09 La Tour Blanche

2009 Château La Tour Blanche;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, apricots, pineapples, candid apples, peach, apricots, even a touch of minerals and vanilla. Pure, elegant, very good acidity/ sweetness balance, complex, very long finish. 94-96

09 Rayne Vigneau

2009 Château Rayne Vigneau;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, vanilla, lemon, apricots and pineapples. amazing acidity, very elegant, balanced, complex, an a very long finish. 90-92

09 Raymond-Lafon

2009 Château Raymond-Lafon;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, pure, pineapple, again this lower octave feel, going a bit deeper, orange peel, vanilla. Fresh acidity, great balance, tiny bitter tone witch I so often find at this estate, candid apples, very long finish. 92-94

09 d'Arche

2009 Château d'Arche;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, tangerines, yellow plums, pineapples, vanilla and bisquits. Fresh acidity, but it still makes the mouth feel sweet, does not feel quite as fresh as some, still a gorgeous wine, fantastic length. 90-92

09 Bastor-Lamontagne

2009 Château Bastor-Lamontagne;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, pineapple, strawberries and vanilla icecream, with a dash of cointreau. Fresh acidity, seems to be an octave deeper somehow compared to others, good length. 87-89

09 Broustet

2009 Château Broustet;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, apples, apricots. Good acidity, fresh, pineapples, not too complex, but very fresh, elegant and a good length. 84-86

09 de Fargues (Lur-Saluces)

2009 Château de Fargues;
(Barrel sample) Slightly deeper lemon yellow, apricots, vanilla, very ripe pineapples, very complex. Gorgeous acidity, pure, elegant, balanced, amazing wine, and a truly exceptionnal vintage for Sauternes/ Barsac. WOW! Again a briliant fruit, so frsh acidity, mouthwatering, exceptional length. 96-98

09 Lafaurie-Peyraguey

2009 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey;
(Barrel sample) Slightly deeper lemon yellow, honneyed, apricots, vanilla, ripe pineapple, very tropical and a touch of minerals behind. More intense and fatter mouthfeel, again a marvelous acidity, pure and complex, elegant, exceptionally long, perfect balance. 96-98

09 Doisy-Daëne

2009 Château Doisy Daëne;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow. Lemon, orange, vanilla, pineapple, minerals, very complex and nuanced. Increadible acidity, so fresh, and still it seems so carefull and tender, beautifull acidity/sweetness nalance, gourgeous mouthfeel, fantastic texture, beautifull length. 96-98

2009 Rabaud Promis

2009 Château Rabaud-Promis;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, apricots, peach, vanilla. Fatter mouthfeel and Beerenauslese acidity, extremely fresh, beautifull balance, complex, intense, very vital, gorgeous length. 93-95

09 Coutet

2009 Château Coutet;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, apricots, orange marmalade, vanilla, fruitcake. Gorgeous acidity, pure fruit, elegant and balanced, I maybe would have loved a bit more consentration, but it is very elegant and clean, long finish. 92-94

09 de Myrat

2009 Château de Myrat;
(Barrel sample) Lemon yellow, apricots, honney, strawberries, peach, vanilla, very pure and elegant fruit. Elegant acidity/sweetness balance, complex, pure, by far the best Myrat I have tasted (have not tasted 01), just a bit short. 87-89

09 Haut-Brion Blanc

2009 Château Haut-Brion Blanc;
(Barrel sample) Pale lemon yellow, fresh, citrus, minerals, slightly smokey, some sweet apricots just putting their heads out, flinty, almost schisty minerals. Pure, intense, complex, a Montrachet beater, huge minerality, smoky, such balance and complexity, mouthwatering, big, pronounced, very flavourfull, again fantastic length, washes over your tongue in waves. 97-99

09 Mission HB Blanc

2009 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc; (Former Laville Haut-Brion)
(Barrel sample) Pale lemon yellow, vanilla, peach, honney touch, nuts, butter, lots of minerals below. Fruity, very fresh acidity, balanced, complex, layered, this tropical midst, with floral and citrus overtones and again the heavier minerals, and an astonishingly long length, it just never stops......you need to have a moment before tasting the next wine. 97-99

09 Dom. Chevalier Blanc, retasted

2009 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc;
(Barrel sample) Pale lemon yellow, green hue. Citrus, lime, minerals, touch of smoke, some herbs, and a touch of tropical. Gorgeous acidity, mouthwatering, so fresh and lively, beautifull complexity and balance, very elegant and still powerfull, very long finish. 95-97

