Tasting Great Wines With Wine Affair

A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to attend a tasting arranged by Wine Affair and I tasted these gems.

The Whites

2018 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Guigal

A fine, delicate nose with notes of peach, white currants and hay. A fine flowery scent.

The taste is medium bodied and dry with notes of oranges, peach and gravel. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2020/09)

2017 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu, La Chablisienne

A spicy, smoky nose with notes of mineral, lemon licorice and yellow apples. Fine.

The taste is high and dry with notes of white peppers, white currants and smoke. Very long and fine.

90p   (tasted 2020/09)

2018 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot, Louis Jadot¨

A deep, concentrated nose with notes of grilled lemons, red basil and matchbox. Intense and fine.

The taste is handsome and balanced with notes of sage, lemon cream and smoke. Very fine.

92p   (tasted 2020/09)

2018 Condrieu La Doriane, Guigal

I am normally not a fan of Condrieu (I am a acid junkie) but this bottle from Guigal is the real thing. The nose is deep and down right gorgeous with a sea of ripe flowers, apricots, peach and sweet minerals. Very deep.

The taste is multi layered and fine with a silky character, paired with notes of grilled lemons, yellow flowers, apricots and hot earth. Very, very long. 

93p   (tasted 2020/09)

2016 Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc, Guigal

This 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne Ermitage jumps out of the glass with notes of ripe lemons, bay leaves, incense, peach and linoleum, Very intense. Just gorgeous.

The taste is pure and powerful with notes of apricots, spices, lemon peel, dried flowers and a hint of band aid. Rich and balanced. Loooong. Great wine.

96p   (tasted 2020/09)

The Reds

2016 Santenay 1er Cru Maladière, Domaine Prieur. Brunet

A cool, red berry nose with notes of earth, herbs and ripening raspberries. Light and fine.

The taste is dry and seedy with a fine acidity and notes of dried raspberries, earth and some balsamic notes. Very good.

87p   (tasted 2020/09)

2018 Corton-Pougets, Loius Jadot

A deep, tight nose with notes of red beets, rhubarb licorice, Christmas spices and forest floor. Lots of depth. Very fine.

The taste is refined and racy with notes of sandal wood, ripe raspberries, smoke and fresh herbs. Very long. Distinct. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2020/09)

2018 Chapelle-Chambertin, Louis Jadot

A lovely, focused nose with notes of ripe raspberries, rich earth, fresh herbs and warm sand. Very deep and fine.

The taste is refined and racy with great fruit, a fine backbone, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Very handsome. Great wine! 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2020/09)

2017 Barbaresco Vigna Loreto, Albino Rocca

I tasted three Barbaresco´s from Albino Rocca earlier the same day, I will be back with a separate post on those.

2016 Barolo Gattera. Mauro Veglio

Same as above, I tasted through the whole Baroli range from Mauro Veglio, a separate post will follow.

2017 Tabuerniga, Bodega Lanzaga

A rich, spicy nose with notes of Christmas spices, cooked red fruit, asphalt and heather. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and concentrerad with notes of cranberries, asphalt and some meaty notes. Long, sturdy and warm. Very young. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2020/09)

2017 Château Lavabre La Closerie du Pic, Château Peuch-Haut

A plummy, warm nose with notes of undergrowth, tobacco and herbs. Compact and fine.

The taste is juicy and concentrated with notes of cooked fruit, scorched earth and tobacco. Very long. 6+ years

90p   (tasted 2020/09)

2017 Blue Label, Bodegas Juan Gil

A very deep, focused nose with notes of rosemary, assorted black fruits, earth and a lovely perfumed note. Very fine.

The taste is stern and steady with notes of blackberries, violets, fried nuts and moist eerth. Very balanced. Long. Really fine.

94p   (tasted 2020/09)

2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Le Riche

A young, upfront nose with notes of black currants, gravel and some clean stables. Very good.

The taste is medium bodied with notes of black currants, ink and dusty earth. Fine grained tannins.

