Wednesday, 30 April 2025

2019 & 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo, Paolo Scavino


2019 Langhe Nebbiolo, Paolo Scavino
From a half bottle. A pure, handsome nose with notes of ripening raspberries, red currants and a touch of wet asphalt. Some spicy notes after a while.
The taste is tight and refined with a very fine structure, red fruit in spades and a long, silky finish. A very fine bottle of Nebbiolo from this stunning vintage. Will go on drinking beautifully for 8+ years.
91p   (tasted 2025/04)

2023 Langhe Nebbiolo, Paolo Scavino
From a half bottle. A high, elegant nose with notes of violets, dried strawberries and a fine balsamic note. Very, very good.
The taste is spicy and fresh with lovely red fruit, silky tannins a long, dry finish. Should get even better with some bottle age.
89p   (tasted 2025/04)


Monday, 28 April 2025

Four Bottles Of Bubbly


These were the Champagne´s from our latest tasting dinner in our monthly tasting group. Tasted double blind.

2008 Millésime, Rochet-Bocart
A tight, chalky nose with notes of lemon zest, wet cement and cap gun smoke. Very, very good.
The taste is finely tuned, low keyed with notes of chalk, white currants, smoke and chrushed rocks. A long, very dry finish.
91p   (tasted 2025/04)


2008 Empreinte Meunier, Gaizoz Forget
A high, stony nose with notes of oranges, birch leaves and gravel. Very good in a ascetic way.
The taste is cool and grassy with notes of lemon zest, hay and dried flowers. The finish is very, very dry, I often find these non dosage wines lacking a bit of body and frankly, enjoyment.
87p   (tasted 2025/04)

PN AYC18, Bollinger
Base year 2018 with reserve wines from 2011 and up. The nose is deep and fine with lots of ripe red apples, gunpowder smoke and summer warm gravel. Very fine.
The taste is dry and crisp with lovely fruit, a cleansing acidity and a long, distinct finish. 8+ years.
93p   (tasted 2025/04)



2008 Cuvée Nicole Vieilles Vignes, Pierre Moncuit
A deep, viscous nose with notes of violets, birch sap, apples and dried flowers. High and very fine.
The taste is layered and balanced with everything in place, gorgeous fruit, intensity and elegance. A lovely wine for drinking now and the coming 6+ years.
95p   (tasted 2025/04)

Thursday, 24 April 2025

Two Easter Bordeaux Bottles

2000 Château Verdignan
A soft, almost fully mature nose with notes of black currants, tobacco, autumn leaves and saw dust. Very good in a low key way.
The taste is medium bodied with a fine warmth and dried up black fruit. A fine, dry finish.
85p   (tasted 2025/04)


2004 Château de Bel-Air
A spicy, fine nose with notes of plums, sweet tobacco, leather and dried flowers. Very, very good.
The taste is sandy and fine with notes of licorice, plums and cigarr smoke. A long, dry finish.
89p   (tasted 2025/04)

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Six Bottles Of 2007 Burgundy


At our latest monthly tasting group meeting, M poured these Burgundies. All tasted double blind as ususal.

2007 Corton Le Rognet, Bernard Ambroise
A round, mostly mature nose with notes of red currants, worn leather and smoke. A fine warmth.
The taste is open and fine with notes of plums, herbs and a touch of dog fur. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.
86p   (tasted 2025/04)



2007 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots, Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot
A deep, fine nose with notes of dried raspberries, red tea, herbs and flowers. Very fine.
The taste is cool and layered with notes of forest floor, assorted red fruits and coffee powder. A very fine structure. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2025/04)

2007 Vosne- Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts V.V., Domaine Perrot-Minot
A tight, fine nose with some maturity and notes of nougat, earth and dried raspberries. A fine dried up sweetness.
The taste is spicy and fine with a cleansing acidity and ripe red fruit. A fine dryness in the finish.
92p   (tasted 2025/04)

2007 Clos de la Roche, Lucie & Auguste Lignier
A round, generous nose with notes of plums, moist earth and sweet tobacco. Very, very good.
The taste is warm and mature with notes of red currants, herbs and dried flowers. Very long and handsome.
92p   (tasted 2025/04)


2007 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaut Saint-Jacques, Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot
A warm, fine nose with notes of forest floor, tobacco and dried red berries. A fine depth.
The taste is tight and earthy with notes of leather, tobacco and assorted red fruits. A elegant, dry finish.
89p   (tasted 2025/04)

