Saturday 30 November 2019

1995 & 1996 Château Potensac

Just arrived! A couple of bottles of each vintage alongside single bottles of other vintages - a whole table of Potensac! Eager to get the corkscrew in action, I opened the two vintages that I now have multiple bottles of.
Back in the days Potensac consisted of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Up to date info here.

1995 Château Potensac
A fine, dark, steely nose with notes of dried plums, ripening black currants, graphite and warm stones. Touch of soya. A tad rigid, but in a nice way.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of dry black currants, gravel, dry tobacco and chrushed rocks. A long, dry finish. Very good but should be drunk sooner than later.
88p   (tasted 2019/11)


1996 Château Potensac
The 96 is another creature. Slow out of the gates it evolves for several hours, into a really fine wine. The nose is deep, spicy and concentrated with notes of dry nougat, ripe black currants, fir wood and a hint of mint. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of a dried up blueberry pie, black currants leaves, graphite and chrushes rocks. Still some perky tannins. Very long and fine.
92p   (tasted 2019/11)

Friday 29 November 2019

1978 Château Croque Michotte


1978 Château Croque Michotte
This St Emilion estate lies on the border to Pomerol, on the opposit side of the road lies L´Evangile. That explains the 90% Merlot content.
At 41 years of age it shows a laid back, mature nose with notes of prunes, cold coffee, stables and moist undergrowth. A touch of dried orange peels. Very good.
The taste is soft and dry with notes of iron, dried red currants, old leathet and autumn leaves. A nice, although a tad short, finish.
86p   (tasted 2019/11)

Wednesday 27 November 2019

2017 Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée, Cristom


2017 Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée, Cristom
Four years since I tasted the Mt. Jefferson Cuvée, and then it was the 2011. The 17 shows of a fine, spicy nose with lots of rhubarb and ripening wild raspberries alongside notes of cooked vegetables, candle grease and dog fur. A high, fine complexity.
The taste is medium bodied, light on its feet with a fine low keyed intensity and notes of rhubarb, sweet lingonberries, dry licorice and spices. A very fine acidity. On this evening it performed great out of the Riedel Veritas glass.
91p   (tasted 2019/11)

Sunday 24 November 2019

1993 Barolo, Renato Revello


What to open the day after a fantastic 20 bottle tasting dinner with highlights as 2002 Winston Churchill, 2011 Corton-Charlemagne, Pierre Yves Colin Morey and 2001 Côte-Rôtie, Saint Cosme (notes will be published soon)?

A Barolo of course! From one of the most underrated vintages.

1993 Barolo, Renato Revello
If you want to contact the producer, the phone number is on the label - I just love that! The nose is round and mature with notes of cranberries, dried stawberries, warm gravel and a whole mushrooms forest! Very, very good. Very much alive and kicking!
The taste is medium bodied, finely rounded with notes of dried cherries, dry tobacco, sand, ink and mushrooms. A fine dryness at the end. Perfectly mature and a lovely drink on a Sunday afternoon.
89p   (tasted 2019/11)

Friday 22 November 2019

Lunch Tasting With Jamie Kutch


I was invited by The Wine Agency to a tasting with Jamie Kutch at Djuret. Who could resist? Not me!
Jamie is a genuine, energetic, passionate wine maker who talks about how he uses stems like a chef uses salt while the food is getting cold...:-)
Just kidding, you get a boost from his enthusiasm, that´s why I sit a jot down this notes just hours after meeting Jamie.


2017 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
A handsome nose with notes of tangerines, passion fruit, sweet lime and cap gun smoke. Very fine.
The taste is spicy and refined with a lovely acidity and notes of tangerines, lime cream, matchbox and a fine grapefruit bitterness at the end. Very complex and fine. From the Bohan Vineyard.
92p   (tasted 2019/11)

2017 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
This is a blend from the three vineyards below which didn´t make the cut for the individual bottlings. It shows a low keyed, earthy nose with notes of ripening raspberries, dark candle grease and red beets. A touch salty. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and fine with notes of dried raspberries, root vegetables, damsons and earth. A very fine acidity. For near time drinking. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2019/11)

2017 Bohan Vineyard Pinot Noir
From sandy soils, this Pinot displays a elegant nose with notes of rhubarb, ripe lingonberries, model clay and fine floral scents. Very fine.
The taste is cool and refined with notes of chalk, ripe lingonberries, earth and parsnips. A very fine acidity. Long and fine.
91p   (tasted 2019/11)



2017 Falstaff Vineyard Pinot Noir
A very deep, old school Burgundy nose (said in the deepest respect) with notes of (over)ripe raspberries, warm tiles, barnyard aromas and forest floor. Impressive.
The taste is handsome and refined with notes of rhubarb, dry licorice, chrushed rocks and minerals. Very elegant, long and balanced. Lovely.
93p   (tasted 2019/11)

2017 McDougall Ranch Pinot Noir
This comes a from stony soil and it reflects in the wine. The nose is tight and expressive with notes of ripe raspberries, dark soap, smoke and forest floor. Very deep and very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe red cherries, raspberries, matchbox, moist forest floor and hints of sweet violets. Loooong and fine. 5+ years. If the Falstaff is Chambolle this is more akin to a fine Pommard.
94p   (tasted 2019/11)

Wednesday 20 November 2019

A Bunch Of Dolcetto´s, Mostly From Dogliani


Life if not all about Barolo..?

