2015 Bordeaux, Sauternes and their dry counterparts.

2015 Château d’Arche

Pale golden. Apricots, pineapples, fruity with a cinnamon note. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity, fresh, detailed, nuanced and long. 91-93

2015 Château Bastor-Lamontagne

Pale golden. Fruity, apricots, citrus and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant and lively, long. 89-91

2015 Château Broustet

Pale golden. Apricots, fruity, rounded, lemon peel nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, sweet but not complex. 85-87

2015 Château Cantegril

Pale golden. Apples, fruity, pineapples, tighter nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, playful, passion fruit touch, pears, touch of raisins, good length. 88-90

2015 Château Coutet

Pale golden. Apricots, pineapples, vanilla, light spicy touch nose, touch of lemons peel. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, rounded, lively, elegant, smooth, long. 94-96

2015 Château Doisy Daëne

Pale lemon yellow. Apricots, pineapples, minerals, vanilla, detailed and precise nose, fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, intense, precise and detailed, nuanced, lovely balance, long. 94-96

2015 Doisy Daëne Sec

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fruity, grapefruits nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, grapefruits, ripe, elegant, fresh, lovely balance. 89-91

2015 Château Doisy Védrines

Pale golden. Rich, fruity, pineapples, vanilla and peach nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, ripe, fruity, rounded, fairly intense for Védrines, long. 90-92

2015 Château de Fargues

Golden. Rich, intense, fruity, vanilla, pineapples, apricots, layered and deep. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, intense, playful, bright, intense, long. Superb. Pure. 95-97

2015 Château Filhot

Golden. Apples, peach, pears and apricots nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, sugary, sweet, has freshness but lacks complexity. 88-90

2015 Château Guiraud
Towards golden. Pineapples, apricots, fruity, detailed, elegant nose, pure and bright. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, rounded, lively, intense, playful, bright notes, long. 94-96

2015 G de Guiraud

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, light bitter note, good length. Can you imagine, 20-25% of the production of this one ends up in Norway! 87-89

2015 Château Haut-Bergeron

Pale golden. Apples, peach, floral, some tropical notes nose. Vanilla. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant. 86-88

2015 Clos Haut-Peyraguey

Pale golden. Apricots, pears, peach, pineapples nose. Fruity, ripe,r ich, intense, fruity, little bit short next to the others. 90-92

2015 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Golden. Apples, pineapples, citrus, minerals, vanilla and apricots nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, intense, detailed, layered, long. 94-96

2015 Château Lamothe Despujols

Pale golden. Citrus, orange peel and lemons nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, leaner, good length. 87-89

2015 Château Lamothe Guignard

Pale golden. Pineapples, fruity, peach and apricots, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, ripe, pineapples and peach, long. 90-92

2015 Château Liot

Pale golden. Fruity, ripe, apricots nose. Freshish acidity, fruity, rounded, easy. 84-86

2015 Clos des Lunes Sauternes

Pale golden. Apricots, pineapples, vanilla, floral and citrus nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, elegant, creamy. Located between Yquem and Guiraud. 90-92

2015 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Or

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, fresh, fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, elegant and playful, creamy, long. 91-93

2015 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, grapefruits, flint, smoky nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, elegant, good length. 88-90

2015 Clos des Lunes Lune Blanche

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, grapefruits, minerals, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, lively, good length. 86-88

2015 Château de Malle

Pale golden. Pineapples, apricots, peach and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, ripe, rich, intense, lovely balance, long. Best Malle I've tasted I think. 91-93

2015 Château de Myrat

Pale golden. Apricots, pineapples, fruity nose, some vanilla, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, apples, lemons, some vanilla and spices, cinnamon, rich and detailed but not full bodied, lovely balance, long. Probably the best Myrat in decades. 92-94

2015 Château Nairac

Pale golden. Apples, minerals, botrytis, pineapples, fresh and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant, fresh, leaner but lovely balance, refined. 93-95

2015 Château Raymond Lafon

Golden. Apricots, fruity, rounded, peach, vanilla, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples, pineapples and peach, fruity, ripe and rich, yet subdued, long finish. 93-95

2015 Château Rabaud Promis

Pale golden. Apricots, fruity and fresh nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, lively, elegant, smooth, lemon zest note, long. 89-91

2015 Château de Rayne Vigneau

Lemon yellow. Fruity, ripe, intense, apricots and pineapples, fresh. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, elegant, smooth texture, long. 91-93

2015 Château Rieussec

Pale golden. Apricots, ripe, rich, intense and detailed nose, pineapples. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, creamy and nuanced, long. 94-96

