2016 Barolo, Margherita Otto

2016 Barolo, Margherita Otto

I couldn´t contain myself. I picked up the 2016 and 2017 allocation of Barolo from Alan on my latest trip to Piedmont and when I got home I just had to open a 2016!

A racy, aristocratic nose with notes of the finest red cherries, fir wood, bakelite, rosehip and a light touch of furmiture polish. This is all about purity. Very fine.

The taste is tight and very pure with notes of hard cherry candy, dry licorice, minerals and a hint of tobacco. Tight, silky tannins. Utterly gorgeous and very, very young, 10+ years.

95p   (tasted 2022/01)

When we visited Alan we also got to taste the following from cask.

2020 Langhe Nebbiolo

The 2019 was the first vintage of his Langhe Nebbiolo. The 2020 is like drinking velvet at this stage but will surely tighten up when bottled.

~90p   (tasted 2022/01)

2019 Barolo

Both Baroli is a tad reductiv on the nose, but on the palate - holy moses! Structure, balance, focus and stunning fruit. This is gonna be a keeper.

~96p   (tasted 2020/01)

2020 Barolo

Very pure and handsome with silky tannins and long, long, long finish, but not, at least in this stage, the explosive fruit of the 2019.

~94p   (tasted 2022/01)

Four Expressions Of Chianti

2019 Chianti Classico Ruspoli, Tenuta de Lilliano

An open, fruity nose with notes of damsons, ripe cherries, tobacco and rosemary. Not that deep or complex but very attractive.

The taste is cool and fresh with notes of sloeberries, dry licorice, gravel and fresh herbs. A fine dry finish. Very good. A steal for 18 Euro.

87p   (tasted 2021/12)

2019 Chianti Rufina, Fattoria Selvapiana

A light, fresh nose with notes of red currants, gravel, shoe polish and herbs. Very good.

The taste is slender and fine with notes of cherry pips, gravel and light tobacco. Silky tannins. 3+ years.

87p   (tasted 2021/12)

2016 Chianti Classico, Tenuta Casenuove

A deep, dark Sangiovese with notes of ripe black cherries, sage, sandelwood and chrushed rocks. Very fine. Complex.

The taste is structured and racy with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice, fresh rosemary and hot gravel. Very long and intense. Needs 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/12)

2015 Chianti Classico Vigneti La Selvanella, Melini

A dry, herbal nose with notes of ripening cherries, dry leather, gravel and some woody aromas. 

The taste is tight and dry with notes of dried cherries, tobacco, herbs and a balsamic touch. Better on the palate but I won´t buy more of this.

85p   (tasted 2021/12)

1997 Vintage Port, Quinta do Vesuvio

1997 Vintage Port, Quinta do Vesuvio

A deep, layered nose with notes of dark chocolate, sweet violets, sunwarm asphalt, fried nuts and a hint of VA. A tad heavy. A fine sweetness.

The taste is big and brawny with notes of raspberry chocolate, damsons, cold coffee and violets. A fine lenght and warmth. Very good but it doesn´t have that real lift I´m looking for in a Port.

88p   (tasted 2021/12)

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Stroppiana

Back in Piedmont! Two years has passed since my last visit. Two Barolo Boys descended on Langhe in the beginning of January to taste, eat and drink well.

Stroppiana

The only wines I had tasted before from Stroppiana was a 1982 Riserva and a 2011 Bussia, both of whom I liked, so I was looking forward to this visit. 

We left as two happy campers after three hours, having met the whole family and tasting a lot of fine bottles of wines. 

Stefania, the mother of Altea and Leonardo, greeted us and started showing us the cellar. After a while Altea and Leonardo came along. Altea has other things to attend to on the estate so Leonardo took care of us and showed us a great time, opening bottle after bottle after bottle. At the end of our visit Dario, Altea and Leonardo´s father joined us. A great visit, I will be back!

Stefania

Altea & Leonardo

2020 Langhe Nascetta

I love Nascetta and the ones from Stroppiana is fine examples of the grape. The 2020 offers a stony, pear scented nose with notes of yellow flowers, lemon licorice and almond paste.. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of dry tangerines, almond paste and gravel. A fine acidity. 