2007 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers, Lucien le Moine
A very deep, layered nose with notes of incense, ripe raspberries, cigarr smoke and fresh herbs. Very, very good.
The taste is ripe and structured showing some maturity, ripe red fruit and a long, warm finish. Some oak in the finish. 3+ years.
90p   (tasted 2025/04)


Tuesday, 22 April 2025

2015 Chianti Classico Vigna Doghessa, Casanuova Di Nittardi


2015 Chianti Classico Vigna Doghessa, Casanuova Di Nittardi
A cool, herbal nose with notes of red currants, earth and a hint of tobacco. It had a volatil touch when first poured but that soon disappeared.
The taste is laid back and elegant with notes of hard cherry candy, gravel and tobacco. A fine acidity. A hint of warmth in the finish. 3+ years.
87p   (tasted 2025/04)

Thursday, 17 April 2025

1978 Barolo, Cav. L. Brero


1978 Barolo, Cav. L. Brero
A nicely matured, deep nose with notes of violets, forest floor and sugared coffee. A fine dried up sweetness.
The taste is dry and polished with notes of tobacco, dried red fruits, rosehips and iron. A fine, dry finish.
89p   (tasted 2025/04)

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

The Barolo Boys Meet Again - The Baroli


M called to a Barolo Boys tasting. Lots of great wines, food and talk. All wines tasted double blind.

2014 Barolo, Sergio Giudice
A high, fine nose with notes of leather, red apples, rosehips and iron. A hint of maturity. Very, very good.
The taste is on the bring of maturity with soft red fruit, silky tannins and a fine minerality.
91p   (tasted 2025/04)


2008 Barolo Le Coste-Moscone, Parusso
A big, all over the place nose with notes of Finnish licorice, coconut, ripe cherries and moist earth. 
The taste is rich and concentrated, lots of oak tannins and a bitter finish. Not to my liking.
Notes from my visit to the cantina - Barolista: The Barolo Boys Visit Parusso, Vietti & Aldo Conterno - 
82p   (tasted 2025/04)

2017 Barolo Bricco San Pietro, Anna Maria Abbona
A deep, warm nose with notes of dried flowers, ripe cherries, smoke and moccha. Open and fine.
The taste is elegant and fine with notes of red beets, leather, cigarette ashes and Lange earth. 
90p   (tasted 2025/04)


2019 Barolo Cascina Tiole, Massimo Grasso
A high, fine nose with notes of violets, ripe flowers, red currants and a fine balsamic note.
The taste is tight and seedy with fine red fruit, steady tannins and a long, lingering finish. This is fine. 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2025/04)

1993 Barolo Bricco Boschis Vigna S. Giuseppe, Cavallotto
A mature, earthy nose with notes of dried raspberries, clay and licorice. Soft and fine, although on the fragile side of things.
The taste has a dry velvety feeling about it, with fine tannins and nice dried up red fruit. Seemed a bit murky at first but it evolved nicely over the evening.
Notes from my last visit to the cantina - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Part One
88p   (tasted 2025/04)

1979 Barolo Cannubi, Alfredo Prunotto
This 46 year old Barolo display a mature, soft nose with notes of sugared coffee, worn leather, dried flowers and fir smoke.
The taste is more linear and dry than the nose leads you to believe, some dried red fruit and road dust.
78p   (tasted 2025/04)


1993 Barolo Vigna Rionda, Massolino
An old, murky nose with notes of dried up vanilla ice cream, old furniture, gravel and dry rosehips. A tad hollow.
The taste is short and foursquare but the dried up fruit is nice and the finish is ok. 
80p   (tasted 2025/04)

2020 Barolo Brunate, Enzo Boglietto
A dark, nicely focused nose with notes of ripe cherries, Lily of the Valley, asphalt and leather. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of licorice, dried flowers, asphalt and rosehips. Long and fine. 6+ years.
90p   (tasted 2025/04)



2015 Barolo Riserva Gramolero, Manzone
A rich, high nose with notes of Finnish licorice, hard cherry candy, incense and ripe flowers. A touch of oak which adds to the complexity.
The taste is young and layered with lots of ripe red cherries, forets floor, minerals and rosehips. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2025/04)

2018 Barolo Riserva Brunate, M. Marengo
A very deep, balsamic nose with notes of leather, red licorice, nutmeg and Langhe earth. Just lovely.
The taste is brilliant and perfectly balanced with fruit, tannins and acidity in harmony. Great wine. 8+ years.
Notes from my last visit to the cantina - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To M. Marengo
96p   (tasted 2025/04)