09 Doisy-Daëne Sec

2009 Château Doisy-Daëne Sec
(Barel sample) Pale lemon yellow, fresh, elegant, some gooseberries, herbs, melon, touch of vanilla and minerals. Fresh acidity, mouthwatering, good body and slightly fat texture, very balanced and elegant, very long elegant finish. 90-92

09 Ch. Margaux, retasted

2009 Château Margaux;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Vanilla, chocolate, pure berries, blackcurrants, floral highnotes, cigars, sweet morellos. Fresh acidity, so mouthwatering and pure, high of ripe tannins, complex, fantastic balance and texture, so complete, gorgeous wine, seems perfect at this stage, yet again, very long finish. 98-100

09 Pavillon Rouge, retasted

2009 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Pure, fruity, touch of black tea, blackcurrants, vanilla floral touch, hint of cigars. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, so seductive and elegant, very pure, refreshing, very balanced and complex, long length. 90-92

09 Brane-Cantenac

2009 Château Brane-Cantenac;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Jasmin, floral notes over darker berries, vanilla and coffee. Good acidity, high of ripe tannins, some cherries and chocolate, good baslance and complexity, long length. 89-91

09 Mouton Rothschild

2009 Château Mouton Rothschild;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Blackcurrants, leather, cigars, sandalwood, vanilla, slightly perfumed and floral, hint of anis, lots of pure fruits and berries. Mouthwatering freshness, high of ripe tannins, very pure and elegant, fantastic balance, seductive, not as flashy as some, fantastic elegance, a real beauty. I'm impressed that this extremelly elegant wine was made in this vintage. fantastic length. You have to look, this one does not reveal all it's secrets to everyone. Quite typical of Mouton I would say. 98-100

09 Petit Mouton

2009 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim. Cassis, morellos, leather, sigars, touch of anis. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, again mouthwatering, lively and fresh, great balance, elegant very long length. 89-91

09 Pichon Comtesse

2009 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Cassis, touch of blackcurrant leafs, just a highnote, cigars, hardwood, beautifull fruit. Very fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, mouthwatering, elegant, very pure fruit, red and darker berries, anis, leahter touch, vanilla, very elegant and layered, very long finish. 96-98

09 Haut-Brion

2009 Château Haut-Brion;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Even more profound of elegant floral notes, touch of roses and jasmin over terracotta, minerals, coffee beans cassis and blackberries, with a hint of anis. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, even so, mouthwatering, elegant, great balance, very complex, fantastic length. 98-100

09 La Mission

2009 Château La Mission Haut-Brion;
(Barrel Sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Touch of coffe beans, minerals, terracotta, blue and blackberries, even leather and tobacco. Fantastic acidity, high of ripe tannins, fantastic texture, velvet, such pure fruit, fresh cherries, raspberries and plums, refreshing and immensely refined, elegant, very long finish. 97-99

09 Clarence HB

2009 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. Coffe beans, minerals, terracotta, cassis, blackberries. Good acidity, ripe tannins, very good texture, quite elegant, long length. 88-90

09 Bouscaut

2009 Château Bouscaut;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim. Sweet cassis, plums and terracotta, drissled with liquorice. Very fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, big structure, very ripe fruit, a bit short finish. 85-87

09 Cos

2009 Château Cos d'Estournel;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby/pink rim. Intense, sweet, huge, cassis, blackberries, coffee, plum jam. Again, huge and sweet on the palate, think Napa Valley, Arnold wrestling plum juice, , huge tannins, and are they fully ripe? Some green and herbal touches in the finish, burnt coffe beans, blockbuster. Very dry finish, just tannins and herbs. 86-93 (Very difficult to judge the future of this one)

09 La Dame de Montrose

2009 La Dame de Montrose;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim. Anis, mint, spices and vanilla, some cassis behind, even roses. Fresh acidity, great texture, ripe tannins, velvety even if tough underneath, intense, consentrated, ripe, good length. 88-90

09 Beychevelle

2009 Château Beychevelle;
(Barrel Sample) Ruby, blackcurrants, chocolate, touch of minerals, leather. Great acidity, high of ripe tannins, gorgeous texture, such elegance and freshness, seems very pure and refined, almost velvety, long finish. 93-95

09 Branaire-Ducru

2009 Château Branaire-Ducru;
(Barrel sample) Ruby with pink rim. Some coffee, white chocolate, elegant nose, touch of cassis and red berries. Good acidity, ripe tannins, nice taxture, eleagnt, not a sign of herbal touch that I for some reason often find at this estate, very good length. 88-90

