1912 Verdelho

1912 D'Oliveiras Verdelho;

Brown with orange green rim, intense as few, almonds, roasted nuts, grapey notes, caramel, minerals, leafs, tea, both black and green, dried apricots, figs, so complex it's almost impossible to describe. Acidity is perfection, so lively and powerfull, makes you're tongue dance in pure joy, so refreshing, yet still so old and ancient, extremmely long finish, last's for minutes on end. I remember the first time I tasted this wine, and I was mindblown by it's freshness, the 1912 Verdelho. The year both of my grand mother's were born actually! That gives it some perspective, doesn't it? Now, many years later, I'm mindblown again by it's freshness, it still manages to catch me off guard, even after several tastings. It's almost like the island itself, with the flavours as complex and different as the landscape, and the acidity like the steep mountains and cliffs, charging up from the sea. Perfect! I hope it will surprise me once more, because I'm out of stock! 95

08 Mugnier Clos Marechale

2008 Mugnier, Nuits-St-Georges, Clos de la Marechale;
Bright ruby, wild strawberries, some spices and vanilla, even floral touch, leather hint, very pure and open now. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and elegant, drink right now while young and seductive, or forget ten years. 91

99 Di Gresy Camp Gros

1999 Marchesi di Gresy, Barbaresco Martinenga, Camp Gros;
Bright ruby, leather, tar, some roses and violets, even cherries. Immence acidity, high of ripe tannins, not as powerfull as some vintages and has lost it's baby fat somehow, very long length, starting to drink very nicely. 91

07 Schloss Johannisberger Silberlack

2007 Schloss Johannisberg, Riesling Silberlack EG;
Pale straw yellow, extremelly closed as usual, needs decanting, apples, minerals, some lemons and hints of tropical fruits. Elegant, perfect balance, body has started to open up a bit, seems to widen with age, very elegant, perfect balance and long finish. It seems it's starting to show a tiny hint of where it's heading, and it will be even more gorgeous. 92

03 Niepoort LBV

2003 Niepoort LBV;
Deep ruby, dark berries and fruits, Christmas spices, cinamon, nuts and white chocolate. Very fresh and lively, pure, elegant and refreshing, long length. The best LBV? 91

04 Taylor's LBV

2004 Taylor's LBV
Deep ruby, some alcohol slightly overshadowing the dark berries and fruits on the nose. Good acidity, nice balance, alcohol does not show in the mouth luckily, on the sweet side, fruitwise, elegant long length. 89

95 Coutet

1995 Château Coutet;
Golden, botrytis, apricots, some vanilla, apples, grapes, elegant fruit, pineapple. Fresh acidity, complex, nice balance, slightly bitter finish, more together the day after, elegant and long finish. 90

06 Peter Nicolay WS Spätlese

2006 Peter Nicolay, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Riesling Spätlese;
Pale straw yellow, raspberries, honney, minerals and canned apple. Fresh acidity, nice balance, elegant, honney and apricots in finish, very elegant balance between acidity and sweetness, good length. 87

07 Spreitzer Kabinett

2007 Spreitzer, Oestricher Lenchen Riesling Kabinett;
Pale straw yellow, minerals, lime, lemon, ripe and fruity, but not too intense, seems to have closed up a bit. Good acidity and balance, raspberry touch and yellow apples, elegant, refreshing finish. 88

06 Baron 'Arques

2006 Baron 'Arques, Limoux;
Deep ruby, more spices and herbs, like a Provence summer evening, dark fruits and cassis. Fresh acidity, again massive ripe tannins that needs time, leave in the cellar for some years more. 87

07 Baron 'Arques

2007 Baron 'Arques, Limoux;
Dark ruby, more open, spices, herbs, floral over dark berries and fruits. Exotic, yet elegant. Fresh, lively acidity, ripe tannins, more open and elegant body than 08 at this point, just a bit short length. 85

08 Baron 'Arques

2008 Baron 'Arques, Limoux;
Deep ruby, very closed, needed a few hours to open, spices, herbs, dark fruits, spicy and almost piney.... Elegant, leanish body, good acidity, ripe and enormous tannins, needs time in the cellar, good length and fresh finish. 86

09 Baron 'Arques Chardonnay

2009 Baron 'Arques, Le Chardonnay, Limoux;
Pale lemon yellow, fruity, some apples, lime, yellow fruits, creamy and elegant texture, slightly fleshy body, nuts, butter and slightly warm finish. 78

01 Potensac

2001 Château Potensac;
Deep ruby, leather, licquorice, vanilla touch, cedar, spices, starting to mature, some prunes showing as well. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, slightly lean finish. 86

08 Potensac

2008 Château Potensac;
Dark ruby, young, needs time to open, dark berries and vanilla, more classical with air. Fresh, lovely balance, ripe tannins, elegant body, tannins a bit rough at the moment, needs a few years, a bit short at the moment. Keep five years before opening. 86

05 Vinha Paz Reserva

2005 Vinha Paz Reserva; (Dao)
Deep ruby, spices, dark fruits, chocolate and morellos, almost peppery touch. Good acidity, fresh feel to it, elegant body, has finally lost that extreme oak that it had when young, still some far back in the aftertaste, leave for another year in the cellar. 88

07 Senejac

2007 Château Senejac;
Ruby, floral, almost seductive nose in a way. Has a hint of that green and herbal so typical for the vintage, but very balanced and elegant, fresh, almost mouthwatering and ok length. What a little treit. 82

02 Lilian Ladouys

2002 Château Lilian Ladouys;
Deep ruby, blackcurrants, leather, paprika, blueberries and vanilla. Elegant texture, good texture and body, nice acidity and maturing tannins, slightly sour cherries in the finish. 83

Stylistically typical Médoc for a very decent price.

01 Tenuta Carette

2001 Tenuta Carette, Barbaresco;
Deep ruby, lots of tar, some roses and dark berries with anis. Good acidity, ripe tannins, on the more elegant side for Barbaresco, still gripping, elegant and good length. 85

Awfull sweet wines, what are they thinking?

2005 Peck, Zantho, Eiswein, Burgenland;
Golden, the most plump wine I've tasted in years, with no complexity or length. 39

2006 Peck, Zantho, Beerenauslese, Burgenland;
Golden, a hint of acidity, but still just boring, through and through. 41

Still, better than most Bag in Box.......

Beautifully balanced Chateauneuf for once

2004 André Brunel Les Cailloux, Chateauneuf du Pape;
Ruby, sweet anis, plums, and dark fruits. Meaty, well hung game, vanilla and touch of spices (after about two hours in decanter). Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mellow and elegant, licquorice touch, served a bit on the cool side (my fault) but that really did not matter, the mos elegant Chateauneuf in years, with no signs of the 14% alcohol. 91

03 Osvaldo Viberti Barolo

2003 Osvaldo Viberti, Barolo Serra dei Turchi;
(Magnum) Deep ruby, violets and roses, touch of tar, fruity with red berries and licquorice with more air. Good acidity and ripe tannins, more balanced and easy drinking style than many, still has correct flavours, good length, do not keep too long, drinking well now and for some years more. 84

02 Michelot Meursault Genevrieres

2002 Domaine Michelot, Meursault 1er Cru Genevrieres;
(Magnum) Pale lemon yellow. Closed first, flint, lemon and smokey touch, minerals, opens up after decanting, but needed 30-40 minutes. Fresh acidity, medium body, refreshing and mouthwatering lemon feel, with slightly bitter touch at the end, elegant structure, good length. 84

06 Le Moine Puligny Champ Gain

2006 Lucien Le Moine, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain;
Pale lemon yellow, lots of vanilla minerals and flint. Butter, lemon and spices on the palate, a bit much toast in the finish, oaky, butter and popcorn finish. Still a bit much oak, but this is the best Le Moine this year. 88

1966 PG, Mosel

1966er Bischöfliches Konvikt Trier, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Auslese;
Good fill, but cork went into bottle hardly touching it with the pulltap. Deep golden colour, orange hue, dried aprocots and apples, not very complex, ok acidity, oxidized touch, short finish. 60

Grapevariety unknown.

99 Fieuzal Blanc

1999 Château de Fieuzal Blanc;
Lemon yellow, lemons, vanilla, tropical and intense minerality with some mustard. Pure, fresh acidity, flinty, intense, slightly bitter mid palate, elegant long finish. Drinking beautifully now. 92

1957 Dr.Pauly Bergweiler BL Riesling Naturrein

1957 Dr-Pauly Bergweiler, Bernkasteler Lay, Riesling Naturrein;
(Directly from the cellar of the estate) Golden colour, fill only 3 cm below cork. Cork in very good condition. Lemons, ripe apples and a touch of honney. Difficult to pinpoint the aromas as this is a wine of grace more than intencity, it barely whispers to you, but how seductive and flirting it does it. Elegant, pure, fresh acidity, a bit lean, hay and rotting apples, with nice mineral finish with very long finish. 92

09 Dr Pauly Bergewiler BB Kabinett

2009 Dr.Pauly Bergweiler, Bernkasteler Badstube, Riesling Kabinett;
Pale straw yellow, apples, some minerals and citrus, needs some minutes to open. Fresh acidity, pure, elegant, not too complex but showwing it's beauty in the pureness and clen style. 83

If I have understood correctly, made by ungrafted Riesling vines, and possibly the last vintage ever made from these wines, what a shame!

