01 Yquem

2001 Château d'Yquem;

After two wonderful bottles of Yquem, why not continue? Paleish golden, unbelievable purity and refinement, layers and layers, stunning youthfulness, has everything you can imagine of tropical fruits and citrus, apricots and the likes. Superb balance, unbelievable purity, refinement, seductive, intense yet, well tender would be the wrong word, but something in that direction, minutes of length. Still 100

When people tell me they can't drink a sweet wine, that they don't like it, I try to understand them, and I always fail.

86 Yquem

1986 Château d'Yquem;

Golden, stunning nose, superb complexity and layers, floral, citrus, apricots, pineapples and tropical fruits, botrytis, so immensely fresh and vigorous compared to the 88 recently. Absolutely gorgeous length. 95-96

96 Yquem

1996 Château d'Yquem;

It amazes me how different this vintage is yet again in full size bottle compared to in demi. Golden, fresh and lively with apricots, pineapple and ample botrytis. Feels so much more refined, balanced and layered, more accomplished and put together. Superb balance and length, very refreshing. 95

04 Ausone

2004 Château Ausone;

Bright ruby, stunning nose, complex, nuanced and layered- Superb balance, refreshing and elegant with playful acidity, ripe tannins, superbly balanced, very long finish. Such elegance. 96

06 Lynch Bages

2006 Château Lynch Bages;

Ruby, elegant and typical Pauillac nose, refined and layered. Elegant structure, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, needs air to open up, long finish. 93

71 Gaja Barbaresco

1971 Gaja Barbaresco;

Ruby, brick rim, intense, leather, anise, prunes, probably even more, I was tired at this stage. Nice acidity, balanced, ripe tannins, long length. 92-93

Thanks to Øyvind for a wonderful evening and night! There was even more wines, but my pen failed me.... lets just leave it at that.

71 Monsanto

1971 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio;

Ruby, thin brick rim. Leather and licorice, fresh and nice acidity, more fruit and slightly more body than my last bottle, some tannins, balanced, long finish. 90

71 Giacomo Conterno

1971 Giacomo Conterno Barolo;

Ruby, brick rim, leather, some VA, anise. High and lively acidity that matches the wine perfectly, tannins soon gone, superb balance, cherries and plums, long length. 94

1971 Giacosa Montefico

1971 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Montefico;

Pale ruby, brick rim, mushrooms, sour cherries, sweetish on the palate. Nice acidity, ripe tannins and good length. I have a feeling that it was either not an optimum bottle or should have been decanted to open up. It was opened a long time, the last bottle I had was better, and had been open for five hours, even if I'm not always sure opening them is enough..... 89

1993 Grange

1993 Penfolds Grange;

Ruby, sweet blackcurrant's, anise, alcohol shows above the fruit on the nose, leather and black pepper. Way fresher on the palate, nice acidity, pretty playful, ripe tannins, nice balance and texture, good length. 92

Served totally blind, I was in California and on Opus One, mid nineties, not top vintage. Then the bottle owner stated it was the only legendary wine in the country, Grange was on everybody's lips instantly. How did I miss those black peppers that I actually wrote down.....

Another 71 Latour, one bottle is not enough now is it?

Some actually seem to love Latour even more than me

1971 Château Latour;

Ruby, brick rim, some yelled cork, but it was more VA and slightly tired than cork. Sour cherries and actually violets. Leaner, almost thin, and definitely short. 82

Quite an example of bottle variations these two.

1971 Latour

1971 Château Latour;

Ruby, brick rim, dusty, intense and tight at first. Needed half an hour to show fruit, cassis and plums, even prunes later on. Tight knit texture as well, OK acidity, like the Mouton lower than one would think, but nicely balanced to the body, towards hard tannins, good length. 90

The ugly duckling

1971 Château Mouton Rothschild;

(Magnum) Ruby, garnet rim, floral and red berries, elegant nose, refined, leather, cigars. Elegant tannins, if a bit lean, nice acidity, matches the body, tannins almost gone, bell peppers, good length. 89

People around the table preferred the heavier Barolo's, so I was left to enjoy this poor duckling by myself and finished half the bottle. I enjoyed it, even if on the lean side, it showed of all it had in a balanced way. Quite a nice drink by itself, but it's to fragile for any food.

71 Cappelano Barolo

1971 Cappelano Barolo;

2,1 litre, very strange bottle, like an hour glass. Ruby, thin orange rim. Tight, anise, hint of rose hips, intense of warm Church's shoe leather. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, nice body, good length. 90

I forgot to take a picture of the strange bottle unfortunately.

71 Granbussia

1971 Aldo Conterno, Barolo Granbussia Riserva Speciale;

3,78 litre bottle, ruby with brick rim, coffee, chocolate, cherries, sour feel behind, elegant body and texture, opens up, ads more fruit, long length. 91

Piemonte specialist Rune Rake mentioned that this was probably the second Granbussia vintage.

