40 Years Of Château Potensac / 1975 - 2015

Nineteen bottles of Château Potensac tasted last Saturday. A very fine tasting. Potensac have been managed by the Delon family (Leoville Las Cases) since the middle of the seventies. The wines are classic Medoc´s with a fine structure for aging. And the represent a really fine value, most of the vintages, except for the 70 and 80´s were bought for ca 30 Euro/bottle.

Flight I
1975 Château Potensac
A fine, soft, earthy nose with notes of dried rowanberries, tobacco and autumn leaves. A fine, round maturity.
The taste is mature and earthy with notes of dried black currants, tobacco and old leather. A long, velvety finish. Not at all dry as so many 75´s can be. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2020/03)

1978 Château Potensac
A big, open, barnyardy nose with notes of cooked black currants, leather and sweet tobacco. Very fine. A lovely maturity.
The taste is warm and mature with a fine dried up sweetness and notes of scorched earth, dried black currants and pipe tobacco. Long and lingering. Lovely.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

1982 Château Potensac
%#"!&)%¤!! Corked!
Not rated   (tasted 2020/03)

1986 Château Potensac
The 86 Potensac offers up a cool, refined nose with notes of sun warm rocks, black currants, violets and a ash tray. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and sandy with notes of dried up black currant jam, earth and leather. Long and dry. mature but could go for 6+ years.
90p   (tasted 2020/03)

Flight II
1989 Château Potensac
A deep, light meaty nose with notes of ripe black currants, cherries, leather and undergrowth. A very fine maturity.
The taste is concentrated and very fine with notes of smoke, black currants, leather and violets. A very fine structure. Mature but in no hurry to drink up.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

1990 Château Potensac
A deep, complex nose with notes of dark flowers, ripe black currants, chocolate and autumn leaves. High and pure. Very, very fine.
The taste is taut and not fully mature yet, with fine notes of leather, iron, black currants and dark chocolate. Very long. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2020/03)

1995 Château Potensac
A tight, earthy nose with notes of asphalt, cranberries, damsons and dried blood. Intense. Stern and fine.
The taste is dry and steady with notes of gravel, dry licorice, asphalt and tobacco. A dry finish. A tad foursquare. Drink sooner than later.
87p   (tasted 2020/03)

1996 Château Potensac
A deep, iron filled nose with notes of ripe black currants, rust, moist undergrowth and fresh stables. Very fine. Somewhat mature but still on the young side of things.
The taste is concentrated and focused with notes of blut juice, red and black currants, asphalt and dried flowers. Very, very long. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

Flight III
1998 Château Potensac
An outgoing, fine nose with notes of smoky black currants, fir wood and sweet tobacco. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and fine with notes of Finnish licorice, asphalt, tobacco and undergrowth. Very nice for drinking now and the coming 10 years.
90p   (tasted 2020/03)

1999 Château Potensac

A finely tuned nose with notes of expensive tobacco, gravel, iron and damsons. Very deep. A low keyed intensity. Lovely.

The taste is earthy and tight with notes of leather, autumn leaves, tobacco and dried black currants. Silky tannins. Long. Very fine. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2020/03)

2000 Château Potensac

A large scaled nose with notes of dark chocolate, black currant jam, raspberries and scorched earth. Big and burly and very good.
The taste is more restrained than the nose with notes of cooked black currants, damsons, sweet tobacco and earth. Long and dry. A fine warmth. Drink now.

89p   (tasted 2020/03)

2001 Château Potensac

For me, the best wine in the line up. The nose is cool and refined with notes of perfectly ripe black currants, sark perfume, an autumn forest and some smoky elements. Very fine. A hint of maturity.
The taste is racy and tight with notes of graphite, ripe black currants, fine tobacco and sun warm rocks. Very long and distinct. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/03)

Flight IV

2003 Château Potensac

A big, broad and complex nose with notes of sweet black currants, equally sweet blueberries, balsa wood, sugared coffee and violets. The ripest of all vintages, but keeps everything in place.
The taste is broadshouldered and intense with notes of blueberry licorice, dried up black currant jam, asphalt and violets. Very long. Very, very good. 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2020/03)

