Massive First Growth (and more) tasting in Finland April 2017

1973 Jouet Perrier Belle Epoque
Magnum. Towards lemon yellow. Apples, some minerals, brioche, detailed, elegant, some yellow fruits nose. Touch smoky, seamless nose. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, lovely balance, seamless texture again, detailed, playful, long. 94

1979 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux
Golden. Fruity, rounded, peach, minerals, smoky, spices and honey nose. Fresh acidity, ripe, fruity, peach, minerals, some smoky notes, long. 92

1945 Château Haut-Brion
Ruby, brick rim. Tobacco, leather, minerals, anise, some mint, figs and prunes nose. Rosemary and thyme. The nose is stunning, just ads layers. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structure getting softer, some leather, anise, lighter, elegant texture, lovely balance, playful, not that intense, yet just have layers of refined silky notes, long. 97

1995 Château Haut-Brion
Ruby, thin garnet rim. Scented, red berries, anise, floral, some figs, nuanced, lovely nose, utterly charming, seductive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, anise, detailed, fresh, fruity, elegant texture, bright and lively, long. 95

1945 Château Margaux
Fake, cork states 1967 Ch Tayac Margaux, label clearly printed.

1965 Château Mouton Rothschild
Garnet with brown rim. Oxidized.

1985 Château Lafite Rothschild
Ruby, garnet rim. Corked

1982 Château Margaux
Ruby, garnet rim. Figs, leather, anise, prunes, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fresh but lacks concentration. 85

1954 Château Lafite Rothschild
Slightly corked.

2008 Château Haut-Brion
Corked.

1989 Château Margaux
Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, figs, some blueberries, light floral note. Some minerals, detailed, difficult to describe, nothing jumps out. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, figs, some coffee, leather, detailed, structured, long. 96

1990 Château Lafite Rothschild
Ruby, thin garnet rim. Anise, spices, fruity, figs, leather, prunes, detailed, quite intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, structured, firm, anise, dark berries, spices, firmer, detailed, long. 96

1989 Château Mouton Rothschild.
Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruity, blueberries, some anise, figs, leather, spices, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, druity, detailed, spices, anise, exotic, layered and fruity, very long. 96

1996 Château Mouton Rothschild
Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some exotic notes, light red fruity nose, layred, floral, detailed, exotic, lovely nose even if a bit tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, red berries core, lots of dark fruits around it, detailed, layered, exotic, cassis and starting figs, some coffee beans and chocolate, long. 97

1959 Château Latour
Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, cassis, fruity, ripe, blackberries, some leather and minerals, almost a stony touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, detailed, structured, firmer yet enough fruit to pack it all in. Long. 99

1973 Château Latour
Ruby, garnet rim. Leather, figs, anise, some spices, elegant, detailed, minerals, nuanced, layered, absolutely brilliant nose, stunning. Fresh acidity, leaner tannins, leaner fruity palate, elegant but quite light. 88

2007 Château Latour
Ruby, brick rim. Dark fruits, spices, anise, blueberries and cassis nose. Intense and youthful. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise and spices, detailed, anise, blackberries, some vanilla and coffee, long. 93

1976 Château d'Yquem
Deep golden-orange. Rich, caramel, ripe, massive nose, creme brullee, burnt sugar, extremely rich nose, deep. Fresh acidity, ripe, fruity, overripe berries, anise, spices, rich, fruity, intense, caramel, almost a burnt touch, butterscotch, long. 97


1995 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino
Ruby, garnet rim. Tar, roses, fruity, cherries, anise, liquorice, intense nose, rich and ripe, some alcohol. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise, liquorices, spices, anise, long. 95

2013 Gaja Sori San Lorenzo
Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, some anise, floral, fruity, quite intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, some alcohol warmth, cherries, liquorice, spices, long. 93

1996 Louis Latour Montrachet
Pale golden. Rich, nutty, apples, minerals, vanilla, almonds and marzipan, honey nose. Fresh acidity, minerals, apples, honey, almonds, marzipane, quite rich but with this elegant vibrating freshness and nerve to it, long citrus and minerals finish. 96


