2010 Rousseau Lavaux St-Jacques

2010 Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St-Jacques:

Pale bright ruby. A bit tight first but opens up fairly quickly. Getting more floral and scented first, then more fragrant and red berries arrive. Fresh and lively acidity, ripe tannins, slightly rough texture at the moment even if it turns rounder and more velvety with air. Remains slightly edgy even after four hours, now the oak shows a little more and that is probably the culprit. Give it a few years in the cellar even if gorgeous already. 94

Five from Taupenot-Merme

2007 Taupenot-Merme Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru La Riotte:

Pale ruby. Some barrel notes up front at first, then red fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit and texture, good length. 89

2007 Taupenot-Merme Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers:

Pale ruby. Strawberries, slightly spicy, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and delicate NSG, long. 90

2007 Taupenot-Merme Corton Grand Cru:

Pale ruby. Scented, red berries and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit and body, a lovely Corton, long. 91

2007 Taupenot-Merme Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru:

Pale ruby. Elegant and fruity nose, nuanced and complex. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively body, red berries palate, long. 92+

2009 Taupenot-Merme Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d'Orveau:

Bright ruby. Intense, scented, nuanced and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant body and texture, lively, nuanced and long. 93

2010 Flor de Pingus

2010 Flor de Pingus:

(2nd Dominio de Pingus) deep ruby. Fruity, scented, ripe and sweet nose, floral and dark berries. Fairly fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet and ripe palate, unbalanced alcohol in the finish, warm. 86

2010 Fevre Montée de Tonnerre

2010 William Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre:

Pale lemon yellow. Fruity nose that tightens a bit with air getting more lemons and mineraly. Fresh acidity, fruity palate, minerals and citrus, elegant finish. 90

Hirsch Vineyard tasting

2010 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve Estate:

Pale golden. Popcorn, smoky and yellow fruits on the nose. Freshish acidity, fatty and waxy texture, a bit warm finish. 87

2010 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault:

Ruby. Fruity, ripe, cinnamon and jam on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe and slightly sweet, balanced, a bit warm finish. 87

2009 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir Reserve Estate:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and vanilla nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and again a bit warm. Good length. 86

2010 Hirsch Vineayrd Pinot Noir Reserve Estate:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft and fruity, more refreshing finish, good length. 88

2010 Hirsch Vineayrd Pinot Noir West Ridge Estate:

Ruby. Fruity, ripe and spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft and velvety texture, a bit warm finish. 87

2010 Hirsch Vineayrd Pinot Noir East Ridge Estate:

Ruby. Fruity, ripe and spicy nose. Freshish acidity, rope tannins, fruity, good length. 88

One Chablis, one Meursault, both 2010

2010 Gerard Tremblay Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume Vielles Vignes:

Pale lemon yellow.  Apples, minerals and some vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity and mineraly palate even if slightly lean mid palate, good length. 87

2010 Maison Roche de Bellene Meursault Les Charron:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples and minerals on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity and quite lively palate, feels focused. Good length. 88

Two inexpensive from Bordeaux

2011 Château Grand Hosteau Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Asparagus and cats pee on the nose. Fresh acidity, fuller and fruitier body than nose, but not very complex, easy going. 83

2011 Château Grand Hosteau Rouge:

Bright ruby. Some vanilla, fruity and minerals touch on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly elegant, somewhat creamy texture, rounded for an inexpensive Bordeaux. 83

Small Guiraud tasting

2011 Le G de Guiraud:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity and minerals nose, yellow plums ans slightly tropical. Fresh acidity, quite lively palate, refreshing, good length. 87

2009 Petit Guiraud:

(2nd Ch. Guiraud) Light golden colour. Some apricots, vanilla and tropical fruits. Fresh acidity, fairly straightforward, an earlier bottle was a little more nuanced. 87

2009 Château Guiraud:

Pale golden. Apples, fruity, tropical, pure and elegant nose, complex. Fresh acidity, fruity and lively palate, elegant, creamy texture, very long. 95

Penfolds tasting including four vintages each of Grange and RWT

2012 Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling:

Watery lemon yellow. Fruity, apples and some minerals on the nose. Freshish acidity, fruity palate, good length. 84

2010 Penfolds Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, vanilla and smoky touch on the nose. Fresh acidity, leaner and cooler than one expects both from nose and Australia, but this is from vineyards 750 meters above sea level. Good length. 89

2010 Penfolds RWT:

Deep ruby. Rich, vanilla, peppery and spicy nose, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity and a bit warm palate, but remains fairly refreshing, long. 90

2009 Penfolds RWT:

Deep ruby. Rich, scented and peppery nose, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich and plummy, fresher finish, long. 88