2005 Château Potensac

A restrained, concentrated nose with smoky black currants, sandelwood, roasted coffee and black tea. Very, very fine. Graceful. Still young.
The taste is tight and balanced with notes of iron, ripe black currants, bakelite and fir wood. A very fine structure. Ripe, silky tannins. Really fine. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/03)

2008 Château Potensac

A deep, fine nose with notes of earth, ripening black currants, forest floor and smoke. Some mature notes. Very, very good.
The taste is medium bodied and sandy with notes of dry blueberries, undergrowth, leather and iron. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.

88p   (tasted 2020/03)

Flight V

2009 Château Potensac

A deep, compact, herbal nose with notes of sugared coffee, ripe black currants, forest floor and violets. Very handsome.
The taste is young, tight and concentrated with notes of sweet tobacco, dried up black currant jam, warm tiles and earth. Very long and promising. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/03)

2010 Château Potensac

A elegant, racy nose with notes of red beets, damsons, violets and sun warm rocks. A fine depth. Very, very good.
The taste is velvety and fine with notes of dried figs, red currants, smoke and asphalt. A very fine dryness in the finish. Long. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2020/03)

2013 Château Potensac

A ripe, open nose with notes of cooked black currants, scorched earth, smoke and fir wood. Sweet fruit. Big and juicy.
The taste is broadshouldered and concentrated with ripe black currants, dark chocolate, bonfire smoke and fried herbs. A long finish that ends dry. Drink now or wait 10+ years.

89p   (tasted 2020/03)

2015 Château Potensac

A deep, complex nose with notes of violets, black currant leaves, forest floor and expensive tobacco. racy and very fine.
The taste is young and steady with notes of iron, black currants, asphalt and leather. Very, very fine. Long and distinct. This will turn out great with 10+ years in the cellar.

92p   (tasted 2020/03)

2008 Barolo, Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi

2008 Barolo, Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi
A completey umknown producer, and from their website is seems like a large scale operation. So I had my doubts... But - the nose is light and pleasant with notes of red cherries, smoke, undergrowth and mushrooms. Has a nice Nebbiolo character, albeit light.
The taste is cool amd nice with notes of dried flowers, red currants, smoke and gravel. Not a great wine but a decent Nebbiolo that has a few years from full maturity.
86p   (tasted 2020/03)

2014 Pinot Noir "B", Friedrich Becker

2014 Pinot Noir "B", Friedrich Becker
An open, light meaty nose with notes of ripe strawberries, fried herbs, detergent, rhubarb and a damp forest floor. A fine sweetness to the fruit. Very, very good.
The taste is silky and sandy with notes of red currants, rhubarb, violets and dry smoke. The acicity lies a bit on the side. A dry finish. Better on the nose. Highly drinkable with a chicken pasta.
87p   (tasted 2020/03)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2012 Brut, Gisèle Devavry

2012 Brut, Gisèle Devavry
A fine, cool nose with notes of slate, candied lemons, grey pears and lemon licorice. A tad more mature than expected, but very good.
The taste is smoky and elegant with notes of chrushed rocks, grey pears and lemon peel. A fine acidity. Light and luscious.
88p   (tasted 2020/03)

Drinking Tonight - 2017 Les Terasses, Alvario Palacios

2017 Les Terasses, Alvario Palacios
This Garnacha dominated Priorat soars out of the glass with fine notes of raspberries, black cherries, sun warm rocks, mixed herbs and a hint of dark chocolate. Very smooth, polished and handsome, but maybe a tad so?
The taste is seamless, focused and fine with notes of black cherries, chrushed rocks, smoke and chocolate wafers. Very long and juicy. The 14,5% isn´t noticable. Very, very good but it is very polished, a sprinkle of roughness would have made it an even better wine.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

Some Hermitage´s From Guigal

These notes are from a tasting at the office of Wine Affair a couple of months ago.

