00 Conseillante

2000 Château La Conseillante;

Ruby, perfumed, pure and elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, velvety texture, flirting and sexy, layered, complex and stunning finish. 95

96 Pichon Comtesse

1996 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;

Tasted in pretty hopeless glasses, still ruby, elegant Pauillac nose with some floral notes and tobacco. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced and beautiful texture, very long finish. 95

98 Lascombes

1998 Château Lascombes;

Ruby, thin garnet rim, elegant floral high-note, maturing nicely, just reaching a nice plateau of maturation, but will easily age further. Fresh and nice fruit, balanced, elegant texture, good length. 91

06 Pavillon Blanc

2006 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux;

Pale golden, served by Gunvor Bizard of Ch.Margaux during a private lunch in Margaux, fresh and lively, subtle and powerfull, high acidity, elegant body, beautiful minerals, beauty now, will age a long time still, but may shut down for a while in the mean time. Very long length. 93

96 Palmer

1996 Château Palmer;

Ruby, superb nose, floral notes, layered and complex, very refined, elegant freshness on the palate, ripe tannins, love the way it's quite intense, yet feels subtle and tender, very long finish. 95

04 Haut-Brion

2004 Château Haut-Brion;

Ruby, extremely elegant nose, floral, minerals, tobacco, fine fruit, layered and seductive, refined, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, nuanced, elegant texture, youthful, long finish. 94

03 Pichon Longueville

2003 Château Pichon Longueville Baron;

Ruby, nice intensity, fruits, not as sweet feel as it had some years back, good acidity, ripe tannins, balanced and elegant texture, long finish. Drinking quite well already. 90

07 Le Petit Lion

2007 Le Petit Lion;

(2nd Ch Leoville Las Cases) Ruby, young, fruity and a touch of herbs. Fresh acidity, slightly rough texture at the moment, needs five years of cellaring. 88

96 Ducru Beaucaillou

1996 Château Ducru Beaucaillou;

Ruby, garnet rim. Exceptionally elegant nose, layered, complex and seductive, very refined. Mouthwatering acidity, ripe tannins, starting to develop, elegant texture and structure, beautiful balance, very long finish. 95

04 Ch. Margaux

2004 Château Margaux;

Ruby with garnet rim, floral, some perfumed notes, cassis, layered, complex and refined. Gorgeous texture, fresh acidity, mouthwatering, ripe tannins, give it a few hours of air or decant it, subtle, very long finish. 94

2010 Talbot and Connétable

2010 Château Talbot;

Ruby, intense nose, almost massive feel to it, ripe, still elegant, fresh acidity and tannins. 88-90

2010 Connétable de Talbot;

Ruby, some green and herbal notes, cassis, elegant, good length. 87-88

2010 Moulin a Vent

2010 Château Moulin a Vent;

Ruby, cassis, bell peppers, nice fruit, balance and texture, good length. 85-86

2010 Fourcas Dupré

2010 Château Fourcas Dupré;

Ruby, elegant cassis, fresh, nice texture, ripe tannins, good length. Probably the best Fourcas Dupré so far. 87-88

2010 Fourcas Hosten

2010 Château Fourcas Hosten;

Ruby, cassis, nice intensity, balance and texture, nothing green and unripe that has been a slightly too austere style from here, this is the best I've tasted so far from Fourcas Hosten. 86-87

2010 Petrus

2010 Château Petrus;

Tasted twice during primeur week, first time very shut down, second time, some three days later, opened beautifully up. Deep of fruits, perfumed, layered, complex and intensely refined. Superb texture, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, beautiful balance, sexy and seductive, benchmark Merlot, stunning length, lasting all the way from Petrus to Ausone.... I'm not joking! My best ever Petrus! 96-98

2010 Vieux Château Certan

2010 Vieux Château Certan;

Ruby, fruity and floral, pure, stunning texture and structure, mouthwatering, has everything, gorgeous length. Could be a future legend. 95-97+

2010 Petit Village

2010 Château Petit Village;

Ruby, fresh style, herbs berries, elegant, lively acidity, ripe tannins, good length. 88-90

2010 La Pointe

2010 Château La Pointe;

Ruby, fresh, elegant, mouthwatering style, fruity and pure red berries, good length. 89-91