2016 Barolo Vignarionda, Luigi Pira
I scored this beauty 99p when I tasted it with Gianpaolo upon release. Now it has gone into hiding but every knot and bolt are in their right places. Gorgeous fruit, seamless, broad tannins and a minute long finish. Wait 10+ year for perfection.
Notes from my last visit to the cantina - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Luigi Pira
97p   (tasted 2025/04)

2005 Barolo, Bartolo Mascarello
Somewhat of a disappointment, the nose is cool and tight but also linear and fleeting. Even with time in the glass it doesn´t evolve.
The taste is tight and rather elegant but the fruit is of the low keyed kind and the mouth feel is slender aking to anorectic. But then again, 2005 is far from a favourite vintage for me.
87p   (tasted 2025/04)



2015 Barolo Monvigliero, Burlotto
A delicate, finely tuned nose with notes of dried strawberries, smoke, incense and paint. Very fine.
The taste is racy and elegant with cool tannins and a fine red fruit. Very nicely balanced. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2025/04)

2004 Barolo Romirasco, Aldo Conterno
I have had even greater bottles of this fabolous juice, but this no slouch in any shape or form. The nose oozes up from the glass with notes of expensive tobacco, ripe cherries, asphalt and ripe flowers. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with gorgeous black cherry fruit, silky tannins, a fine touch of mint and a long, juicy finish. 4+ years.
95p   (tasted 2025/04)



2013 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Brovia
As with most of the finer 13´s, this is locked up and need plenty of time. On the nose, when you vigoursly swirl the glass, there are fine notes of tar, violets, spices and Langhe earth.
The taste is taut and structured with plenty of black fruit, tobacco notes and wet asphalt. Very, very long. Needs 8+ years.

Friday, 11 April 2025

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2009 Dream Vintage, André Clouet


2009 Dream Vintage, André Clouet
A fine, spicy nose with notes of toasted bread, oranges, smoke and white flowers. Very, very good.
The taste is stony and expressive with a very good yellow fruit, a fine acidity and a long dry finish with a nice bitter touch at the end.
90p   (tasted 2025/04)

Thursday, 10 April 2025

2019 Chianti Classico, Monteraponi


2019 Chianti Classico, Monteraponi
A young, tight nose with notes of hard cherry candy, fresh herbs, furniture polish and some dried meat. A fine old school Sangiovese.
The taste is high and fine with sour/sweet cherries, dry licorice and warm sand. A dry, linear finish. Needs time, 6+ years.
87p   (tasted 2025/04)

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

A Birthday Dinner

A friend of mine invited to a dinner to celebrate his birthday. All wines tasted double blind.

NV Les Vignes de Bisseuil 1er Cru, Egly-Ouriet
Base year 2018. The nose is racy and refined with notes of grapefruit, rosé pepper, iron and dry licorice. Very fine.
The taste is handsome and balanced with a high, salivating acidity, gorgeous fruit and a long, chalky finish. Young and very fine.
93p   (tasted 2025/03)



2017 Abtserde Riesling GG, Keller
A very deep nose with notes of chrushed oyster shells, candied lemons and dried up lemoncello. Lovely.
The taste is taut and intense with a gorgeous acidity and notes of wet cement, dried flowers and sweet lemons. Very, very long.
95p   (tasted 2025/03)

2022 Vette, San Leonardo
A cool, restrained nose with notes of white currants, detergent, spices and black currant leaves. Very nice.
The taste is rich and nicely concentrated with notes of lemon licorice, fresh flowers and spices. Medium bodied. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2025/03)


2023 Sauvignon Blanc Lozeta, Ronco del Gnemiz
A tight, flowery nose with notes of dried apricots, warm grass and dry biscuits. High and fine.
The taste is big and brawny with lots of ripe yellow fruit, a very fine acidity and a long finish with a stately acidity.
91p   (tasted 2025/03)

2000 Château Giscours
A very fine, meaty nose with notes of plums, black currants, leather and a hint of mint. Very fine.
The taste is open and fine with notes of rich plummy fruit, fire smoke and gingerbread. A long, dry finish. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2025/03)


2017 Pavillon du Grand Clos Monopole, Y. Amirault
Only 750 bottles made. The nose is high and intense with notes of gorgeous red fruit, sweet undergrowth, leather and coffee powder. Very fine.
The taste is cool, layered and with a beautiful dryness with notes of asphalt, green pepper and forest floor. The finish is long and beautifully structured.
95p   (tasted 2025/03)

2015 Piesporter Schubertslay Riesling Kabinett, Julian Haart
A pure, high nose with notes of white currants, gooseberries, white pepper and dried up vanilla ice cream. Very fine.
The taste is pure and fresh with a high acidity and notes of ripe pears, chrushed rocks and dried flowers. Young and very promising, 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2025/03)