09 Lagrange

2009 Château Lagrange;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim, some netles, coffee, chocolate and cassis, fresh acidity, sligtly sweet cherries and chocolate, intemixed with vanilla, very well balanced, quite high of ripe tannins, very lovely texture, beautifull fruit, good length. 91-93

09 Talbot

2009 Château Talbot;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim, leather, elegant nose, dark berries, raspberries, touch of cassis, vanilla, and chocolate. Good acidity, elegant mouthfeel and texture, fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, very seductive in it's elegance, very good length. 91-93

09 Connétable

2009 Connétable Talbot;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim. Cassis, bell peppers, leather, and liquorice. Very pleasant texture, velvet, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, but not as massive as some, pure, fruity, very well made, impressive! 87-89

09 Conseillante

2009 Château La Conseillante;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim. Blueberries, touch of floral, maybe roses, hint of white chocolate, more seductive and like a shy girl. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, beautiful texture, very balanced and elegant, even if profound, never ending finish. 94-96

09 Figeac

2009 Château-Figeac;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, pink rim, chocolate, red berries, blackberries, touch of bell peppers and leather. Very fresh acidity, high and ripe tannins, very elegant actually, not the blockbuster one thinks it could be, in stead a far more elegant, and complex, even nuanced wine, very long finish. 94-96

09 Canon

2009 Château Canon;
(Barrel sample) Deep ruby, ruby rim. chocolate, ripe morellos, black and blueberries, touch of chocolate and coffee beans. Refreshing acidity, pure fruit, a bit deep, ripe and high tannins, very good length, slightly bitter finish. 91-93

DRC RSV

1994 Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Romanée-St-Vivant, Marey-Monge;
(bottle 09159 of 11485) A level fill, soaked cork, bright ruby, touch of orange hue on the rim. Some floral highnotes, sweet red berries, autumn leaves, still a touch of oak, very tender, a bit closed, quite youthfull still. Good acidity, medium ripe tannins, more of strawberries, mushrooms and animal touch with air, not too complex, but such an elegance, and such lively and fresh acidity, seems playfull, needed 30 minutes to start to open in the decanter, then very good for about 1 hours and 20 minutes, then more and more volatile. Very long finish. At it's peak one hour, 89

1980 Mouton

1980 Château Mouton Rothschild;
A level fill, cork soaked. Bright ruby, broad garnet rim and orange outher rim. Leather, cedar, blackcurrants, paprika, typical Pauillac, if on the leaner side and of lesser intensity. Figs and dried fruits, tannins close to gone, acidity is good, even playfull, very elegant and nuanced, not at all big, think Burgundian in style and body, with Pauillac flavours. Great and elegant length. 88

1986 Suduiraut

1986 Château Suduiraut;
A level fill, good cork. Golden, botrytis, almonds, apricots and pineapple, even touch of minerals. Good acidity, almost perfect balance, extremelly clean and pure, even if it may lack some complexity, bisquits, butter, raisins, dades, great length. 89

83 Montrose

1983 Château Montrose;
Ruby, some sediments (bad lighting) A/B level fill, good cork. Great nose, cherries, forest floor, blackcurrants, some paprika, cedar and cigar. Fresh acidity, elegant tannins, peaking now in my book, a bit leaner style of Montrose, but still a charmer in it's elegance. 89

1970 Las Cases

1970 Château Léoville Las Cases;
Ruby, brick rim, and thin amber outher rim. A level fill, good cork. Pronounced nose, mushrooms, well hung game, truffles, forest floor, leafy, nuts, strawberries, redcurrants, cedar and cigars. Elegant acidity, tannins all gone, fantastic elegance, balance and length. Drink soon. 95

95 Comtes de Champagne

1995 Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne;
Pale straw yellow, tiny bubbles. Fresh, some autolyses, fresh apples, mineral, schistes, flint, very elegant Champagne. Great acidity, elegant foam, lime, lemon, still quite youthfull, very long finish. 93

Emmanuel Rouget, Echezeaux

1998 Emmanuel Rouget, Echezeaux;
Bright, towards pale ruby. Very fragrant and elegant nose, even a bit light, strawberries, touch volatile highnote, autumn leaves and liquorice. Medium + acidity, barely any tannins. This is all about elegance, transparency and playfullness. 90