1988 Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle
Ruby, garnet rim. Minerals, red berries, anise, blueberries, anise, chocolate notes, mint, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some spices, elegant texture, red berries, some anise, minerals, long. 94

2003 Petrus
Ruby. Scented, detailed, floral, nuanced, elegant, refined and intense, blueberries, stunning nose, not as up front and big as one might expect from the vintage. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, nuanced, lovely texture, fruit driven finish, long. Very seductive. 96

1995 Château Lafleur
Ruby. Ripe blueberries, spices, exotic notes nose, scented, detailed, minty, nuanced nose. Minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, elegant, floral, lovely balance, seductive, long. 96

1995 Pingus
Ruby. Dark fruits, bkueberries, jammy and cooked feel to me, doesn't charm me on any level. Big cooked fruits palate. Some will love it. 90

1990 Sassicaia
Ruby, garnet rim. Dark fruits, spices, liquorice, some figs, ripe, rich, intense, exotic nose, blackberries still. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, anise, detailed, intense, maybe not that nuanced, more pushy, long. 95

1999 Screaming Eagle
Ruby. Scented, fruity, bright red fruity and lush dark fruits nose, thyme, rosemary and other Mediterranean notes, reminds me of the 94 I had several years ago. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, bright red and dark fruity, spices, layered and detailed, stunning length. Very scented. 97

2005 Domaine de la Romanée Conti La Tâche
Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, detailed, floral, nuanced, exotic, touch peppery nose, bright strawberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, still textured but fruit to match, refined and long. 96

1996 Château Cheval Blanc
Ruby. Blackberries, exotic spices, anise, more jammy than I remember it, big nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, dark berries, anise and spices, deep, long. 95

2005 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed nose, cassis. Still vanilla showing. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, fruity, nuanced, detailed, still tannins but the fruit packs it in nicely, concentrated, lovely balance, long indeed. 96

Taylor's 10 Years Old Tawny
Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, fruity, dark berries and anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise and spices, refreshing, spicy finish. 88

2011 Meo Camuzet Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Boudots
Corked

2012 Meo Camuzet Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Boudots
Bright ruby. Red berries, anise, scented, fresh and fruity, light spices, faint herbal note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, detailed, long. Refreshing. 91

2015 Bordeaux, Pauillac

 

2015 Château d'Armailhac

Ruby. Scented, red berries, cassis, some vanilla nose. Fruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, rounded before a touch herbal finish, long. 90-92

2015 Château Batailley

Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruits, spices, cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich and intense, long. 90-92

2015 Château Bellegrave

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, floral, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, fresh red berries, good length. 86-88

2015 Château Clerc Milon

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, floral notes, nuanced, touch exotic notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, fresh, quite lively, long. 92-94

2015 Château Croizet-Bages

Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, scented, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, leaner, good length. 88-90

2015 Château Duhart Milon

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, spices, plums and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, dark berries, some spices, long. 91-93

2015 Château La Fleur Peyrabon

Ruby. Scented, red berries, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, juicy, ripe, quite elegant, good length. 87-89

2015 Château Fonbadet

Ruby. Scented, red berries, some spices, light floral nose, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, leaner palate, structured, good length. 87-89

2015 Château Grand Puy Ducasse

Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, scented, some violets, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, some spices, long. 89-91

2015 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, floral, scented, lighter and more fragrant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, red berries, blueberries, detailed, long. 92-94

2015 Château Haut- Bages Libéral

Ruby. Scented, red berries, darker fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rounded, somewhat leaner but has something to it. 90-92

2015 Château Latour

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, cassis, touch of chocolate, nuanced, quite intense, some leather and tobacco notes, minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, red berries, spices, detailed and elegant, structured, long. 13% alcohol. 94-96

2015 Les Forts de Latour

Ruby. Scented, red berries, cassis, floral notes, touch of cigars. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, red berries, cassis, structured and nuanced, long. 91-93

2015 Pauillac

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some floral touches. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, leaner. Quite refreshing. 87-89

2015 Château Lafite Rothschild

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some scented notes, elegant, some deeper notes to it. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, elegant texture and fruit, fine grained tannins, nuanced, long. 95-97