2009 Vouvray 1er Trie Clos de Bourg, Huet
A very deep, somewhat mature nose with notes of ripe apricots, moist earth, candle grease and hay.
The taste is rich and focused with notes of dried strawberries, fried nuts, earth and a fine, cleansing acidity. Very long.
93p   (tasted 2025/03)

Monday, 7 April 2025

1990 Château Bigaroux


1990 Château Bigaroux
A tad dusty, low keyed nose with notes of dried red currants, old tobacco and autumn leaves. Soft and sparse.
The taste is dry and fleeting with a nice dried up warmth and a medium long finish. Alive but should have been drunk 20 years ago.
78p   (tasted 2025/04)

Thursday, 3 April 2025

A Thursday Night With Some Stunning Bottles


M called for a mid week tasting with what he tought would be some nice wines. And that proved to be a correct prediction! All wines tasted double blind.

2011 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett, Willi Schaefer
A somewhat mature, flowery nose with notes of rubber, wet asphalt and dried fruit. Very, very good.
The taste is round and fine with notes of dried apricots, oil cloth and gravel. A long finish with a fine acidity.
90p   (tasted 2025/03)


2021 Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese Alte Reben, Loersch
A cool, chalky nose with notes of smoke, grass and grapefruit. Very fine.
The taste is young and tight with notes of sweet lime, chrushed rocks and white flowers. Very long.
92p   (tasted 2025/03)

2020 Albamar o Esteiro, Bodegas Albamar
A slightly volatil nose with notes of ripening red currants, toasted almonds and something burning in the background. 
The taste is foursquare and slightly oxidized with bitter red fruit and a high, ungainly acidity. Better on the nose.
71p   (tasted 2025/03)



2001 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà, Bruno Giascosa
A deep, layered nose with notes of dried strawberries, licorice, rosehips and Langhe earth. A tad mature. Just lovely.
The taste is structured and very fine with notes of Christmas spices, hard cherry candy and dried roses. A long, warm, beautiful finish. Great now and the coming 10+ years.
94p   (tasted 2025/03)

2005 Château Pape Clément
A large scaled, concentrated nose with notes of ripe black currants, fir smoke, graphite and a fine balsamic note. 
The taste is tight and warm with taut black fruit, round tannins and a long, structured finish with a nice dry twist. 
91p   (tasted 2025/03)



2005 Côte-Rôtie La Turque, Guigal
A deep, tight nose with notes of dried flowers, plums, iron, bay leaves and dried meat. Intense and very fine.
The taste is rich and racy with notes of ripe blueberries, bakelite, black flowers and incense. The finish goes on and on. 6+ years. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2025/03)

1996 Pahlmeyer Merlot
An open, plummy nose with notes of sugared coffee, leather, scorched earth and ink. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with great black fruit, an iron clad structure and a long, long, rich finish. Gorgeous.
94p   (tasted 2025/03)



1989 Barolo Riserva, Rocche Dei Manzone
A mature, velvety nose with notes of mushrooms, violets, dried cherries and earth. A very fine dried up sweetness.
The taste is structured, somewhat mature but with lots of stuffing left for more aging. Dried cherries, rosehips and leather. Very fine.
94p   (tasted 2025/03)

2003 Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Fritz Haag
A handsome, mature nose with notes of dried apricots, wet earth and rubber boots. Very, very good.
The taste is elegant and fine with notes of tangerines, birch leaves and dried up vanilla biscuits. Long and lingering.
92p   (tasted 2025/03)


1998 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldcap, Joh. Jos. Prüm
An open, soapy nose with notes of flower water, ginger and oranges. Very good in a foursquare way.
The taste is medium dry and linear with notes of dried oranges, gravel and dried flowers. A dry finish.
86p   (tasted 2025/03)

2015 Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese Goldcap, Schloss Lieser
A racy, stony nose with notes of ripe pears, grass, chrushed rocks and dried up vanilla ice cream. Young and fresh.
The taste is pure and tight with a high acidity and notes of star fruit, candied lemons and churshed rocks. 5+ years.
90p   (tasted 2025/03)

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

2007 Château La Grace Dieu Les Menuts


2007 Château La Grace Dieu Les Menuts
A fine, earthy nose with notes of plums, cigar smoke, fir wood and forest floor. A fine dog fur note after a while. Very, very good.
The taste is steady and ripe with velvety fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish. Drinking fine today.
88p   (tasted 2025/03)

Other vintages tasted: