrong. The 2018 vintage is as good as the 2019.
I decided to open a bottle.

It needed some time in the glass to open up, but then it showed of a deep, herbal nose with notes of hard cherry candy, cold coffee, sandel wood and Tuscan gravel. Refined. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and cool with notes of violets, red cherries, herbs, tobacco and a hint of wood. Long and balanced. 6+ year. Didn´t budge to the second day.
There were three judges in the article, one of them a MW, who all should be looking for new jobs.
91p   (tasted 2022/11)

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Saturday 5 November 2022

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Bruna Grimaldi


Bruna Grimaldi
A very nice visit with Martina as a charming guide. A family estate since 1957 consisting of 15 ha, producing around 80.000 bottles per year.


2021 Arneis
A fresh, open nose with notes of ripening peach, gravel and white pepper. Very good.
The taste is cool and fine with a good acidity, peach and lemon fruit and also with a white pepper touch.
87p   (tasted 2022/09)


2021 Dolcetto d´Alba San Martino
A typical blueberry laden nose with additional notes of iron, violet and fresh herbs. Very, very good.
The taste is medium bodied and nicely structured with notes of blueberries, blood and ink. 4+ years.
89p   (tasted 2022/09)

2020 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Scassa
A large scaled nose with fine notes of ripe raspberries, Finnish licorice, plums and asphalt.
The taste is big and bold with dense fruit, a very fine acidity and a long, long finish. Very fine.
91p   (tasted 2022/09)


2021 Langhe Nebbiolo
Tasted from cask. A fine, outgoing nose with notes of strawberries, rosehips, dry licorice and violets. Very, very good.
The taste is young and fresh with notes of rosehips, dried cherries, forest floor and a hint of tobacco. Promising. 4+ years.
90p   (tasted 2022/09)

2018 Barolo Camilla
A classic, refined nose with notes of strawberries, roses, earth and paint. Very pure and fine.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of red cherries, dry licorice, roses and rosehips. A lovely classic Barolo for the coming 8+ years.
91p   (tasted 2022/09)


2018 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio
A deep, elegant nose with notes of raspberries, licorice, tobacco and dark flowers. Very fine.
The taste is luscious and velvety with notes of cherries, damp earth, licorice and tobacco. Long, fine and generous. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/09)


2018 Barolo Badarina
From two different plots in the Badarina vineayard, 420 meter above sealevel. The nose is very handsome with lovely notes of sweet/sour cherries, tobacco, sweet minerals and shoe polish. Lots of energy here.
The taste is pure and intense with notes of hard cherry candy, tobacco, earth, rosehips and minerals. Very fine. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/09)



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Tuesday 1 November 2022

1968 - 2002 Moulin Touchais


An invitation came from Vinunic to taste some vintages of Moulin Touchais together with Frederik Wilbrennick. I have meet Frederik before, see below, and its always a treat to meet him and listen to the fascinating story of Moulin Touchais and its wines.


2002 Moulin Touchais
A young, in Moulin Touchais terms, nose with notes of rubber boots, apricots, wet asphalt, petroleum and candied lemons. Very fine.
The taste is creamy and semi sweet with notes of dried up limoncello, apricots, hay and petroleum. A nice acidity. For the future.
91p   (tasted 2022/10)



1997 Moulin Touchais
A deep, complex nose with notes of expensive soap, marzipan, tangerines and yellow plums. A hint of maturity. Lovely.
The taste is semi dry with concentration and balance, and notes of apricots, ripe oranges, linoleum and dried grass. Very, very long. Great wine for now and the coming 50+ years.
95p   (tasted 2022/10)

1992 Moulin Touchais
A somewhat restrained nose with notes of dried pears, road dust, washing powder and a petrol station in the distance. A tad weak in the middle.
The taste is better, medium bodied with notes of dried apricots, gravel, rubber and decaying flowers. A good acidity.
87p   (tasted 2022/10)


1982 Moulin Touchais
Lots of dried fruits, autumn apples, soy, moist earth and old leather, in all a interesting, complex nose.
The taste is rich and maturing with notes of dried apricots, yellow raisins, forest floor and linoleum. A fine dry finish. Will go on for many years to come.
90p   (tasted 2022/10)

1968 Moulin Touchais
A vintage that was originaly decided not to be sold but kept in the cellar. After many years the decision was altered. Not the best decision IMHO. The nose is old and a tad volatile with notes of detergents, canned mushrooms, dried pears and a whiff of a wet dog.
The taste is dry and foursquare with some dried lemons, apricots, road dust and canned mushrooms. Short. Not faulty but not a vintage to be remembered.
80p   (tasted 2022/10)


I have been fortunate through the years and have had the opportunity to taste a broad range of Moulin Touchais vintages (see links below):

1885   (100p)
1892   (82p)
1921   (89p)
1937   (92p)
1947   (92p)
1955   (84p)
1959   (96p)
1964   (98p/96p/94p)
1968   (80p)
1969   (95p)
1971   (86p/86p)
1975   (92p)
1979   (90p)
1981   (82p/89p)
1982   (84p/90p)
1983   (79p)
1985   (94p/92p/94p)
1990   (89p)
1992   (87p)
1997   (93p/95p)
1999   (85p)
2000   (82p)
2001   (92p)
2002   (91p)

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