Thursday 31 March 2022

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2010 Esprit de Victoria Bland de Blancs, Joseph Perrier


2010 Esprit de Victoria Blanc de Blancs, Joseph Perrier
A cool, somewhat mature nose with notes of pickled ginger, green apples, sun warm rocks and moist sand. A nice complexity. 
The taste is fresh and medium bodied with notes of green apples, grapefruit, minerals and chrushed rocks. A fine, dry finish. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2022/03)


Tuesday 29 March 2022

New Years Eve - In March!


We had it all planned, food and wine, for New Years Eve. Illness got in the way, so we postponed. And again someone got sick so we postponed. 
But last weekend we finally got to celebrate New Years Eve!

NV Brut Tradition, Ruinart
We started with two bottles of bubbly from Ruinart. This non vintage from the 60´s or 70´s (according to the seller) hasn´t got any bubbles left. The nose is round, soft and mature with notes of autumn apples, almond paste and old fudge. Still hanging in there.
The taste is dry and fine, fresher than on the nose, with notes of and dried up apple pie, red apples and gravel. A good acidity. 
86p   (tasted 2022/03)


1993 Dom Ruinart, Ruinart
This Blanc de Blancs offers up a cool, delicate nose with notes of oranges, ginger, candied lemons and sun warm rocks. Fresh for its age. Very, very good.
The taste is pure and refined with a cleansing acidity and notes of orange peel, dried flowers, chrushed rocks and almonds. Long and fine. 
92p   (tasted 2022/03)

2001 Corton Blanc, Comte Senard
What are the odds? We talked about white Burgundies as a theme but nothing more specific. What did we end up with? Three Corton´s!
The 01 Corton Blanc has a deep, strong nose with notes of grilled lemons, yellow pears, smoke and lemon fudge. Very fine. Still young.
The taste is cool, fresh and focused with notes of candied lemons, smoke, lemon cream and salt rocks. Very long and distinct. 5+ years. 
93p   (tasted 2022/03)




2007 Corton-Charlemagne, Michel Voarick
The first hour this just oozed cap gun smoke out of the glass. Then fine notes of candle grease, passionfruit, lemon zest and chalk emerged. Outgoing and very fine.
The taste is tight and structured with notes of smoke, dried up vanilla ice cream, mango and chalk. A silky finish with a lovely acidity. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/03)

2009 Corton-Charlemagne, Bonneau de Martray
All through the evening rather restrained on the nose, with notes of ripe lemons, lots of minerals and a low keyed creaminess. Very deep.
But the taste! Firing on all cylinders with stunning fruit, acidity, balance and structure. The finish goes on for minutes. Impressive stuff. 10+ years.
95p   (tasted 2022/03)

2000 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
A lovely open for business nose with notes of perfectly ripe black currants, sugared coffee, graphite and expensive leather. Very fine. Some maturity.
The taste is young and fresh with notes of black currant leaves, orange peel, cofffe powder and sandelwood. Very refined. Wait 3+ years for an even greater experience.
95p   (tasted 2022/03)

2002 Château Haut Brion
A very nicely structured nose with an aristocratic feel and lovely notes of tobacco, tiles, red and black currants and graphite. Very, very deep and a tad laid back. Needs time.
The taste is restrained and refined with taut, polished tannins, perfect black currants fruit and a long, long finish. Very handsome. But oh so young, give this beauty 8+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/03)


2012 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
The 12 year younger version of SHL offers up a deep, elegant, juicy nose with notes of dark tobacco, ripe black currants, forest floor and dark chocolate. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe black currants, dusty earth, smoke and tobacco. Chewable tannins. Needs 8+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/03)

1994 Warre´s Vintage Port
An open, sweet, lovely nose with notes of dried currants, fried nuts, bay leaves and candied orange peel. Even a hint of dry coconut. Deep and fine.
The taste is rich and rewarding with a beginning maturity and notes of damsons, assorted nuts, raspberry chocolate and pipe tobacco. Long and warm. Drinking great today but this will keep for 20+ years,
93p   (tasted 2022/03)