2010 La Croix de Gay

2010 Château La Croix de Gay;

Ruby, elegant, earthy and minerals, dark chocolate, nice texture, more intense than some Pomerol's, ripe tannins, long finish. 89-91

2010 La Cabanne

2010 Château La Cabanne;

Ruby, elegant, fruity, nice nerve to it, long. 89-91

2010 Gazin

2010 Château Gazin;

Ruby, minerals, fruit driven, fresh and lively, very elegant, beautiful texture, lots of ripe tannins, needs time. 91-93

2010 Clinet

2010 Château Clinet;

Ruby, pure and fruit driven, elegant structure, soft texture, good length. 89-90

2010 Beauregard

2010 Château Beauregard;

Ruby, minerals and pure fruit, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit forward. 91-92

2010 Canon

2010 Château Canon;

Dark ruby, fruit driven, big body, but also texture and structure to balance, very long finish. 92-93

95 Pontet-Canet

1995 Château Pontet-Canet;

Ruby, garnet rim, starting to evolve (bottle opened, but not decanted for two hours) leather blackcurrants, cigars and sweet tobacco. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some tertiary aromas showing, on the verge of getting mature, wait another few years for my taste, long finish. 93

2010 Ausone and Chapelle d'Ausone

Private cellar visit with Mr.Vauthier

2010 Château Ausone;

Ruby, floral, pure, refined and layered as few, difficult to grasp all the nuances, incredible freshness, superb acidity, ripe tannins, gorgeous texture and balance, a wine for meditation. 94-96

This will be really special for those very few that can both afford it and understand it fully! I hope I will be lucky enough to taste it again someday.

2010 Chapelle d'Ausone;

Ruby, refined minerals, red berries, fresh, elegant, all about texture here as well, superbly balanced, good length. 91-92

08 Moulin St Georges

2008 Château Moulin St Georges;

Ruby, tender somehow, and still intensely pure of red berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balance is perfection, a Burgundian Bordeaux, refined and layered, long length. A wine of tremendous pleasure. 93

2010 Moulin St Georges

2010 Château Moulin St Georges;

Ruby, bell peppers and intriguing raspberries, gorgeous nose, so pure it's incredible, superb texture, stunning red berries, an elegant beauty, long length. 93-95

2010 Haut-Simard

2010 Château Haut-Simard;

Dark ruby, herbs from the Cab F in the blend, but this also gives the nice texture and structure in this one, good length. 89-90

2010 Simard

2010 Château Simard;

deep ruby, fresh berries, pure, elegant, lively acidity, refined finish. 89-90

2010 Fonbel

2010 Château de Fonbel;

Dark ruby, herbs and blueberries, fresh feel, elegant, not too intense, playful feel to it, nice texture, good length. 89-90

08 Chèrubin

2008 Château Chérubin;

Deep ruby, blueberries and ripe darker fruits, vanilla, but balanced and layered. Acidity is fresh, even if not that high, ripe tannins, elegant texture, good length. 88

2010 Fleur Morange "The Bushmen"

2010 Château La Fleur Morange "The Bushmen";

Dark ruby, more layered and nuanced, eucalyptus high note, ripe black and blueberries, fresh, lively elegantly fruity, beautiful balance, long finish. 92-94

Only 600 bottles made!

2010 La Fleur Morange

2010 Château La Fleur Morange;

Deep ruby, floral high notes, blueberries, power, sweet, still balanced, I normally do not prefer this style, and yet again, there is balance and freshness, even nuances, long length. 91-92

Only 4000 bottles made

2010 Fleur Morange "Mathilde"

2010 Château La Fleur Morange Mathilde;

Deep ruby, dark fruits, berries, fresh acidity, nice texture, ripe, ripe tannin backbone, a very good example of the more extracted style with balance, definitely not all of them are exaggerated. 89-91

Only 7000 bottles made!

2010 Cheval Blanc and Petit Cheval

2010 Château Cheval Blanc;

Deep ruby, floral high-notes, ripe berries, compact, intense and complex as few, fresh acidity, superb tannins, gorgeous texture, massive yet layered, very long finish. Will need a lot of cellaring. 94-96 (Could turn into a legend....)