2015 Carruades de Lafite

Ruby. Scented, red berries, some cassis, light floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, juicy, red berries, elegant. Long. 90-92

2015 Château Lynch Bages

Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, blueberries, vanilla, red berries, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, structured, detailed and nuanced, long. 93-95

2015 Château Lynch Moussas

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, leaner, elegant. 89-91

2015 Château Mouton Rothschild

Ruby. Scented, red berries, spices, exotic notes, blueberries, floral, almost delicate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, fresh, fruity, lacks some fruit and body in the middle part and finish, leaner, even the colour is unusually bright. 92-94

2015 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild

Ruby. Scented, red fruits, some herbal notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, red berries, anise. Almost somewhat thin. 87-89

2015 Aile d'Argent

Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, peach, fruity, light minerals. Freshish acidity, fruity, rounded, vanilla and smoky notes. 88-90

2015 Château Pédesclaux

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, leaner, good length. 89-91

2015 Château Pibran

Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, some coffee notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, structured, quite firm, good length. 89-91

2015 Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, cassis, touch scented but tighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, juicy, touch sweet and sour, chocolate and coffee, darker noes, structured. 94-96

2015 Griffons de Pichon Baron

Ruby. Scented, red berries, some spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, red berries, spices, good length. 89-91

2015 Les Tourelles de Longueville

Ruby. Fresh, fruity, dark berries, some blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, good length. 89-91

2015 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Ruby. Scented, red berries, blackberries, cassis and floral notes, floral notes, violets, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, playful, elegant, bright fruits, precise, layered, nuanced, long. The best Comtesse since 1996. 95-97

2015 Reserve de la Comtesse

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some red fruits, floral and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, elegant, long. 90-92

2015 Château Pontet Canet

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some vanilla, ripe, fruit driven nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, elegant, red berries, lovely balance, long. Refreshing PC. Long. Hardly any second wine, 95% goes into the first wine this year. 94-96

2015 Château Tour Sieujean

Ruby. Scented, leaner nose, fresh raspberries. Fresh acidity, leaner, fresh, fruity. 86-88

2014 Top Ten

It’s getting to the time of year where the best of lists are starting to appear. There is one more tasting before New Year’s Eve, so I’m taking a chance here, it may need correction later on, but then again, I doubt a wine matching any of these will turn up. I’m starting out with a few wines that are either best from their country or that experience wise could easily have been on here, but that on pure quality could not be. The oldest not fortified wine this year was a beautiful 1918 Château Haut-Brion from a vertical tasting in Oslo. Even the representative from the estate wrote a tasting note on this one, seemingly no one at Haut-Brion had tasted it. A beautiful terracotta minerality, figs, leather, prunes, earthy, mulberries and raspberries. Few tannins left, playful acidity. What an experience. (94) Another oldie was 1922 Vega-Sicilia Unico, two very different bottles tasted, one oxidized and gone, the other displayed plums, spices, a few violets and some dark berries clinging to their life, still lightly exotic. Detailed if leaner. (93) These two wines are also representatives of the two greatest vertical tastings I’ve attended this year, and several wines from each producer could have easily gone on the top ten list, and some will. 

There have been many great ones from Bordeaux as always, but two quite interesting ones were the 1948 Cos d’Estournel that came blind. Earthy, old, mature, figs, some minerals, very interesting to taste, especially since it came along about a week after a 1947 Cos d’Estournel with minerals, tobacco, raspberries, dark fruits and cedar. I always get in trouble for not having any Italian wines on my top ten lists, and this will be another of those years. My best from Italy this year was 1998 Roagna Barbaresco Pajé Riserva, a beauty of a wine, dense, cherries, anise, violets, roses, leather, layered, deep and evolving beautifully in the glass. A stunner. Only 480 bottles made. (96) Spain will be represented on the list below, even so Vega-Sicilia Unico 1970 tasted twice (not quite consistent notes) should also be mentioned (96) as well as the beautiful 1994 (96). Portugal’s finest for me this year was 2011 Taylor’s Vintage Port (just as last year), rich, layered, intense, deep, I scored it 98 last year, 97 this year. I should also mention a discovery this year in the affordable section, Aphros in Vinho Verde, a truly exciting producer of light and delicate wines, subtle and transparent, lovely. 