2008 Penfolds RWT:

Deep ruby. Rich, fruity and a alcohol touch on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich and plummy on the palate, fresher finish, long. 88

2005 Penfolds RWT:

Deep ruby. Rich, leather, cassis and plums nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, alcohol notes and intense fruity palate, long. 89

2008 Penfolds Grange:

Deep ruby. Rich, layered, intense and sweet nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, refreshing even if ripe, long finish. 94

2007 Penfolds Grange:

Deep ruby. Scented, spices, ripe plums and red berries nose, leather. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, massive fruit and body, velvety texture, rich and again fairly refreshing, long. 92

2006 Penfolds Grange:

Deep ruby. Scented, liquorice, massive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, sweet, alcohol shines through, sweet. Long. 90

2003 Penfolds Grange:

Deep ruby. Liquorice, vanilla, pepper, leather, rich and complex nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, somewhat leaner style for Grange, still rich and fruity. Layered and long. 93

09 Mondavi Resreve

2009 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve:

Deep ruby. Scented, layered, complex nose, dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity palate, rounded texture, ripe but refreshing, long. 92

Two Riesling's

2012 Kloster Eberbach Hattenheimer Engelmannsberg Riesling Kabinett:

Watery lemon yellow. Some apples, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and straight forward, good length. 85

2011 Von Winning Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling:

Watery lemon yellow. Apples and some yellow fruits on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity and elegant body and texture, lively, good length. 89

3 relatively inexpensive from Bordeaux

2008 Château Roquettes: 

Ruby. Floral, fruity and roses on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, quite elegant, good length. 87

2000 Les Grilles de Larigaudiere:

Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, fruity and mature nose, some plums and figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner style but elegant, good length. Drink soon. 86

2009 Château Tour de Grenet:

Ruby. Scented and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant texture, quite lively, good length. 86

09 Duplessis Montmain

2009 Duplessis Chablis 1er Cru Montmain:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples and lemons nose, some minerals below. Fresh acidity, focused, fruity and lemony palate, long. 92

00,01 and 02 Clos des Goisses retasted

2000 Philipponat Clos des Goisses:

Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Fruity, minerals, lime and fresh nose. Fresh acidity, lively mousse, lovely and expressive, elegant texture, long and refined. 93

2001 Philipponat Clos des Goisses:

Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Apples and tight minerals on the nose. Focused. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, fruity but also more focused palate than last bottle, elegant finish. 92

2002 Philipponat Clos des Goisses:

Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Apples, lime, minerals, focused nose, layered and complex. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, fruity, lively and mouthwatering, superb balance, long and refined. 94+

2010 Louis Latour Chassagne and 99 Taurasi Radici

2010 Maison Louis Latour Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru:

Pale lemon yellow. Rich and fruity nose, fatter and a touch waxy nose. Fresh acidity, leaner palate, more waxy and still fatter than last bottle, good length. 88

1999 Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici Riserva:

Ruby, garnet rim. Rich, dusty and cherries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet cherries, fruity, good length. A bit rustic. 87

Muzard and Pavelot

2011 Muzard Santenay Champs Claude Vielles Vignes:

Bright ruby. Fruity and Christmas spices on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, a bit easy going but quite lovely put together, good length. 86

2010 Pavelot Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Gravains:

Ruby. Red berries and some minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, elegant fruit, lovely finish. 88

2010 Pavelot Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Dominode:

Ruby. Red berries, tighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, slightly tannic grip on the palate, good length. 88

09 Isole e Olena Cepparello

2009 Isole e Olena Cepparello

Bright ruby. Fruity, minerals, liquorice and plums nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rich and intense, good length. 89

03 Dom Perignon, 02 Dom Ruinart, Krug Grand Cuvée

2004 Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé:

Salmon with small bubbles. Apples, red berries and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, minerals beneath, lively, almost a touch rustic finish, bitter touch. 90

2002 Dom Ruinart:

Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Apples, minerals, nuanced, lively and layered nose. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, lively, focused and long. 92+

2003 Dom Perignon:

Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Apples, minerals, more focused than earlier bottles on the nose. Fresher acidity and tighter mousse as well, even if not tight compared to other vintages, more elegant and nuanced than before. 93

Krug Grand Cuvée:

Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Apples, minerals, layered and complex nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and lively, refreshing and superb texture and balance, refined. Layered and long. 95

08 Chave Hermitage

2008 Chave Hermitage Farconnet:

Ruby. Scented, fruity, deep and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and layered palate, long. 91

2008 Chave Hermitage:

Ruby. Fruity. Lively, scented and vanilla nose. Rich and massive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and rich body and texture, lively and long. 93