Friday 25 March 2022

1995 & 2005 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, Domenico Clerico

1995 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, Domenico Clerico
Rich, round and mature with notes of dried mushrooms. forest floor, dried cherries and hints of dog fur (in a positive sense). Very, very good.
The taste is dry and mature with notes of rosehips, dried flowers, hard cherry candy and asphalt. Long and fine. Fully mature. Very fine.
92p   (tasted 2022/02)

2005 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, Domenico Clerico
The ten year younger version offers up a deep, lovely nose with notes of black cherries, fir wood, tar, violets en masse and fried ceps. Gorgeous.
The taste is rich and tight with notes of rosehips, black cherries, coffee powder and violets. Very, very long, still needs 6+ years. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2022/03)


Thursday 24 March 2022

Pilled Up Notes - Great Wines Tasted in January - Pira, Scavino, Galatrona, Grand-Puy-Lacoste & More


Miran invited and poured some great wines. All tasted double blind.

2018 Enkirchner Ellegrup Riesling Kabinett, Weiser Kuenstler
A stony, elegant nose with notes of grey pears, dry tangerines, smoke and lots of chrushed rocks.
The taste is cool and saline with notes of chalk, ripe pears and lime. A fresh acidity. A fine bitterness in the finish. 4+ years. 
90p   (tasted 2022/01)


2020 Piesporter Goldtröpchen Riesling Kabinett, Julius Haart
A handsome, refined nose with notes of blood oranges, grapefruit, fennel seed and smoke. Very fine.
The taste is crisp and racy with notes of grapefruit, chalk, sweet minerals and lemon peel. Very long. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2012 Barolo Marenca, Luigi Pira
A finely tuned nose with some maturity and notes of hard cherry candy, asphalt, licorice and coffee powder. Very fine.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of red currant licorice, dried flowers and asphalt. Still some perky tannins. Very long. A lovely finish. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/01)



1990 Barolo Cannubi, Paolo Scavino
A brilliant, deep, fascinating nose with notes of dried ceps, asphalt, dried raspberries and rosehips en masse. Very complex. Perfectly mature.
The taste is pure, balanced and mature with velvety fruit, finely polished tannins and a finish that goes on for minutes. A stunning wine on top of its game.
97p   (tasted 2022/01)

1998 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, Penfolds
A inky, tight and concentrated nose with notes of rubber tires, ripe blackberries, bonfire smoke and warm graphite. Big, juicy and wonderful. A touch of dill.
The taste is broad and rich with gorgeous fruit, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Very balanced and fine.
94p   (tasted 2022/01)



1998 Petrolo, Galatrona
A lovely, smoky nose with deep notes of ripe plums, black cherries, iron and some meaty aromas. Very handsome.
The taste is tight and sandy with stunning fruit, structure and depth. Still plenty of polished tannins. Very long. 6+ years. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2022/01)



1996 Merlot, Pahlmeyer
This beauty evolves at a snails pace. Last tasted five years ago and on this night it performed on the same level and with the same characteristics. Stunning wine!
97p   (tasted 2022/01)

2015 Langhe Nebbiolo, Bartolo Mascarello
Again, a bottle tasted a few years ago which behaved the same on this evening. Still plenty of potential. Very fine.
92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2005 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
A tight, focused nose with notes sandelwood, ripe black currants, leather and fresh coffee. An aristocratic feel to it. Very fine.
The taste is taut and seedy with notes of ripe black currants, graphite, warm tiles and cold coffee. Very, very long. Still and infant, 10+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/01)


2005 Faro, Palari
A good structure, lots of assorted red fruits, a hint of barnyard and blood oranges. Very fine.
The taste is tight and gravelly with ripe red fruits, hot earth and a salty touch in the finish. Long.
91p   (tasted 2022/01)

Monday 21 March 2022

2004 Barolo Pressenda, Abbona


2004 Barolo Pressenda, Abbona
Last tasted four years ago. On this night it displays a broad, outgoing nose with notes of ripe red cherries, rosehips en masse, tobacco and a forest with some animals decyaing under the autumn leaves. Very, very good.
The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of cherry licorice, red tea, sandelwood and forest floor. Long and fine. Nice mature features. A lovely drink now and the coming 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/02)

Sunday 20 March 2022

Notes From A Tasting With Vintages 2019 - 1929


Mikke invited to a tasting between Christmas and New Year. Great food and wine were had.
All wines tasted double blind.