87p   (tasted 2022/01)

2019 Langhe Nascetta Acacia

This 2019 has been aged in Acacia wood. The nose is larger than the regular Nascetta with notes of yellow plums, smoke, oil cloth and ripe summer flowers. Lovely.

The taste is ripe and creamy with notes of grilled lemons, yellow plums and warm sand. A very fine acidity. 

90p   (tasted 2022/01)

2017 Langhe Nascetta

Intrigued by our interest in Nascetta, Leonardo produced a bottle with some age. The -17 Nascetta oozes up from the glass with Riesling-like aromas in the shape of petrol, steel and dried yellow fruits. Very fine.

The taste is cool and steely with notes of dried up lemoncello, gravel and dried flowers. A very fine structure. Really fine.

90p   (tasted 2022/01)

2020 Barbera d´Alba

An open, fruity Barbera with notes of raspberry licorice, herbs and warm asphalt. Sappy.

The taste is fine and earthy with a sweet raspberry fruit and a nice acidity.

87p   (tasted 2022/01)

2019 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Altea

A deep, warm, fruity nose with notes of banana peel, raspberry jam and hot earth. Broad.

The taste is big and a tad fiery but the fruit is very fine and the acidity balances the sweet fruit. Very good.

87p   (tasted 2022/01)

2020 Langhe Nebbiolo

A fresh, forward nose with notes of herbs, ripe cherries and earthy aromas. Very, very good.

The taste is pure and fine with notes of herbs, red cherries, blood orange and gravel. Silky tannins. 3+ years.

89p   (tasted 2022/01)

2018 Barolo Leonardo

A deep, elegant nose with notes of ripe cherries, moist earth, hint of choolate and ripe flowers. 

The taste is broad and tight with notes of candied cherries, licorice and dried flowers. Sweet tannins. Aged in 50% barrique and 50% 2,5 hl casks. 5+ years.

88p   (tasted 2022/01)

2018 Barolo Bricco Cogni

This has only seen big casks during its upbringing. The nose is upfront and focused with notes of ripe raspberries, summer gravel, rosehips and some tobacco scents. Very fine.

The taste is tight and steady with notes of hard cherry candy, dried raspberries, shoe polish and licorice. Long and fine. 6+ years.

91p   (tasted 2022/01)

2018 Barolo San Giacomo

This is a beauty with a outgoing, focused nose with notes of rosehips, Christmas spices, ripe cherries and dried flowers. Very fine.

The taste is concentrated and multi layered with notes of ripe cherries, rosehip and asphalt with an old viney feeling in the finish. Stern tannins. 8+ years. Stroppiana is the only producer of Barolo from the San Giacomo MGA.

93p   (tasted 2022/01)

2017 Barolo San Giacomo

The -17 San Giacomo is rounder and warmer then the 18 with a deep nose with notes of bay leaves, hot asphalt and ripe cherries. Very, very good.

The taste is broad and finely concentrated with notes of tar, ripe cherries and hot gravel. Long and expressive. 4+ years. The 2017 celebrates 50 years since the family´s first vintage (before that they sold the grapes like many other grape growers at the time). 

89p   (tasted 2022/01)

Leonardo & Dario

2015 Barolo Bussia

A finely tuned nose with notes of dark flowers, red apples, smoke, shoe cream and rosehips. Interesting and very fine.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of hard cherry candy, undergrowth, dried flowers and asphalt. Broadshouldered. Very long. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2016 Barolo Bussia

The -16 Bussia is a stunner! The nose soars up from the glass with notes of fir wood, sweet/sour cherries, smoke, iron and spices. Lovely.

The taste is silky and concentrated with ripe cherry fruit, sandelwood, iron and rosehips. The tannins come forward in the long finish. Great wine. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2022/01)

2015 Barolo Riserva Bussia

A very deep, laid back nose with notes of undergrowth, black cherries, tobacco and shoe polish. Very fine. Needs time to open up.

The taste is structured and refined with notes of dried cherries, iron, asphalt and dried herbs. A very long, taut finish. 10+ years.

93p   (tasted 2022/01)

2013 Barolo Riserva Bussia

From my favourite vintage since 2001, this doesn´t disappoint. A very deep, focused and finely tuned nose oozes up from the glass with fine notes of sweet/sour cherries, sage, iron and rosehips. So fine.