89p   (tasted 2020/09)

2016 Galius, Union de Producteurs de Saint-Emilion

This 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc blend offers up a handsome, balanced nose with notes of plums, herbs, earth and cold coffee. Very, very good.

The taste is focused and fine with notes of plums, green raisins, forest floor and chrushed rocks. Silky tannins. A very fine mouthfeel. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2020/09)

2016 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Guigal

Oooh boy, this is good! The nose explodes from the glass with notes of plums, blackberries, black earth, matchbox, meat and a hint of toothpaste. Very complex. Just gorgeous. Very young.

The taste has everything except the added complexity that comes from maturity. Inky, irony, peppery with masses of ripe bluberries, violets and licorice. Taut tannins. Perfection in the making, just give it 10+ years.

98p   (tasted 2020/09)

1995 Château Gressier Grand Poujeaux

 
1995 Château Gressier Grand Poujeaux

This 25 year old Moulis shows of a fine mature nose with notes of fresh stables, ripe black currants, tobacco and old wood furniture. Very, very good.

The taste is perky for its age with notes of graphite, dried red and black currants and undergrowth. A silky finish. Fresh and fine. Bottles like this will go on for another 10 years.

89p   (tasted 2020/09)

Three Fine Nebbiolo´s

Notes from a dinner last weekend at friends.

1999 Barolo Bricco Viole, G. D. Vajra

A deep, fine, autumly nose with notes of red beets, Christmas spices, violets and Langhe earth. A fine floral scent. Very, very good.

The taste is still tight but beginning to get some mature notes. Spicy tannins and notes of hard cherry candy, violets, rosehips and earth. Long and fine. For drinking now and the coming 8+ years.

91p   (tasted 2020/09)

2001 Barolo, Bruno Giacosa

This started out slow (all opened and decanted just before service) but had a forward momentum all night long. The nose is high and intense with notes of red currants, furniture polish, bakelite, asphalt and dried flowers. Very deep. Lovely.

The taste is seamless, dry and focused with notes of dried red cherries, wild strawberries, dry tobacco and gravel. A fine concentration. Very long. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2020/09)

2001 Barbaresco Currà, Sottimano
A deep, tight, herbal nose with notes of forest floor, ripe cherries, chocolate licorice and tobacco. A very fine sweetness to the fruit. Balsamic. Very deep.

The taste is taut and concentrated with notes of warm sand, ripe cherries, undergrowth and asphalt. Very long. Needs time, 8+ years. Great wine. The two of us that was forced to guess blind had this as a Barolo. 

93p   (tasted 2020/09)

2018 Dolcetto From Bartolo Mascarello & Brovia

2018 Dolcetto d´Alba, Bartolo Mascarello
A direct, lovely nose with notes of fresh red currants, cranberries, incense and earth. Lively and very fine.
The taste is cool and dry with notes of spices, assorted red berries and candle grease. Silky tannins. Sooo drinkable from the get go. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2020/09)

Maria Teresa

Alex

2018 Dolcetto d´Alba Vignavillej, Brovia
Alex has fashioned a more sturdy Dolcetto with grapes from Serralunga. The nose is deep and focused with notes of blueberries, cranberries, licorice and asphalt. Very fine.
The taste is tight and structured with notes of ripe blueberries, bakelite, iron and herbs. Balanced and fine. Very fine tannins that show themselves in the finish. 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2020/09)

2016 Belguardo, Mazzei

2016 Belguardo, Mazzei
A big, rich nose with notes of ripe plums, bonfire smoke, sweet violets, lavender and polished mahogany. Very deep, upfront and satisfying.
The taste is tight and restrained with ripe black fruits, matchbox, graphite and fine tobacco. Very long. A fine structure. Need 6+ years.
Notes on 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015 Belguardo
92p   (tasted 2020/09)

Two Older Riesling Spätlese

1993 Raunthaler Baiken Riesling Spätlese, Kloster Eberbach

A fine mature nose with notes of tangerines, rubber, linoleum and some dried up honey. Very good.