88 Latour

1988 Château Latour;
(Bottle directly from cellars of Latour, fill only 3mm below cork and cork absolutelly untouched by age) Bright ruby, some herbal notes of the vintage and paprika, lots of blackcurrants, leather, tobacco, refined and pure, extremelly complex. True thoroughbred. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, very good balance, texture like snow falling, led and pencil shave in beautifull finish. 93

1988 Château Latour;
Herbal, green and paprika, leather, vanilla, prunes, mint, now so complex it's hard to describe, anis, even leafy touch and cigars and cedar on top of the above. Perfect balance, fresh acidity, after five hours all the green notes are gone and the length is never ending. The best 88 Bordeaux I've tasted! 95

To decant or not, part three

2004 Cordero de Montezemolo, Barolo Monfalletto;
Ruby, tar, roses, licquorice, vanilla hint and violets. Beautifull aromas. High acidity, ripe tannins, nicely balanced, mouthwatering and long finish. 88

3 hours decanting as before.
Sweet notes, not nearly as elegant, tar, roses and anis, vanilla and notes gone, but so are the beautifull and nuanced notes of violets and other floral highnotes. 86

To decant or not, part two

2005 Duckhorn, Napa Valley Merlot;
Deep ruby, chocolate, vanilla, blackberries, coffee and mocca. Sweetish fruits, ok acidity, ripe tannins, good length. 86

3 hours decanted, left in cool room as before.
Swwt feel, plums, blueberries, anis and vanilla, alcohol shows, ok acidity and tannins, sweeter and bigger with air, lacks nuances.... 79

To decant or not, part one

Here is the same wine before, and after decanting, and teher is differences, not always possitive.....

2006 Felettig Chambolle-Musigny;
Bright ruby, red berries, vanilla and leafy notes mixed with spices. Good acidity, tannic grip, not all of them ripe, some green and herbal notes again, ok length. 84

After two hours and 45 min in decanter, left in a cool room (15 degrees C)
Strawberry jam, spices and cinamon, still brutal tannins and raw, but more nuanced, not necessarily better.... 85

1988 Molitor

1988 Markus Molitor, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, Riesling Spätlese Trocken;
(magnum) Towards golden, petroleum, old notes, very developed. Good acidity, honney, still feels flat and short finish. Overrated winery.... 77

06 Dönnhoff

2006 Dönnhoff, Delchen Riesling Trocken;
(magnum) Pale lemon yellow, some lemon, apple, citrus and minerlas. High acidity, balanced, tropical notes to balance acidity, not the most complex Riesling, but elegant. 83

06 Fongraves

2006 Château Fongraves;
Deep ruby, some sweet blueberries, eucalyptus, touch of raspberry at first and vanilla touch. Fruitdriven, easygoing, quite elegant structure, nice acidity, and tannic structure, ok length. 77

1967 Yquem, the legend

1967 Château d'Yquem;

Fill bottom neck, very deep, almost amber colour with cognac hue. (picture is darker than actual colour because of lighting in the room) Caramel, botrytis, apricots, burnt banana, even slightly salty like a rainy seaside morning. Also raisins, ripe grapes, but caramel overshadows a bit. The acidity is pure perfection, so fres and lively, cleansing and pure, intense wine, big somehow, a touch of citrus to refreshen. Fantastic wine, the length is superb, great but still slightly dissapointing. After one hour, more subtle and elegant, even better balance, caramel not so show off and dried apricots and raisins. 95-96

Hill of disgrace

1998 Henschke Hill of Grace Eden Valley Shiraz;
Deep ruby, sweet vanilla, blackberries and if I'm kind, some floral highnotes. Almost charcoal and smokey touch. Again this boringly low acidity that make the wine even sweeter, overripe tannins that cannot hold any structure, like lazy teenagers who can't stand upright, plump, and Mike is still trying, and still failing....... 79

Hole of Grace

1996 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley Shiraz;
Deep ruby, eucalyptus, some sweet notes and fruits with a touch of tobacco. Lacks acidity, some ripe tannins, boringly sweet, almost plump and nowhere near refreshing, like a 8€ Crozes from a bad producer. Mike Tyson trying on pantyhose, still not working out very well...... 77

Hell of Grace

1993 Henschke Hill of Grace, Keyneton Shiraz;

Deep ruby. Sweet anis and plums, cassis, intense and BIG. Extemelly sweet and alcoholic nose and the alcohol is not showing that well in the mouth, but it's so sweet and unrefined, just blockbuster. Mike Tyson trying on a ballet dancer's outfit, it just doesn't work out that way. 73

1989 Château Margaux

1989 Château Margaux;

Absolute perfect fill, 5 mm below cork. Ruby, tobacco and o touch of floral notes. Extremelly closed. After one hour it starts to open revealing tobacco, leather, blackcurrants, roses and violets, refind, elegant and subtle. High of ripe tannins, like silky snow in the mouth, refreshing yet subtle acidity, almost velvety texture, a beautifull wine, opened but not decanted three and a half hours before serving, and still needed two hours to open fully in the glass, and it became astonishing. If you finished it early, maybe a 92, if you waited, and just let it open in the glass, 95 with a possible higher potential. Keep another ten years or more.

96 Beychevelle

1996 Château Beychevelle;
Ruby, hard and young. Tobacco, cigars, somewhat closed and you feel it want's to tell more. Good acidity, ripe tannins, long length, needs time. Wait another five years, maybe more. 89

88 Beychevelle

1988 Château Beychevelle;
Bright ruby, vanilla and some spices, dark fruits, raw tobacco, some green and herbal notes and a touch astringent, typical of the vintage. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit young and slightly hollow mid palate, nice texture, good length. 87

86 Beychevelle, a beauty!

1986 Château Beychevelle;

Deep ruby, blackcurrants, floral, cigars, cinamon, spices, strawberries, anis and sweet tobacco. Intense, complex and pure. Perfect acidity and balance, the tannins are ripe, beautifull texture, long finish. 86 is way better than 82 at yet another château. 93

82 Beychevelle

1982 Château Beychevelle;
Bottom neck fill, figs, licquorice, plums, violets and vanilla. Fruity body, cooler fruits on palate than nose, and you actually just enjoy this wine so much that you forget to write anything sensible about it. Can keep, drinking perfectly now. 89

78 Beychevelle

1978 Château Beychevelle;
Above mid shoulder, C level fill. Ruby with thin brick rim. Cedar, anis, cassis, herbs, red paprika, even some violets and leather. Ok acidity, ripe and little tannins left, ok finish. More complex than last bottle, similar in texture. 85

76 Beychevelle

1976 Château Beychevelle;
B elevel fill, very top shoulder. Bright ruby, leather, prunes, leaf, anis, herbal and sweet tobacco. Good acidity, highish tannins, short finish. 77

72 Beychevelle

1972 Château Beychevelle;
Bottom neck fill. Bright ruby, orange rim. Leather, prunes, leafy, with touch of cigars. Good acidity, some dry tannins, short finnish, somehow velevety texture. 73

67 Beychevelle

1967 Château Beychevelle;
Top shoulder, Mähler-Besse bottle. Really bright ruby, lean, metallic, then anis after five minutes with more herbal and bell peppers and blackcurrants. Lean body, ok acidity but short, only acidity keeps on. 73

1959 Château Beychevelle

1959 Château Beychevelle;

Above mid shoulder fill (C) Ruby with brick rim, truffles, tea, mint, hint of blackcurrants. Good acidity, some tannins left, a bit lean body, more fruit, not too complex, fruit driven, playfull acidity, good but not long length. 85

Wine archeology: 1921 Mouton Rothschild?

1921 Château Mouton Rothschild?;

Note on the bottle states 1921 Mouton Rothschild, second Grand Cru. Label badly damaged, half a castle barely visible, resembling that on Lynch Bages label on top of label, and below MOU N ROTHS LD barely readable and Rothschild arrows show in bottom left corner (see pic 3). Mid shoulder fill, nothing stated or visible on old and soaked cork. Rubyish colour with orange rim. Pencil, cedar and whiff of leather, anis with some fine Earl Grey tea notes. Fresh acidity, thin body and palate, but the acidity carries it like a nerve holding it together, hollow, lean and short finish. 80

Deffinitely an old Médoc, and likely to be Pauillac, maybe even Mouton. Vintage was not or barelly visible initially, but after extremmely carefull cleaning of the label, 19 and space and then 1 can be seen if not clearly, it's visible. (Se pictures one and two) In the 2 space there are spots of colour in places that would be natural for a number two. All the three different hand vritten notes on the bottle states 1921, with one of them also stating Mähler-Besse. Bottle is likely to be hand blown as there is lots of air bubbles and its not even surface. No signs of two halves glued together.

1969 DRC Richebourg

1969 Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Richebourg;

J.-L.-P. Lebègne & Co Ltd London, bottle no 07468, fill 6,4 com bellow cork. Garnet with almost orange rim, nuts, sweet & sour sauce, leaf and iodine. Lean body, lacking everything. Faulty storage? More experienced old Burgundy taster sitting next to me was shure about this.

59 Vosne-Romanée

1959 Patriarche Vosne-Romanée;
Fill 4 cm below cork. Bright garnet with orange rim. Earthy, some metall, touch of coffee and a wiff of red berries dissapearing as quicly as it came. Ok acidity, some drying tannins, lacks fruit and short finish. 70

04 Milan Terres de Noel

2004 Milan, Terres de Noel Brut;
Pale straw yellow, small bubbles. Very young and almost fully closed, just some butter and minerals. Crisp and lean at the moment, needs time. 85 now, will deffenitely improve a lot with a few years cellaring.