The taste is taut yet refined and focused with notes of hard cherry candy, ink, dried flowers and asphalt. The finish goes on and on and on. Stunning. 8+ years. 

95p   (tasted 2022/01)

2001 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja, Bruno Giacosa

2001 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja, Bruno Giacosa

S generously opened this gem at the end of my ten year celebration of this blog. The nose is just wonderful with lovely notes of ceps, dried up cherry jam, Finnish licorice and assorted spices. A very fine touch of maturity, although it is far from fully mature.

The taste is tighter than the nose with notes of hard cherry candy, sun warm asphalt, fresh mushrooms and a ever so tiny hint of mint. The finish goes on and on. Give this another 8+ years and you probably looking at perfection.

96p   (tasted 2021/12)

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2021

Another "annus horribiles"... 

Only 611 wines tasted. But some highlights were poured and drunk even during these circumstances.

Lets hope that 2022 will become a more vinous year!

Here are the most memorable wines of 2021, in vintage order.

1989 Barolo Vigna Cicala, Aldo Conterno

I wanted something really nice to celebrate one millions views on the blog and this really hit all my sweet spots. Perfect now and for several more years to come.

98p   (tasted 2021/02)

1990 Brunello di Montalvino Schiena d´Asino, Mastrojanni

I arranged a 1990 Brunello tasting dinner in the autumn and among several fine bottles this stood out like a shining beacon. Truly great stuff.

97p   (tasted 2021/09)

1996 Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger

The second time this beauty makes the most memorable list. What a wine! Thanks S!

97p   (tasted 2021/08)

2010 Brunello di Montalcino, Le Ragnaie

I love Brunello when they combine power, refinement and a regal stature, like in the case of 

this wine.

96p   (tasted 2021/07)

2013 No 2 Syrah, Andrewmily

I have tasted a couple of bottles from Andrewmily but this bottle reaally rocked my world, a world class Syrah.

97p   (tasted 2021/01)

2014 G-Max, Keller

Nowadays one (at least me) drink G-Max to seldom, so thanks to M for opening this beauty and many other fine bottles,

97p   (tasted 2021/11)

2017 Barolo Vigna Rionda, Luigi Pira

Only two Baroli on the list this year... but Gianpaolo´s Vigna Rionda probably could make the list every year (just tasted the 2018 and 2019 and...). Thanks M!

97p   (tasted 2021/08)

2018 Ried Kellerberg Smaragd Riesling, Pichler

This electric, focused Riesling was a gorgeous drink on a warm summers day.

94p   (tasted 2021/07)

2018 Dogliani La Costa, Chionetti

Being a proud member of the illustrious group "Dolcetto Boys & Girls", a Dolcetto have to make the list. Chionetti makes wonderful Dolcetto´s in Dogliani. I visited the estate - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visits To Fratelli Barale & Chionetti in August of 2019. 

The -18 La Costa is a stunner!

94p   (tasted 2021/08)

2020 Pettenthal Riesling GG, Keller

So close you could get to perfection without the added complexity of maturity. Stunning juice! Thanks M!

99p   (tasted 2021/11)

Earlier years:

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2011

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2012

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2013

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2014

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2015

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2016

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2017

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2018

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2019

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2020

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Grand Cru Brut, Arnaud Baudette

NV Grand Cru Brut, Arnaud Baudette

This 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay blend sports a fine, upfront nose with notes of red currants, sun warm gravel, Lily of the Valley and sweet minerals. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and racy with notes of dried raspberries, gravel and assorted spices. A very good acidity. Long and very fine. 5+ years.

90p   (tasted 2021/12)

1994 Merlot, Newton

1994 Merlot, Newton

A bit funky on opening but only after 20 minutes in the glass this 27 year old beauty offers up a mature, plummy nose with notes of forest floor, old leather and a ashtray full of exclusive tobacco. 

The taste is round and sandy with notes of plums, cold coffee, warm tiles and gravel. Soft, silky tannins. Tasted blind I would have guessed a Pomerol from 85 or 89 ten times out of ten. Really yummy and perfectly mature.

93p   (tasted 2021/12)

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigna Santo Stefano di Perno, Giuseppe Mascarello

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigna Santo Stefano di Perno, Giuseppe Mascarello

After five days in Piedmont, what do you drink when you come home? A Dolcetto of course!