I have tasted fewer US wines than usual this year, and none that are really up there. Anthill’s Pinot Noir’s have been a pleasant discovery and a few weeks back I had a lovely 2002 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard. A few beautiful Dunn Howell Mountains have come my way as well. From Australia, 2010 Penfolds Grange just fell short of the list below, intense, layered, deep, nuanced, rich and very long. (97). Another great experience from Penfolds was 2012 Bin 12A Chardonnay, apples, minerals, some floral notes and popcorn and a refreshing 12,5% alcohol only. (91) Mac Forbes, Luke Lambert and a few others have also put Australia much more back on the map for me. There are things to follow down there. Back to Europe, 2002 Oremus Tokaji Eszencia was my top one from Hungary, it also fell just short of this list at 97, rich, intense, layered, exceptionally sweet, but never sticky. 

Another thing that should be mentioned is the very interesting stuff that seems to be going on around the Mediterranean Sea. But forget Chardonnay, Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Go for the grape varieties that you’ve never heard of. Those are the local ones, which can handle the climate. Now the producers have experimented with the famous ones and seems to be getting the confidence to seek for quality in the lesser known. Especially the white wines from the Greek islands and the mainland as well as some from Sardinia and Sicily are really interesting and should not be forgotten. You lose out; it’s as simple as that. Some of the reds are wines to try as well, but many still have high alcohol issues. But they should be in the back of your mind even so. 

The next five wines could easily have ended up on the list below. 2012 Armand Rousseau Chambertin, detailed, charming, nuanced, layered, brilliant pure fruits. (98) 2005 Château Petrus, rich, intense, detailed, layered, scented, dark fruits. (98) 2010 Château Haut-Brion, intense, rich, layered, detailed, it may have an alcohol issue in the future but right now with its youthful fruit it’s stunning. (98) 1989 Château Margaux, tasted twice, the best bottle was stunning, nuanced, flirting, seductive, layered, in that exciting breaking point between youthful and showing evolved aromas. Stunning. (98) 1959 Château Haut-Brion, figs, mulberries, prunes, scented, cigars, cedar, minerals, jasmin, fruity lively, detailed, stunning! (98)

As I write this, 7552 wines have been tasted so far this year, and counting. The wines below are not necessarily following their score, the pleasure of them is also taken into account. There are quite a few 2010’s on the list, but they deserve to be there. 

#10 1945 Château Haut-Brion, chocolate, red berries, minerals, pepper, floral, prunes, terracotta, cherries and leather, layered, detailed, gorgeous, sweet and sour, tea, figs, the list goes on and on. Superb. 98

#9 2010 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche, tasted twice, not consistent notes, the best bottle was open and forward, detailed, fruity, layered and with a gorgeous balance, long. 98

#8 2010 Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, tasted twice, rich, layered, spicy, detailed, dark fruits, intense, nuanced, magnificent Syrah. 98

#7 1987 Vega-Sicilia Unico, served blind, rich, exotic, detailed, nuanced, elegant, layers upon layers, dark fruits, youthful but showing development, stunning. I was on 1986 Mouton Rothschild on this one. (This bottle was not in the Vega-Sicilia vertical tasting) 98

#6 1947 Château Haut-Brion, layered, rich, exotic, detailed, leather, minerals, plums, scented, floral, dried fruits, stunning wine. Richness of the vintage, still refreshing and vibrant. 99

#5 2010 Château Mouton-Rothschild tasted three times, flirting, exotic, detailed, layered, rich but finely balanced, young but absolutely gorgeous now even so. 100

#4 2008 Blain-Gagnard Le Montrachet, tasted blind. It needed hours to open up, it started out quite yellow fruity with playful minerality below. After three hours it became far more nuanced, layers of citrus, minerals, apples, floral notes and the balance of this wine was out of this world. Minutes of aftertaste. I thought it was Domaine d’Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet. 98

#3 2012 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanée, tasted twice, this beauty shows so many details, it’s layered, seductive, transparent yet intense, extremely pure, delicate, nuanced, and it’s like a library of flavours. Magic. 99