Doquet Extra Brut BdB

Pascal Doquet Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut NV;
Pale straw yellow, tiny bubbles. Crisp, apply and minerals, almost bitter, not very complex and ok length. A bit to dry for the body, giving a acidic and slightly unballanced feel to it. Much better Champagne is made by this estate. 80

04 JJ Christoffel Erben Eiswein

2004 Joh.Jos.Christoffel Erben, Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Eiswein;
Golden, apples, tropical, yellow plums and some minerals. Mindblowing perfection between acidity and sweetness, so refreshing and the flavours go crazy in the mouth, carried by the acidity, shattering like glass with honney as glue. Fantastic and very long length. 94

78 Duhart-Milon-Rothschild

1978 Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild;
Bright ruby, thin orange rim. Green tea, hint of cigars, prunes and raisins, not very intense. Ok acidity, tannins gone, slightly towards metall, lean body and short finish. 68

I have no experience with older wines from this estate, but I haven't tasted such a old flavoured and behaving 78 unless it's had bad storage, so that could easily be it.

64 Brane Cantenac

1964 Château Brane Cantenac;
Soaked cork, C level fill. Ruby colour, earthy and rotting leaf aromas, lean and acidic. Storage is likely to have been poor.

Alcohol bomb

2005 Dominio de Atauta;
(Ribera del Duero) Black colour! Sweet licquorice, vanilla, alcohol and artificial blueberries. Ok acidity, high of ripe tannins, sweet, unballanced and alcoholic. There was no chance on could finish the bottle, far to unpleasant. Over extracted and horrible...... 55

05 Vinha Paz

2005 Vinha Paz, Colheita,
(Dao) Rark ruby, spicy and vanilla, chocolate and dark fruits. Good acidity, ripe tannins, velvety texture, ripe, elegant, complex and good length. 88

05 Gresy Martinenga

2005 Marchesi de Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga;
Beautifull bright red, tar and roses, touch of vanilla, licquorice, settled down since last bottle, more in focus and better put together now, even elegant in style. High acidity and high of ripe tannins, balanced, and long length. Wait another few years. 89

07 Latour trio

2007 Château Latour;
Ruby, vanilla, blackcurrants, leather again closed. Fresh, elegant, good acidity, a wall of ripe tannins and fresh, long finish. Not a big Latour, but I find it very typical in flavours and structure. 93

Very interesting excersize to taste taste all tre levels of wines from Latour side by side, and the selections made. All are very Pauillac on flavours, even if very closed at this stage. Structure, complexity and length is very different.

07 Les Forts de Latour

2007 Les Forts de Latour;
(2nd Ch. Latour) Ruby, vanilla and dark berries, blackcurrants and good intensity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, very elegant, again somewhat closed, long length. 90

07 Paulliac de Latour

2007 Pauillac de Latour
(3rd Ch.Latour) Ruby, elegant, a bit closed, mostly vanilla and blackcurrants at this stage. Good acidity, fresh fruits, very ripe tannins, good length. 80

01 Lynch Bages

2001 Château Lynch Bages;
Ruby, cedar, tobacco, blackcurrants, ripe fruits, plums, complex and marvelous nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering, great texture, long length. Classy Pauillac, starting to drink well, will easily last another ten fifteen years. 92-93

01 Haut-Bages Averous

2001 Château Haut-Bages Averous;
Ruby, maturing nose, very complex, leather, blackcurrants, plums and prunes. Very elegant, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, maturing very nicely, good and fresh finish with some sour cherries. 88

02 Cos

2002 Château Cos d'Estournel;
Ruby, starting maturation, plums, leather, touch of blackcurrants and coffee with vanilla overtones. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, very elegant, great texture and good length. Again more elegant and less "over" ripe style of Cos, I preffer this style, some are just a bit too sweet and big. 92

07 Cos of elegance

2007 Château Cos d'Estournel;
Ruby, fresh, ripe red and darker fruits. Fresh acidity, elegant tannins, some vanilla, refreshing, nice texture, a more elegant and fresher style of Cos. 91

07 Yquem

2007 Château d'Yquem;
Pale golden, lots of apricots, some vanilla, apples and botrytis. Fantastic purity, balance and acidity, very elegant, increadible freshness, honney, somewhat leaner body than most Yquem's so feels even more refreshing, very long finish. 94

02 Guiraud

2002 Château Guiraud;
Golden yellow, pure, botrytis, vanilla and honney over tropical fruit and orange, refreshing acidity, very clean, good length, apple peal towards finish, long length. 90

97 Tertre Roteboeuf

1997 Château Tertre Roteboeuf;
Deep ruby, garnet rim. Some plums, licquorice, cherries, touch of black tea and coffee beans. Sour cherries and fresh fruit, tannins starting to fade, refreshing acidity, drinking very well now, elegant, long finish. 90

1986 Tertre Roteboeuf

1986 Château Tertre Roteboeuf;
Bright ruby with brick rim and lots of sediments. A beauty on the nose, licquorice, cherries, redcurrants, stable and fine leather. Good acidity, ripe tannins, maturing nicely, very complex, a Barolo of a Bordeaux, almost rose petals, long finish. 94

07 Roc de Cambes

2007 Roc de Cambes;
Bright ruby, slightly closed. Elegant of tobacco, chocolate, blue- and blackberries underneath and a very slight red paprika touch. Very good acidity, great texture, ripe tannins and lots of them, very good length. 92

06 Tertre Roteboeuf

2006 Château Tertre Roteboeuf;
Bright ruby, a bit closed closed, needs time to open, dark berries. Great structure, very lively acidity, very elegant, flavourfull, fresh, velvety texture, refreshing and very long finish. Wait at least ten years. 94

04 Tertre Roteboeuf

2004 Château Tertre Roteboeuf;
Bright ruby, red rim. Coffee, blackberries and vanilla. Young and closed at the moment. The elegance of the vintage, fresh acidity, slightly leaner body, lots of ripe tannins,very elegant fruit, mouthwatering and long finish. Getting better and more subtle now than just a few years back, remarkable wine from a remarkable man. 94

07 Domaine de l'Aurage

2007 Domaine de l'Aurage;
(Côte de Castillon) Bright ruby, chocolate and vanilla, blueberries and some coffee. Elegant texture, soft and gripping at the same time, pure fruit, acidity cleans well, ripe tannins, good length. 89

Rosj-Bass

2007 Gaja Rosj-Bass;
Pale straw yellow. Very sweet citrus and raspberry on the nose, with more melon, tropical and honney below. Good acidity, quite good balance except for a bit warm alcohol and tiny caramelly finish. A good wine that probably could, and deffinitelly could have been better. 83

07 Dom. Chevalier Blanc

2007 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc;
Pale lemon yellow, with lemon, orange peel and blossoms, minerals, lychee and almost smokey flint in an elegant manner. Crisp acidity, perfect elegance, mouthwatering and so fresh with gorgeous mineral and citrus finish with increadible length. So young, and such a beauty. 96

Gorgeous 04 Yquem as well!

2004 Château d'Yquem;
Golden, elegant of honney, melon, apricots and a touch of vanilla, very seductive. Such elegance, a BA of an Yquem, very fresh and lively, then eases down into perfect balance and huge complexity, transparent in the very best meaning, mouthwatering, layers upon layers, almost like mystic music and a fantastic long finish. 96

Gorgeous 04 Rieussec

2004 Château Rieussec;
Golden, botrytis, apples, pineapples, peach, vanilla, so complex and elegant. Fantastic acidity, my lasting issue with Rieussec, and here it balances the sweetness perfectly. Amazing texture, kind of fat, but that acidity just playing around, carrying flavours of different tropical fruits. Gorgeous! 95

Petit Cheval

2006 Le Petit Cheval;
(2nd Ch. Ceval Blanc) Deep ruby, coffee, vanilla, plums, cherries with lots of blue- and blackberries. Very elegant and balanced, fresh acidity, elegant tannins, structure is elegant, very long length. Flirting allready, but I would wait..... 89

Greek grape varieties.

Today I got a mail from a Greek wine estate wondering if this would be interesting for us to work with. I work for an importer specialising in Bordeaux, and Bordeaux only, so no, it wouldn't.

But I'm not casting it all over board for that reason, because personally I find Greek wine and grape varieties extremelly interesting. Some varieties like Agiorgitiko, Mavrodaphne and Assyrtiko can make some really interesting wines, with a lot of personality and typicity. The mail of today had some new varieties that is not of those I can taste when I read their names. That makes me very curious......

A red variety, Kotsifali, cultivated to a great extent around Heraklion on Crete, often mixed with other varieties because of low acidity and unstable colour.

The next out was Vilana, the most "famous" of the white varieties of Crete, ripens mid September with high acidity and moderate artic richness. Growing around Rethymnon and Chania, I find this curious, it's so hot there, and still it manages to attain high acidity.

Then came Dafni, something for Broadbent's wife maybe? Grown around Heraklion and the plains of Lassithi, it's of moderate acidity and fruity flavours and ripens in September.

Mandilari, the richest in colour of the Aegean varieties, ripening late September, with medium to low alcohol, moderate acidity and rich in tannins.