2016 Hermitage
A very deep, old viney nose with notes of lightly peppered blueberries, sun warm rocks and violets. Lovely fruit. Very, very fine.
The taste is concentrated and really impressive with notes of blueberries, warm raspberries and scorched earth. Very long and structured. Beautiful. 8+ years.
95p   (tasted 2019/08)

2015 Hermitage
The 2015 Hermitage sports a deep, meaty nose with notes of violets, earth and a mix of red and black berries. A high, fine nose.
The taste is taut and somewhat broadshouldered with notes of blackberries, violets and chrushed rocks. A long, sturdy finish. Very, very good. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2019/08)

2014 Hermitage
An elegant nose with notes of red currants, earth and dried meat. A fine floral scent. Very good.
The taste is medium bodied and dry with notes of red currants, dried raspberries, earth and green peppers. A fine, dry ending. For drinking now and the coming 4+ years.
88p   (tasted 2019/08)

2015 Ermitage Ex Voto
A deep, brilliant, seductive nose with notes of blueberry licorice, ripe dark flowers, seared meat and undergrowth. High and intense. Stunning.
The taste is tight and inky with notes of ripe blueberries, bakelite, white pepper and dried flowers. Very long and intense. Great wine. 10+ years.
96p   (tasted 2019/08)

2009 Ermitage Ex Voto
A deep, animal scented nose with notes of ripe blueberries, damsons, smoke and ink. Very fine. A hint of maturity.
The taste is juciy and concentrated with notes of smoke, a dried up blueberry pie, ink and chrushed minerals. Very, very long and distinct. Lovely. 4+ years.
93p   (tasted 2019/08)

2007 Ermitage Ex Voto
A handsome, refined nose with a fine mix of blueberries and raspberries with some additional notes of violets, sun warm rocks and Lily of the Valley. Very, very good.
The taste is long, dry and broadshouldered with notes of dried blueberries, flower water, herbs and chrushed rocks. Structured. Very fine in a strict way. 3+ years.
92p   (tasted 2019/08)

2001 Ermitage Ex Voto
The first vintage of Ex Voto, and it is a stunner! The nose is deep, mature and creamy with notes of sweet violets, dried strawberries, veal stock and iron. Just lovely. A vert fine dried up sweetness. Earthy.
The taste is tight and refined with notes of undergrowth, blueberry biscuit, iron and some peppery notes. Very, very long. Multi layered. This is really fine. Perfect to drink today and the coming 6+ years.
95p   (tasted 2019/08)

1964 Gatttinara Riserva, Umberto Fiero

1964 Gatttinara Riserva, Umberto Fiore
This bottle - from The Greatest Vintage Ever - needed a couple of hours to open up, and then it revealed a deep, fine nose with notes of dried strawberries, paint, wet earth, cranberries and mushrooms. A fine maturity. Very interesting.
The taste is multi layered and deep and not in any way dried out. There is lots of dried cherries, cold coffee, undergrowth and rose water on the palate. Long and fine. I wouldn´t keep any remaining bottles for more than 5+ years, but bottles like this, there is no hurry to drink.
90p   (tasted 2020/03)

2008 Chianti Classico Castello Di Brolio, Barone Ricasoli

2008 Chianti Classico Castello Di Brolio, Barone Ricasoli
For the hipster crowd who get their delicate spines in a tingle from a whiff of oak, this surely isn´t for them.
On the nose, the oak is there, but just to lend support to the huge amounts of ripe cherries, violets, grilled meat with some rosemary sprinkled on top, and some fine dark flowers. Very, very good.
The taste is still young, rather forceful and distinct with notes of chocolate covered cherried, flower water, Tuscan gravel and mixed herbs. A long, fine finish with silky tannins. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

2012 Shiraz The Freedom 1843, Langmeil

2012 Shiraz The Freedom 1843, Langmeil
Again, two years since the last bottle of this high octane Aussie juice. The nose is big, deep and generous with notes of ripe blackberries, sweet violets, fresh asphalt and a hint of VA. Very deep and fine. Bay leaves. This is really fine.
The taste is big, concentrated and tight with notes of violets, meat, asphalt and dark flowers. Very long, very ripe and very, very good. A tad more structured than last time but this is built to age. 6+ years. A very fine sweetness to the fruit. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2020/03)

Twelve Bottles Of Gruaud Larose & Pichon Baron

Roderick invited to a Super Second dinner. We only knew that there would be Super Seconds poured. It turned out to be Gruaud Larose and Pichon Baron head to head in several vintages. Really interesting!
But we started with three whites.