2010 Le Petit Cheval;

Deep ruby, elegant nose, spices, eucalyptus, dark berries and chocolate, more exotic than the compact big brother, at least at this stage, beautiful texture, elegant acidity, heavy of ripe tannins, long length. 91-93

2010 Tour du Pin

2010 Château Tour du Pin;

Dark ruby, fruity, lighter bodied, elegant except for some slightly rough tannins. Therefore 88

2010 Troplong Mondot

2010 Château Troplong Mondot;

Dark ruby, dark berries and coffee, good texture, fine acidity, ripe tannins, balanced and long length. 91-93

2010 in Sauternes

Sauternes is also somewhat divided, some are pure, layered and stunning, others not quite that. I did not taste any bad wines, some was less exciting, but most would probably be worth their asking price anyway. Many had stunning purity in flavours, combined with a beautiful acidity and long length. Wines of the vintage would probably be Yquem and Lafaurie-Peyraguey for me, with Fargues, Doisy Daëne, Suduiraut and La Tour Blanche right behind.

2010 in Saint-Emilion

Compared with 09, I found most wines better structured and fresher, with higher acidity in 2010. Some producers seems to love extraction, sweetness and alcohol, but luckily, there are more and more who are going back to more elegance and refinement, even when the wine still may have 14% alcohol.

Saint-Emilion was the most varied commune for me this vintage, with some stars, many good buys, and some horribly extracted ones, totally out of balance. The stars of the vintage for me would be Moulin St Georges, Ausone, Figeac, Cheval Blanc and Troplong Mondot of those I've tasted. I also loved La Fleur Morange "The Bushmen", but with only 600 bottles made, it will be impossible to find.

2010 Trottevieille

2010 Château Trottevieille;

Dark ruby, elegant nose, refined, elegantly textured, beautiful balance and length. Fresh acidity- 91-93

2010 Pavie-Macquin

2010 Château Pavie-Macquin;

Deep ruby, sweet nose, fresh acidity, elegant body and texture, good length. 88-90

2010 Larmande

2010 Château Larmande;

Deep ruby, fresh, elegant, nicely structured, good length. 89-91

2010 Larcis Ducasse

2010 Château Larcis Ducasse;

Deep ruby, oak and alcohol, burning finish. 65-66

2010 La Gaffelière

2010 Château La Gaffelière;

Deep ruby, floral, blueberries, elegantly textured, fresh acidity, good length. 88-90

2010 La Dominique

2010 Château La Dominique;

Deep ruby, fresh, fruit driven, but not excessive, elegant, lively acidity, ripe tannins, long finish. 89-91

2010 La Couspaude

2010 Château La Couspaude;

Deep ruby, coffee, dark berries, sweet and alcoholic. For those who like this style. 85-87

2010 Grand-Mayne

2010 Château Grand-Mayne;

Deep ruby, big, some alcohol and ripe berries, sweet style, lacks complexity and refinement. 85-87

2010 Clos Fourtet

2010 Clos Fourtet;

This always sticks out in Saint-Emilion, so too this year, green, herbal and a vegetal touch, lighter body and texture, elegant, but not for everybody, long length. 87-88

2010 Figeac

2010 Château Figeac;

Deep ruby, gorgeous texture and nose, mouthwatering acidity, very long finish, a beautiful Figeac. Needs time, will develop stunningly. 93-95

2010 Dassault

2010 Château Dassault;

Purple, sweet lean, alcoholic, out of balance, alcoholic finish. 79-81

2010 Cap de Mourlin

2010 Château Cap de Mourlin;

Black, big, ungainly style, unrefined and alcoholic burn in the finish. 77-79

2010 Canon-La-Gaffelière

2010 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière;

Deep ruby, nose on the sweet side, palate as well, saved by fresh acidity and nice structure, on the verge of being extracted, if it dries up, this will be a beauty, ripe tannins, good length. 89-91

2010 Berliquet

2010 Château Berliquet;

Deep ruby, pure, elegant, fruit driven, nicely textured, long finish. 90-92

2010 Beau-Séjour Bécot

2010 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot;

Deep ruby, chocolate and spices, pure fruit, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, nice texture and long length. 90-92

2010 La Conseillante

2010 Château La Conseillante;

Bright ruby, berries, incredible pureness, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, layered, superb texture and balance, gorgeous length. Stunning. Will this be a Pomerol legend of 2010? 95-97+

2009 La Conseillante

2009 Château La Conseillante;

Ruby, floral and berry notes, elegant and gorgeously textured, refined, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, pure and long. 94-96

