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