1988 Special Club Blanc de Blancs, Sugot-Feneuil
A deep, fine, mature nose with notes of almond paste, yellow apples, dry biscuits and hints of Manzanilla. Very, very good.
The taste is dry and stony with a fine roundness, a fresh acidity and notes or dry oranges, earth and minerals. Fully mature.
90p   (tasted 2021/12)



2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay, Château Montelena
A cool, creamy nose with notes of tangerines, smoke, wet cement and toasted bread. Very fine. Steely.
The taste is tight and handsome with notes of ripe oranges, grilled lemons, almonds and gravel. Long and fine. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2021/12)


2007 Corton-Charlemagne, Rapet
A very deep, aristocratic nose with notes of hazel nuts, wet stone, ripe lemons and birch sap. Complex and fine. 
The taste is forward and focused with notes of lemon cream, cap gun smoke, sweet minerals and chalk. A brilliant acidity. Still young, 6+ years. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2021/12)

1996 Volnay Vendanges Sélectionnées, Domaine Michel Lafarge
A mature, a tad dried up nose with notes of earth, dried raspberries and lots of forest floor. Good.
The taste is better with a fine, mature concentration and notes of red cherries, dry licorice and herbs. Rustic tannins. Fully mature.
87p   (tasted 2021/12)

1996 Volnay Santenots-du-Milieu, Domaine de Comtes Lafon
A deep, somewhat meaty nose with notes of violets, dried raspberries and asphalt. Rustic in a fine sense.
The taste is dry and fine with lots of undergrowth, dried red fruits and a fine acidity. Again, a tas rustic and yet again, in a very good sense.
91p   (tasted 2021/12)


1996 Beaune Vigne de l´Enfant Jesus, Bouchard
A very deep, peculiar but very good nose with a fine dried up sweetness, lots of red beets, gravel and fresh herbs. High and fine.
The taste is mature and elegant with fine notes of red currants, cranberries, herbs and a hint of chocolate wafers. Very long. Very fine.
93p   (tasted 2021/12)

1996 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux- Saint-Jacques, Domaine Laurent
A big, open, gorgeous nose with notes of fresh stables, root vegetables, ripe raspberries, autumn apples and bonfire smoke. Very, very deep.
The taste is broad and focused with an old fashioned Burgundy feeling about it. Lovely fruit, great acidity and a taut structure for further ageing. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2021/12)



2014 Kirchspiel GG, Keller
A intermission between Burgundy and Bordeaux. The nose is pure and fresh with notes of dry tangerines, elderberries, wet asphalt and grass. Very fine.
The taste is high and intense with notes of grapefruit, dried up passionfruit, tangerines and lots of sweet minerals. A fine acidity. 
93p   (tasted 2021/12)


1978 Château La Lagune
My guess for this and the next bottle was 1978 and 1982, so I kept my mouth shut after that... 
The 78 La Lagune offers up lovely mature nose with notes of pipe tobacco, black currant leaves and some dried strawberries. Very fine.
The taste is soft and mature with velvety black currants fruit and notes of tobacco, leather and lead pencil shavings. Long and fine. 
92p   (tasted 2021/12)



1982 Château La Lagune
The 82 has a deep, sandy nose with notes of dried black currants, red beets, earth and a hint of dog fur. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and dry with notes of dried up black currant jam, cold coffee and earth. Still rather tight in the finish. 6+ years. 
90p   (tasted 2021/12)

1986 Château Nenin
A round, mature nose with notes of plums, hot earth, dark chocolate and pipe tobacco. Very good in a upfront style.
The taste is warm and fine with notes of plums, sandelwood, sweet tobacco and chocolate wafers. A tad hollow in the niddle.
87p   (tasted 2021/12)