#2 1989 Château Haut-Brion, tasted twice, very consistent notes, layered, intense, seductive, open, showing some maturity but also very youthful, stunning as always. 100

#1 2010 Château Lafite Rothschild, a bit boring to have such a young wine as number one, but tasted three times with very consistent notes this year. This wine shows such a balance, pedigree, nuances, layers and the aftertaste is mindboggling. Fantastic length. 100

2009 Bordeaux Part II

2009 Château Beychevelle
Ruby. Scented, red berries, layered, cassis, nuanced nose, almost refined. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, lively, elegant and refreshing, lovely Beychevelle. 94

2009 Château Branaire-Ducru
Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, riper nose, intense and has more weight than usual. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, refreshong, playful, quite elegant. 94

2009 Château Gruaud Larose
Ruby. Floral, scented, dark berries, seductive nose, nuanced and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, refreshing, intense, fruity and long. 95

2009 Château Lagrange
Ruby. Bit herbal and oaky, scented, dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, refreshing and long. 92

2009 Château Langoa-Barton
Ruby. Scented, layered, nuanced, cassis and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively, elegant, quite refined, fresh and long. 94

2009 Château Léoville-Barton
Ruby. Cassis, red berries, floral, nuanced, quite seductive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, refreshing and nuanced, layered and long, superb. 95

2009 Château Léoville-Las Cases
Ruby. Scented, nuanced, bit tigjt, cassis and leather nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, nuanced, mouthwatering, superb balance, refreshing, very long. 96

2009 Château Léoville Poyferré
Deep ruby. Cassis, fruity, vanilla, blueberries and quite intense nose. Fresh acidoty, ripe tannins, fruity, structured, refreshing, bit on the ripe side, long. 94

2009 Château Talbot
Ruby. Cassis, scented, ripe, floral, intense, slight herbal note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, refreshing, elegant and nuanced, long. 94


2009 Château d'Armailhac
Ruby. Scented, fruity cassis, leather and vanilla nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, lively, refreshing, layered and long. 94

2009 Château Batailley
Ruby. Cassis, bit scented, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, easier, quite refreshing, long. 90

2009 Château Clerc Milon
Ruby. Fruity, cassis, bit tight nose now, layered and complex. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, playful, intense, refreshing, nuanced, superb, very long. 95

2009 Château Croizet-Bages
Ruby. Cassis, vanilla and a bit scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, balanced, good length. 89

2009 Château Duhart-Milon
Ruby. Scented, floral, cassis, leather, nuanced and a bit tight nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fresh, quite elegant, slightly edgy finish. Long. 92

2009 Château Grand-Puy Lacoste
Ruby. Scented, cassis, leather, nuanced, intense and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, lively, fresh and long. 94

2009 Château Haut-Bages Liberal
Ruby. Some herbs, cassis, vanilla and violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, quite refreshing, lovely balance, long. 93

2009 Château Haut-Batailley
Ruby. Cassis, leather, vailla, anise and plums nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fruity, lively, bit edgy texture, long. 91

2009 Château Lynch-Bages
Ruby. Cassis, leather, nuanced and intense nose, slightly scented, bit tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fruity, intense and refreshing, nuanced and long. 95

2009 Château Lynch-Moussas
Ruby. Herbs, cassis leaf, blueberries and oaky nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, cassis palate, good length. 88

2009 Château Pedesclaux
Ruby. Cassis, leather and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bit oaky, leaner palate, good length. 88

2009 Château Pichon-Longueville
Deep ruby. Spices, cassis, vanilla, deep and intense nose, lovely rich Pauillac. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fruity, intense, fresh and nuanced, ripe and long. 96

2009 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Ruby. Cassis, floral, scented, nuanced, subdued yet intense, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, nuanced, refreshing, elegant, superb balance, refined and very long. 97

2009 Château Pontet-Canet
Deep ruby. Rich, fruity, sweet, plums, cassis, anise, leather and floral high notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich and fruity, somewhat sweet, hasn't lost it's baby fat yet, layered, nuanced and long. 96