Corked Ponsot

1992 Domaine Ponsot, Clos de la Roche Vielles Vignes;
Corked

1961 Barolo Riserva

1961 Borgogno Barolo Riserva;
Garnet, broad orange rim, little sediments. A/B level fill. Tobacco, roses, figs, violets, liquorice, slightly volatile, red plums and cherries. Good acidity and ripe tannins, slightly gentler than some Barolo's, great length. 93

1990 Far Niente

1990 Far Niente, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon;
Ruby, garnet rim, leather, bell peppers, intense, cassis, oak, cigars, coffee, developing nicely, some prunes behind. High of ripe tannins, fresh acidity, very complex, lacks a bit of finesse, autumn leafy notes, a bit short finish. 88

2001 Grange

2001 Penfolds Grange;
Deep ruby, pink rim. Liquorice, vanilla, spicy notes, pepper, camphor, raspberries and blackberries. Very fresh acidity, texture like velvet, very elegant, ripe tannins, the only thing negative, this my first Grange where I actually feel warm alcohol, and unfortunatelly, that ruins it a bit, fantastic otherwise. 90 (barely)

86 Palmer

1986 Château Palmer;
Bright ruby, garnet rim. Touch of volatile overtones, leather, blackcurrants, cedar, nuts, wet leaf, chocolate and anis. Somewhat more developed than other 86's lately. Almost crisp acidity, medium ripe tannins, very pronounced fruit, still elegant body, great balance, very elegant, long length. 93

97 Margaux

1997 Château Margaux;
Ruby with thin garnet rim. Tobacco, cedar, blackcurrants, hay, liquorice, cherries, plums, roses and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, starting to soften, great balance, complex, again showing much better than the reputation of this vintage, long length. 90

Gran Reserva 904

1994 La Rioja Alta, Gran Reserva 904;
Garnet colour, liquorice, oak, cedar, wet leaves, good acidity, low of ripe tannins, plums, liquorice, ripe cherry stones, touch of bitterness in the finish, very good length. 88

1978 Suduiraut

1978 Château Suduiraut;
A level fill, cork half soaked. Clear golden, some botrytis, smells more like a riesling BA than Sauternes, apples, minerals, almost petroleum feel. Overripe apricots, very elegant, some bitterness, lovely acidity, in this slightly leaner and so fresh Suduiraut style, this is a very good wine for the vintage. 88

97 Mouton

1997 Château Mouton Rothschild;
Bright ruby, garnet rim. Cedar, cherries, leather, bell peppers, anis, spices, blackcurrants and red plums, developing. Very fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, starting to soften, intense fruit, very elegant, a vintage far better than people think, it has given me a lot of pleasure for no bucks, very long length. A Mouton, picked up for less than 100€, and for me it delivers still. 90

Montebello

2000 Ridge Monte Bello;
Almost opaque, ruby rim, pronounced intensity, cedar, liquorice, coffe, leather, black cherries, blackcurrants, medicinal touch. Very fresh, almost crisp acidity, high and ripe tannins, like powdery snow, some spices, great complexity and balance, great texture, keep another ten years. 91

96 2nd

1996 La Croix de Beaucaillou;
(2nd Ch Ducru Beaucaillou) Bright ruby, thin garnet rim, some leather, blackcurrants, even touch of cedar and tobacco. Good balance, fresh, keeping up well for a 14 year old second wine, tannins ripe, good length. 84

1978 Beaucastel

1978 Chateau de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf du Pape;
Garnet, fantastic nose, red berries, some raisins, raspberries, animal touch, leather, cedar, tobacco and some pepper, very complex, fantastic fruit. A wall of ripe tannins still, also very fresh acidity, elegant body, intese fruit, great length, drinking fantastic now. 93

58 Barolo

1958 Franco & Fiorina, Barolo;
Garnet, very thin orange rim, almost difficult to notice. Very intense, leather, cherries, slight volatility, tannins quite soft for a Barolo, acidity on medium, so even here on the lesser side, but that probably makes the fruit seem fuller, fresh fruit still, touch of anis, very good length, just started declining. 90

1999 Eiswein

1999 Dr Pauly-Bergweiler, Bernkasteler Lay, Riesling Eiswein;
Lemon yellow, high intensity, minerals, apples, lemon, pineapples, very fresh and youthfull. Great balance of sweetness and acidity, great balance in wine, very refreshing even if this sweet, complex, like a fruit bowl dancing on you're tongue. 92

Inniskillin, not for ageing

2005 Inniskillin Vidal Sparkling Icewine;
Sloght sparkel, deep golden, amber hue, apricots, honney, raspberries, strawberries and light touch of green tea. Barely sparkling, not much mosse to talk av, acidity almost gone, beautifull fruit, but lacks the freshness of the acidity, finish. 74