Now Plyto, white variety, lively and susceptible to botrytis and matures in early September with moderate acidity.

I have heard of some of them, but they haven't really attached to my mind. But I have to say, they would be interesting to taste. What are their potential? I hope the financial situation in Greece does not put on to big a break for the wine industry of the country, because there are some treasures to still be found, i'm shure. Go explore on your next holliday trip, and spend some money, not just buy the house wine for 3€ at the local restaurant, it clearly won't be that exciting, or any good at all. But explore, be curious! I remember having a good waitor at a restaurant just outside Chania ones, who made me pay 30€ for Gaia Estate Agiorgitiko. This was about six to seven years ago, and I thought, wait, I can find a good Bordeaux for that kind of money, and this is Greek!

But the wine was of real class, and I have never looked back, and many more positive surprises have been tasted since.

08 Saint-Romain

2008 Potel Saint-Romain;
Pale straw yellow, some tropical and citrus fruits over minerals and some flint. Good acidity, well balanced, elegant, not too complex, but very refreshing and good length. 86

02 Peyre Rose

2002 Peyre Rose, Clos des Cistes;
Deep ruby, spicy nose with dark fruit, chocolate and a touch of coffee. Good acidity, ripe tannins, fruitdriven. complex and elegant, good length. Very young still, keep a few more years. Perfection served with deer. 89

06 Lynch Bages

2006 Château Lynch Bages;
Quite the oposite of the 67. This is so young it hurts to open a bottle. Anyway. Ruby, dark fruits, very elegant and deep somehow. Seductive, flirting, deep, like a Goth person, but without all the make up. Very fresh acidity, perfect tannins and balance, very good texture, grest finish. Very likeable, maybe not quite typical, like the 06 Montrose, or is it just a face, like most Goth's? 91

06 Montrose

2006 Château Montrose;
Ruby, seductive nose, coffee and red berries, even strawberries with a lot of air. Sweet and different touch to it. Very good texture, very ripe, acidity could be higher maybe, very ripe tannins, maybe it's just the fruity sweetness that makes the acidity feel lower?. Well balanced, very long finish. 90

1964 Brane Cantenac

1964 Château Brane Cantenac;
Ruby, orange rim. Anis, leather, tea, dark fruits and prunes. Lean, not too much expression, lean body, lots of sour cherries, good acidity, tannins gone and ok finish. 71

2004 Château Cheval Blanc

2004 Château Cheval Blanc;
Ruby, coffee, anis, seductive like few, sweet, almost port like (hmmm 47?) but more refined (not to offend any in Douro), even minerals. Fantastic texture, fresh acidity, tannins grips and still velvety, sweet cherries, chocolate and very ripe plums. Even so, very fresh and lively, and gorgous long finish. 95

67 Lynch Bages

1967 Château Lynch Bages;
B elevel fill, cork soaked. Dark ruby, orange rim. Some coffee, anis, leather and lots of dust. Old and dry on the palate, short rustic finish.

04 Château Lafite Rothschild

2004 Château Lafite Rothschild;
Ruby. Cedar, tobacco, so complex and elegant, coffee, leather, blackcurrants, red bell peppers. Such elegant texture, mouthwatering acidity, ripe and quite high of ripe tannins, perfect balance, such an aftertaste, very long and very impressive. Way too young, and still so seductive, pure and fragrant. Fantastic. 95

Even if the prizes are soaring beyond reach, I have never been more lucky. I have never tasted as many Lafite's as I have the last year, and I have also been lucky enough to visit them this summer. I hope the luck will continue, as Lafite has left the prizerange when it is plausible for a bottle to find a way into my cellar. The wines are fantastic endeed!

Two too old Pontet Canet's?

1978 Château Pontet Canet;
B elevl fill, to old and tired.

1971 Château Pontet Canet;
Cruse bottling. Again B level fill and tired.

I was a bit surprised by this. The provenance of the two bottles is not known. Even if the quality of Pontet Canet has exploded over the last two decades, I was very surprised. I have not tasted that many great 71's, but the 78 should be alive and kicking. I wan't to put it in the book of ruined by storage. Unfortunatelly I have never tasted any 70's Pontet Canet to have as reference. But from other and similar quality estates, they should both have performed well above this.

05 Fonbel

2005 Château de Fonbel;
Ruby with garnet rim. Fruity, easy, elegant nose. Some darker berries and vanilla, with air chocolate and sweet morellos. Very ripe tannins, good balance and acidity, elegant, some bitter chocolate in the finish. 86

A very good wine for the price, from a estate owned bu Alain Vauthier of famous Château Ausone. Still, with the knowledge possesed by the people of Ausone (and I do not know if they do anything with de Fonbel) but if they do, the wine is expected to be even better, if they don't, they should! But a good wine for the price, for drinking relatively soon in my book. In the next five to seven years.

06 Carbonnieux Blanc

2006 Château Carbonnieux Blanc;
Pale lemon yellow, smokey honney and apples, with a heavy stone minerality and some wax. Very elegant acidity, some tropical overtones, but it's all about the imense minerality, fantastic! 92

Since my visit this spring and since the proprietors are less on the heavy oak that used to be a part of this estate, the wines, and especially the white ones are getting in to my favorites from the region. They have this perfect intensity of minerals, tropical fruits and lime/lemon that just makes them irresistible, and fantastic length and aftertaste. Look for vintages from 2005 and younger. Perfect with lobster, white fish with creamy sauses, grilled white fish and crayfish. Also oysters. Even asparagus with hollandaise sauce works very well.

86 La Fleur Milon

1986 Château la Fleur Milon;
This Pauillac Cru Bourgeois bottle was the first I have tasted from this estate, and it was gone. To old. If that has to do with the wine or just this bottle is impossible for me to say, maybe both. As it is from the Barin Phillipe family, I hope to encounter another bottle soon.

I put it under bad storage wines, as I feel it should have performed better.

01 Léoville Poyferré

2001 Château Léoville Poyferré;
Deep ruby, ruby rim. Blackcurrants, bell peppers, leather, quite classic. Touch of coffee. Good fruit, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, good balance and quite elegant. Mouthwatering, complex, long, but really needs at least five years in the cellar, more for my taste. 89

3 tired Batailley's

1983 Château Batailley;
B level fill, cork soaked, wine gone.

1978 Château Batailley;
B level fill, anis, herbs, leather and metallic notes, lean acidic and dry.

1990 Château Batailley;
Deep ruby, prunes, dried raisins, cooked plums, low intensity. Ok acidity, drying fruit, lean body, not very complex, short length. 68

1990 Huet

1990 Huet, Clos du Bourg, Vouvray Moelleux;
Golden, amber hue. Nuts, caramel, dried apricots, floral touch and hints of minerals. High acidity, almost dry, refreshing, tastes slightly younger than the nose, developing nicely, I love it now without too much age. 91

Huet is a very exciting Loire producer I need to taste more from.

99 Rauzan-Ségla

1999 Château Rauzan-Ségla;
Deep ruby, thin ruby rim. Tobacco, cigars, expensive leather, blackcurrants, anis, some coffee and a bit warm and heavy for a Moargaux. Good acidity, quite high of ripe tannins, fresh, mouthwatering, complex, balanced and ripe. Keep some more years. 89

Rauzan-Ségla seems to have found the right balance in the last vintages between ripeness and florality and seems to get more elegant. I was very surprised in a positive way that the 09 was not more of a blockbuster, and how great it wasn't. A very exiting estate to follow.

Essence of Riesling

2008 Joh.Jos.Christoffel Erben, Ürziger Würzgarten, Riesling Spätlese;
Pale straw yellow, lemons, apples, peras, cinamon, essence of Riesling. Only now starting to show what it's made of. Pure, refreshing acidity and perfect balance, glorious, so elegant, and long finish. Wait a few years more. 93

One of my favorite producers, but a house it's easy to miss, both for the minute production and it's style while young and in the few shops. But give it a few years, and it's sucj elegance and refinement, just starting to show on the wine above.

99 Branaire

1999 Château Branaire Ducru;
Deep ruby, ruby rim. Floral touch, very perfumed, leather, blackcurrrants, slightly leafy, lots of vanilla and oak. Ripe tannins, slightly herbal and greenish, some sour cherries, stone from stone fruit, roasted coffee beans, quite complex, good length, but not quite together. 86

75 Grand Puy Ducasse oxidized

1975 Château Grand Puy Ducasse;
Below D-level fill, signs of leakage, wine oxidized.

Beautifull, elegant Rhône

2005 Cuilleron Syrah les Candives;
Deep ruby, ruby rim. Intense, pepper, dark berries, vanilla and spices. Good acidity, ripe tannins, very fruit driven, mouthwatering and pureish with a beautifull balance (12,5% alc), very elegant Rhône. Perfect. 88

08 Ramonet Bourgogne Blanc

2008 Ramonet Bourgogne Blanc;
Pale lemon yellow, oysters, vanilla, touch of apples and minerals. Fresh acidity, intense aromas, smokey, flinty and a good length. 87

99 Montrose

1999 Château Montrose;
Deep ruby, ruby rim. Very youthfull, blackcurrants, blaberries, vanilla, such complexity and intensity on the nose. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, touch of leaves, tea and green notes, dark fruits, very complex, needs time, young still, long finish. 91

07 Ramonet Les Vergers

2007 Ramonet, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers;
Pale lemon yellow, minerals, lemon, very closed first. Flint. Fresh acidity, great balance, buttery touch, some nuts and bacon fat, lively, complex, very long length. 90