The taste is dry and somewhat linear with notes of orange peel, rubber and clay. A fine acidity. A tad short.

84p   (tasted 2020/08)

1990 Schlossböckelheimer Kupfergrube Riesling Spätlese, Staatlische Weinbaudomäne
A mature, semi dry nose with notes of almond paste, orange peel, rubber boots and hints of sherry. Very good.
The taste is grassy and dry with notes of dried peaches, hay, tangerines and gravel. Medium bodied and fine.
86p   (tasted 2020/08)

74 Wines On A Monday

Vingruppen arranged their semi annual sortiment tasting last Monday. I managed to taste 74 wines (out of several hundreds). These were my highlights.

Vasse Felix always fashions a great Chardonnay, and the 2016 Heytesbury joins a long line of great wines (93p). The 2016 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling, Yalumba showed a crisp, diesel scented nose and a fresh, stony taste (91p).

From Faiveley the 2017 Rully Les Villeranges was cool and refreshing (89p) while the regular 2017 Meursault impressed with a nutty, spicy character with a long lasting taste (92p). The 2017 Meursault Charmes was more withdrawn but the quality is there with notes of grilled lemons and lavender soap, very structured (93p).

From USA these performed well - 2017 Karia Chardonnay, Stag´s Leap always delivers the goods, creamy and inviting (90p). From Sandhi the 2016 Bentrock Chardonnay displayed a racy, stony nose and a luscious, fresh taste (92p). The youngish 2018 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Kutch was my favourite with a deep, refined nose and a high, intense taste with a lovely lemon and pear note (93p)

When I poured the 2011 Casalferro I immediately noticed that the wine was cooked. It was swiftly replaced and it was singing with ripe cherries, Tuscan gravel and fresh rosemary (94p). The sad part was that one third of the first bottle had already been consumed... The 2016 Castello di Brolio displayed a cool, elegant character with serious stuffing for 6+ years of cellaring (92p).

Up next - Brunello! The 2013 Fuligni has a gorgeous sweetness to the fruit and a sturdy backbone of tannins and acidity (93p) while the 2014 Mastrojanni is willful, refined and just lovely (93p).

From USA, I was impressed by the 2016 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Sandhi which has a lovely strawberry fruit, a fine acidity and elegance (91p). The 2018 Sonoma County Pinot Noir, Kutch was equally good a fine concentration and ripe strawberry fruit (91p).

The two wines from Dana Estates really pleased my palate. The 2015 Vaso is rich and concentrated and keeping it all together in a tight package (94p). The 2014 Onda is a stunner and a truly great wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and 100% pleasure (96p),



I finished things of with some nice Burgundies. From Lucien Le Moine I thoroughly enjoyed the 2016 Pommard Les Rugiens with its sturdy structure and a fine mix of red and black fruits (92p). The 2013 Clos de la Roche displayed a more refined Pinot character with lovely strawberryfruit, forest floor and fresh herbs (94p).
The 2015 Clos des Lambrays has a lovely sweetness to the fruit, a silky mouthfeel and a great length (94p).
I tasted two wines from Domaine Perrot-Minot. The 2013 Charmes-Chambertin is a deep, structured Grand Cru with dark fruit, violets and moist earth. Very long and fine (93p). Last but definitely not least, the 2017 Vosne-Romanée Orme des Chalandins is a beauty. Really handsome and silky with perfectly ripe wild strawberries, cranberries, earth and tobacco. A lovely balance. Really fine (96p).

