A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2008 Rose Brut Sable, Aubry

2008 Brut Rose Sable, Aubry

A stony, fresh nose with notes of red currants, earth, summer gravel and dried flowers. A fine intensity. Very, very good.

The taste is creamy and fine with notes of rhubarb, red currants, earth and a touch of nougat. A very fine acidity.

92p   (tasted 2021/05)

2017 Estate Chardonnay, Mount Eden Vineyards

2017 Estate Chardonnay, Mount Eden Vineyards

A deep, rich, gorgeous nose with notes of lemon cream, matchbox, whitebpeach, roasted nuts, yellow flowers and lemon fudge. Just lovely. Layers upon layers. Hints of linoleum. Stately.

The taste is creamy and concentrated with focus, balance and richness. Beautiful fruit, a lively acidity and a long, long finish. Dry and very fine. Great wine. Need to get more of this beauty.

95p   (tasted 2021/05)

NV Conversation Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, J. L. Vergnon

NV Conversation Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, J. L. Vergnon

A laid back, stony nose with notes of lemon cream, white currants, red grapefruit and dry biscuits. Very, very good in a ascetic style. More creamy on day two.

The taste is tight and dry with a fine acidity and notes of dry fudge, lemon cream, birch leaves and yellow flowers. A long, delicate finish. Not much change on day two. 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2021/5)

Two Bottles From 2012 - Rossese & Barbaresco

2012 Rossese di Dolceacqua Galeae, Ka*Mancine

8 years since I visisted Maurizio and tasted the 2012, and more, up in the hills above the charming town of Dolceacqua. 

Today it has a lovely, upliftning nose with notes of white peppered red currants, dried raspberries and gravel. A fine depth and some maturity, Very, very good.

The taste is perky and earthy with notes of red currants, raspberries, cigarette ashes and dry licorice. Medium bodied. Very fine. No hurry to drink any remaining bottles. 

91p   (tasted 2021/05)

2012 Barbaresco, La Ca´Növa

This needs some hours to come around and then it shows aromas of dried cherries, erath, mushrooms and old furniture. Very fine in a old school kind of way.

The taste is structured and almost mature with notes of dried cherries, herbs, rosehips and undergrowth. Some rugged tannins in the finish. I would give this 5 more years in the cellar.

89p   (tasted 2021/05)

2020 Dr L Riesling, Loosen Bros

2020 Dr L Riesling, Loosen Bros

Tasting sample. It is always a pleasure to listen to Ernie, although some of his exuberant charm is lost over a zoom meeting. 

Never the less, this young, crisp Riesling, which Ernie calls a signature wine for the estate. jumps out of the glass with notes of grey pears, white currants and rain wet asphalt. Very, very good. 

The taste is fresh and linear with notes of star anise, chrushes stones and grey pears. A very fine acidiy. Maybe a tad short but for a tenner (Euro) this is as good as it gets. 

88p   (tasted 2021/05)

2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Di Famiglia, Cecchi

2016 Chianti Classico Riserva di Famiglia, Cecchi

A very classic nose with notes of dark cherries, tobacco, Tuscan gravel and fresh Rosemary. A hint of white peppar. Very, very good. Deep and balanced.

The taste is transparent and high with notes of ripe cherries, wet rocks, violets and assorted herbs. A fine acidity. 4+ years. I´m not as enthusiastic as John but this is a bargain ar 20 Euro.

91p   (tasted 2021/05)

2010 Barolo Bricco Boschis, Cavallotto

2010 Barolo Bricco Boschis, Cavallotto

From the moment this was poured until the last drop three days later, this was a beauty. A deep, spicy and somewhat mature nose with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips, forest floor, tobacco, pine wood and some leathery aromas. Very complex. 

The taste is a textbook example of the proverbial ”iron fist in a velvet glove”. Lovely silky cherry fruit combined with chewy tannins, a minute long finish and a lovely balance. Highly drinkable today but I would give remaining bottles another 4+ years in the cellar.