What a question?! The herecy!!

But.....Dolcetto is a very good drink with your everyday food, right?

These bottles were tasted and drunk at the apartment on my last trip to Piedmont, links to my visits below.

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba, Rossotto
Bought from a SuperMercato, this light, easy going Dolcetto displays a spicy, superficial nose with notes of fennel, flower water and shoe polish. Good enough.
The taste is dry and stony with notes of dried blueberries, herbs and a fine bitterness. With a bowl of pasta, a decent match.
81p   (tasted 2019/08)



2017 Dogliani Cursalet, Gillardi
A lightly smoky, meaty nose with additional notes of ripe flowers, queen jelly and undergrowth. A fine depth.
The taste is peppery and fresh with a salty touch and notes of blueberries, cool tobacco and dry licorice. Spicy and fresh.
88p   (tasted 2019/08)

2016 Dogliani Superiore Maiolo, Anna Maria Abbona
This is the real thing. A deep, intricate nose with notes of dried up strawberry ice cream, overripe vegetables, dark cookie dough and hot earth. Just lovely in its complexity and idiosyncrasy.
The taste is sandy, high and intense with notes of damsons, violets, dried wild strawberries and candle grease. Very salivating. Loooong. Maybe the best Dolcetto ever drunk.
93p   (tasted 2019/08)


2017 Dogliani Sorí Dij But, Anna Maria Abbona
Perfumed and rich with notes of wild raspberries, fir wood, spices and bakelite. A high, nervous, intense nose. Very fine.
The taste is tight and fine with notes of Finnish licorice, violets, dried up blueberry jam and earth. Very long and very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2019/08)

2017 Dogliani Superiore Sirí d´Jermu, Pecchenino
An open, deep nose with notes of raspberyy licorice, asphalt, fried herbs and fir wood. Very, very good in a direct kind of way.
The taste is big and tight with notes of dried raspberries, dry licorice, gravel and herbs. Very long. Broadshouldered. Very fine.
90p   (tasted 2019/08)


2017 Dogliani Assanen, Massimo Martinelli
Massimo has been the winemaker at Ratti for 40 years, but now makes wines under his own name. This Dolcetto sports an fruity, open nose with notes of raspberries, gravel and licorice. Very good.
The taste is dry and fine with notes of violets, a fine mix of blueberries and raspberries and warm gravel. Long and fine.
87p   (tasted 2019/08)

2017 Langhe Dolcetto Visadí, Domenico Clerico
A earthy, dark nose with notes of ripe herbs, cherries, fir wood and a hint of chocolate. A fine depth. Very, very good.
The taste is young and tight with notes of black olives, warm tiles, earth and herbs. Long, dry and fine.
89p   (tasted 2019/08)


2017 Dogliani Papá Celso, Marziono Abbona
A fine,seedy nose with notes of ripe red cherries, violets, licorice and bay leaves. A fine depth. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and structured with notes of ripe blueberries, fir wood, fried herbs and shoe polish. Very long with sandy tannins. A lot of structure. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2019/08)

2017 Dogliani Superiore Daj Butaj, Caraglio
A complex, high nose with notes of soap, ripe strawberries, detergent and herbs. A deep, interesting nose.
The taste is long and tight with notes of iron, blueberries, herbs and gravel. A fine structure. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2019/08)

2016 Dogliani Rumanot, Carlo Romana
A dark, spicy nose with notes of bay leaves, candle grease and ripe blueberries. Earthy and fine.
The taste is dry and fine with notes of blueberries, damsons, herbs and some bitter tannins at the end.
86p   (tasted 2019/08)


2016 Dogliani Superiore, Valletti
A deep, fruity nose with notes of ripe blueberries with some raspberries tossed in, warm tiles, model clay and gravel. Deep and fine.
The taste is tight and dry with notes of dried blueberries, bakelite, gravel and iodine. Structured and fine. Long.
89p   (tasted 2019/08)

2017 Dogliani Ribote, Bruno Porra
A deep, spicy nose with notes of plums, bonfire, red beets and undergrowth. A bit sturdy, in a good way. Some warmth. Very good.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe blueberries, warm sand, herbs and violets. Very fine tannins. Intense. Very fine.
88p   (tasted 2019/08)


Visits in August of 2019:
Paolo Manzone, Sukula & Schiavenza
Palladino & Ettore Germano
Diego Morra, Cadia & Poderi Roset
Fratelli Barale & Chionetti
Virna Borgogno & Vite Colte
Cascina del Monastero & Mauro Molino
Roccheviberti & Monchiero

Monday 18 November 2019

1998 Blauer Spätburgunder Oberrotweiler Vulkanfelsen, Heinrich Nepomuk Steyert


1998 Blauer Spätburgunder Oberrotweiler Vulkanfelsen, Heinrich Nepomuk Steyert
Puuuh, that is a long name! A leftover from a mixed case bought some time ago. The nose is rather shy with notes of dried red berries, some tobacco aromas and earth. Fairly anonymous but still hanging in there.
The taste is, again, anonymous and a tad foursquare with notes of earth, dried raspberries and old herbs. Alive but not bringing much joy.
78p   (tasted 2019/11)

Saturday 16 November 2019

1996 Barolo Riserva Cannubi Boschis, Virna Borgogno


1996 Barolo Riserva Cannubi Boschis, Virna Borgogno
Four years since I last tasted this Barolo. It needs an hour to open up and then is displays a mature, intense nose with notes of forest floor, red beets, rhubarb licorice amd fir wood. Like four years ago, it has some sturdy Burgundy aromas in it. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and fine with still noticable tannins and notes of sweet lingonberries, red currants and red cherries with earthy notes and fir wood. Long and fine. A bit more compressed than last time. I will give the remaining bottles 4+ more years in the cellar. I visited Virna earlier this autumn, notes here.
90p   (tasted 2019/11)

Saturday 9 November 2019

1981 Château Lafleur-Gazin


1981 Château Lafleur-Gazin
I have a soft spot for the vintage 1981. The two first really great bottles of Bordeaux I drunk was 1981 Latour and Mouton-Rothschild in 1988 (when 1st Growths could be bought without selling a kidney).
The Lafleur-Gazin is, a least it was in the 80´s, 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. The nose is perfectly mature and refined with notes of chewing tobacco, violets, dried plums, undergrowth and some dog fur for complexity. Very fine.
The taste is handsome and balanced with fruit, acidity and tannins melted in to one. Fine notes of sun warm rocks, damsons, tobacco and pencil shavings. Medium long finish with a fine grip and velvety touch.
91p   (tasted 2019/11)

Friday 8 November 2019

2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spottswoode


I have had the good fortune to have tasted thirteen vintages of the Estate Cabernet from Spottswoode (see links to tasting notes below) but I venture - although still young (& number fourteen)- that the 2013 is the best one yet.

2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spottswoode
A truly wonderful, complex, intense nose with notes of perfect ripe black currants, warm sand, graphite, Lily of the Valley, bonfire smoke and expensive tobacco. Oooh soo deep and utterly gorgeous.
The taste is structured and concentrated yet light on its feet and complex with notes of minerals, ripe blueberries, dried dark flowers, cigarette ash and iron. The finish goes on for minutes. Ends perfectly harmonious. Just needs 8+ years in the cellar to become a perfect specimen.
98p   (tasted 2019/11)

Tasting of vintages 1991, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 & 2012

Tasting the 2014

Tasting of vintages 1988, 1992, 2006, 2010 & 2016

Thursday 7 November 2019

1995 Barbaresco, Produttori Del Barbaresco


1995 Barbaresco, Produttori Del Barbaresco
After one hour in a decanter this 24 year old Barbaresco offers up fine notes of autumn leaves, dried black cherries, damsons, violets and iron. Very taut, mature and lovely. Has a firm backbone.
The backbone follows through on the palate with a firm structure, sandy tannins and notes of fir wood, violets, lingonberries and old licorice. A long, dry finish with character and a burly finesse. Very, very good. Rivals the 1996.
92p   (tasted 2019/11)

Wednesday 6 November 2019

Three Great Glasses Of Wine - Piedrasassi, Gonon & Mayer

After work with an old work friend at Combo winebar. There are lots of goodies on the wine list and I opted for these three glasses.

2017 Santa Barbara Syrah PS, Piedrasassi
Tasted a couple of months ago, and it behaved more or less identical. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2019/11)



2017 Saint-Joseph, Gonon
Very classic - pepper, meat, violets and mineral. Strict, aristocratic, racy and really fine.
92p   (tasted 2019/11)




2017 Yarra Valley Cabernet, Tim Mayer
A bit idiosyncratic with a cool, fine black currants fruit but with a special minty, old school Aussie feel to it. Juicy and fine.
90p   (tasted 2019/11)

Friday 1 November 2019

Five Fine Bottles Tonight

We had family and friends over and I opened these bottles.

A lovely crisp, cap gun smoke-filled nose with peach and lemon cream (92p)

High strunged, grassy and fresh with a good acidity and length (89p)


Cold butter, dry biscuits, minerals and oranges. Stunning (93p)

Warm, soft and dry with black cherries, dried rosemary and sweet violets (89p)

Perfect maturity, a poster child for "tar & roses" with balance and still some tannic backbone (91p)