2017 Dolcetto d’Alba, Nada Fiorenzo

2017 Dolcetto d’Alba, Nada Fiorenzo
A deep, tight nose with a lovely sweetness to the fruit, a fine nerve and notes of violets, bonfire, ripe blueberries, smoke, matchbox and black tea. Very fine.
The taste is perfumed and handsome with notes of violets, rhubarb licorice, smoke and a sligth touch of mint. Serious. Long and fine. Perky tannins. 3+ years.
91p   (tasted 2020/09)

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba Contessa Rosalia, Mauro Sebaste

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba Contessa Rosalia, Mauro Sebaste
A earthy Dolcetto with notes of iron, blueberry bushes, bakelite and some dry tobacco notes. Structured. Very good.
The taste is dry and fine with notes of violets, blueberries, tobacco and earth. Medium bodied and long. A great pizza/pasta/salami wine.
87p   (tasted 2020/09)

2018 Langhe Nebbiolo Spetacôl, Renato Fennochio

2018 Langhe Nebbiolo Spetacôl, Renato Fennochio

When I put my nose in the glass I am transported to the beautiful hills of Piedmont. It smells of the earth and wind when you walk between the vines in the autumn. Notes of iron, red currants, paint, lavender and freshly cut mushrooms. High and fine. Very floral. Lots of tension. Lovely.

The taste is luscious and handsome with notes of lingonberries, mushrooms, iron and violets. Precise. Silky tannins. Very fine. Where did the bottle go? Have to open another one... 

The best Langhe Nebbiolo I have tasted in a while. Even better in 3-5 years.

92p   (tasted 2020/08)

2001 Barolo Pajana, Domenico Clerico

 

2001 Barolo Pajana, Domenico Clerico

Still on the young side of things, from decanting it took about four hours before it really hit its stride and, as usual, the last glass was the best. The 01 Pajana sports a deep, dark, perfumed nose with notes of black cherries, mushrooms, shoe polish, tobacco and a hint of mint. Very deep and fine. Gorgeous.

The taste is tigth and concentrated with notes of tar, dried mushrooms, hard cherry candy and Finnish licorice. Very long, luscious and lovely. 6+ years. Last tasted eight years ago.

95p   (tasted 2020/08)

Five Spätburgunder & One Burgundy

Yesterday it was - at last! - for our tasting group to start again after several months. It was my turn and I poured the following bottles. Rabbit was had with them - yummy!

2011 Ahrweiler Rosenthal Spätburgunder GG, Jean Stodden

A open, earthy and gorgeous nose with notes of ripe strawberries, sweet tobacco, dried orange peel and smoke. Very deep and fine. A hint of dog fur. Lovely.

The taste is velvety and intense with notes of dark candle grease, wild strawberries, undergrowth and smoke. Very long and earthy. A very fine acidity. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2020/08)

2011 Ihringer Winklerberg Spätburgunder GG, Dr. Heger

A deep, tight nose with notes of cranberries, warm sand, gravel and tobacco. At first, also a interesting note of rotten fish that disappeared. Very, very good.

The taste is high and focused with notes of ripe lingonberries, cherry pips, earth and dried herbs. Long. Needs some years in the cellar.

91p   (tasted 2020/08)

2011 Klingenberg Schlossberg Spätburgunder GG, Rudolf Fürst

A cool, multi layered nose with notes of ripe lingonberries, sloe berries, shoe cream, smoke and dried strawberries, A very fine dry sweetness. Great.

The taste is seedy and intense with notes of dried raspberries, Christmas spices, lavender and moist earth. A very fine acidity. Very promising, 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/08)

2014 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Village, Domaine des Tilleuls

A high, pure nose with notes of ripening rapberries, Lily of the Valley, red licorice and minerals. A lovely perfumed scent. Lovely.

The taste is still young with a gorgeous, crisp red fruit, a very fine acidity and a long, balanced finish. Notes of ripe lingonberries, dry tobacco and incense. Very, very fine. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2020/08)

2012 Hochheim Reichestal Spätburgunder GG, Künstler

A large scaled, somewhat foursquare nose with notes of dry raspberries, iron, licorice and a little more than a hint of oak, the only one where the oak stood out.

The taste is big and steady with notes of raspberry candy, earth, smoke and oak. Long and warm. Good.

85p   (tasted 2020/08)

2012 Schnaiter Burghalde Spätburgunder GG, Karl Haidle

A deep, tight nose with notes of matchbox, ripe raspberries, fresh herbs, wet asphalt and lavender. A very fine depth. Still young.