94p   (tasted 2021/04)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV De L’ Abbatiale, Locret-Lachaud

NV De L’ Abbatiale, Locret-Lachaud

A fine, stony nose with notes of fennel seeds, sage, steel and red currants. A fine depth. Very, very good.

The taste is cool and fresh with notes of grey pears, red currants, iron and dark bread. Very long with a very fine acidity. Again, best on day two.

91p   (tasted 2021/04)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Chaléroux-Ghys

NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Chaléroux-Ghys

A tad restrained at first but opens up nicely over time with fine notes of toasted bread, lemon cream, yellow flowers, almond paste and hay. A fine depth. 

The taste is cool and tight with notes of lemon peel, minerals, yellow apple and crushed rocks. A fine acidity. Very, very good. Drunk over three days, best on day two (as always).

90p   (tasted 2021/04)

2014 & 2017 Château Bouscassé

A digital tasting isn´t - duuh - like a real tasting but still, you get to taste some great wines, listen to the wine maker and be able sit in your leisure clothes at home...

The other day I had the privilege to listen to Antoine Veiry from Brumont. We tasted a bunch of wines, more notes to follow, but I will start with the two I finished of with dinner.

2014 Château Bouscassé

From a half bottle. A medium dep nose with notes of herbs, red and black currants, fresh stables and earth, Very good. 

The taste is rocky and earthy with additional notes of herbs, cigarette ashes and red currants. A nice finish. 50% Tannat and equally parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

87p   (tasted 2021/04)

2017 Château Bouscassé

An open, fruity and fine nose with notes of black currants, plums, violets, earth and sweet pipe tobacco. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodiedm warm and nicely structured with notes of herbs, black currants, tobacco and violets. More interesting on the nose, but still very, very good. A very fine value at 17 Euro.

88p   (tasted 2021/04)

Four Times 2018 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore

An interesting tasting  of four different versions from the amphitheater-like vineyard of Valmaggiore.

2018 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore, Bruno Giacosa

A high, handsome nose with notes of red cherries, rosehips, linseed oil and fresh herbs. Very, very fine.

The taste is pure and complex with notes of red cherries, dried raspberries, tiles and minerals. Very fresh. Some silky tannins in the finish. 3+ years.

92p   (tasted 2021/04)

2018 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore, Luciano Sandrone

A finely tuned nose with notes of sour/sweet cherries, licorice, white pepper and some tobacco. Very deep and fine.

The taste is racy and elegant with notes of ripe red cherries, earth, dried strawberries and sweet minerals. Very fine. Juicy tannins in the finish. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/04)

2018 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore, Marengo

A open, warm nose with notes of hard cherry candy, asphalt, forest floor and hints of tobacco. Deep and fine.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips, licorice and mushrooms. Long and fine. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/04)

2018 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore, Giacomo Grimaldi

The nose is somewhat closed, even with air, with notes of dry cherries, gravel, dried flowers and licorice. Very good.

The taste is tight and fine, more open than on the nose, with notes of violet licorice, cold coffee, tobacco and gravel. Long and fine. Better on the palate. 3+ years.

88p   (tasted 2021/04)

Champagne & Barolo

NV Recolte Rosé, Dosnon

My first bottle from this producer but given this quality, not my last. This is a restrained and refined Rosé with a tight, spicy nose with notes of red currants, minerals, rhubarb, rust and a lovely salty touch. Very fine.

The taste is handsome and elegant with a brilliant acidity and notes of red currants, roses, spices and steel. Very long and lingering. Great juice.

93p   (tasted 2021/04)

1996 Barolo, Schiavenza

Always nice to drink a almost mature Barolo. The nose of this 25 year old old school Serralunga oozes up from the glass, after two hours in a decanter, with notes of iron, dried cherries, rosehips, furniture polish, forest floor and dry licorice. Very, very good.