06 Ridge

2006 Ridge, Santa Cruz Mountain Estate;
Deep ruby, ruby rim. Plums, spices, herbs, eucalyptus, cassis, sweet tobacco, complex and intense. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, oak still up front but seems to integrate nicely, very good texture, good balance, good length. Keep some more years before trying. 88

96 Borgogno Riserva

1996 Borgogno Barolo Riserva;
Deepish ruby, almost orange rim. Leather, tar, roses, almost heady aromas, intense, truffles, redcurrants, hint of cherries, lots of anis. Very high acidity and imence wall of ripe tannins, massive grip and texture, still well behaved and almost elegant, a bit raw finish for now, needs another decade or more. For now 89

07 JJ Prüm GH Kabinett

2007 Joh.Jos.Prüm, Graacher Himmelreich, Riesling Kabinett;
Pale straw yellow, greenish hue. Apples, minerals, lemon, schistes, some SO2 needs to be aired off. Yeasty notes ever more clearly in the glass, then purer fruit. High but extremelly well balanced acidity, very elegant, a gem of a kabinett, needs time, good length. 89

Franz Pichler

2008 Franz Pichler, Grüner Veltliner Terassen Federspiel;
Pale lemon yellow, some apples, slight of peppers, minerals and herbs. Good acidity, lemons, clean and fresh, but a bit one dimentional, and a bit alcoholic in the finish.76

Perfect summer wine

2009 Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc,
Pale lemon yellow, intense, cats pie, blackcurrant leafs, a touch of very ripe gooseberries, tropical notes underneath. Good acidity, very ripe apples, fresh and well balanced, trying to be mouthwatering but not quite. 84

95 Castillo Ygay

1995 Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial;
Ruby with almost brick rim. Anis, hung game, chocolate, lots of vanilla, coffeebeans. Good acidity, quite complex, very sour cherries some redcurrants, lively feel, and still hollow mid palate, and slightly short tannic finish. They need to get it together again, this is not good enough for a wine of almost legendary status. 84

03 Porto Carras

2003 Chateau Porto Carras, Côtes de Meliton;
Deep ruby, garnet rim. Realy sweet and jammy nose, almost cooked plums and prunes. In the mouth however, much fresher, good balance and complexity, cherries and lots of anis, not too intense body, I have tasted better vintages, but somehow the finish makes up for it all. 81

07 EP Auslese

2007 Dr.Pauly Bergweiler, Erdener Prälat riesling Auslese;
Pale golden, pure, youthfull, pineapple, minerals, apricots and peach. Great balance, acidity is nicely balanced with the sweetness, very good fruit intensity, elegant, complex, very long finish. Beautifull. 92

1928 Château Rauzan-Gassies

1928 Château Rauzan-Gassies;
Cork soaked, came out in pieces. B-level fill, pale ruby, orange rim. Floral, anis, redcurrants, strawberries, touch of metal, some pepper. Fresh acidity, lean body, sour cherries, very elegant. Falling a bit apart after 15 minutes, but way beyond expectations, especially after reading Broadbent's scepticism. 89

(Not directly from the chateau, but bought in Saint-Emilion just a few weeks back)

1926 Château Mouton Rothschild

1926 Château Mouton Rothschild;

Cork soaked and fragile, Mouton Rothschild and Pauillac stated on the part of the cork that came up whole. Above mid shoulder, ruby with orange rim. Pencil shave, some green peppers, leather, spices, elegant, anis, even some blackcurrants. Pure and such elegance in the mouth, red berries, perfect texture, caressing, very balanced acidity, works perfectly, some cigar notes, refreshing, intense, pure, tannins almost gone. And such a length, last for minutes. 96

1934 Château Mouton Rothschild

1934 Château Mouton Rothschild;

Bttl 111 730 Cork soaked and pulverized on opening, low shoulder fill, ruby core with orange rim. Some deep notes, sweet tobacco, ripe blackcurrants, violets, prunes, raisins, dades, elegant, sweet anis. Fresh acidity, tannins, gone, elegant and charming, even seductive, but a bit shorter than the 26 Balance is perfect, nice intensity and complexity. 94

There was actually maybe half a glass left the day after, and pouring it, most of the highnotes and complexity of aromas was gone, but still a perfect balance and good fruit and body.

Old corks

Old corks are not always taht easy to get out of the bottle, especially the long ones from many Bordeaux châteaux or some piedmontese houses. Here is how the table looked like after four bottles of old Bordeaux. Pulltap was also being used.

1943 Château Mouton Rothschild

1943 Château Mouton Rothschild;

Bttl 91296. Mid shoulder fill, cork soaked and smouldered up on pulling it. Brick with orange hue and broad orange rim (also light when looking through the bottle). Sherry, metallic and gone unfortunatelly.

Another aspect of tasting this wine made it very special. The wife of Baron Philippe de Rothschild were imprissoned in a concentration camp during this vintage were she died in 1945.

1947 Cheval Blanc fake????

1947 Château Cheval Blanc;

Vandermeulen bottling. Very top shoulder, deep ruby with brick rim. Ripe fruit, slightly volatile, roses, black- and blueberries, fresh acidity and ripe but gripping tannins. Chocolate, minerals and a touch of green peppers, later on violets, ok length. 85

This does not sound anything like the wine's normal description. Cork was way to young, nothing printed on it, and was not possible to get back in the bottle. Looked like it had been soaked in wine and put in with simple old cork machine. It had a square mark on the top while in the bottle. I do not know if the label would be correct for Vandermeulen.

My twin Petrus

1979 Château Petrus;

It is special to have your own vintage of Petrus in front of you, and even better in the glass. A level fill, ruby with garnet rim. Tobacco, anis, floral and elegant, violets, tobacco, refined. Superb mouthfeel, what a balance and elegance, finally! Fresh acidity, tannins more or less gone, seductive, just a bit short. 90

1983 Château Petrus

1983 Château Petrus;

A level fill, ruby with brick rim. Mocca, heavy and ripe feel to it, vanilla, coffee and ripe dark fruits. Body is leaner than fruit sugests, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, green bell peppers and herbal finish. Good length. 90

1986 Château Petrus

1986 Château Petrus;

A level fill, ruby with garnet rim. Herbs and green peppers, touch of coffee, spices and vanilla. Leanish body, fresh acidity, oak tannins firm and almost unpleasant, agressive at least, lean and short finish. Again not impressed with this Château. 86

1996 Château Petrus

1996 Château Petrus;

A level fill, deep ruby with garnet rim. Violets, dark fruits, some vanilla. Very good mouthfeel and texture, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, good length. Lacks quite much in complexity, refinement and nuances for me for a wine of this legendary status. 91

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild;

A level fill, bottom neck, cork half soaked. Ruby with thin garnet rim. Sweet touch of prunes, ripe blackcurrants, tobacco, touch of strawberries, fresh acidity and ripe tannins. Pure, elegant, complex, intense, heavy fruit, intence more than real complexity, long finish. 95

Vega-Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial

Vega-Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial;

Containing vintages 89, 94 and 96. Ruby, huge intensity, spicy, some vegetal notes, dark fruits, really dark, so young it's a barrel sample to taste. Elegent texture, fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, pure, almost violent at this stage, increadible length. Wait at least ten years. 96

04 d'Auvenay Meursault. Godly drink!

2004 Domaine d'Auvenay, Meursault Les Narvaux;
Served blind, I nailed it just on the nose, both producer and commune. Golden, smokey, flinty minerals with butter and popcorn, and the minerality only gets more intense with air. Fresh acidity, perfect with the vanilla and fatty minerals, superb texture, complex, balanced, somehow pure, increadible length. Extreme! 96

07 Pur Sang

2007 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang;
Pale golden, fruity, floral, apples and pear. Fresh acidity, mouthwatering, not that complex, but pure, fruit driven, fresh and extremelly lively. Long length. Served blind, I was on a hot vintage Riesling from Austria, so not very typical SB this one. 90

1991 Chateau Montelena

1991 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon;
Ruby with garnet rim, warm, coffee, vanilla some alcohol and sweetness shining through. Sweet fruit, good acidity, extremelly ripe tannins, alcoholic touch in the finish again, good length. 86

04 Daumas Gassac Blanc

2004 Mas du Daumas Gassac Blanc;
Pale golden, fat, apples, honney, wax, vanilla. Ok acidity, but feels slightly flabby, seems to tire now, ok length. 85

My twin Raveneau Montée de Tonnere

1979 Raveneau, Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnere;
Golden, A level fill, nuts, banana (dissapering quickly) minerals, yellow apples and slightly oxodized. Turning with more air into intense butter, nuts, ripe lemons and minerals, almost Batard like nose. Good acidity, oysters, even a touch of burnt (nuts maybe). Really impressive Premier Cru! 90

02 Dom P

2002 Dom Perignon;
Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Extremelly colsed, then some lime and a touch of minerals, with a sherry oxidation note far in the back. Lean, acidic, and more and more oxidized with air and warmer temperature. Off bottle.

Fake 1957 Biondi Santi Riserva?