This Giuseppe Mascarello Dolcetto offers up a deep, interesting nose with notes of dried raspberries, salt minerals, moth balls, fir wood and assorted spices. Very, very good.

The taste is open and fruit forward with a very good mouthfeel and notes of red currants, dried strawberries, cement and herbs. Silky tannins and a very fine acidity. A great Dolcetto with a hint of maturity but will go on for 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/01)

The Day Before Christmas Barolo - 2011 Barolo Riserva Tenuta Pianpolvere, Fratelli Adriano

This years ginger bread house is dedicated to our dog Shiraz

2011 Barolo Riserva Tenuta Pianpolvere, Fratelli Adriano

An old school, deep nose with notes of undergrowth, dried cherries, shoe polish and violet licorice. Very, very good. A hint of maturity.

The taste is taut and somewhat backward with notes of dried cherries, rosehips, potato water, violets and gravel. Fine structured tannins in the finish. 5+ years. 

90p   (tasted 2021/12)

Barolista Turns Ten Years

On the 1th of December 2011 I published my first post on this blog. Now - ten years, 1.775 posts and 1.120.184 views later - I thought a celebration was in order. On the 1th of December I invited some friends and opened a bunch of bottles from the 2011 vintage.

Flight I

2011 Cuvée Edmond, E. Barnaut

Tasted earlier this year. Exact the same impressions on this night.

91p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Amour de Deutz, Deutz

This Blanc de Blancs offers up a tight, complex nose with notes of grilled lemons, yellow plums, warm sand and dry vanilla fudge. Refined. Just lovely.

The taste is racy and elegant with notes of lemon cream, minerals, butter biscuits and a hint of saffron. A caressing acidity. Very long. Great wine.

96p   (tasted 2021/12)

Flight II

2011 Hubacher GG, Keller

Both Keller bottles were awesome wines. The Hubacher sports a still young, focused nose with notes of tangerines, wet asphalt, ripe oranges and oil cloth. Very deep and complex.

The taste is structured and compact with notes of almond paste, tangerines, wet rocks and assorted spices. Very, very long with a high, supporting acidity. 6+ years.

96p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Morstein GG, Keller

The cork stickedvto the glass and was a #¤"% to get out. But then… Fantastic. The nose is bottomless deep with notes of dry lemon licorice, a rubber carpet, wet asphalt and decaying flowers. Very intense and utterly gorgeous.

The taste is intense and brilliant with notes of dry almonds, lemon peel, chrushed rocks, grass and sweet minerals. The finish goes on for minutes. Stunning.

98p   (tasted 2021/12)

Flight III

2011 Barolo Acclivi, Burlotto

Sadly corked.

No rating   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Mauro Veglio

A deeå, broad nose with notes of red beets, wet earth, ripe raspberries and tobacco. Very, very good. A touch of oak in the background.

The taste is somewhat mature with broad skouldered soft tannins and notes of chocolate covered raspberries, earth and tobacco. Long and fine.

92p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Barolo Serra, Giovanni Rosso

A stern, iron filled nose with notes of black cherries, dry licorice, rosehips and asphalt. Deep and fine.

The taste is taut yet elegant with notes of ripe strawberries, iron, mushrooms and earth. Long with still noticable tannins. 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Barolo Tre Tine, Giuseppe Rinaldi

A beauty. The nose rises up from the glass with notes of red currants, earth, tar and spices. High and handsome.

The taste is tight and elegant with notes of red currant, red beets, red vinegar, forest floor and detergent. A long, polished finish. Sooo fine. 3+ years.

95p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Barolo Garblet Sue, Brovia

A very deep, taut nose with notes of sandel wood, hard cherry candy, rosehips and cool tobacco. Very fine.

The taste is structured and fine with notes of red cherries, asphalt, rosehip and cold coffee. Very,very long and distinct. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Barolo Bussia, Giacomo Fennochio

A restrained nose with notes of dried red fruits, herbs, earth and dried flowers. Needs time. Deep and fine.

The taste is very tight and backwards with notes of hard cherry candy, forest floor, asphalt and dried herbs. Some intense tannins ends the finish. 10+ years.