2010 Lamothe Bergeron

2010 Château Lamothe Bergeron;

Deep ruby, paprika and cassis, nicely balanced, somewhat sweet mid palate, elegant finish. 87-88

2010 Munch

2010 Château Munch;

Deep ruby, fruity with some herbs in the back, elegant style and texture, lovely finish. 88-89

2010 Daugay

2010 Château Daugay;

Deep ruby, some herbs over berries, good intensity and nice length. 88-89

2010 Angelus

2010 Château Angelus;

Deep ruby, coffee and dark fruits, very complex. Fruit driven, beautiful texture and balance, very long finish. 93-95

2010 Yon Figeac

2010 Château Yon Figeac;
Dark ruby, elegant, blueberries, complex, nicely structured, ripe tannins, long length. 89-91

2010 Villemaurine

2010 Château Villemaurine;
Dark ruby, floral notes over dark fruit, elegant style St Emilion, long length. 88-90

2010 Saint Georges Côte Pavie

2010 Château Saint Georges Côte Pavie;
Deep ruby, floral and berries, fresh, elegant, long finish. Nuanced and refined. 90-92

2010 Laroze

2010 Château Laroze;
Deep ruby, fruit driven and somewhat extracted, slightly heavy texture, then turns into a quite delicate finish. 88-89

2010 Laroque

2010 Château Laroque;
Dark ruby, feels a bit rough on the nose (for me a bit typical of the estate), some herbs, more elegant palate. 85-87

2010 Larcis Ducasse

2010 Château Larcis Ducasse;
Deep ruby, somewhat lean, simple and herbal compared to others in this vintage. 82

2010 La Tour Figeac

2010 Château La Tour Figeac;
Deep ruby, eucalyptus, oak and spices, good texture but not many flavours not covvered by barrel at this stage. 87

2010 Haut-Corbin

2010 Château Haut-Corbin;
Deep ruby, spices, leaner style body, not as concentrated, more elegant and nuanced, goo length. 88-89

2010 Franc Mayne

2010 Château Franc Mayne;
Dark ruby, fresh, elegant, very St Emilion nose, on the lean side body wise, good length. 87-88

2010 Fonroque

2010 Château Fonroque;
Deep ruby, pure, clean, balanced, nicely structured, maybe I was a bit hard on this one? 88-89

2010 Destieux

2010 Château Destieux;

Deep ruby, pure blueberries and alcohol overtones. This seems to never be an estate for me. 84

2010 Couvent des Jacobins

2010 Couvent des Jacobins;

Dark ruby, lot's of barrel notes blurs the picture on this one, even some green and herbal touches, could be interesting when it sheds the oak, for now. 87-88

2010 Clos des Jacobins

2010 Clos des Jacobins;

Dark ruby, and again this fresh dark fruits and berries with lively acidity and ripe but somewhat massive tannins, long length. 91-93

2010 Cadet-Piola

2010 Château Cadet-Piola;

Ruby, fruit driven, blueberries, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lovely texture, good length. 90-92

2010 Reynon

2010 Château Reynon Blanc;

Pale lemon, fresh, elegant, nice texture, balanced and long finish. 85

2010 Château Reynon Rouge;

Ruby, fruit driven, good acidity, lively, elegant, balanced and good length. 84

2010 Thieuley

2010 Château Thieuley Blanc;

Pale lemon yellow, fresh, elegant and lively style. 82

2010 Château Thieuley Blanc, Réserve Francis Courselle;

Barrel fermented and for me, doesn't have the concentration for the oak, too much, but not of the good stuff. 78

2010 Yquem

2010 Château d'Yquem;

Golden, exceptional nose, pure, refined, layered, complex, superbly balanced, stunningly pure, absolutely beautiful, exceptional length. As I'm never spoiled when it comes to wines I taste, I actually had the 01 Yquem the day before and two days after, and there is resemblance beetween the two. 01 is probably the better wine, just..... 97-99

2010 La Tour Blanche

2010 Château La Tour Blanche;

Golden, fresh and lively, pure fruit, tropical, beautiful balance, very long finish. 92-94

2010 Lafaurie-Peyraguey

2010 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey;

Golden, more intense than normal, even more concentrated, still has the trademark freshness and liveliness of acidity, complex, refined and beautiful balance. 94-96

2010 Clos Haut-Peyraguey

2010 Clos Haut-Peyraguey;

A wine I rarely taste, and as rarely really enjoys, same with this vintage, boring and almost flabby. 84-86 for those who like the style.