2009 Château Angelus
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, plummy and blueberries nose, anise, layered and intense. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, sweet and ripe palate, liquorice and blueberries, layered, intense and long. 94

2009 Château Cheval Blanc
Ruby. Ripe, scented, barrel spices. Blueberries, vanilla, oak a bit showy, exotic behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively palate, rich, intense and nuanced, layered and very complex, very long. 97

2009 Château Haut-Brion
Ruby. Scented, layered, nuanced, cassis, minerals, seductive and complex, superb nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively and nuanced, minerals, detailed, gorgeous wine, seductive all the way, incredible length. 99

2009 Château Lafite-Rothschild
Ruby. Scented, nuanced, layered, floral, superbly elegant and refined nose, layers, delicate, stunning. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense yet subdued, refreshing and playful, refined, nuanced, incredibly long, minutes. 100

2009 Château Margaux
Ruby. Floral, nuanced, cassis, incredible nose, layered, complex, highly refined and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, superb balance, refreshing and. Nuanced, layered, elegant, smooth texture, again refined, astonishing length. 100

2009 Château Mouton Rothschild
Ruby. Cassis, anise, leather, exotic and flirting, superb and deeper feel to the nose, layered, complex and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, rounded texture, fruity, layered, seductive, imense palate, truly long. 100

Pauillac 2013 Primeur

2013 Château d'Armailhac
Ruby. Scented, red fruity, cassis and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, fairly fresh, bit tight, good length. 89-91

2013 Château Batailley
Ruby. Scented, red berries and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, leaner, bit short, vanilla finish. 85-87

2013 Château Bellegrave
Ruby. Red berries, scented, fruity nose, quite elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh and rounded, eleagnt, good length. 87-89

2013 Château Clerc Milon
Ruby. Scented, red berries, fruity and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively and fruity, good length. 89-91

2013 Château Croizet-Bages
Ruby. Wood and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, lively and raspberries, fruity and fresh, bit short, but like in 2012 a better effort than expected from here, new direction? 86-88

2013 Château Duhart-Milon
Ruby. Floral, fruity, intense, cassis, some vanilla, elegant and fruitier nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity if leaner palate, textured, slight herbal note far back, long. 90-92

2013 Château La Fleur Peyrabon
Ruby. Red berries, spices and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fresh, bit lean and short but gives pleasure. 84-86

2013 Château Fonbadet
Ruby. Red berries, scented and naise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, fresh, bit short. 85-87

2013 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse
Ruby. Floral, vanilla and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean, skinny but fresh, lean finish. 85-87

2013 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Ruby. Scented, cassis, red berries and roses nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, fresh if a bit short. 88-90

2013 Château Haut-Bages Libéral
Bright ruby. Red berries, scented, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively if a bit thin and lean. Good length. 86-88

2013 Château Lafite Rothschild
Ruby. Scented, elegant, almost tender nose, cassis, violets, nuanced and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, refreshing, red berries, leaner finish but not hollow as some, delicate finish, long. 92-94

2013 Carruades de Lafite
(2nd Ch Lafite Rothschild) Ruby. Scented, dark berries, floral notes, elegant and seductive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, elegant, fruity, refreshing, delicate, long finish, lovely wine, maybe slightly hollow. 89-91

2013 Château Latour
Ruby. Scented, red berries, cassis, flirting Latour, quite intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, leaner, detailed, fruity, long if lean finish. Charming Latour. 91-93

2013 Les Forts de Latour
(2nd Ch. Latour) ruby. Scented, red berries, cassis, fresh and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity and detailed, bit short. 88-90

2013 Pauillac
(3rd Ch. Latour) ruby. Herbal, lean and thin red fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh if lean and herbal. 83-85

2013 Château Lynch-Bages
Ruby. Cassis, raspberries and bell peppers nose, touch of vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fresh but a bit short. 89-91

2013 Château Lynch-Moussas
Ruby. Herbal, lean, unripe fruit. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean, thin and watery. 83-85

2013 Château Mouton Rothschild
Ruby. Scented, somewhat exotic, cassis, some deeper notes on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh and delicate, lovely what is there but ever so slightly hollow. Long. 91-93