The taste is backward and focused with notes of iron, ripe raspberries, wild strawberries, undergrowth and dried flowers. Very long. Classy but needs time, 6+ years. 

92p   (tasted 2020/08)

2004 Barbaresco Vigna Rongallo, Orlando Abrigo

2004 Barbaresco Vigna Rongallo, Orlando Abrigo

Last tasted 2,5 years ago, this hasn’t budged much, still displaying a deep, maturing nose with notes of cranberries, red cherries, red tea, forest floor and a hint of mint. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied and elegant with notes of sand, licorice, dried red cherries and tobacco. Long and silky. Very fine. Drink now and the coming 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/08)

2019 Dolcetto d’Alba, Renato Fenocchio

2019 Dolcetto d’Alba, Renato Fenocchio

A fresh, frisky, nose with notes of blueberry bushes, violets, shoe polish and gravel. Juicy and fine.

The taste is perky and refreshing with notes of ripe blueberries, fresh herbs and asphalt. Crisp tannins. Highly likeable and easy to gulp down a bottle. 

87p   (tasted 2020/08)

A Great Trio From Louis Roederer - 2014 Rosé, 2013 Blanc de Blancs & 2012 Cristal Rosé

Vinunic invited to a Corona safe tasting with a lovely trio of bottles from Louis Roederer.

2014 Rosé

An upfront, handsome and elegant nose with notes of red currants, wild strawberries, licorice and lots of chrushed rocks. Highly enjoyable.

The taste is creamy and rich with notes of rapberry licorice, red currants and some smoky notes. A very fine cleansing acidity. Perfect for drinking now and the coming 10 years. 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Chardonnay.

92p   (tasted 2020/08)

2013 Blanc de Blancs

A deep, multi layered nose with notes of white currants, eraser, chives and cap gun smoke. Refined. Very, very fine.

The taste is rather broad shouldered with a high acidity and notes of grilled lemons, smoke, dried up lemon curd and matchbox. Very long and lovely. I would wait 5+ years before open a bottle. These wines ages gracefully as this tasting of Roederer´s Blanc de Blancs 1998-2011 shows.

95p   (tasted 2020/08)

2012 Cristal Rosé

Just wow! I tasted  2012 Cristal earlier this year and it was fantastic, but the Rosé is even better! The nose is seamless and bottomless deep with toe-tingling notes of perfectly ripe wild strawberries, birch leaves, summer flowers, warm sand, lavender soap and a thousand other scents. Impressive and hauntingly beautiful.

This beauty flows effortless over the palate with everything in place. A racy acidity, gorgeous fruit, perfectly balanced. Long, long, long. Absolutely fabolous. Resistence is futile! Just wait (if you can...) 8+ years for perfection.

98p   (tasted 2020/08)

1993 & 1996 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigneto Bric Sant´Ambrogio, Eredi Lodali

1993 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigneto Bric Sant´Ambrogio, Eredi Lodali

Mature, but not overly so, with notes of cranberries, iron, gravel and a nice aroma of dried strawberries.

The taste is linear and dry with notes of dried blueberries, ink and undergrowth. A decent lenght. Works well with some creamy food. Drink now.

84p   (tasted 2020/08)

1996 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigneto Bric Sant´Ambrogio, Eredi Lodali

The three year older version is much more alive and kicking. A tight, rather deep nose with notes of mature blueberries, damsons, fir, cigarette ashes and iron. Very, very good. Sturdy.

The taste is tight and seedy with notes of dried blueberries, cherry pips, sand and bakelite. Still some inky tannins. Long. For drinking now and the coming 8+ years.

88p   (tasted 2020/08)

1997 Profile, Merryvale

1997 Profile, Merryvale

I last tasted this beauty six years ago. The bottle tonight had maybe matured a bit but not much, so owners of any bottles (I don´t have any left) can look forward to 10+ years of prime time drinking.

The nose is deep, perfumed and lovely with notes of ripe blac currants, dark chocolate, mahogany and expensive tobacco. Very, very fine.