1957 Biondi Santi, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva;

Or at least that was what is was sold as. The white label was a mystery, as the Riserva's has always had black labels. After contacting Biondi-Santi, and sending pictures of capsule, labels and bottle, the conclusion from Franco Biondi Santi himself is that it is probably a fake. (Fantastic responce and support by the way) Biondi Santi feels it could be a wine from them, that has been "poshed" up a bit. The bottle is correct with correct marking in the bottom, labels are correct, even capsule, but the two last are not correct put together.

White label is consistent with the wine that today would be the Rosso di Montalcino. Back in the fiftie's, this was called Brunello as well, as Rosso is a newer expression. The number match a 57 Riserva on the neck label, so the probable cause of events, is that some one has had a Rosso, and then glued on a Riserva neck label and changed the capsule. So at least it could be a wine from the estate in the bottle, even if of lesser quality.

Cork pulled, it was not that long, and stated Biondi Santi, Montalcino, with no vintage stated. Old cork, soaked. C level fill, meaning mid shoulders, brick with orange rim. Earthy, some cherries, dry leather. some metallic notes. Lean acidic, sour, ok length. 68

More visiting countries

Now, Canada, Poland, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, The Netherlands and Hong Kong has joined as well. Great fun:)

09 Bernkasteler Doctor

2009 Wegeler, Bernkasteler Doctor, Riesling Spätlese;
Pale lemon yellow, apples, pineapples, minerals, elegant and fruity, refreshing. Good acidity, very nice balance, sweet lemons, just a bit short. 86

09 Maximin QbA

2009er Von Schubert, Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling QbA Trocken;
Watery green. Very fruity nose, apple, pineapple, peach and some minerals. Dry with fruity flawors, slightly bitter, good acidity and balance, some length. Easy and fresh. 79

08 Weiser-Künsler

2008 Weiser-Künstler, Enkircher Ellergrub, Riesling Spätlese;
Pale lemon yellow, fruity, apples, pineapples, pear, peach, apricots, very fruitdriven with some minerals underneath. Well balanced, elegant, not very complex but livelly and playfull, good length. 87

71 Nobert Eser, Oestricher Lenchen

1971er Norbert Eser, Oestricher Lenchen, Riesling Auslese;
Amber, madeira, nuts, orange, tired wine.

A second bottle, golden, sweet lemon, candy, artificial and sweet. Elegant texture, slightly bitter, orange, simple but ok. 56

03 Castelneau de Suduiraut

2003 Castelneau de Suduiraut;
(2nd Château Suduiraut) Golden, botryits, vanilla, apricots and slightly heavy sweetness. Lacks acidity like all 03 Sauternes, but fresher than most of them, good length. 85

95 Branaire Ducru

1995 Château Branaire Ducru;
Deep ruby, thin ruby rim. Vanilla, some pencil, tobacco, smoke, perfumed, mint and a touch of chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe and big tannins, needs time, structured, a bit edgy at the moment, good length. Like Lagrange, a Château that is growing on me. 89

04 Haut Bages Averous

2004 Château Haut Bages Averous;
Deep ruby, dark fruits, heavy nose, not very Pauillac at first. Needs time to open, getting more herbal and green peppers. Good acidity, ripe tannins, needs time. 89

1975 Cantenac Brown

1975 Château Cantenac Brown;
Ruby with orange rim, dusty, gamey nose, touch of alcohol and even clorin. Thin, lean, acidic, some iodine, watery texture, tannic and short finish. To old or bad storage. The 75 vintage is not easy to understand. 73

06 Le Moine Chassagne La Romanée

2006 Lucien Le Moine, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée;
Straw yellow, intense oaky and minerals first, with more air, the oak is less obvious, but still showy, lemons, apples, spices, vanilla. Creamy texture, fat and good acidity, long length. Hopefully the fruit will manage the oak for cellaring. 93

78 Beychevelle

1978 Château Beychevelle;
Pale ruby, garnet rim. Cherries, sweet berries, anis, touch of chocolate, mature nose. Good acidity, tannins gone, sour cherries again, good length, not too complex. Starting to tire. Served blind, I guessed 78 or 76 Ducru Beaucaillou, it was the neighbour. With the answer in hand, I have had better bottles, with this one lacking in freshness and fruit. 84

Impressive 1971 Canon la Gaffeliere

1971 Château Canon la Gaffeliere;
Ruby with broad brick rim. Floral, violets, sweet tobacco, perfumed and quite intense, some animal notes, mature, cedar. Almost sweet with perfect acidity, just carrying the fruit like a string, perfection! Elegant and refreshing, sour cherries, tannins gone, elegant texture, drying a bit in the finish. Drink now, what a pleasant surprise. 94

98 Fleur-Maillet

1998 Château la Fleur-Maillet;
Ruby with ruby rim, dark berries, blue- and blackberries, morellos, chocolate, some vanilla, some herbs and even minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, almost mint in the finish. Elegant and long length first. After a little while in the glass, it seemed less positive and shorter somehow. 86

08 Bouscaut blanc

2008 Château Bouscaut;
Straw yellow, fresh, youthfull, lemon, minerals, touch of tropical, vanilla. Fresh acidity, pure, peachy, elegant and lively, very long lime mineraly finish. A beauty for the price. 87

04 Bel-Air blanc

2004 Château Bel-Air (AOC Bordeaux blanc);
Pale golden, oak, minerals, some lemon and tropical. Good acidity, lacks a bit of fruit, leaving the oak a bit showy, good length, minerals and lemon. Impressive still for a 6 years old white from a lesser appelation. 82

04 Ramonet Boudriotte

2004 Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er Cru Boudriotte;
Pale golden, minerals, vanilla, touch of smoke, apples and lemons. Good acidity, smokey again, intens, long length. Luckilly not oxidized. 89

95 JJ Prüm Auslese

1995 Joh.Jos.Prüm, Graacher Himmelreich, Riesling Auslese;
Straw yellow, some botrytis, starting petroleum, apricots, pineapple, minerals, extremelly complex and elegant fruit and purity. Fresh acidity, perfect balance, very elegant texture and long length. 92

98 BdM Corton Charlemagne

1998 Bonneau du Martray, Corton Charlemagne;
Pale golden, apples, minerals, plaster, youthfull, slightly perfumed. Fresh acidity, intense butter and heavy minerals, almost bitter ale finish, long length. 89

1969 Dom Perignon

1969 Dom Perignon;
Golden with orange hue, small bubbles. Mature, some oxidation and not as fres as the last bottle, yellow apples, nuts, fat and minerals. Nice mousse, elegant, fresh acidity, oxidized lemons, getting more sherryish with air, dies a bit in the glass and needs constant refreshing with wine from the bottle to try to keep up. 87

08 Conterno Barbera

2008 Giacomo Conterno, Barbera d'Alba Ceretta;
Ruby with pink rim. Intense nose, warm herbs, dark berries and anis. Elegant mouthfeel, a bit sweet, ripe fruit, good acidity, long length. I think this Barbera needs a bit of cellaring. 86

06 Lagrange

2006 Château Lagrange;
Ruby, flirting nose between vanilla, blackcurrants, violets and spices. Needs a lot of air to open, fresh acidity, lively mouthfeel, ripe tannins, elegant texture, very good length. This property is growing on me. 90

06 Le Moine Embrazées

2006 Lucien Le Moine, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Embrazées;
Pale golden, vanilla, touch of smokey minerals, lemons, ripe fruits, melon. Good acidity, fat, lots of vanilla and butter, some nuts, a bit warm alcohol, ok length. 87

04 Ducru-Beaucaillou

2004 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou;
Dark ruby, intense, leaping out of the glass, blackcurrants, leather, blackberries, needs a lot of time in the glass to open and settle down, at first a fruit bomb, after 20 minutes, much more commune typical and elegant, with more layers and nuances. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, slightly herbal finish, elegant texture. Wait ten years or more. 92 (will probably be higher with time)

04 Tignanello

2004 Tignanello;
Ruby, tobacco, anis, dark fruits and vanilla. Quite green and herbal, raw and slightly lean, lacks intensity, focus and "power", ok length. What will become of this? 82

01 Poyferré

2001 Château Léoville Poyferré;
Dark ruby, vanilla, dark fruits, blackcurrants, anis, complex. Elegant texture, good acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit, ripe plums, balanced, intense and long finish. Keep another 3-5 years before opening, at least! 93

08 Mongravey

2008 Château Mongravey;
Ruby, sweet blueberries on the nose. Almost sweet fruit on the palate, ok balance, could have better acidity, short finish. A shame of a Margaux AC wine..... 75

05 Fieuzal rouge

2005 Château de Fieuzal (Rouge);
Ruby with brick rim, vanilla and a touch of dark fruits, slightly warm (alcohol?) on the nose. Hollow mouthfeel, good acidity, ripe tannins, long but green finish, not to impressive, not quite together. Is it the face or the wine? 85

1983 Mouton, superb!

1983 Château Mouton Rothschild;
Deep ruby with garnet rim. A level fill, 4 mm below cork, and cork not soaked. Pencil, finest leather, pure, elegant, very complex, plums, cherries, prunes, blackberries, touch of herbs and slightly of chocolate and tobacco. Even tea, green peppers, what a nose! Good acidity, fresh and lively, ripe tannins, gorgeous texture, flirting, refreshing, tannins like silk curtains, very long length. The best 83 Mouton I've had. 95

88 Gruaud Larose

1988 Château Gruaud Larose;
Ruby with garnet rim, A level fill. Fantastic nose, pencil, leather, blackcurrants, complex and superb nose, fantastic texture, anis, gorgeous. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, very pure, starting to peak it seems, will last long still, very long and elegant finish. 94