The taste is taut and dry with still some perky tannins and notes of rosehips, red apples, iron and old furniture. Has a fine, rigid backbone. Give this another 6+ years. Here are notes from my visit to estate in August of 2019.

91p   (tasted 2021/04)

2001 Mehringer Zellenberg Riesling Auslese, Römerhof

2001 Mehringer Zellenberg Riesling Auslese, Römerhof

A bulked up half bottle (500 ml) of Riesling, this semi mature Auslese went perfectly with a semi hot Thai chicken wok. 

The nose is deep, with a fine dried up sweetness with notes of ripe peach, wet asphalt, wool (would have me going to Chenin if this would have been poured blind), furniture oil and a hint of saffron. Beginning to mature. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied, somewhat mature with notes of dried apricots, minerals, birch sap, matchbox and saffron bread. Ends semi dry. Drinking great after 20 years.

89p   (tasted 2021/04)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Cuvée des Caudalies Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, de Sousa

NV Cuvée des Caudalies Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, de Sousa

This gorgeous Blanc de Blancs comes from vines over 60 years old and 50% of the blend is from a perpetual reserve started in 1995. 

The nose is high and intense with notes of brioche, apple cider, fudge, assorted nuts, chalk and grilled lemons. There is lots going on here, and all is good! Very young.

The taste is creamy and refined with notes of vanilla fudge, ripe yellow apples, minerals, peach and grilled toast. Very long and harmonious. Balanced. A very fine acidity. Drunk over three days and IMHO best on day two. Great wine. 5,3 gr. 7+ years.

94p   (tasted 2021/04)

1975 Château Haut-Bailly

1975 Château Haut-Bailly

When I read up on this wine beforehand I got some pretty disparate views, see quotes below, but lets just say that Parker was waaaay of on this one (a recurring trend when it comes to older Bordeaux that aren´t the creme de la creme...).

The nose is deep and lovingly mature with notes of dried plums, black currants, chrushed tiles, sugared coffee and some fresh stable aromas. I can sit with my nose in the glass all evening long. Old school Bordeaux, my first love in wine 30+ years ago.

On the palate it isn´t as generous as on the nose but offers up a mature, round taste with notes of dried black currants, earth, bakelite and coffee grounds. A medium long finish. No -75 dryness in the finish. Very, very good. And with some future in hand, in spite that Parker deemed it without a future 26 years ago...

90p   (tasted 2021/04)

"I have consistently rated this wine from the low 60s to the low 70s, so this was a relatively strong showing for this vegetal, thin , tannic wine. The nose has opened to reveal some attractive weedy, curranty aromas, but there is not much fruit, and the tannins still dominates this lightweight claret. It has no future. Last tasted 12/95. 76p"

(Robert Parker / Bordeaux)

"Full, mature colour. Good, plump nose, not to dense. Fullish, has the density of more traditional wine.making rather than the vintage. Rich and ripe, good fruit, finishes well. Good."

(Clive Coates / Grands Vins / tasting note from June 1987)

2018 Russian River Pinot Noir, De Loach & 2018 Knox Alexander Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir, Au Bon Climat

Two more small, tasty bottles from Vinkällan.

2018 Russian River Pinot Noir, De Loach

A open, fine nose with notes of rhubarbs, ripe raspberries, undergrowth and warm herbs, Very, very good.

The taste is juicy and fine with a fine acidity and notes of raspberry licorice, forest floor and a hint of tobacco. Long and velvety.

90p   (tasted 2021/03)

2018 Knox Alexander Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir, Au Bon Climat

A deep, high nose with notes of dried raspberries, iron, a touch of VA and root vegetables. Complex and very fine.

The taste is tight and dry with notes of sour/sweet raspberries, raspberry vinegar, licorice and compost. Very long and fine. Lovely.

93p   (tasted 2021/03)

Some Rosé Champagne

 Vingruppen arranged a tasting of this seasons rosé wines. Four Champagnes were poured.