The taste is ripe and concentrated with velvety tannins and sweet black currant fruit alongisde notes of warm tiles, chocolate biscuits and graphite. Very, very long. Drinking beautifully.

95p   (tasted 2020/08)

2008 Barolo Vigna Conca, Mauro Molino

2008 Barolo Vigna Conca, Mauro Molino

This 12 year old Barolo shows of a lovely, deep, ripe nose with notes of black cherries, Finnish licorice, red beets, fried mushrooms and tobacco. Lots of character. Very, very good.

The taste is upfront, tight and concentrated with notes of forest floor, black cherries, tobacco and warm tiles. A hint of maturity. Very long. Rich. 6+ years. 

92p   (tasted 2020/08)

2018 Verduno Pelaverga Speziale, Fratelli Alessandria

 

2018 Verduno Pelaverga Speziale, Fratelli Alessandria

I tasted this last in January - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2020/01/2018-pelaverga-gian-carlo-burlotto.html - and it behaves the same, a nose with notes of red currants, white pepper and the cool scent of old church benches. Very, very good.

The taste is young and fresh with white pepper spiced red currants and lingonberries, earth and incense. A fine acidity. A lovely drink in this summer heat.

Interesting enough, the tasting note from January (above) is the fourth most viewed page ever on my blog with 2.080 views as of tonight.

88p   (tasted 2020/08)

2010 Meursault Genevrieres, Louis Jadot

 2010 Meursault Genevrieres, Louis Jadot

A big and bold nose with fine notes of toasted bread, lemon fudge, flint, hay and a seashell sweetness. Very deep and fine. Only a hint of maturity.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of grilled lemons, flint, butter cookies and fried nuts. Very, very long. A fine acidity. Still on the young side of things, 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2020/08)

2010 Vigorello, San Felice

 

2010 Vigorello, San Felice

A deep, fine, still young nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, dark roses, fresh rosemary, tobacco and a high balsamic note. Very, very good.

The taste is sandy and fine with notes of ripe red cherries, dry licorice, graphite and herbs. Long and fine. Silky tannins. 4+ years. 

Looking forward to an upcoming vertical tasting of Vigorello, starting with the first vintage ever, the 1968.

91p   (tasted 2020/08)

2015 Brunello di Montalcino, Col d´Orcia

2015 Brunello di Montalcino, Col d´Orcia

I have tasted a fair amount of vintages from Col d´Orcia (see below) and the 2015 is by far the best regular vintage from this estate (not counting the Riserva Poggio Al Vento).

The nose is deep and seamless with notes of sweet/sour cherries, furniture polish, fresh rosemary, bakelite and a hint of chili. Very complex and fine.

The taste is tight and sandy with fine grained tannins and lovely notes of ripe black cherries, salt licorice, fine tobacco and Tuscan gravel. Very long. Classy. 6+ years. For 28 Euro this is one to back the truck up for. I will (and already have…). Third bottle drunk.

93p   (tasted 2020/08)

1975, 1977, 1980 Brunello & 1985 Brunello Riserva

1999, 2004 & 2007 Brunello

2006 Brunello

2007 Brunello

2010 & 2012 Brunello

1982 & 2004 Brunello Riserva Poggio Al Vento

1985, 1990, 1995, 2001 & 2007 Brunello Riserva Poggio Al Vento

2008 Brunello Riserva Poggio Al Vento

2013 Neptuni, Wannborga

2013 Neptuni, Wannborga

A Swedish wine - not my every day drinking. This 57% Rondo, 31% Leon Millet and 12% Regent sports a medium deep, high pitched nose with notes of mustard, matchbox, dried herbs and earth. Reminds me of a (over)mature Bordeaux from time to time.

The taste is dry and a tad foursquared with notes of dry chocolate, dried tomatoes, red apples and ink. Medium long. Very good. Not worth the 22 Euro tariff though. Info here (in Swedish): http://wannborga.se/)

85p   (tasted 2020/08)