99 Bolly Grande Année pink

1999 Bollinger Grande Année Rosé;
Salmon pink, small bubbles. Fresh nose, touch of red berries, minerals and plaster. Elegant, good acidity, elegant mousse, still a bit young and raw, yeasty touch, good length. Keep another two years before trying, will last much longer. 92

07 Gaja Promis

2007 Gaja Ca'marcanda Promis;
Ruby, sweet fruits, chocolate, alcohol and leather. Ripe dark fruits. More elegant mouthfeel, balanced, ripe, anis and blackberries. Long finish. 88

08 Mugnier Maréchale

2008 Mugnier, Nuits-St-Georges, Clos de la Maréchale;
Bright ruby, some vanilla, elegant strawberries, anis and some leather. Very elegant texture, pure, good acidity, ripe tannins, balanced and very long finish. 90

09 Egon Müller Kabinett

2009 Egon Müller, Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett;
(Ap 06 10) Pale lemon yellow. Decanted for five hours, pure, elegant, apples, pears, some tropical highnotes and elegant minerals. Great balance, acidity, sweeter than it feels, ripe, great length. 91

06 Doisy-Vedrines

2006 Château Doisy-Vedrines;
Golden, apricots, botrytis, elegant, almost raspberry, needs time in the cellar to open, great acidity, pure, fantastic texture, long, lingering finish. 91

07 Doisy-Däene

2007 Château Doisy-Däene;
Golden, vanilla and botrytis, minerals, honney, melon, apricots, very good acidity, cleans well, fresh, elegant, leaner style, fantastic length, wait at least ten years! 91

Opitz One

2005 Willi Opitz, Opitz One;
Golden with red hue, botrytis, deep fruit, complex, honney, apricots and red berries. Good acidity, perfect cleaning, pure, elegant and long finish. 90

05 Riscal

2005 Marques de Riscal Reserva;
Bright ruby, garnet rim. Vanilla, blueberries, dry leaf and forest floor, even anis. Good acidity, elegant texture, good intensity, balanced and long length. Not quite the 01 or 04, but very good. 89

07 Almaviva

2007 Almaviva;
Bright ruby, vanilla, blackcurrants, touch of green peppers, leather, very young and somewhat closed. Good acidity, leaner style of body, elegant tannins, needs ten years in the cellar, nice balance and long finish. 90

98 Fontanabianca

1998 Fontanabianca Barbaresco;
Ruby with brick rim, tar, roses and more evolved notes of anis and cherries. Starting to open up a bit it seems, fresh acidity, firm tannins just starting to loosen up, complex, long finish. Wait another few years. 91

04 Cappelano

2004 Cappelano Barolo Pie Rupestris;
Bright ruby, elegant nose of tar and roses, later on some cherries, very elegant and classic. Needed time to open, and half an hour in decanter is minimum. High acidity and a wall of very ripe tannins. Elegant feel for a Barolo, pure and superb length. Keep at least five years. 92

Dagromis

2004 Gaja Dagromis;
Bright ruby, floral and fruity nose, vanilla and chocolate. Elegant mouthfeel and texture, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense, complex and long tannic finnish. Wait. 89

97 Grans TA Auslese Goldkapsel

1997 Grans-Fassian, Trittenheimer Apotheke, Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel;
Pale golden, some petroleum, orange peel, and blossoms, maybe even the whole plant and fruit, minerals, apricots, pineapple, needs time to open, decant for two hours. A bit more mature when it opens than expected, generous, gorgeous mouthfeel, acidity cleans well, balanced, not that sweet, long finish. 88

Australia has now joined as well:)

99 PdB Pora Riserva

1999 Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco Riserva Pora;
Ruby with brick rim, very closed first, needed 10 minutes in the glass to loose som rustic and dusty notes, now anis, cherries and hints of floral and tar, even dark chocolate. Ver fresh acidity, mouthwatering, leather, dry finish refreshed by the acidity, tannins firm, fruit seems mature, but structure really needs time, lets see what happens..... 89

My house wine for the moment

1996 Sarget de Gruaud Larose;
(2nd Gruaud Larose) This has been more or less the house wine for the last two months but with some bottle variations. Some very mature, with lots of prunes and starting to dry (not a problem yet), others like tonight, still much more vibrant. Ruby with sediments, maturing cassis, plums, touch of cigars and pencil, vanilla almost gone. Good acidity, ripe tannins, balanced and quite elegant, lacking just a bit in complexity with good length. Perfect with entrecõte or even better with the seasons lamb, especially carré. Drink now. Depending on bottle, ranging from 83-86

I've now had visitors, according to the statistics, from the US, Italy, Spain, France, UK, Russia, South Africa, Romania, China, Brasil, Germany, Turkey and Denmark. Thanks for visiting:)

57 Leroy

1957 Leroy SA, Nuits-St-Georges, Les Porets;
Saw the colour and smelled it and nailed it blind. After nearly a case, this one shines through. Pale ruby, lots of brick. A touch of strawberries still, some leather and leafy notes, pure and elegant. Red berries, smooth texture with good acidity and ripe tannins, actually still ther (Not to a big extent), pure, seductive, lively, transparent, layered, expressive yet lean, great length. Wow, the second best bottle! 96

99 Angelus

1999 Château Angelus;
Ruby, sweet blueberryies, vanilla, chocolate and darker fruits. Very fresh acidity, pure, fresh and ripe tannins, elegant, some coffee with air, chocolate, and good length. Keep some more years. 88

98 Smith Haut Lafitte

1998 Château Smith Haut Lafitte;
Ruby with garnet rim, dark fruits, cassis, rich and still elegant, slightly green and herbal behind. Ok acidity, good tannins, a touch rustic, black currants, haven't quite nailed the elegance Pessac's may have in 98, good length. 88

04 Simone

2004 Château Simone (Palette)
Pale golden, pear and touch of vanilla. Good acidity, fresh, minerals and elegant, with a touch of warm yellow plums and yellow apples. Balanced, a real complex summers wine, perfect on the beach, good length. 89 (And I nailed it blind)

1928 d'Yquem

1928 Château d'Yquem;
Huge expectations, the best wine I've had, 28 Suduiraut, if there is a wine to beat it..... Difficult to read label, cork states quite clearly Yquem, Lur-Saluces, 1928. B/C level fill, above mid shoulders. Pale amber with broad green yellow rim. Nuts, apricots, apple, lemon, raisins, minerals and even schistes. A glorious, layered and transparent in the best sence of the word mix of mature and more youthfull flavours. Perfect balance in a different league, great acidity, such finesse, pineapples comming to join the elegant party, even coconut and papaya, acidity is tender, doing its job gracefully like the queen greeting her guests. Gorgeous length. Minutes again. But this bottle do not beat the Suduiraut, and that is mainly because of the Suduirauts length and even better freshness. The 28's seems to be marvels! 99

59 d'Yquem

1959 Château d'Yquem;
B level fill, top shoulder. Amber with green yellow rim. Botrytis, apricots, raisins, nuts, vanilla, very complex. Pure, elegant, fantastic acidity, really refreshing, caramel, so much happening, complex and balanced, and that acidity just plays and plays in the mouth. Fantastic length, minutes on end. 97

64 Barolo Riserva

1964 Fontana Saveiro, Barolo Riserva;
Ruby with brick rim, leather and tomato, lean and good acidity, good fruit and length but dies of quickly. 79

1990 Montrose

1990 Château Montrose;
The legend again! What a treat! A level fill, ruby with garnet rim. Intense, cassis spuma, blackcurrant leafs, so pure, so outher worldly pure, like is cassis foam, so tender and yet massive. Tea and hint of fine leather, takes a long time to open in the glass, overtones of roses and violets, extremelly complex, some vanilla and even white chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, great balance, intense and so elegant, needs a lot more time, flirting, seductive and yet secretive and masculine, yet it feels open like a book, intriguing. Wow again. And I liked this bottle better than the last that I found a bit "porty". 98

86 Haut-Brion

1986 Château Haut-Brion;
A level fill, ruby, very thin rim. Leather, anis, terracotta, black tea, leather, blackcurrants, very closed. Good acidity, high of starting to ripen tannins, still a bit rough, lots of stuff happening behind, good length. Wait another 3-5 years, will keep much longer. 94

83 Palmer

1983 Château Palmer;
Ruby, orange rim. Metallic nose, good acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture but so little flavours, this was strange..... Not corked, showing signs of faulty storage.....

90 Palmer

1990 Château Palmer;
Ruby with brick rim, tea, leather, paprika an stable. Good acidity and ripe tannins, yet short and hollow, some around the table said cork, I did not get that, but deffinitely off somehow....

92 Gruaud Larose

1992 Château Gruaud Larose;
(Magnum) Ruby with brick rim, pencil, cassis and leather, green paprika, anis. Good acidity, ripe tannins, good body, drinking very well now, good length. Some 92's are not too bad. 88

Slightly corked 82 Gruaud Larose

1982 Château Gruaud Larose;
This slightly corked bottle was still a good wine, but lacked most compared to the one I had in August. Unfortunate!