2010 Rayne Vigneau

2010 Château Rayne Vigneau;

Golden, fresh, nice fruit, lively feel to it, elegant. 89-91

2010 Suduiraut

2010 Château Suduiraut;

Golden, tropical, elegant texture, lively acidity, but it feels like it lacks something. Not the finest Suduiraut made, and somewhat disappointing for me, as this is one of my absolute favorite estates. 92-93

Answer to question on 76 WS BA

As Blogspot is absolutely hopeless technically sometimes, I got tired of trying to answer Kjetil's question four times, and still it was not posted, so I will have to make a new post instead.

JJ Christoffel JR is an estate in Ürzig that makes fine, but a bit easy going and "simple" Rieslings, that are fruit driven. I enjoy the wines, but I'm not filling my cellar with them.

But I'm a huge fan of JJ Christoffel ERBEN, another Ürzig estate, making a subtle, extremelly refined, nuanced, layered and complex style with normally long length. The wines are normally increadibly difficult to source.

So, to answer the question Kjetil, no, I have never given too high remarks to Jr, the "beginners" Riesling, and a very fine one at that, but I certainly have to Erben. So, nothing has changed in my opinion.

2010 Coutet

2010 Château Coutet;

Golden, pure, fresh, lively, beautifully structured, great balance, but somehow lacks some complexity for me, good length. 90-92

2010 Guiraud

2010 Château Guiraud;

Golden, elegant and cleaner, or should I rather say more focused than normal for Guiraud, tropical, pineapples, long length. 92-94

2010 Rieussec

2010 Château Rieussec;

Golden, big, huge feel to it, complex, fruity, but lacks freshness and acidity, good but slightly plump length. 88-89

2010 Sigalas Rabaud

2010 Château Sigalas Rabaud;

Golden, fresh, lively, tropical fruit, but it feels it lacks something, could be more concentrated, refined and complex. 89-90

2010 de Myrat

2010 Château de Myrat;

Golden, sweet fruit, simple, lacks real freshness... 83-85

2010 Doisy Daëne

2010 Château Doisy Daëne;

Golden, more fatty texture than some in this vintage, still very fresh and lively, beautiful fruit, refined and elegant, long finish. 92-94

2010 Doisy-Vedrines

2010 Château Doisy-Vedrines;

Golden, pure and clean fruit, beautiful balance, lovely style, elegant and good length. 92-93

2010 Filhot

2010 Château Filhot;

Golden, feels simple besides some, but fresh, elegant and lively, if a bit simple. 87-88

2010 Nairac

2010 Château Nairac;

Golden, almost "violent" acidity, Riesling feeling, very fresh, the fruit is nice but lacks intensity and complexity for greatness, but fine. 89-91

2010 Caillou

2010 Château Caillou;

Golden, sweet feel, somewhat tropical, but on the slightly artificial side, and too simple. 81-83

2010 Fargues

2010 Château de Fargues;

Golden, tropical, quite intense, complex, beautiful acidity, elegance and refined, texture is perfection, pure and long 93-95

2010 Bordeaux

So, I'm going to put some notes out there of the new legend, 2010. As some of you will probably detect, I'm on the strict side when it comes to ratings, just because most will become even more fie and complex than they are today, and few shows they're full potential. My ratings is on how the exact sample or bottle I taste right now behaves, not the potential. Sometimes I write about the potential, sometimes I don't. But for me (even at maybe lower ratings this year) as I was blown away of the easy drinking 2009's, were I could actually drink the samples and enjoy them with food, this was not possible with the 2010's.

But I find the overall quality higher, with some lesser known estates making astonishing wines for quite a low buck. Bordeaux really doesn't have to be overpriced at all. These wines will need ten-fifteen years on the lower levels, and probably thirty, maybe more on the top. Hopefully I can follow this vintage for another 50 years with pleasure.