2015 Château Romer

Pale golden. Apricots, leaner nose, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, leaner, fresh, lemony, candied lemons finish. Good length. 89-91

2015 Château Romer du Hayot

Pale golden. Apricots, apples, peach nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, lively, detailed, elegant, best Romer du Hayot I’ve tasted I think, long. 90-92

2015 Château Sigalas-Rabaud

Pale golden. Fruity, pineapples, pears, peach and apricots, light cinnamon note nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, elegant, nuanced, playful, somewhat leaner, long. 92-94

2015 Château Suau

Pale golden. Apples, pineapples, peach and apricots nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant and playful, long. 90-92

2015 Château Suduiraut

Pale golden. Pineapples, apricots, peach and some spices nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, fruity, rounded, ripe, concentrated, pure and precise, long. 95-97

2015 Castelneau de Suduiraut

Pale golden. Fruity, apricots, rounded nose, light spicy note. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant, smooth. 89-91

2015 Lion de Suduiraut

Pale golden. Peach, apricots and light vanilla note nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant, fresh. 86-88

2015 S de Suduiraut

Watery lemon yellow. Some apples, peach, light minerals note, more white fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant, light minerals and peach. 87-89

2015 Château La Tour Blanche

Golden. Apricots, ripe, rich, intense nose, pineapples and vanilla. Fresh acidity, rich, intense, almost chewy with concentration, dense, intense and long. Beautiful balance. 95-97

2015 Château d'Yquem

Golden. Apricots, pineapples, touch of spices and vanilla, rich and intense nose, detailed and nuanced, complex. Fresh acidity, fruity, bright, intense, delicate and nuanced, ripe pineapples, pure, long and intense, concentrated, long. 96-98

Bordeaux 2009 Part III

2009 Château Balestard La Tonelle
Deep ruby. Ripe, scented, alcoholic and dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and sweet, long. 90

2009 Château Beau Séjour-Becot
Opaque. Ripe, rich, massive, extracted and intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, plums and cassis, oak up front, warm finish. 91

2009 Château Belair-Monange
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, some floral notes, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fairly lively, more nuanced, long. 93

2009 Château Bellevue
Opaque. Dense, ripe and plummy nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tanni s, fruitya nd alcoholic. 88

2009 Château Canon
Deep ruby. Coffee, ripe, dark berries and scented high notes nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rich and ripe, some more nuances, long. 93

2009 Château Canon la Gaffelière
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, heavy nose, fruity, alcohol, chocolate and vanilla. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and rich, intense. 92

2009 Château Cap de Mourlin
Deep ruby. Intense, ripe, fruity and alcohol up front. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity and intense. 92

2009 Château Corbin
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, intense and alcohol on the nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, ripe and rich, fruity, boring. 90

2009 Château La Couspaude
Deep ruby. Fruity, scented, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, ripe, fruity palate, warm finish. 91

2009 Château Dassault
Deep ruby. Rich, fruity, sweet nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, extracted, sweet and ripe, fruity, intense and massive. Will probably impress some. 91

2009 Château La Dominique
Deep ruby. Rich, fruity, sweet and extracted feel. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, sweet, ripe, fruity, intense and massive. 90

2009 Château Figeac
Deep ruby. Scented, fruity, dark berries, intense, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, quite refreshing, nuanced and long. A second bottle showed more freshness. 95

2009 Château Grand Corbin
Deep ruby. Rich, ripe, dark fruits, oaky and spicy. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, rich, sweet and fruity. 89

2009 Château Larcis-Ducasse
Deep ruby. Massive and rich nose, like heavy vintage Port. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, rich, sweet and rounded, maybe a glass with the chocolate cake? 88

2009 Château Pavie Maquin
Deep ruby. Dried fruits, figs, rich and massive nose. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, big, sweet, cooffee, dark chocolate. 90

2009 Château Petit Faurie de Soutard
Deep ruby. Sweet, rich, blueberries and plums nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich and ripe, bit more nuanced, good length. 88

2009 Château La Tour Figeac
Deep ruby. Rich, massive and intense dark berries nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, rich and big, sweet, dark berries, good length. 88

2009 Château Troplong-Mondot
Deep ruby. Tich, massive and intense nose, alcohol a bit up front. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, rich, big and alcoholic (15,5). 90

2009 Château Trottevielle
Deep ruby. Rich nose, dark berries, ripe and big. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, vanilla and spices, ripe and sweet. 90

2009 Château Beauregard
Deep ruby. Red and blueberries nose, vanilla, scented and floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded palate, bit woody finish, long. 92

2009 Château Le Bon Pasteur
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, bit alcoholic nose, dark berries. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, alcoholic, bit unbalanced, edgy finish. 87