Fantastic 85 Gruaud Larose

1985 Château Gruaud Larose;
Ruby with thin brick rim. Massive nose, leaps out of the glass, intense, pure, elegant, tobacco, cigars, gorgeous Bordeaux. Perfect texture, some floral notes, balanced, good acidity, leather, plums, very nice fruit, cassis and long length. Way better than expected, even if it is quite praised. 95

86 La Tache

1986 Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache;
Bottle nr: 11837; A level fill, ruby with orange rim. Apples, prunes, plums, tea and eucalyptus, even asian spices. Good acidity, leather touch, more evolved style, still fresh and very god texture, ripe tannins, nice balance, good length. Again, I am not quite convinced..... 89

89 La Tache

1989 Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache;
Bottle nr 12957. B- B/C level fill, 3,5 cm blow cork. Ruby with thin brick rim, some sediments. Very fresh, strawberries, intense, Christams spices, sweet fruits. Good acidity, tannins starting to get around and being integrated, long and elegant, even mouthwatering. Long finish, but I never get it quite......93

1945 Clos des Lambrays

1945 Domaine des Lambrays, Clos des Lambrays;
B/C level fill, about 5 cm below cork. Ruby with brick rim, lots of sediments for a Burgundy. Earthy, touch of strawberries, leather, tyme and lavendal, even anis. Gorgeous texture, perfect balance even if a touch of metal first. Later adding more and more body and fruits, silky mouthfeel as I have never had before, absolutely fantastic, cherries, red berries and darker fruits, more intense, leather, plums, tannins gone, after about 20 minutes it really peaks, good acidity but the silk hides it, increadible length. Then dying off getting more coffe and dry. Way beyond expectations, what a fantastic memory I will have of this wine! 98 (100 for a few minutes....)

71 Dom Perignon

1971 Dom Perignon;
A level fill as far as I remember, golden with a light amber hue, remarkable small bubbles. Slight oxidative note, yeast, nuts and caramel, even almonds. Ok acidity and mousse, balanced, slightly lean, leafy and earthy and a bit short. Burnt caramel finish. I prefer fresher style and bottles of champagne! 88 (The 76 some weeks back was a very different animal)

96 Grande Année

1996 Bollinger Grande Année;
Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Elegant, perfect balance, seductive, tight acidity, perfect mousse, apples, bread and yeast. Very youthfull, intense, increadible purity and lemons with a nice minerality, minutes of length. The best Bolly I've had, and the best Champagne for a long time. WOW! 97

06 Grans-Fassian TA Goldkapsel

2006 Grans-Fassian, Trittenheimer Apotheke, Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel;
Apples, minerals and apricots with lemon. Gorgeous balance and purity, fresh acidity, cleans well, elegant and very long, not too complex but so pure you don't care, very fragrant, long and intense. 92

08 Clos des Papes

2008 Clos des Papes;
Ruby, sweet dark fruit and Port like alcohol feel on the nose (15%). Some vanilla, ok acidity, ripe tannins, not too complex, lean fruity style, alcoholic, sweet finish and "good" length. 75

99 Gaja Gromis

1999 Gaja Gromis;
Ruby, more rustic than expected, stable, leather, some mushrooms, lean and some darker fruits pushed in the corner. Lazy acidity, ripe tannins, short finish, even VA. Not what I hoped for. 82

03 Di Gresy Camp Gros

2003 Marchesi di Gresy, Barbaresco Martinenga Camp Gros;
Bright ruby, brick rim, violets, anis and a touch of alcohol which later dissapeared. Tar. Good and quite lively acidity, ripe tannins, nice taxture and balance, good length, a bit sweet on the fruit and mouthfeel. 88

04 Conti Costanti

2004 Conti Costanti, Brunello di Montalcino;
Bright ruby, red berries, tones of anis and leather, complex nose. Very good balance, elegant texture, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit short, needs time to open fully, keep at least 4-5 years. 90

96 Lafleur Pétrus

1996 Château Lafleur Pétrus;
Ruby, some herbal and bell peppers still (I remember the first time I tasted this, it was so green I had trouble finishing it) and anis, very intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced and maturing, eventually nicely it seems. Good balance, almost buttery texture, long length. Drink soon? 90

97 Vietti Lazarito

1997 Vietti Barolo Lazarito;
Bright ruby, brick rim. Canned mushroms, coffee, extremelly mature for it's age. Lean body, ok acidity, plump fruit, drying tannins, long finish but not very good. A faulty storage bottle or is 97 in Italy really falling apart? This is normally one of my favorites.

96 Diamond Creek

1996 Diamond Creek, Gravelly Meadows;
Ruby with brick rim. Some vanilla, blackberries and cassis, even minerals, herbs and spices with a touch of meat. Intense. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, maturing, touch of plums, elegant and ripe, balanced, and long finish. Beautifull! 94

88 Comtesse de Lalande

1988 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;
Ruby with garnet rim, leather, cassis, cigars, touch of prunes, bell peppers, hugely complex, gorgeous nose. Fantastic texture, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, maturing beautifully, great balance, pure and elegant, marvelously seductive. As I've said before, I drink way to little from this estate. 95

99 La Cases

1999 Château Léoville Las Cases;
Ruby, vanilla, blackberries, touch of leather and floral on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, youthfull and a bit raw, needs time in the cellar. Evene so refreshing and very long length. Wait 5 years or more. 92

89 Hohe Domkirche

1989 Hohe Domkirche, Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese;
Pale golden colour, petroleum, pear, very elegant nose, apples, honney, pineapple and very ripe lemon. Very elegant even if tasting somewhat older than it is, great balance, intense and flavourfull, elegant acidity, cleaning well, every glass seems fresher, needs air, very long and super elegant finish. 91

05 Spätburgunder Brut, very nice!

2005 Dr. Pauly Bergweiler, Blanc de Noir, Wehlener Klosterberg Brut Spätburgunder;
Small bubbles, elegant straw yellow. Touch of yeast and pure fruit, apples, lemon and minerals. Elegant mousse, good acidity and balance, maturing nicely, very long finish. 88

JJ Prüm, WS, Spätlese

2004 Joh.Jos. Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Riesling Spätlese;
Pale lemon yellow, pears and apricots, peach, apples and just an overtone of petroleum. Very elegant and this crispy house acidity that is so balanced, complex, long length. 88

JJ Prüm GH Spätlese

2004 Joh.Jos.Prüm, Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese;
Pale lemon yellow, ripe apples, orange blossoms, minerals, pear, leamon, fresh as the air after a rainfall. Great balance, elegant and slightly apple bitter finish, good length. 87

04 JJ Prüm WS Kabinett

2004 Joh.Jos.Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Riesling Kabinett;
Pale lemon yellow, crisp, lemony, lots of apple, elegant nose. Nice minerality, complex, almost flinty, pear and apricots. Very elegant, great balance, perfect acidity, good length. 88

03 d'Yquem

2003 Château d'Yquem;
Bright golden, vanilla, apricots, botrytis, pineapples. Good acidity, even if it could be much better to make the fruit sing as it should, very intense, complex, has what it needs except freshness of acidity, very long length. 90

03 Rieussec

2003 Château Rieussec;
Bright golden, pure apricots, marmalade and pineapples, slightly cloying, lacks acidity, does not clean enough, so very sweet and slightly bitter, ok length. Lacks freshness, even if the fruit is great. 83

01 Lafite Rothschild

2001 Château Lafite Rothschild;
Ruby, leather, blackcurrants, cigars, complex and very seductive. Extremelly elegant Pauillac, herbs, spices and some vanilla, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, pure and so elegant and balanced, fantastic texture, gorgeous finish and extreme length. Dear God! 95

04 Latour

2004 Château Latour;
Ruby, seductive cassis, cigars, leather, tobacco, gorgeous complex nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, great balance and fantastic texture, more power than expected, but power with finesse and complexity, not overkill and simple. Gorgeous length. One of my best Latour's, and it opened up a lot with air. 95

01 Mouton Rothschild

2001 Château Mouton Rothschild;
Ruby, some vanilla and tobacco, layered, cedar and blackcurrants. Fantastic acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and superb purity and very mouthwatering. Huge change since my last bottle that was more tightknit, starting to open up more nicely, showing more typical Mouton style with layers and seductive notes. 94

04 Mouton Rothschild

2004 Château Mouton Rothschild;
Ruby, cassis, leather, bell peppers, vanilla, tobacco, very complex. Fresh acidity, good balance, nice texture, textbook Mouton, always open and layered it seems. Ripe tannins, velvety and intens, still it feels secretive, it has even more for the future with a very elegant thread of freshness throughout it and beautifull length. 93

04 Ch. Margaux

2004 Château Margaux;
Ruby, floral and intens of jasmin and violets, pure blackcurrants, some tobacco and extremely layered. Gorgeous texture, fantastic acidity, pure, elegant, superb mouthfeel, textbook elegance. And fantastic length. Pure joy to drink, wow! 94

04 Haut-Brion

2004 Château Haut-Brion;
Bright ruby, some tarracotta minerals, elegant blackcurrants, to complex to be easily defined and even tender feel to it. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, pure and long, very closed now, not quite giving away it's secrets. Fresh, youthfull and great length. 93

01 Montrose

2001 Château Montrose;
Deep ruby, closed, vanilla, darker fruits, coffee and leather with more air. Never opened up fully, fresh acidity, mouthwatering, high of ripe tannins, elegant and lively, good length. Falling apart after 30 minutes..... Isn't it to kind and caressing for a young Montrose? Next bottle needs to followed throughout an evening, or maybe for two days..... 91 first, 88 after.