71 PdB Montestefano

1971 Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva;

Light ruby, orange rim, anise, metal, cherry stones, light body, lively acidity, drying slightly. 82

71 PdB Ovello

1971 Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco Ovello Riserva;

Light ruby, brick rim. Some oxidation, fresh acidity, some tannins, drying. There were two bottles available, I only tasted one of them, not that exited.... 80

66 Cappelano

1966 Cappelano Barolo;

Totally different animal, A level fill, well up in the neck! Gorgeous bright ruby with thin orange rim, violets, tar, roses, ripe cherries, fine leather, layered and stunning nose. Fresh and high acidity, tannins gone, nice body, refreshing, very good length, opens up beautifully. 92

79 Cappelano

1979 Cappelano Barolo;

Tired bottle, B level fill, oxidized and totally dried up.

97 Mouton Rothschild

1997 Château Mouton Rothschild;

Ruby, floral, pure, sweet strawberries, fresh and lively. Feels a bit lean now, but very elegant. Tannins ripe, structured, especially with the slightly lean fruit. Good length. 90

This was served blind, and that strawberry touch made me ponder for a while, then more classical notes appeared with cigars. (TN was written both before the wine opened up fully) The closest I came was something Margaux, but the structure was a bit much, and that turned out to be correct.

Four 1971, one strange Gaja and Pavie

1971 Louis Trapet, Gevrey-Chambertin;

Pale ruby, broad brick rim, slightly of cooked strawberry jam, earth, elegant nose. Nice acidity, lean body, holding surprisingly well, even with somewhat edgy finish. 84

1971 Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux;

Ruby with orange rim, truffles, anise, prunes and some dust. Good acidity, tannins soon gone, OK balance and fruit, good length. 85

1971 Château Pavie;

Ruby with orange rim,prunes and figs, more body than Dutruch, but actually not that much more going on. Nice acidity, somewhat rustic texture, a bit lean, very different from today's Pavie, good length. 87

1971 Gaja, Nebbiolo Sori del Turco;

I have never seen or heard of this wine before, orange colour, oxidized, sour, on the verge of living at all.

76 Magnum Diebolt-Vallois BdB

1976 Diebolt-Vallois, Blanc de Blancs Brut;

(Magnum) Golden, tiny bubbles, minerals, caramel and lemon. Intense mousse, sharp acidity first, then more rounded, not very complex or long. 82

69 Dom Perignon

1969 Dom Perignon;

Deep golden, small and few bubbles. Some oxidation first, seems to go away as more fruit and minerals appear, but caramel and butter is always in front. Fresh acidity, balanced, nice texture, elegant mousse, long length. 93

04 Ch Margaux

So, what to do when the 04 Latour is gone? You crack open a 04 Margaux to lick the wounds!

2004 Château Margaux;

Ruby, floral, perfumed, give it air to open, a few hours at least. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, beautiful texture, silky, elegant, superb balance, violets, refreshing and very long. 95

04 Latour, faulty bottle

2004 Château Latour;

Faulty bottle, lacks fruit, but not oxidized, maybe a hint of cork behind there, but not that easy to detect. Anyway, clearly faulty.

06 Bahans Haut-Brion

2006 Château Bahans Haut-Brion;

Floral, perfumed, quite intense, fresh and elegant acidity. Good texture, elegant and refined, long length. Good is such a lousy word in this context, but I trust you know what I mean. 91

01 Citran

2001 Château Citran;

Ruby, fresh, elegant, only starting to mature, nice texture and balance. 89

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Listrac-Médoc

2010 Château Fourcas Dupré;

Lively, perfumed, elegant, pure, beautiful structure. 89-90

2010 Château Fourcas Hosten;

Fruity, elegant, nicely textured. 87-88

(The two Fourcas estates have taken me by surprise this vintage, both in April and in June! I have never enjoyed them before very much, these are well made!

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Pomerol

2010 Château Beauregard;

Elegant, layered, nuanced, long. 92-93

2010 Château Clinet;

Dark fruits, lots of barrel notes, too much? 87-89

2010 Château Gazin;

Pure, refreshing, elegant, playful acidity, elegant, long. 93-94

2010 Château la Cabanne;

Nice fruit and acidity, good length. 88-89

2010 Château La Conseillante;

Layered, refined, stunning nose and stunning purity of fruit. Pure, perfumed, gorgeous texture, balanced, lively acidity, ripe tannins, stunning length, minutes. Fantastic! 97-98 (99)

2010 Château La Pointe;

Elegant, fruity, good length. 89-91

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Saint-Emilion

2010 Château Angélus;

Intense, pure fruit, fresh acidity, structured, high of ripe tannins, long. 93-94