3 from Guigal

2009 Guigal Hermitage Blanc:

Towards lemon yellow. Rich, fruity and vanilla nose, buttery. Medium minus acidity, fruity and mineraly palate, buttery again, good length. 89

2008 Guigal Côte Brune et Blonde:

Deep ruby. Spicy, dark berries and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite lively, good length if a bit warm. 87

2009 Guigal Côte-Rotie Château d'Ampuis:

Deep ruby. Intense vanilla, blueberries and vanilla nose, fruity and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively and long. 92

09 Deux Montille Soeur Puligny Champs Gain

2009 Deux Montille Soeur et Frére Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gains:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples and minerals on the nose, elegant, pure feel. Fresh acidity, fruity. Minerals, elegant body for the vintage. Lovely finish. 91

Five 2011's from Schäfer-Fröhlich

2011 Schäfer-Fröhlich Bockenauer Vulkangestein Riesling Trocken: Nahe

Watery lemon yellow. Apples, minerals and floral nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and lively, a little bit tight for '11, good length. 89

2011 Schäfer-Fröhlich Bockenauer Schiefergestein Riesling Trocken:

Watery lemon yellow. Apples, minerals and fatter nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and lively, fruity, good length. 88

2011 Schäfer-Fröhlich Felsenberg Riesling GG:

Watery lemon yellow. Apples and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fruity and lively, lemons and water melons on the palate, long. 90+

2011 Schäfer-Fröhlich Kupfergrube Riesling GG:

Watery lemon yellow. Apples and minerals nose, again somewhat tighter '11. Fresh acidity, elegant, fruity and lively, playful and mouthwatering, long. 91

2011 Schäfer-Fröhlich Felseneck Riesling GG:

Watery lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, focused and sharper nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity, quite intense, long. 92

Two from Shlossgut Diel

2011 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling GG:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, very apply palate, fruity, good length. 89

2011 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling GG:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fruity and apply palate, more lively, long. 90

11 Wagner-Stempel vom Porphyr

2011 Wagner-Stempel Riesling vom Porphyr Trocken:

Watery lemon yellow. Apples, minerals and floral nose. Fresh acidity, lively and elegant, fruity, lovely and good length. 88

01 Faiveley Clos de la Maréchale

2001 Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Maréchale:

Bright ruby, brick rim. Sous bois, strawberries and minerals on the nose. Fresh acidity,ripe tannins, leaner body but fruityand lovely texture,good length. 88

2012 Giacosa Roero Arneis

2012 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis:

Pale lemon yellow. Scented, apples and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fruity and lively, floral, good length. 87

3 from Didier Monchovet

2010 Didier Monchovet Hautes Côtes de Beaune Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals and a touch of mustard on the nose. Fresh acidity, lively, creamy texture, fruity, good length. 88

2010 Didier Monchovet Puligny-Montrachet:

Pale lemon yellow. Yellow apples, fruity and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, lively elegant and slightly creamy texture, lovely finish. 91

2011 Didier Monchovet Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge:

Bright ruby. Red berries with a touch of herbs nose. Fresh acidity, fruity elegant and lovely body for Hautes Côtesde Beaune. 87

2010 Billaud Simon Montée de Tonnerre

2010 Billaud Simon Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre:

Watery lemon yellow. Apples, fruity and minerals nose, leaner and focused style. Fresh acidity, lively, minerals and lemons, long. 90

11 Maximin Grünhaus Spätlese

2011 Maximin Grünhaus Abtsberg Riesling Spätlese:

Watery lemon yellow. Beautiful apples and minerals nose, pure and delicate. Fresh acidity, elegant and rounder body, elegant and seems ready sooner than most vintages from Maximin Grünhaus, but will last a decade or more. Lovely. 90

3 from Nicolas Feuilatte

2005 Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Chardonnay Millisime:

Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Apples, minerals and yellow fruits nose. Fresh acidity, lazy mousse, fruity, yeasty finish. 87

2004 Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Chardonnay Grand Cru:

Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Apples, minerals and yeasty nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, elegant mousse, lively, quite elegant and long. 89

1999 Nicolas Feuillatte Palme d'Or:

Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Apples, fruity and layered nose. Fresh acidity, lively, nuanced, minerals behind yellow fruit, long. 91

Some young punks

2012 Some Young Punks Monsters Monsters Attack:

Towards lemon yellow. Fruity apples nose. Fresh acidoty, fruity, seems a bit leaner than the '11, good length. 86

2012 Some Young Punks Naked On Roller Skates:

Deep ruby. Fruity nose, boysenberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet fruit but balances, not too much, good length. 85

2012 Some Young Punks Double Love Trouble:

Ruby. Spicy, liquorice and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, good length. 86