90p   (tasted 2021/12)

2014 Langhe Nebbiolo, Cav Cesare Canonica

2014 Langhe Nebbiolo, Cav Cesare Canonica

Old school, and I like it! The nose is characterful with notes of shoe polish, ripe raspberries, flower water, earth and a hint of meat. Complex and fine.

The taste is tight and wilful and dry with notes of dried strawberries, scorched earth, rosehips and asphalt. A long, dry finish. Highly gulpable. Need to get me more of this.

90p   (tasted 2021/12)

2015 Dogliani San Luigi, Pecchenino

2015 Dogliani San Luigi, Pecchenino

A very fine, tight nose with notes of ripe blueberries, dried blackberries, violets, ink and ripe flowers. Very, very fine.

The taste is finely structured with silky tannins and lovely blueberry fruit intermingled with notes of iron, damsons, violets and a hint of tobacco. A great Dolcetto! 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien, Alex Gambal

2011 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien, Alex Gambal

This 10 year old Burgundy displays a lovely, spicylwith a hint of maturity and notes of ripe yellow apples, dry fudge, a hint of ginger and dried up vanilla ice cream. A very fine depth.

The taste is dry and mineral laden with notes of ginger spiced orange juice, birch leaves, salt caramel and chrushed rocks. A very fine acidity. Long and lovely. 

93p   (tasted 2021/12)

Birthday Wines - Part Two

There were some other wines poured but that will be a separate post. The bottles that counts are of course the ones from The Greatest Vintage Ever.

1964 Barolo Collina Cannubio, Serio & Battista Borgogno

Open and fine with notes of dried red berries, autumn apples, forest floor, fir wood and rosehips. Very, very goood.

The taste is seedy and mature with notes of earth, mushrooms, dried cherries and asphalt. Silky tannins. A fine lenght. Drink now and the coming 5+ years. Great.

88p   (tasted 2021/12)

1964 Barolo Riserva Speciale, Carlo Macardi

A large scaled but very harmonious, mature nose with notes of cold coffee, dried strawberries, red beets and ceps. A very fine dried up sweetness.

The taste has a lovely balance between fruit, tannins and acidity, with notes of dried strawberries, earth, rosehips, dry licorice and iron. Fully mature but bottles like this will go on for another 10 years.

92p   (tasted 2021/12)

Birthday Wines - Part One

On my actual birthday - a bottle of Champagne & a bottle of Barolo - simple and gorgeous. 

On Sunday there will be a family dinner with some 64´s - The Greatest Vintage Ever!

2012 Grand Cru Prestige Brut, Benoit Beaufort

50% each of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The nose is open and spicy with notes of cookie dough, red apples, ripe oranges, smoke and wet ashalt. Very fine.

The taste is pure and fresh, a younger feel compared to the nose, with notes of lemon, ripening oranges, smoke and iron. A very fine acidity. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2012/12)

1996 Barolo, Burlotto

This needed a couple of hours in the decanter to awaken from its slumber. The nose is round and mature with notes of undergrowth, Christmas spices, ripe raspberries, bay leaves and a hint of tobacco. 

The taste is taut and mature with notes of dried cherris, gravel, earth and dried herbs. Long and fine. Mature but there is no hurry to drink any remaining bottles. Very fine.

92p   (tasted 2021/12)

An Evening Of Chardonnay

H invited to a tasting dinner with a Chardonnay theme. We were told that it would be USA dominated with some dark horses. We had a great evening!

All wines tasted double blind.

Flight I

2014 Sta Rita Hills White Hill Chardonnay, Liquid Farm

A cool, high nose with notes of shellfish, lemon zest, grass, flint and some fresh herbs. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and a bit warmer than the nose leads you to believe. Fine notes of lemon cream, dried apricot and hay. A fine length.

90p   (tasted 2021/11)

2016 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Kutch

A handsome nose with notes of lemon cream, grilled lemons, fudge and some oak notes. 

The taste is stony and fine with notes of elderberries, lemon cream and crushed rocks. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2021/11)

2016 Sonoma Coast Marema Chardonnay, Ceritas

A tight, fresh nose with notes of star fruit, scallops, chives and sun warm rocks. After some time in the glass scents of ripe lemons. Very fine.