2003 Inniskillin Vidal Icewine;
Golden with amber hue, starting oxidation, dades, burnt caramel. Sweet, overripe apricots, veru sweet, lacks acidity again, it was so fresh a few years back, now it's just good. 68

Mr Big

1998 Turley, California old vines Zinfandel;
Deep ruby, ruby rim, so enormous, huge alcohol, volatile touch, so sweet, like a unfresh Banyuls. I was not even looking forward to tasting this, the nose puts you off right away, it's like thick soup, and not in any way refreshing. No nuance, just hugeness. 60

Beatty Ranch

1997 Beatty Ranch, Howell Mountain Zinfandel;
Deep ruby, ruby risweet and blackberries. Big, sweet, dark, ripe tannins, nxciting at all, and at 15,5 alcohol, it's like a badly made Port. 62

Dashe

2005 Dashe, Todd Brothers Ranch, Old vines Zinfandel, Alexander Valley;
Deep ruby rim, big, complex, of vanilla, plums, blackberries, ndper. Quite good acidity, ripe tannins, sweet fruits and herbs, ok finish. 68

A meal in itself

2004 Ravenswood, Barrica Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley;
Deep ruby, purple rim, huge vanila and blackberry jam, even peppery. Big, ripwood, short finish. 53

85 Eisele

1985 Joseph Phelps, Eisele Vineyards;
Ruby wh garnet rim. Leather, blueberries, touch of vanilla, spicy, cigars, almost cedar, simpler coffee, touch of earl grey tea. So fresh acidity, ripe tannins, great balance, makes for a lively lively mouthfeel, good texture, sweet prunes and chocolate, very long length. 93

85 Mondavi

1985 Robert Mondavi, Private Reserve;
Ruby with brick rim, coffee, cigars, leather, even floral overtones, plums, prunes, paprika, almost perfumed. Good acidity, lean and elegant, mouthwatering, ripe tannins, good length, seems to start drying up a bit. 87

Great Dalla Valle

1997 Dalla Valle;
Deep ruby, chocolate, almost smoky, coffeebeans, cigars, deep and dark plums, starting cedar and tobacco and seventies Mercedes leather interior, blueberries and maple syrup. Fantastic complexity, great texture and balance. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, big intensity, still manages to be elegant, white pepper and anis, gorgeous aftertaste and length. Always a favorite. 95

00 Dominus

2000 Dominus;
Deepish ruby, ruby rim, sweet plums, ripe red berries, blackberries and vanilla overtones, slight warm touch, complex. Good acidity, very good structure, a bit hollow mid palate, high of ripe tannins, bitter chocolate and coffeebeans, slightly bitter finish. Good length. Needs time. 88

06 Bergström

2006 Bergström, De Lancelotti Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir;
Bright ruby, very closed, some oak shines through. Power, oaky, a bit huge, alcohol is showing, sweet liquorice, hint of pepper and strawberries, some chocolate, good length. Not as iegd now as a year back, needs time to open up again. This bottle was open for several hours without much happening. For now. 85

Oregon Drouhin

1999 Domaine Drouhin, Oregon Pinot Noir;
Deep ruby, ruby rim. A bit earthy and liquorice, sweet plums and some prunes starting to show. Good balance, ripe and mature, some vanilla still, not too complex, ok length. 84

04 Serene

2004 Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir;
Bright ruby, almost pink rim. Sweetish strawberries, vanilla overtones, touch of liquorice behind. Fresh, elegant, good acidity, ripe tannins, the oak is kind of flying around the fruit, needs a bit of time to fully integrate. 87

Great Kistler

2003 Kistler Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Valley Chardonnay;
Pale lemon yellow, smokey, flinty, some apples, elegant and complex. Fresh, good acidity, very cool fruit, balanced, minerals playing, good intensity, very smokey and flinty finish as well, long. 89

Tired

1999 De Loach, Russian River Valley Chardonnay;
Golden, oxidized, barely hanging on.

Hot chardonnay

2006 Ramey, Russian River Valley Chardonnay;
Straw yellow, heavy honey, very ripe pears, lychee, a bit heavy on the nose. Butter, caramel, vanilla, a bit heavy body and flavour profile, ok acidity, big and intense, alcohol 14,5, good length. With more air, everything gets better. 83

Willamette riesling

2006 Chehalem, Willamette Valley, Dry Riesling Reserve;
Straw yellow, touch of lime, minerals, starting petroleum, elegant nose. Good acidity and mouthfeel, even if a bit hollow, good grip, bitter apple finish, good length. 80

1948 La Tache

This one was the first wine out, the evening that really nailed my first great Burgundy experience, the two other wines of the evening is below.