2010 Château Balestard la Tonelle;

Coffee, sweet, extracted feel. 86-87

2010 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot;

Ripe, sweet, extracted feel, alcohol mid palate, sweet finish. For those who like this style. Maybe 90-92

2010 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière;

Intense, fruity, structured, long. Difficult stage now. 89-91

2010 Château Figeac;

So much more refined than most St-Emilions lately, layered, fresh, lively, elegant and long. 93-95

2010 Clos Fourtet;

Finally more fruit and body on this one, elegant, layered, nicely textured, long finish. 91-93

2010 Château La Gaffelière;

On the verge of being to extracted, barely balancing. 87-89

2010 Château Troplong Mondot;

Fresh, elegant, layered. refined, long. 92-93

2010 Château Trottevieille;

Sweet and ripe, but acidity to back it up, nice length. 90-92

05 Kurt Hain, and 55 Buick. 50 years of excellence?

2005 Kurt Hain, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen, Riesling Spätlese;

(Magnum) I bought this bottle as I remember my father telling a story (and showing pictures) of a stop at Kurt Hain on our way to the French Riviera in a 1955 Buick, way back in 1982. I was just 3 years old. (The picture shows Jay Leno's gorgeous 55 Roadmaster two door hardtop).

So, back to the wine, pale golden, some minerals, just a tiny hint of petroleum, gorgeous apples, layered and elegant. Fresh acidity perfectly balanced with the body, refreshing, light, airy, stunning balance, refreshing and long finish. Mouthwatering. A beauty. 93

98 Poggio Alle Mura

1998 Castello Banfi, Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio Alle Mura;

Ruby, red berries, sour cherries and some floral notes behind, leather, evolving nose. High acidity, ripe tannins, slightly lean and slightly austere texture, good length. 88

1995 Musar

1995 Château Musar;

Fill bottom neck, and that was one of the very top fills in the case, many at top shoulder. I found this a bit worrying for such a young age, but anyway. This bottle turned out very fine. Bright ruby, thin brick rim, some VA, but not excessively for Musar, leather, anise, plums and figs. Evolved style, drinking very well now. Acidity on the fresh side, especially with a somewhat lean body, but mouth-feel is rounded enough, it's leaner towards a slightly sharp finish. Tannins ripe, good length. 90

Have I ever mistaken Yquem for another wine?

Not since yesterday!

2004 Château d'Yquem;

Served blind. Pale golden, feels like Semillion on the nose, and quite heavily botrytised. Nose closed, intense apricot and pear, not very complex. Fresh acidity and balance, and what it lacks in complexity, it gains in length. Everlasting, minutes, what a stunning wine, whatever it is. 94

This was served totally blind, meaning I only saw the colour in the glass. It could be anything. Nose and length of Sauternes, but lacks the normal complexity, could it be Jurancon? Doesn't feel like that either, Barsac? Maybe. Not Riesling, no chance, and not something from Alsace either. Too low acidity for Loire as well. Could it be a marvel of a New World Semillion? Emile Peynaud was once asked if he had ever mistaken a Burgundy from Bordeaux, and answered: "-No, not since lunch." So I'm in good company!

08 Dei Vino Nobile

2008 Dei, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano;

I'm not the most experienced Vino Nobile drinker, and my preference, experience and knowledge more or less lies with Boscarelli. This one was a far cry from the latter, simple, easy and lean with somewhat acidic finish. 70

Two spoiled bottles in one evening

First out was 1985 d'Angelo Canneto, Vino da Tavola Rosso della Basilicata that was heavily oxidized and totally gone. I'm not sure if I have tasted it before, and I definitely do not know the producer. The bottle was forgotten in my fathers cellar. Next was an immensely corked 05 Jamet Cote-Rotie. Such a shame.

05 exciting Rioja

2005 Bai Gorri De Garage;

Ruby with garnet rim, intense nose, blueberries, licorice, tight, vanilla and coffee. Leaner body than nose suggest, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, slightly rough on the edges at this stage, but seems to evolve nicely. Quite a surprise after what I remember as quite more fruity two years back. Would be very interesting to follow, but that was my one bottle. 90

82 Dr.Loosen GH Auslese

1982 Dr.Loosen, Graacher Himmelreich, Riesling Auslese;

Top fill, re-corked 2006 at the estate (late cellar release it seems). Golden colour, apricots, apples and minerals, very little if any petroleum. Surprisingly youthful, but lacks a bit of freshness. 82 was on the warm side as a vintage and this shows here. Acidity should have been better, it's clean, pure and elegant, but not glistening. Could be longer as well. 87

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Pessac-Léognan

The property at Château Pape Clément is more refined than it's wines, unfortunately.