The taste is refined and tight with a fine salty note, lemon zest, flint and steel. Laid back and very fine. 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/11)

2015 Sta Rita Hills Juliet Chardonnay, Domaine de la Cote

An open, creamy nose with notes of dry fudge, cool mango, flint, red basil and red apples. Just lovely.

The taste is steady and structured with notes of ripe oranges, flint, lemon fudge and sandelwood. Very long. Very fine.

94p   (tasted 2021/11)

2017 Sta Rita Hills Sandford & Benedict Chardonnay, Sandhi

A cool, elegant nose with notes of lime peel, fish skin, grey pears and warm grass. Complex and fine.

The taste is tight and seedy with notes of lemon peel, hay, ripe pears and a fine salty note. Very fine.

92p   (tasted 2021/11)

Flight II

2018 Russian River Valley Peugh Vineyard Chardonnay, Anthill Farms

A high, pure nose with notes of warm grass, ripening oranges, grape and sweet minerals. Very fine.

The taste is tight and refined with notes of lemon peel, grass, oyster juice and a fine salty note. High and fine.

93p   (tasted 2021/11)

2016 Santa Cruz Mountains Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay, Ceritas

A very deep nose with notes of apple juice, sand, grass and a slight metallic scent. Handsome in a strict way.

The taste is tight and seedy with a very high acidity that almost takes over the fruit, but it is there in the shape of ripe lemons and yellow apples. 4+ years.

90p   (tasted 2021/11)

2016 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay, Chanin

A deep, spicy nose with notes of yellow apples, lemon licorice, lemon candy and minerals. Very fine.

The taste is racy and focused with notes of ripe lemons, sweet minerals, licorice fudge and warm sand. A great mouthfeel with a cleansing acidity. Lovely.

94p   (tasted 2021/11)

2011 Puligny-Montrachet Champs Canet, Jacques Carillon

A cat amongst the ermines, or the other way around... A cool, pure nose with notes of dry butter biscuits, birch leaves, lemon cream and crushed rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and nicely concentrated with notes of ripe lemons, dry fudge, minerals and warm grass. Long and very fine. Did anyone spot this as a non USA Chard..., well no.

92p   (tasted 2021/11)

2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay, Arnot-Roberts

A tight, stony nose with notes of grass, iron, ripening lemons and a metallic scent.

The taste is cool and dry with notes of lemon cream, iron, sand and minerals. Very dry in the finish. Fine fruit in a anemic way. Needs time, 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2021/11)

Flight III

2018 Seven Strings Vineyard Chardonnay, Walter Scott

A stony, herbal nose with notes of dried orange peel, chive, freshly washed clothes and spices. Very, very good.

The taste is cool and elegant with notes of sweet/sour lemons, almond paste, herbs and chalk. Tight and fine. 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/11)

2011 Corton-Charlemagne, Henri Boillot

A fine, smoky nose with notes of grilled lemons, dry fudge, yellow apples and chrushed rocks. Deep and fine.

The taste is crisp and tight with notes of tangerines, grilled lemons, grass and minerals. A very fine acidity. Still on the young side of things. Nobody pegged this as a Burgundy...

91p   (tasted 2021/11)

2015 Sta Rita Hills Four Chardonnay, Liquid Farm

A beauty. A deep, taut, complex nose with notes of ripe oranges, smoke, butter cookies, fried scallops and almonds. Just lovely.

The taste is firm and focused with notes of oranges, grape, cap gun smoke, freshly cut grass and sweet minerals. Very long and distinct. Gorgeous now and gorgeous in 10 years.

95p   (tasted 2021/11)

    

2016 Santa Maria Bien Bien Chardonnay, Liquid Farm

A large scaled, tight nose with notes of grilled lemons, smoke, tangerines and wet earth. Very deep and fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of grilled lemons, orange juice, quince and sweet minerals. Very long. A tight, structured acidity. Not for the weak hearted.

93p   (tasted 2021/11)

2014 Horseshoe Vineyard Chardonnay, Rhys

A deep, open nose with notes of dried up orange jam, chalk, dry fudge and lots of sweet minerals. Very fine.

The taste is dry and tight with notes of dried oranges, gravel and chalk. Odd in a fascinating way. A high acidity. Stunning. 

93p   (tasted 2021/11)