NV Rosé No 3 Brut, Andre Clouet

A cool, velvety nose with notes of toasted bread, red currants, dried raspberries and chalk. Very, very good.

The taste is seedy and fine with notes of raspberry candy, sun warm gravel and fresh herbs. A fine length and a very good acidity. A true bargain for 33 Euro.

92p   (tasted 2021/03)

2014 Rosé Brut, Louis Roereder

Tasted last August and it has developed nicely, putting on more weight and added complexity.

94p   (tasted 2021/03)

NV Rosé Brut Grand Cru, Egly-Ouriet

A deep, focused, finely tuned nose with notes of red and white currants, flint, spices and grilled lime. Very balanced and fine.

The taste is taut and fine with lovely fruit, a great acidity and a long, long, structured finish. Needs time. Great wine.

94p   (tasted 2021/03)

NV Rosé, Fleur de Miraval

330 Euro. Courtsey of Brad Pitt et al. Worth it? Not by a long shot. A very good wine with the same quality as the Clouet above, but I would rather take ten bottles of that than one of this.

The nose is deep and fine with notes of peach, raspberries, minerals and gravel. But it also has a "superficial" note.

The taste is balanced and fine with notes of red currants, gravel, oranges and herbs. A medium long, fine finish. A very good wine, but the price...

91p   (tasted 2021/03)

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, Silver Oak & 2018 Monte Bello, Ridge

I received some tasting samples from Vinkällan due to a launch of Capstone California Wines. Small bottles but lots of taste!

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, Silver Oak

A deep, handsome nose with notes of ripe black currants, tobacco, leather and a hint of red bell pepper. Complex and fine.

The taste is tight and refined with notes of red and black currants, tobacco, warm tiles and a hint of mint. Long and very fine.

92p   (tasted 2021/04)

2018 Monte Bello, Ridge

A very deep, multi layered nose with notes of ripe black currants, earth, mahogany and fresh herbs. Very fine. Lovely.

The taste is concentrated and focused with notes of black currants, dry chocolate, earth and expensive leather. Very long. 10 years.

94p   (tasted 2021/04)

1996 Barolo, Bel Colle

1996 Barolo, Bel Colle

Not your ordinary Barolo! Chosen by the Masters of the Cavaliere del Tartufo no less. 1200 bottles made.

It needs some time in the glass (after two hours decanting) to really open up with notes of undergrowth, dried raspberries, old oak furniture and violets. Some iron in the end. Rustic and very, very good.

The taste is tight and just mature with notes of rosehips, dried raspberries, gravel and dry licorice. A medium long finish with a fine warmth. Bottles like this will go on for 8+ years.

89p   (tasted 2021/04)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2011 Cuvée Edmond, E. Barnaut

2011 Cuvée Edmond, E. Barnaut

A fine, stony, bread filled nose with notes of fennel seeds, red apples and wet cement. A fine depth. Very, very good.

The taste is velvety and fine with notes of red apples, wet stones, fennel and grilled lemons. A fine acidity. A hint of maturity. 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier. 6 gr dosage. 

91p   (tasted 2021/04)

My Easter Egg Of 2021!

It is that time of the year again. I have rummage around in the cellar and come up with these bottles for the next days. Notes to follow. Happy Easter to all!

My Easter Egg of 2020

My Easter Egg of 2019

My Easter Egg of 2017

My Easter Egg of 2016

My Easter Egg of 2015

My Easter Egg of 2014

My Easter Egg of 2013

My Easter Egg of 2012

2011 Barolo Arborina, Mauro Veglio

2011 Barolo Arborina, Mauro Veglio

It was almost three years ago I last drank a bottle of this fine Nebbiolo. During those years it has become more focused and the fruit more concentrated. The nose is deep and structured with notes of sour and sweet cherries, asphalt, forest floor and a hint of shoe cream. Very fine.