Private dinner at Pontet-Canet, Part II

2004 Comte Lafon, Meursault 1er Cru Charmes;

Again they hit spot on, on both producer and vineyard, this showed lemon yellow, gorgeous nose, focused with lime, minerals, some flint, elegant style of Meursault, fresh acidity, pure, refined and with a very long length, superb. Alfred was worried that he had served the wrong sort of wine when he found out we loved white Bordeaux, but with such a white Burgundy, it's very hard to complain.

2001 Château Pontet-Canet;

Decanted for 4 hours, elegant nose, staring to show signs of evolution, leather, tobacco, cassis, classic Pauillac. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, stunning 01 Bordeaux, and I love them, very long length.

1996 Château Pontet-Canet;

Decanted more than four hours, some figs, cassis, cigars, dark fruits, pure and evolving beautifully, my first 96 Pontet-Canet, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, starting to give away, very long length. Drinking beautifully now (but decant it), but will last much longer, if I had any, I would save it. A beauty.

1996 Château d'Yquem;

Golden colour, botrytis, pineapple and apricots, so much fresher than the last bottles I have tasted of this vintage, and more refined as well, a difference between demi's and full bottles seems to be detected as well, feeling more pure and gorgeously textured than the latest bottles (demi's (that have been slightly rough, if you can ever call an Yquem that)), and this with an exceptionally long length. Stunning with the raspberries next to it.

I thank Melanie and Alfred for an absolutely unforgettable private evening in Pauillac. And the night sky here is as black as in the Norwegian mountains, I hope I will be able to show them.

Private dinner at Pontet-Canet

I thought we were invited for a big primeur party at Pontet-Canet. We arrived, and saw some five or six other cars parked and gathered, hmm, only a party of maybe twenty or thirty then, quite exclusive!

Melanie Tesseron came out and welcomed us, and we were invited for a trip in the vineyards. As we left the "asphalt", (there is very little, if any asphalt at Pontet-Canet) the other cars left as well, and we understood that it was the four of us in the golf car, long wheel based model, that were the guests. I'm not sure if I can remember all the details of Melanie's descriptions on vineyards and wine making as I first had to come to terms with us being the only guests for tonight's dinner. But I vividly recall Melanie in her suede, high heeled shoes walking into the vineyards. What a sight, fantastic!

When we entered the winery, Alfred Tesseron greeted us as well. He remembered me, and that I had visited before, but not when or how long ago. I could not tell him, or Melanie, the exact date then, as it felt it a bit personnel. The first time I visited Pontet-Canet, I had an exceptional guide and companion in Alfred, both in the winery and in the vineyards, even the cellars of Pontet-Canet. But when we came to the tasting, he said he had to be excused, because his brother passed away the day before, Melanie's father.

Therefore a special bond has been made between Pontet-Canet and myself, that goes beyond exceptionally fermented grape juice. A place of warmth and hospitality, and sometimes a silence between sentences that has a meaning beyond words. It was really special for me to be able to enjoy such a private occasion, both then and now. I recently bought a house, and I opened a bottle of Pontet-Canet to celebrate. Lets just leave it at that.

We were invited inside the Château, and up on the balcony for some light snack. Quite astonishing actually, to be up there with some gorgeous views, even of the Gironde estuary. Having some nice appetizers and they even served one of my favorite Champagnes, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne. 1998 vintage, pale lemon colour, elegant nose, minerals, lemon, oxidized apples, stunning nose, but not too intense. Seek and ye shall find as they say. Beautiful texture and freshness, superb balance, long, elegant and refreshing.

09 Désert

2009 Château du Désert Blanc;

This Pessac-Léognan is pale straw yellow, lime, citrus, apple peel, somewhat intense nose. Some yeast in it's youthfulness. Needed some air to open, fresh and lively acidity, minerals, almost smokey lime feel, good length. Not the longest Pessac, but typical. 86

05 Silverado Cab S

2005 Silverado Vineyards, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon;

Deep ruby, thin ruby rim. Massive nose, eucalyptus, intense green paprika, herbs and some oak. Some acidity, ripe feel, some very soft tannins that still dries the mouth a bit, alcohol on the high side for drinking it by itself, with some grilled meat it blends in better, not because 14,5% have to be to high, but it is on the high side in this one wit such a lazy feel to the acidity and tannins, the structure doesn't quite carry it. Good length of jammy notes. 83