2015 Old Stones Chardonnay, Bergström
A fresh, cool nose with notes of chrushed rocks, chives, white peach and flint. Very fine.
The taste is tight and elegant with a fine acidity and notes of lemon peel, minerals and dry lemon fudge. A fine dryness at the end. I had this pegged as a Puligny...
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

2009 Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts, Sauzet
This I thought was a Meursault, a guess closer than the first wine...
The nose is dry and concentrated with notes of lemon cream, dried nuts, grey pears and lemon licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is stony and tight with notes of lime, chalk, nuts and dried yellow flowers. Very long and balanced. Really fine.
93p   (tasted 2020/03)

2015 Hudson Chardonnay, Hudson
A smoky, open nose with notes of grilled lemons, dry fudge, mango and a hint of detergent. Very, very good.
The taste is steady and concentrated with notes of lemon cream, smoke, dried pine apple and sweet minerals. Long, warm and fine.
90p   (tasted 2020/03)

An opening Super Second
1957 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
M brought this as a palate teaser. A old, mushroomy nose with notes of warm tiles, dried black currants and autumn leaves. Very mature but still hanging in there.
The taste is dry and mature with notes of forest floor, damsons and old leather. The finish is a tad short and the fruit is dry, but again, hanging in there.
85p   (tasted 2020/03)

Flight I
1999 Château Gruaud Larose
A wonderful, somewhat mature nose with notes of damsons, orange peel, autumn leaves and dried meat. Complex and fine.
The taste is dry and tight with notes of damsons, dried figs, earth and tobacco. A very fine maturity. A tad dry at the very end of the finish. For drinking now and the coming 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

1999 Château Pichon Baron
A very fine, balanced nose with notes of black currants, coffee ground, smoke and expensive leather. Very, very good.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of red and black currants. tobacco, sugared coffee and earth. Still some silky tannins in the finish. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

2000 Château Gruaud Larose
The 2000 Gruaud is a beauty. The nose is deep and refined with notes of graphite, ripe black currants, smoke a hints of dark chocolate. Restrained in a very fine way.
The taste is tight and handsome with notes of dried up black currant jam, fine tobacco, earth and chocolate wafers. Very long and distinct. 7+ years.
95p   (tasted 2020/03)

2000 Château Pichon Baron
The 2000 Pichon Baron knocks it out of the park, with a deep, creamy nose with notes of ripe black currants, plums, nougat and dark flowers. Lovely. Very complex and fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of plums, coffee, warm tiles and smoke. Very energetic, long and beautiful. Hard to resist today but wait 5+ years for an ever greater experience.
97p   (tasted 2020/03)

Flight II
1982 Château Pichon Baron
¤#"%&/!!¤#"% Corked!
No rating   (tasted 2020/03)

1982 Château Gruaud Larose
I have drunk this gem 20+ times and never been disappointed. But I think that there has come a time when this will continue to offer pleasure, but it will not get any better.
The nose is deep and focused with notes of dried black currants, tobacco, autumn leaves, motor oil and Christmas spices. Very fine. Some 82´s has been more funky than this bottle.
The taste is mature and fine with notes of graphite, plums, undergrowth and blue ski wax. Silly, soft tannins. Very long, velvety and fine. Drinking perfectly tonight.
This bottle was bought at the state monopoly in 1993 för 19 Euro... and kept in my cellar since then.
94p   (tasted 2020/03)