The taste is taut and racy with notes of fresh mushrooms, ripe cherries, licorice and rosehips. A long finish with some still perky tannins. Lovely. 3+ years. 

93p   (tasted 2021/03)

Other vintages tasted:

2008 Arborina

2013 Arborina

2016 Arborina

2006 Barolo Bricco Luciani, Silvio Grasso

2006 Barolo Bricco Luciani, Silvio Grasso

After visiting this estate I bought some bottles from different vintages. I recently tasted 2004 & 2010 Bricco Luciani and tonight is was time for the 2006.

The nose is deep and somewhat mature with notes of a moist forest floor, ceps, dried cherries, roses & asphalt and a ever so slight hint of mint. Open and delectable.

The taste is seedy and fine with notes of dried cherries with a salty touch, dried flowers, asphalt and rosehips. A very fine acidity and polished tannins. Very long and fine. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2021/03)

2004 Bouzy Rouge, Barnaut

2004 Bouzy Rouge, Barnaut

This 17 year olf red wine from Barnaut hasn´t aged well. The nose is mature and murky with notes of model clay, dried raspberries, old red apples and wet wood. Some VA. 

The taste is cool and dry with notes of dry herbs, some raspberries and a high acidity. Rather short. Drinkable but I would pass on another bottle.

79p   (tasted 2021/3)

Two More Spätburgunder From Weingut Ehrhart

A couple of weeks ago I tasted two bottles from Weingut Ehrhart and now it was time for two more!

2016 Eschbach "R" Spätburgunder, Weingut Ehrhart 

The 16 is not as great as the 15 (see tasting note in the link above) with its warmer and more outgoing nose, with notes of spices, orange blossom, raspberries and sugared coffee. Very good though.

The taste is better with a tighter structure, a fine raspberry dominated fruit and a long, warm finish. A fine acidity. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2021/3)

2015 Sonnenberg Spätburgunder, Weingut Ehrhart

The 15 Sonnenberg is a stunner, with a deep, spicy nose with notes of rhubarb, raspberries, blood orange, cinnamon and furniture polish. Complex and fine. 

The taste is cool, spicy and multi layered with notes of orange zest, raspberries, forest floor and rhubarb licorice. A very fine acidity. Long and lingering. Very fine.

92p   (tasted 2021/3)

1988 Barbaresco Sorì Ciabot, Traversa & A Desert Island Album

1988 Barbaresco Sorì Ciabot, Traversa

A deep, mature nose with notes of raspberry candy, forest floor, dried flowers and fried nuts. A rough refinement.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of dried raspberries, herbs, gravel and dry licorice. Medium long. Very good but I guess it was even better 5-8 years ago.

87p   (tasted 2021/03)

Queensryche / Operation Mindcrime /1988

This is not a desert island album, this is the desert island album. The best album ever made. Period.

Just listen to the perfect songs below, everyone is 100p. Never equeled, never surpassed.

Revolution Calling

Operation Mindcrime

Speak

Spreading The Disease

The Mission

Suite Sister Mary

The Needle Lies

Breaking The Silence

I Don´t Believe In Love

Eyes Of A Stranger

A Blast From A Not So Distant Past - 2013 Pas Petite, Landin

2013 Pas Petite, Landin

It seems like ages ago I had a bottle of this 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Zinfandel blend made by a Swedish wine journalist - Erica Landin - but it was in fact only three years ago a drank a bottle.

It has kept well, added some maturity and is in a great drinking phase right now. The nose displays a dark, focused fruit with notes of plums, blackberries, asphalt and fir smoke. Very, very good.

The taste is balanced and fine with notes of blackberries, smoke, fried herbs and hot gravel. A long, dry finish with a fine dried up warmth. Really good. I would say on top of its game. 300 bottles made and this was my last of four bought (1,3% of the total production, the equivalent of 3.120 bottles of Mouton-Rothschild in a normal year...)

91p   (tasted 2021/03)

Vingruppens Tasting Of New Releases - Part Two - Whites

The second part from the tasting of Vingruppens new releases.