1948 Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache;
Very low fill, shoulders, cork in terrible condition. Amber with lots of sediments. Some volatility and has the aromas of a fantastic Madeira, nuts, floral tones, citrus, and of course oxidation. Tannins gone, not too much acidity anylonger either, tar and figs. Tiny hint of redcurrants. Lasted like this in the glass for 1,5 hours, then developed positively, more strawberries and redcurrants, the Madeiranotes was pushed back, impressive for a wine that has had much better days. Impossible to rate. Huge learning curve.

1962 Richebourg

This wine was from the same tasting/dinner as the one above and belove, and a few years old note, from 2006.

1962 Jean Gros, Richebourg;
B/C-level fill, cork soaked, clear mahogany colour, raw meat, cheese, tar, some volatility, with more air some strawberries, and redcurrants. Good acidity, tannins long gone, some figs, prunes, starting oxidation, better with the breast of duck than without. Very long length. 90 Must have been higher before/ or better stored bottle.

91 DRC Echezeaux

This tasting note is a few years old, from the autumn of 2007. This wine is here now, because it was this bottle who opened my eyes towards Burgundy, and later in January 2008 it was a 1998 Armand Rousseau Chambertin that nailed it.

1991 Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Echezeaux;
Bright ruby red, garnet rim. A level fill. Very youthfull, raspberry, strawberries, liquorice, hints of dry leafs, minerals even, getting some secondary aromas with more air, floral and perfumed overtones. Almost crisp acidity, tannins quite soft and elegant, such eleganse, purity, fantastic balance, great length. 92

1962 Unico

This tasting note is a few years old, but from one of the best wines I have ever tasted. I think from winter/spring 2006.

1962 Vega-Sicilia Unico;
Bright ruby, brick rim, some vanilla still, served blind, such complexity, and so youthfull, fooled by thirty years by it's age, blueberries, liquorice, tobacco, cigars, leather, touch of stable, gorgeous fruit, great structure, perfect balance, tannins getting very low and mature, acidity is playfull, fantastic wine and a great length. 100

90 La Chapelle

1990 Jaboulet Aine, Hermitage, La Chapelle;
Deep ruby, thin brick rim. Fantastic nose, fresh blood, vanilla, peppery, cherries, blackberries, liquorice, great structure and acidity, tannins maturing nicely, feels very youthfull, will easily keep another ten years, probably much longer as well, fantastic length. 97

Engel Echezeaux

2002 Rene Engel, Echezeaux;
Pale ruby, archtypical pinot, wild strawberries, some minerals, touch of autumn leaves, very elegant body, great balance, acidity is so elegant and refreshing, red berries, great structure, very long finish. Still young. 93

97 JJ

1997 Joh.Jos.Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Riesling Auslese;
Pale golden, apples, minerals, pears, a bit careful and tender at the moment, apricots and pineapples, slight petroleum starts to show. Great acidity and balance, needs time still, long length. 90

85 Howell Mountain.

1985 Dunn, Howell Mountain;
Bright ruby red, tobacco, perfumed, roses, cigars, lot's of liquorice, very open and showing it's best, very fresh, touch of volatility, just to spice things up. Fantastic acidity as always, very transparent and layered, a Pinot aproach to Cabernet fell, very long finish. Will last easily another ten or maybe 20n years. 96

Kistler at Per Se

2005 Kistler, Hudson Vineyard, Carneros Chardonnay;
Pale golden, fat and mineraly, butter, some lemon, touch of vanilla, very fresh acidity, elegant, balanced, very long length. Perfect with lobster baked in butter, I was not the chef, so I do not know how it was done. At Per Se, New York. 95

Sonoma flowers

2006 Littorai, Thieriot Vineyard, Sonoma Coast chardonnay;
Straw yelow, elegant nose, hyacinth, orange blossom, jasmin, vanilla and oak. Leaner than expected at 13,9% alc, balanced, a bit tender acidity, good length. More elegant style. 86

Great Chablis Premier Cru

1990 Raveneau, Chablis Premier Cru Butteaux;
Pale straw yellow, very young colour for it's age, nuts, minerals, wet plaster, very intese, leaps out of the glass, very elegant, stellar acidity, plays with the flavours, great minerality, some herbs and almost like dill and crayfish. Fantastic balance and length. 95