06 Silverado Vineburg, Carneros Chardonnay.

2006 Silverado Vineyards, Vineburg, Carneros Chardonnay;

Golden, fatty and oak, extracted feel, yellow plums, a tiny hint of minerals behind. Intense. Massive mouth-feel, lazy acidity, fatty texture and body, high and unbalanced alcohol, (surprising that it states 14,5% on the label, it feels quite higher) burning popcorn finish. A style for those who mistake power with quality. One is simply not able to have another glass, hardly even another sip..... 75

05 Peter Nicolay ÜW BA

2005 Peter Nicolay, Ürziger Würzgarten, Riesling Beerenauslese;

Golden, honey, apricots, botrytis, intense nose. High acidity that you really hardly notice as such, elegant and luscious, rounded then really refreshing acidity towards the finish. Long finish. 93

Andalucia-Malaga 1928-1933

1928-1933 Andalucia-Malaga;

Actually the second time I try one of these, brownish with orange rim, chocolate and coffee, more deep and intense than the last (more nuanced) bottle, good acidity, somewhat rough texture, this one feels to be on the way down, the last still holding out, but this has a longer finish. Think light and not as acidic Madeira in style. 85

Fortified from Languedoc

1998 Mas de Daumas Gassac, Vin de Laurence, Vin de Liqueur;

Pale garnet, floral, plumy, chocolate, jammy notes, lively acidity, refreshing style (15% alc only), very interesting. Good length. 88

05 Jardins de Babylon

2005 Didier Dagueneau, Jurancon, Jardins de Babylon;

Pale lemon yellow, floral, honey, tropical, fatter style, yet very fresh and lively. Beautiful acidity, elegantly structured, seductive, sweet, lively and dry feel at once, long length. 93

96 SHL Blanc and storage of wine

1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc;

The difference of provenance and storage is quite frightful some times. The last bottle I tasted was from Badie in Bordeaux, and I tasted it last summer. I was unsure if it was the wine or storage back then, but all ten- fifteen wines that I bought at Badie has turned out to be faulty, later on, when I have retasted several of the wines from other stores and/ or directly at the château. Very disappointing considering the high reputation of Badie.

This 96 SHL blanc behaves very different from the Badie bottle. (posted July last year) I have tasted this on several occasions now, and this was the better bottle, marginally. Golden, butter, nuts, minerals more fatty and somewhat less oxidized than some bottles, refreshing feel to it. Lively acidity, smoky touch and long finish. Very different from the Badie bottle. 92

1958 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva

1958 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva;

Pale re/ orange. Tar, roses, intense, sour cherries on the nose. Stunning acidity, high and fresh, tannins more or less gone, intense, licorice, superb balance and length, so lively. Better than the Monfortino of the same vintage. 94

09 Schâfer-Frölich Halenberg GG

2009 Schäfer-Frölich, Monzinger Halenberg, Riesling GG;

Pale lemon yellow, stunning nose, ripe fruits and apples, fatty minerals, yellow fruit quite intense, yet understated. Fresh acidity and gorgeously balanced for a dry Riesling, stunning texture, very long finish. Really needed a few hours in a decanter, and this is one of the best dry Rieslings I have tasted. 95

It went absolutely perfectly with virgin lobster in home made taco shell and tomato sauce and fresh pine needles. This seasoning made the dish have a sort of gin aftertaste that was really amazing together with the wine. Creation by Jon Engdahl. (Maemo and Kolonihagen)

85 Monsanto Il Poggio

1985 Monsanto Il Poggio, Chianti Classico Riserva;

Ruby with brick rim, red berries, greenish and herbal for half an hour, then adding weight and fruit, really needed one hour in the glass, even better at two. Licorice, high acidity and tannins, the only thing pulling down is a bit to short length. 87

1971 Monsanto Il Poggio

1971 Monsanto, Il Poggio Vineyard, Chianti Classico Riserva;

A level fill, ruby with orange rim, leather, anise, figs, dates, cinnamon, quite intense, mature. Intense acidity, dry tannins, sour cherries, eucalyptus, good length. Served blind and I found both aprox age and area. The pleasure of this wine was higher than the score. 89

99 Leroy Bourgogne Blanc

1999 Leroy SA Bourgogne Blanc;

Golden colour, some tropical and mineral notes, not very intense. Needs time to open, gets fuller with air, evolving nicely, drink soon, fresh acidity, almost flinty finish. Some bitterness. 86