2019 Riesling Heimbourg, Zind-Humbrecht

A large scaled, deep and fine with notes of ripe peach, chrushed rocks and diesel oil. A fine sweetness in the background.

The taste is rich and stony with notes of ripe lemons, chalk, dried apricots. Intense. A fine acidity. Ends dry.

Will be released April 6.

90p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2015 Riesling Heiligenstein 1ÖTW, Bründlmayer

A finely tuned, elegant nose with notes of star fruit, wet asphalt, steel and a hint of rubber. Very, very good.

The taste is high and fresh with notes of lemon peel, minerals, lemon licorice and steel. A racy acidity. Long.

Will be released April 13.

91p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2017 Pouilly-Fuiseé, Jules Desjourneys

I swirl the glass vigorously and get some discrete notes of chrushed rocks, birch leaves and gravel. Very pure and balanced. Needs lots of time.

The taste is tight, crisp and displays a low key intensity with structure and acidity in the driver seat. The fruit is tied up in the trunk. Needs at least 8 years.

Will be released March 16.

90p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2017 Beaujolais-Villages Blanc, Jules Desjourneys

Same as the above, acidity and structure are the treats that show themselves, but this isn´t as coherent and racy as the Pouilly-Fuisée. The acidity is dialed up to eleven...

Will be released March 16.

87p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2019 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Kutch

Peaches, smoke and pecan nuts fills the nose of this finely built Chardonnay. A fine depth. Very, very good.

The taste is smoky and fine with notes of grilled lemons, hand cream and yellow flowers. A very fine acidity. Very fine.

Will be released March 16.

92p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2018 Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru Monts Luisants, Domaine Dujac

A gorgeously perfumed nose with notes of lemon cream, matchbox, lavender and summer flowers. A very fine depth. Lovely.

The taste is refined and racy with acidity, fruit and structure in a beautiful balance. Very long. Candied lemons, flint, nuts and an array of flowers. Great wine. 6+ years.

Will be released March 18.

94p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes, Domaine Dujac

The PM from Dujac have everything that the Morey-St-Denis have but the intensity is higher, the fruit is more concentrated and the balance is exquisite. A stunning wine that needs 8+ years in the cellar.

Will be released March 18.

96p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2018 Meursault Village, Arnaud Ente

A Meursault Village that cost 50% more than a Premier Cru from Dujac? Worth it? No.

The nose is very deep and handsome with notes of yellow apples, paint, sun warm gravel and smoke. Heavier than the Dujac´s. 

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of candied lemons, gravel, smoke and ripe yellow pears. Focused. Very, very good but the price (175 Euro) reflects Arnaud Ente´s reputation rather than the quality in the bottle.

Will be released April 8.

92p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Dog Point

A very juicy, typical Sauvignon Blanc with notes of freshly cut grass, gooseberries and white currants. Fresh and fine.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of grass, hay, grey pears and gravel. Upfront and fine.

Will be released April 27.

88p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2018 Chardonnay, Dog Point

A fine, smoky nose with notes of grilled lemons, grass, butter biscuits and hand cream. Very, very good.

The taste is fresh and balanced with notes of ripe lemons, biscuits, gravel and yellow flowers. Long and fine. A very good Chard for immediate consumption.

Will be released April 20.

90p   (tasted 2021/03) 

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba, Bruno Giacosa

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba, Bruno Giacosa

As Number Three (I am not a number, I am a free man!) in the exclusive  Dolcetto Boys & Girls group my mission is to taste as many Dolcetto´s as possible. Hard work.

The 2019 from Bruno Giacosa is a fine example with a young, spicy nose with notes of ripe blueberries, bakelite, shoe cream, warm rocks and Langhe earth. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of blueberries, damsons, red tea and dusty earth. Perky tannins. A fine length. This is really good. I need more bottles of this.

91p   (tasted 2021/03)