1990 Château Gruaud Larose
A deep, fascinating nose with notes of green peppers, ripening black currants, fresh stables and sun warm gravel. High and fine. A very fine maturity.
The taste is dry and intense with notes of old leather, chocolate wafers, herbs and red currants. A very fine warmth. Lovely. Perfectly mature.
95p   (tasted 2020/03)

1990 Château Pichon Baron
A deep, compact and energetic nose with notes of creamy black currants, moist earth, sweet tobacco and a hint of dried strawberries. Multi layered and very fine.
The taste is tight and complex with notes of ripe black currants, asphalt, dark flowers and tobacco. Mature but there is no hurry to drink bottles like this. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2020/03)

Flight III
1988 Château Gruaud Larose
Again! %¤#/&%!!% Corked!
No rating   (tasted 2020/03)

1995 Château Pichon Baron
A dark, semi mature nose with notes of ripe black currants, pencil shavings, potatoe water and cookie dough. Floral and very fine.
The taste is strong and complex with notes of sweet/sour black currants, balsa wood, earth and leather. Very long and intense. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2020/03)

1996 Château Pichon Baron
A structured although generous nose with notes of herbs, red and black currants, pipe tobacco and some stables in a distance. Lovely fruit.
The taste is taut and concentrated with notes of old leather, damsons, ink and dark chocolate. A long, long finish with sandy tannins. 7+ years. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2020/03)

2009 Château Gruaud Larose
A young, open, very deep nose with notes of expensive leather, black currants, blueberries and graphite. Ripe, fine fruit.
The taste is young and forceful with notes of blueberries, asphalt, licorice and warm sand. Ripe tannins. Needs time, 10+ years.
92p   (tasted 2020/03)

2016 Château Potensac

2016 Château Potensac
Upon opening, there is a whiff of cherry vanilla, but after one hour it displays notes of ripe red and black currants, dried cherries, sugared coffee and graphite. Young and fine.
The taste is medium bodied with notes of damsons, red currants, dry tobacco and fine sandy tannins. Needs 6+ years. Very, very good.
Looking forward to the upcoming 20 bottle tasting of Potensac, vintages 1975 - 2015!
88p   (tasted 2020/03)

2015 Königsbecher Odenheim Spätburgunder GG, Weingut Heitlinger

2015 Königsbecher Odenheim Spätburgunder GG, Weingut Heitlinger
This Baden Spätburgunder shows of a deep, outgoing nose with notes of bonfire smoke, ripe raspberries, rhubarb and Asian spices. A bit burly but very good.
The taste is tighter and drier than the nose leads you to believe, with notes of sweet red currants, raspberry licorice, violets and road dust. A long finish with a fine acidity and some foursquare tannins.
87p   (tasted 2020/03)

Eating & Drinking In Piedmont

On Barolo Boys latest trip we visited some restaurants, as ususal!

The first call was made to Il Centro in Priocca. My third visit, and the best so far. The food is excellent, the wine list is very good, but the ambiance isn´t that cosy and home-feely as for example La Coccinella.

A salmon starter to go with the bubbly

Savart Expression - racy and satisfying

Carne cruda!

A great young Serralunga (93p)

Just awesome, truly fine (97p)

Intestines - a stunning dish!

Next up the next day was lunch at Mangè, in the center of La Morra. The owners used to run Le Torri in Castiglione Falletto. Always a great place for a good lunch.

Great Nebbiolo juice (91p)

One (or two) glasses of Dolcetto a day, keeps the doctor away! (90/88p)

Later the same day, dinner with the Marengo´s and Pira´s at the Bistro of Guido. Modern, creative cuisine with a fine international wine cellar.

Rinaldi - young and stunning (93p), the Mosconi from Chiara too oaky at this stage (88p)

Really fine, almost ready for prime drinking (93p)

On the last evening we went out for dinner with Giacomo Conterno at Osteria I Rebbi. My second visit. Great innovate food and a fine wine list.

A lovely bottle of bubbly! (94p)

Young and sturdy, needs time, lovely fruit (90p)

Coniglio!

We were not in agreement here, I think that is a future star but a bit all over the place on this night (93p)