2010 Château Bouscaut Blanc;

Fresh, lively, smoky minerals, balanced, fresh and layered. 91-92

2010 Château Bouscaut Rouge;

Fresh, lively, just on the sweet and ripe side, minerals. 89-91

2010 Château Carbonnieux Blanc;

Elegant, refined, layered, beautiful texture, fresh acidity, lemons and long finish. 92-94

2010 Château Carbonnieux Rouge;

Elegant and feels more refined for red Carbonnieux, seems less excessively oaked, long. 91-93

2010 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc;

Layer upon layer, citrus, stunning acidity, balanced, incredible length, stunning. 94-96

2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge;

Perfumed and complex, fresh, lively, mouthwatering, stunning balance and freshness, long. Best DdC Rouge ever? 94-95

2010 Château Haut-Bailly;

Beautiful nose, fresh, lively, slightly hollow mid palate, yet again not convinced, disappointing considering vintage and appelation. 88-89

2010 Château Malartic Lagraviere Blanc;

Grapefruit and minerals, elegant, more fruit-driven style, superb length. 92-93

2010 Château Olivier Blanc;

Smokey Pessac minerals, citrus, stunning fruit and balance, very long. A new star is on it's way, especially on the whites. 93-95

2010 Château Pape Clément Blanc;

Bathing in oak, almost impossible to have any sensation of anything else. Overdone, massive and of little use. Impossible to drink. If Olivier is a rising star, this is not falling, it's plummeting. 83 if I'm kind.

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc;

Gorgeous nose, stunning flavor and texture, intense, great length. 93-94

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge;

Elegant, layered, refined, flirting and seductive, perfumed, long. 93-94

04 Château Lafite Rothschild

2004 Château Lafite Rothschild;

Ruby, some mint, cassis, floral notes, enormously elegant Pauillac nose. Wisteria, vanilla, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering texture, elegant structure, young, fresh and lively, perfect balance, very long indeed. Yes, it's by far too young, still flirting now if decanted. 95

04 VCC

2004 Vieux Château Certan;

Remembering the last bottle this last winter, this one was given appropriate air. Fruit driven, red berries, just starting to show a hint of development. Elegant acidity and structure, ripe tannins, long finish. Wait five to ten more years. 91-92

03 Ch Pavie

2003 Château Pavie;

Deep ruby, cooked fruit, big, Port like, and actually has enough acidity. Ripe tannins, simple minded and not that long. A bit of a show-off. 87

06 Duhart-Milon

2006 Château Duhart-Milon;

Deep ruby, floral, slightly rustic, either as a style or just at this phase. Fresh acidity, some green touches, ripe tannins, good length. 88

06 Pieropan Calvarinho

2006 Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarinho;

Golden, yellow fruits, some oxidation, touches on tired. I thought this one would age a bit better to be honest, but seems to be only La Rocca that can age. 78

06 Livio Felluga Terre Alte

2006 Livio Feluga Terre Alte;

Golden, somewhat big and ungraceful, ripe lemons, yellow fruits, apples, some minerals behind it all, medium acidity, fatty texture, working quite well with some grilled mixed seafood. 89

01 Lafon-Rochet

2001 Château Lafon-Rochet;

Ruby, tiny brick rim, fresh, elegant, some anise and leather, still evolving nicely, good length. 88

03 Conti Costanti Brunello

2003 Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino;

As I'm soon to move houses, I'm trying some of my 03 stocks these days to see if they're worth moving. This one almost brick on the rim, ruby core, elegant and perfumed if evolved nose for a eight year old, nicely textured, ripe tannins and still there, acidity good enough if somewhat low for Sangiovese, holding out very well. 90

03 M di Gresy Camp Gros

2003 Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga Camp Gros;

Pale ruby, brick rim, both evolved and young on the nose at the same time, youthful roses, red berries and tar, yet licorice and prunes suggesting age, good acidity, very ripe tannins, drinking very well at the moment. 91

2003 Dr.Loosen EP Auslese

2003 Dr.Loosen Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese;

Expectations were not that high, but the acidity and wine was fresher than anticipated, even if not as lively and characterful as the wines of this vineyard normally would be. That actually describes the whole wine quite well. Tiny touch of petroleum lurking in the shadows of overripe lemons and pears, acidity only medium for Riesling, quite elegant and well balanced, long length. 91

06 Mönchhof ÜW Spätlese

2006 Mönchhof Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese;

Enjoying wines in summer and not actually writing that many tasting notes for ones, but here is a few from this week. Pale lemon, in that state at a few years of age where I find Riesling's to shut down and never fully opening up. Still apples, lemons, fairly ripe, minerals, nicely balanced, elegant, lively acidity, long length. 89