85 Comte Lafon and more

2005 Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Riesling Reserve:
Straw yellow. Some apples, yellow fruity and some slight floral nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, more rounded than a bottle a month back, fairly lively, could be more nuanced. 89

2009 Ramonet Bourgogne Blanc:
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some minerals, citrus, slightly flinty nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, ripe, some yellow plums, good length. 86

1985 Comte Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre:
Pale golden. Lots of smoke and vanilla, seems to be a lot of barrels. Behind a lot of nuances, floral and even some tropical notes, flinty. Fresh acidity, fruity, bit ripe, elegant minerality, some sitrus, again that floral touch and slight tropical note. Just a bit short, but lovely. Served blind, I found both Meursault and Lafon but missed the vintage by fifteen years, I was on 2000. 93

2000 Vajra Barolo Albe:
Bright ruby, thin garnet rim. Tar, some roses, slightly balsamic, fruity, rich nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity Barolo, tar and roses palate, more rounded, slightly rich, bit warm finish. 89

2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape:
Deep ruby, thin garnet rim. Rich, fruity, plummy, dark berries, liquorice and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rich, ripe, plummy, bit alcoholic but not that bad. Served blind, I was on Southern Rhône at least in a collet and more elegant style. 91

Four Madeira's, oldest 1875 Moscatel

ABSL Malvasia Reserva Velha:
Amber with golden rim. Apricots, raisins, pure and fruity as always from ABSL. Fresh acidity, lively, almost creamy texture, refined, nuanced and elegant, lovely length. 91


1905 D'Oliveiras Verdelho Reserva:
Amber, orange-green rim. Some VA, nose a bit closed, not quite optimal bottle. Fresh and hig acidity, lively, better palate, powerful fruit, intense, but lacks some nuances. Long. 91

1907 D'Oliveiras Malvazia Reserva:
Deep amber, yellow green  rim. Intense, rich and fruity nose, caramel and figs. Rich palate, fresh acidity, sweet, maybe even for Malvazia, but a very refreshing lemon touch to refreshen things. Very long. 95

1875 D'Oliveiras Moscatel Reserva:
Almost brown, amber hue. Rich nose, very mature, somewhat grapey, apricots, and dried fruits. Rich, playful acidity, more oxidized style, very long. Fresher, livelier and more nuanced than last bottle. 94

1905 Verdelho

1905 D'Oliveiras Verdelho Reserva:
Amber with orange-green rim. Some VA that blows over on the nose. Abit closed. Dried fruits and nuts. Fresh and high acidity, lively, powerful fruit, intense and maybe not that refined. Long. 90

1900 Setubal, 1948 Port, 1905, 27 and 66 Madeira

1948 Stump Martinez Vintage Port:

(Norwegian Monopoly bottling) Pale garnet, lots of sediments. Nuts, cherries and redcurrants. Scented. Fresh acidity, elegant and almost creamy texture, even if the alcohol is behind. Superb texture, long and elegant finish. 95

1900 JM Fonsecha Setubal:

Brown with golden rim. Caramel, butter, orange marmalade, nuts and mint. Sweet palate with fresh and managing acidity, long, but burnt caramel finish. 90

1966 D'Oliveiras Verdelho Reserva:

Deep amber, golden rim. Nuts, dried apricots, and some Christmas spices. Fresh acidity, refreshing with a somewhat lean palate for Verdelho. Long and fresh finish. lovely but young. Every time I taste this I wonder why they don't hold on to it. Maybe the fruit isn't powerful enough, but it always feels too young.  91

1927 D'Oliveiras Bastardo Reserva:

Amber with golden hue. Floral, scented and some raspberries behind dried fruits and nuts. Fresh acidity, high even, mouthwatering, exotic, butter and touch of caramel. Long. Tasted this a few times and this bottle felt less obviously fruity than some of the others, maybe even better for it. 94

1905 D'Oliveiras Verdelho Reserva:

Amber with gold/orange rim. Nuts, citrus, dried fruits, floral, rich and intense. Fresh acidity, slightly hollow, but refreshing, very long finish. Another I've tasted a few times, quite 'typical' bottle. 93+

From the Arcus cellar tasting