68 Cheval, lost for words......

1968 Chateau Cheval Blanc;
(demi) Ruby with brick rim. Cork mostly dry, A level fill, half centimeter bellow cork. Developing, roses, floral, perfume, figs, prunes, but it manages to feel so young, even with the developed aromas, and this one is even more youthfull in it's style than the other bottle. Lowish acidity, but fresh, seductively soft tannins, extremelly well balanced, silky texture gone over to another dimention, increadible long length, minerals, dried apricots, actually giving of aromas reminding me of a fantastic old sauternes, together with the dry notes of cigars and leather, gracefull, youthfull, livelly and vibrant, absolutelly astonishing, even the 95 Haut-Brion I have next to this bottle doesn't stand a chance. Sic transit gloria mundi. You will all think I'm crazy. Tears of an angel? 100

95 Haut-Brion

1995 Chateau Haut-Brion;
(Demi) Clear ruby, garnet rim, lots of sediments. Developing, and intensely perfumed nose, roses, plums, red berries, hints of cassis, floral, almost mineral, oak is exceptionally well integrated, extremelly elegant, hardwood floors, truffles. Fresh acidity and ripe tannins, this floral and perfumed touch is so seductive, silky texture, plums, perfect balance, the nose is absolute perfection. If this half bottle is any indication on how the 95 will evolve......... 97

69 Brane-Cantenac

1969 Chateau Brane-Cantenac;
Ruby with orange rim, lots of sediments, B/C-level fill, soaked cork. Very developed, roses, leather, figs, prunes, very elegant nose, lowish acidity, barelly detectable tannins, dried fruits, not to complex, just 11,5 alcohol, acidity comes back in the aftertaste and gives some freshness, long length, cannot handle food, but good on it's own. 83

Demi, 1970 Chateau Margaux

1970 Chateau Margaux;
(demi) Dull, ruby with tawny rim, A level fill, soaked cork. Not too intence, roses, dried fruits, figs, slightly volatile, very developed, liquorice, quite complex. Good acidity, tannins ripe, and not so noticable, but still gives a kind of firm texture, good balance, longish length. Good but not great. 86

Demi, 68 Cheval Blanc

1968 Chateau Cheval-Blanc;

(demi) Bright ruby with orange rim, A level fill, soaked cork. Prunes, figs, dried fruits, leather, leaves, forest floor, earth, roses, cigars and coffee. Very nice and complex nose, some tannins still, fresh acidity, good balance and very elegant, if a bit lean, nice texture. Surpricingly good for the vintage, and in half bottle. 92

Wines from my little brother's birthday

2002 Chave, Hermitage;
Deep ruby, red rim. Youthfull, fresh, pepper, well hung game, some spices, blueberries, blackberries, but most of all, pepper. Fresh acidity that plays in the mouth, high ripe tannins that builds a wall around the flavour playground, great structure, very complex, I wouldn't say charming, but it really has something to it. Very impressive for the vintage. 91

1983 Vega-Sicilia, Valbuena;
Bright ruby, orange rim. Soaked cork, A-A/B level fill. Very mature, hay, stable, leather, dry autumn leaves, high acidity, tannins gone, a bit on the lean side, terracotta. After 15 minutes, some liquorice and coffee, even Darjeeling, after another twenty minutes, more dark berries and cherries, growing in intencity, sweet asian spices. Dies of quietly after about one and a half hour. 89

1982 Chateau Pontet Canet;
Ruby with brick rim, A level fill, cork half soaked. First very closed, then a bit warm dust, then new nike sneakers, kind of leathery, plasticy notes, a few minutes later, leather and dark fruits. Good acidity, ripe tannins, almost gone. Some citrusy chocolate, prunes, never looses this slightly metallic feel, a bit over the top I feel. 85

76 Auslese

1976 Schloss Marienlay, Trittenheimer Altärchen, Riesling Auslese;

Bright amber, raisins, apricots, cooked apples, cinamon, some petroleum behind. Camphor, very elegant, good fruit sweetness, act's quite dry, overripe yellow apples, fresh, good length, high acidity and mature. 85

Hide and seek

1974 Giacomo Conterno, Barolo Riserva, Monfortino;

Bright ruby, orange rim. Leafy, tobacco, tar. Fresh acidity, quite intence, mouthwatering, lean, the freshness last's and last, fantastic texture, but where is the flavours, I do not understand this one. My first old Monfortino, and one very much more experienced Monfortino drinker than me at the table said it should have been decanted for hours and hours..... 82

1985 Haut-Brion

1985 Chateau Haut-Brion;

Bright ruby with garnet rim, paprika, violets, floral, leather, pencil, cigars, such elegance, fantastic complexity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, minerals, slightly of oak still, opulent but tender, velvety texture, superb intencity, and gets better the longer it breathes, just beautifull, perfection. 95

Three Burgundies and a Piedmontese

All the following seven notes are written now, 5 days after tasting the wines, so are written out of memory.

2005 Michel Lafarge, Volnay Vendanges Selectionees;
Bright ruby, garnet rim, strawberries, slightly leafy, some spices and minerals, more fruitdriven style of Volnay, very elegant and balanced, complex, long length and playfull acidity, starting to show some secondary aromas. 89

2001 Michel Lafarge, Beaune Greves Premier Cru;
Bright ruby, garnet rim, strawberries, leafy notes, spices, some tea behind, fresh acidity, maturing nicelly, complex, elegant, very long and fresh finish, peaking soon. 89

2007 Mugnier, Nuits-St-Georges, Premier Cru Clos de la Marechale;
Bright ruby, strawberries and spices, but on this it's not the flavours that take hold of you, it's the imensely beautifull structure and balance, it's like the softest cashmere, it's so seductive. I have tasted this twice, hope I will soon again. 91

2007 Giacomo Conterno; Barbera d'Alba, Cascina Francia;
(magnum) Deep ruby, pink rim. Dark berries, blackberrries, hints of chocolate and some spices behind, blueberries, mouthwatering acidity, good structure and great balance, very young and lively, complex and long. 90

Three Burgundies

2007 Long-Depaquit, Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos;
Pale lemon yellow, apples and flinty minerals, some citrus behind, great kind of soft texture, very pure and elegant, good acidity, works more than you notice, perfect balance, very long finish. 91

2007 Meo-Camuzet, Hautes-Cotes de Nuits Blanc, Clos St.Philibert;
Pale lemon yellow, citrus and fleshy minerals, some apples behind, so pure and fresh, fantastic elegance, perfect balance, and the aftertaste last's forever, amazing wine for the pricerange, not too complex, but so nicelly put together. 92

2007 Meo-Camuzet, Bourgogne Rouge;
Bright ruby, some strawberries, hints of spices, very pure. Good acidity, some ripe tannins, good texture, very elegant and rounded for a Bourgogne rouge, and quite complex, good length. 85