2009 Château Clinet
Deep ruby. Blueberries, scented, intense nose. Fres acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, oaky and lots of barrel spices up front, long. 92

2009 Château La Conseillante
Ruby. Floral, nuanced, pure red berries, delicate and nuanced nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refined palate, red and darker berries, detailed and pure, very long and nuanced finish. 95

2009 Château L'Église Clinet
Deep ruby. Blueberries, ripe, fruity, vanilla nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, quite lively, fresh and long, more details. 94

2009 Château La Fleur-Petrus
Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, fruity, intense, layered and scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, some coffee notes, fresh, lively, complex and long. 95

2009 Château Gazin
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, intense, slight alcohol note on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, sweet, bit edgier than last bottle, very structured, this will require long ageing. 94

2009 Château Nenin
Deep ruby. Ripe, blueberries and vanilla nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, fruity, bit sweet and intense, long. 93

2009 Château Petit Village
Deep ruby. Scented, blueberries, ripe, plums, coffee and barrel spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, quite lively, bit oaky finish, smooth fruit. 92

2009 Château La Pointe
Deep ruby. Blueberries, scented, layered and a bit oaky nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively, fruity if leaner palate, long. 91

2009 Clos René
Deep ruby. Herbs. Unripe notes, beneath plums, dark berries and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, fairly nuanced palate, long. 91

2009 Domaine de l'Église
Deep ruby. Sweet plums, ripe and a bit alcoholic nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, sweet and again a bit warm, plush. 90

2009 Château Climens
Golden. Apricots, vanilla, pineapples, fruity and intense nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, intense, creamy texture, after lovely palate it feels just a bit short. 93

2009 Château Coutet
Golden. Pineapples, fruity, vanilla, detailed nose, tropical. Fresh acidity, lively and refreshing, nuanced, pure, elegant and superb, stunning as always. 95

2009 Château Doisy-Védrines
Golden. Vanilla, apricots, pineapples and tropical nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity, seductive and elegant, long. 92

2009 Château Filhot
Golden. Apples, botrytis, pineapples, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, lively, refreshing if leaner, pure and playful, a lovely Filhot. 92

2009 Château Guiraud
Golden. Apricots, pineapples, ripe, detailed and tropical nose, pure. Fresh acidity, lively, intense, pure and fresh, detailed and complex, mouthwatering and simply gorgeous, very long. 97

2009 Château de Myrat
Golden. Apples, fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, slight bitter orange peal note, fruity, long. Very good Myrat. 90

2009 Château de Rayne Vigneau
Golden. Vanilla, pineapples, tropical, rich and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, lively, intense, rounded, lovely balance, detailed and long. 93

2009 Château Rieussec
Golden. Rich, apricots and pineapples nose, pure and fruity. Fresh acidity, lively, elegant and refreshing, nuanced, beautiful and fresh Rieussec. Very long. 97

2009 Château Sigalas Rabaud
Golden. Apples, apricots and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, lively, elegant, fresh, bit easy going to be picky, lovely balance, long. 93

2009 Château Suduiraut
Golden. Apricots. Pineapples, nuanced, layered and elegant nose, refined. Fresh acidity, elegant, refined and nuanced, playful, superb balance, long and gorgeous. 97

2009 Château La Tour Blanche
Golden. Apples, vanilla, tropical and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity and intense, layered, mouthwatering, playful, long and superb. 96

2009 Château Clos Haut Peyraguey
Pale golden. Pineapples, vanilla and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, lively and nuanced, apricots, ever so slightly bitter finish, long. 91

3 Bordeaux and a fantastic 85 Ridge Monte Bello

1996 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;
Deep ruby, garnet rim, first some fresh durt, then blackcurrants, leather, some liquorice and coffee in the back, then cigars. Good acidity and ripe tannins, well balanced, complex and quite elegant. Drink now or the next 15 years. 93


2000 Chateau Rauzan-Segla;
Deep ruby with ruby rim, a bit light on the nose, some floral and mineral notes, and blackcurrants. Good acidity and ripe tannins, elegant and fruit driven aftertatse, good structure, a bit short length at the moment. Give it some more years. 89


1985 Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon;
Bright ruby with brick rim. Mature nose, some cassis, cedar, cigars, leaves, a bit of warm fruits, some prunes in the back and leather, then coffee and chocolate. Good acidity, mature tannins, starting to wear off, complex and balanced, very long aftertaste. 95


1998 Chateau Rieussec;
Golden yellow, some mushrooms, apricot hints in the back, not the best nose. Quite good acidity, a bit big on the body, complex, but not fresh, the acidity can't quite make it. 86