1975 Clos Rene
A deep, mature, sweet nose with notes of plums, gravel and chocolate biscuits. Round and fine.
The taste is dry and earthy with notes of dried plums, tobacco and gravel. Good fruit. None of those harsch 75 tannins. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2021/12)

2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Willi Schaefer
A very young, fresh nose with notes of ripe green apples, oranges, grass and some fine candy notes. Very fine.
The taste is racy and refined with notes of lime juice, green apples, sweet minerals and grass. Very long and distinct. Great acidity. Really fine.
94p   (tasted 2021/12)



1929 Château Piada
A big, round, mature nose with notes of dried apricots, burnt rubber, band aid and detergent. Very good in a very mature, old fashioned way.
The taste is dry and a tad linear with notes of saffron, dried oranges, earth and hay. A fine dryness. Long. We were 30-40 years wrong in our guesses...
88p   (tasted 2021/12)

Wednesday 16 March 2022

Then & Now - 1988 & 2017 Château Bouscassé

1988 Château Bouscassé
A dead ringer for a mature Bordeaux. I would have guessed a 1985 or a 1982. The nose is mature and barnyardy with notes of worn letaher, dried black currants, cigrette ashes and a hint of VA. Very good.
The taste is sandy and mature with notes of dried black currants, violets, gravel and dry tobacco. Better on the nose though. A tad thin in the middle taste. Drinking well.
87p   (tasted 2022/03)


2017 Château Bouscassé
The 29 year younger version is a whole other creature. Tasted a couple of months ago, it behaved even more outgoing and forward on this evening. Lots of plums, ripe black currants, asphalt and a long, structured finish that will need 5+ years to come together. A bargain for 17 Euro.
89p   (tasted 2022/03)

Monday 14 March 2022

Two Fine Producers From Down Under - Bass Phillip & Punt Road


A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to taste some wines from Bass Phillip & Punt Road though Quaffable wines.

Bass Phillip
2019 Chardonnay
Now owned by Jean-Marie Fourrier (pictured below) this cult producer makes some stunning wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and a good Gamay. 
From 25 year old vines, this fine Chardonnay offers up an open, direct nose with notes of dry mango, grilled lemons, smoke and warm grass. Deep and perfumed. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dry fudge, lemon cream and sun warm gravel. Very long with a fine warmth.
93p   (tasted 2022/02)



2019 Premium Chardonnay
A stunner. This beauty was raised in 500 lit oak barrels of which 50% were new. The nose is pure, delicate and handsome with gorgeous notes of candied lemons, handcream, cag gun smoke and butterbiscuits. Very, very deep. Lovely.
The taste is rich, balanced and brilliant with everything in place. Great fruit, great acidity and great structure. Grand Cru quality. Glad I got me some.
97p   (tasted 2022/02)

2019 Gamay
A nice, open nose with notes of a clean barnyard, lingonberries and some rubbery notes.
The tste is cool and fine with a good acidity and notes of rhubarb, lingonberries and gravel. 
87p   (tasted 2022/02)

2019 Pinot Noir Crown Prince
A somewhat restrained, focused nose with notes of rowan berries, earth, dried raspberries and assorted herbs. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and seedy with notes of ripe lingonberries, dried raspberries and moist earth. A high acidity. A long, dry finish. 4+ years.
91p   (tasted 2022/02)


2019 Pinot Noir
A young, deep, lovely nose with ripe raspberries, root vegetables, thyme and wet rocks. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe raspberries, forest floor and fresh herbs. Very balanced. A lovely acidity. Great. 6+ years.
95p   (tasted 2022/02)


Punt Road
2021 Whole Bunch White
A fresh, grassy nose with notes of dry passionfruit, minerals and gravel. A fine salty note.
The taste is cool, light and fine with assorted yellow fruits and a fine acidity. Medium long. Very. very good.
87p   (tasted 2022/02)


