H invited to a tasting dinner and the main focus was Chardonnay. Three very interesting line ups. Some Pinot bottles will a separate post.
Flight I
2021 Chardonnay Cooinda Vale Vineyard, Pooley
Three bottles from Tasmania in the first flight. Number one has a nice, spicy nose with notes of dry fudge, smoke and candied lemons. High and fine.
The taste is smoky and intense with fine yellow fruit and a stony character. A hint of warmth in the finsh.
91p (tasted 2025/03)
2021 Chardonnay Rao, Domaine Simha
A restrained, foursquare nose with notes of white currants, old lemons and dry gravel.
The taste is chalky and unbalanced with a very high acidity and not enough fruit to match it.
78p (tasted 2025/03)
2021 Chardonnay D´Entre Casteaux Channel, Mewstone
A very deep, layered nose with notes of almond paste, lemon cream and ripe yellow flowers. Lovely.
The taste is rich and concentrated with massive fruit, a cleansing acidity and a long, long finish. A very nice tannin bite.
93p (tasted 2025/03)
Flight II
2017 Sta Rita Hills White Hill Chardonnay, Liquid Farm
A smoky, handsome nose with notes of sweet lime, thai basil, chrushed rocks and cigarette ashes. Very fine.
The taste is tight and fine with gorgeous fruit, refreshing acidity and a long, pure finish. Lovely.
94p (tasted 2025/03)
2020 Amrità, Schiopetti
85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Blanc. The nose is young and sedy with notes of green olives, birch leaves and wet stones. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and racy with notes of chalk, white currants and some fine green notes. A fine, dry finish.
90p (tasted 2025/03)
2019 Chardonnay Les Pizarras, Errazuriz
A high, pure nose with notes of smoke, sweet minerals, grey pears and lime. Very fine.
The taste is refined and intense with notes of dried up vanilla ice cream, chrushed rocks and fresh herbs. Very, very long. Obviously a 100 pointer from the Sucker, a very fine wine but nowhere near 100p.
93p (tasted 2025/03)
Flight III
2010 Chassagne.Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée, Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard
A cool, spicy, refined nose with notes of ripening peached, smoke, lemon cream and sun warm gravel. Just lovely.
The taste is rich and focused with brilliant fruit, a high, pure acidity and a lenght that is counted in minutes. Great wine.
95p (tasted 2025/03)
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevriéres, Remi Jobard
A deep, intense nose with notes of matchbox, thai basil, ripe lemons and white flowers. Stunning.
The taste is high and focused with notes of candied lemons, smoke, dry fudge and dried flowers. The finish is loooong and beautiful. This is awesome.
96p (tasted 2025/03)
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets, Henri Boillot
A broad, mature nose with notes of Christmas spices, sweet almonds and dried flowers. Seems a bit too mature for its age.
The taste is layered and fine with dried up orange ice cream, dried apricots and a fine acidity. Very, very good but I had expected more.
90p (tasted 2025/03)
2010 Corton Charlemagne, Bernard Ambroise
A stunner from start to finish. The nose is bottomless deep with beautiful notes of dried tangerines, candle grease, ginger and incense.
The taste is rich and lively with notes of dried peach, sweet gravel, matchbox, tangerine candy and dried flowers. Very complex. The finish goes on forever. Truly great.
97p (tasted 2025/03)
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