2013 Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
(2nd Ch. Mouton Rothschild) ruby. Scented, red berries, cassis, fuller nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, bit short and hollow. 86-88

2013 Aile d'Argent
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, minerals, vanilla, brighter than usual. Fresh acidity, lively, lemony, fresh and elegant, long. 89-91

2013 Château Pedesclaux
Ruby. Floral, red fruity and ripe blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, quite elegant, lively, good length. 87-89

2013 Château Pibran
Ruby. Red berries, blueberries, easy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh if lean and easy going. 85-87

2013 Château Pichon-Longueville
Ruby. Red berries, cassis, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded and fresh, fairly intense but lacks complexity, spicy finish. Tried on three occasions and consistent notes. 89-91

2013 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Ruby. Scented, dark and red berries nose. Violets, delicate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, scented, fairly precise, charming and long. 90-92

2013 Château Pontet-Canet
Ruby. Fruity, cassis, red berries, scented, raspberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, bit earthy finish, minerals but also nettles. Long. Only 15 hl/ha. 89-91

2013 Château Tour Sieujean
Deep ruby. Coffee, lean nose, fruit and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruitier palate, fairly fresh, bit too much vanilla. 85-87

83 Lafite, 06 Roumier, 10 Coche-Dury and more

2010 Coche-Dury Bourgogne Blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Some apples, citrus, minerals, subdued nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, bit tight, minerals, refreshing, lovely BB. 88

1983 Château Lafite Rothschild
Bottom neck fill. Ruby, thin garnet rim. Cedar, tobacco, leather, cassis, minerals, very elegant and nuanced, floral, mint touch, gorgeous nose, needs a bit of time to open. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, little bit acidic maybe but gets fruitier with air, detailed again, elegant, very long indeed. 95

1990 Camille Giroud Vosne-Romanée
Ruby with broad brick rim, orange hue. Scented, comes up of the glass, dark berries, sous bois, coffee and burnt notes, seems a bit toasted from oak on the nose. Fresh and high acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, bit grippy texture, slightly hollow mid palate, long but ever so slightly drying. Maybe not the most typical Vosne, but impressive non the less. 91

2006 Roumier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras
Bright ruby.  Red berries and a slight herbal note that blew off after half an hour, youthful nose and lacked the ripeness of the last bottle and the floral notes of a bottle before that one again. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, bit lean and again lacked the fuller and more complete feel of the last two bottles. Fairly long. 91

Some faulty storage and corked old Bordeaux including 79 Lafite and Pavie

1979 Château Léoville-Barton:
Ruby, thin brick rim. Scented, fruity, cassis, leather and tobacco nose. Quite delicate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, very rounded, bit boring palate, good length. Bit off bottle. 88

1979 Château Pavie:
Corked

1979 Château Lafite Rothschild:
Ruby, garnet rim, bit cloudy. Vanilla, spices, waffles nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, easy going, bit lean finish. Iodine. Faulty storage, at least bad bottle. 85

1975 Château Léoville Las Cases:
Ruby, garnet rim. Bit tired nose, drying. Tired. By far the worst bottle I've had of this.

03 Lafite, 93 Monte Bello, 01 VCC, 03 Comtesse and more

2005 Duval-Leroy Clos des Bouveries:
Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Apples, minerals and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, fresh and lively mousse, elegant and mineraly palate, bit tight, long. 90

2005 Duval-Leroy Authentis Cumieres:
Pale lemon yellow, tiny bubbles. Apples, minerals, citrus and a touch of brioche nose, deeper feel. Fresh acidity, lively mousse, tight, lemony, flinty, minerals, long finish. 91

2010 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve:
Deep ruby. Rich, fruity, alcoholic and vanilla nose. Intense of cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rich and warm, not fully balanced for my palate, long. 90

2010 Château Valandraud:
Deep ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla, intense nose, deep and fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, bit biting texture, sweet at 15% alcohol, but at tjis very fruity stage it seems to balance more or less, not so shure when it settles down in a few years. 93 for now.