2021 Airlie Bank Gris on Skins
A laid back, cool nose with notes of red apples, wild strawberries and earth. Very, very good.
The taste is dry and seedy with notes of red currants, earth and gravel. A high, fine acidity. 
87p   (tasted 2022/02)

2021 Pinot Noir
A fine go to, every day Pinot which excels in this vintage with a gorgeous, upfront nose with notes of raspberry licorice, wild flowers, milk chocolate and herbs. Very fine.
The taste is fruity and balanced with a cool raspberry fruit, a fine length and a body for ageing. 4+ years.
91p   (tasted 2022/02)

Tim Shand presenting the wines 


2021 G
amay
A cool, pure nose with notes of earth, barnyard and dried red currants. A tad linear.
The taste is cool and seedy with notes of red currants, lingonberries a dusty earth. A hint of warmth in the finish. Good.
85p   (tasted 2022/02)

2021 Airlie Bank Garden Red
A young, fruity nose with notes of blueberries, raspberries, warm earth and bakelite. Very good.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of dried blackberries and raspberries, earth and dried herbs. 
87p   (tasted 2022/02)

Saturday 12 March 2022

Due Dolcetto From Bruno Gicosa

2020 Dolcetto d´Alba, Bruno Gicosa
From bought grapes from Neive, Neviglie, Treiso and Alba. The nose is upfront and juvenile with notes of fresh blueberries, rock dust, dry tobacco and bakelite. Very, very good.
The taste is structured and dry with notes of blueberries, damsons, ink and a touch of white pepper. Better on day two. 6+ yers. 
88p   (tasted 2022/03)


2020 Dolcetto d´
Alba Falletto, Bruno Gicosa
From Giacosa´s plot in Falletto. The nose is more restrained than the wine above, but the depth and concentration is better, with fine notes of rowan berries, red cherries, chrushed rocks and iron. Complex and fine.
The taste is luscious and fine with notes of blueberries, cherries, asphalt and minerals. Very long and fine. 8+ yeras. As with the above, better on day two.
91p   (tasted 2022/03)

Wednesday 9 March 2022

2016 Chateau Sénéjac


2016 Chateau Sénéjac
A low keyed (even after some time in the glass) yet intense and perky nose with notes of cool black currants, fir wood, charcoal and hints of violets. Very, very good.
The taste is young and finely tuned with notes of red and black currants, warm tiles, tobacco and cold coffee. The finish is medium long and precise. 6+ years.
91p   (tasted 2022/03)

Saturday 5 March 2022

Wines In The Mountains - 2015 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière


2015 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
Some profanity escaped me when I put my nose in the glass. What a wine! The nose soars up from the glass with gorgeous notes of ripe plums & black currants, expensive leather, chocolate mousse and cold coffee. Very, very deep. Just stunning.
The taste is all about a fantastic purity, marvellous sweet fruit, tannins that are silky yet taut and a finish that goes on for minutes. Perfection in the waiting, just wait 6+ years.
97p   (tasted 2022/03)

Wednesday 2 March 2022

Wines In The Mountains - 2019 Barbera d´Alba Vigna Cerretta, Giacomo Conterno


2019 Barbera d´Alba Vigna Cerretta, Giacomo Conterno
After a day cross county skiing, what better than open a bottle of this stunning juice with a ham and cheese pie?
The nose explodes from the glass with gorgeous notes of raspberry licorice, fir wood, bay leaves, new leather and pipe tobacco. A wonderful sweetness to the fruit. Great juice.
The taste is rich, multi layered and forward with notes of blackberries, rhubarb, smoke, fried herbs and tobacco. A very fine acidity. Long and lingering. Great now and the coming 10+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/03)

Tuesday 1 March 2022

Wines In The Mountains - 2013 Brut Premier Cru, Pascal Redon


2013 Brut Premier Cru, Pascal Redon
A deep, crisp, bread filled nose with notes of ginger, orange peel, nuts and dried up passion fruits, Very, very god. A fine intensity.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of almond paste, orange peel, toasted bread and hints of ginger. A very fine finish with a refreshing acidity. Lovely. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/02)