2009 Château Giscours:
Ruby. Anise, floral, cassis and fruity nose, slight herbal note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner palate but more together than a dissapointing bottle at the IMW Annual Claret Tasting in November, long. 93

2009 Château Brane-Cantenac:
Ruby. Scented, floral, cassis, fruity and elegant nose, lovely. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, nuanced, refreshing, lovely wine, very long. 95

2003 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande:
Ruby. Scented, fruity, leather, cassis, floral, yet again a nuanced 03 bottle. Freh acidity, ripe tannins, tighter palate than last bottle, surprisingly fresh for the vintage, nuanced, ripe and long. 93

2001 Vieux Château Certan:
Ruby. Fruity, nuanced, minerals, elegant and refined nose, detailed and flirting. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lovely balance, refreshing, quite open with air, long finish. 93

1993 Ridge Monte Bello:
Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, leather, some cassis, dades, tobacco, quite flirting and mature nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, liquorice, figs, less mature palate than nose, fresh feel, long. 94

2003 Château Lafite Rothschild:
Ruby. Scented, nuanced, refined, leather and tobacco nose, cassis, cedar, gorgeous nose, better than last bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, refined, elegant, just starting figs, refined, lovely balance and texture, bit tight finish, very long. 96

2011 Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese***:
Towards golden colour. Apples, minerals, floral and nuanced nose, delicate and flirting. Fresh acidity, lively, refreshing, mouthwatering, stunning balance, refined and long, lovely. 94

2003 Lafite Rothschild

 2003 Château Lafite Rothschild:
Ruby. Scented, layered, floral, nuanced and pure, touch of cedar and tobacco, I wasn't a big fan of 03 Lafite before, but it's really comming together beautifully now. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, refreshing for the vintage, long if a bit narrow, some bottle variations. 92

95 Carruades de Lafite

1995 Carruades de Lafite:
Ruby, thin garnet rim. Leather, tobacco, cassis, cedar in abundance, just a whiff of a single prune in the corner of the cigarbox, with a slight hint of thyme. Gorgeous nose. Fresh acidity, tannins are rounding off, quite smooth and almost silky texture with a playful acidity. Such a charmer, absolutely lovely and a good length. Christmas gift from my uncle a few years back. 93

03 Lafite and Comtesse, 01 Mouton and VCC, 07 Yquem, 11 Taylor and more

1993 Ridge Monte Bello:
Ruby, garnet rim. Cassis, leather, anise, sweet plums, vanilla and some tobacco nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, feels ypunger than it is, refreshing, fruity, ripe, long finish. 93

2007 Château Haut-Brion:
Ruby. Cassis, leather, anise and minerals nose, vanilla. Quite open directly from the bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, refreshing, nuanced and elegant, long. 91

2001 Vieux Château Certan:
Ruby. Flirting nose, blueberries, elegant even if a bit more rustic than last bottle, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and refined with more air, lovely, even flirting. Long. 94

2003 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande:
Ruby. Elegant nose, evolving, some pencil shave, cassis, leather, tobacco and figs touch. Fairly fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded and elegant texture, long. 93

2001 Château Mouton Rothschild:
Ruby, garnet rim. Tobacco, cigars, cassis, leather, exotic and flirting nose, starting figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and nuanced, long. 94

2003 Château Lafite Rothschild:
Ruby. Elegant nose, tobacco, cassis, some leather, anise, starting cedar notes, floral, very elegant nose. Fairly fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, nuanced, gives a lot of pleasure at ten years only, long. 95

2007 Château d'Yquem:
Golden. Fresh nose, nuanced even if not the most nuanced bottle, apricots, pineapples, vanilla, pure feel, seductive, refreshing. Fresh acidity, playful and lively, superb, mouthwatering, rich yet elegant, intense yet restrained, gorgeous, bit shorter than last bottle. 96

2011 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port:
Deep ruby. Nose doesn'tgive that much, dark berries of all sorts mostly. Fresh acidity, bit quiet attack before it explodes on the palate, and you can't name all the things going on, marvelous, Port, absolutelly stunning, very long indeed. 97

1991 Latour and 00 Carruades de Lafite

2000 Carruades de Lafite:

Ruby, garnet rim. Nuanced, elegant, refined, complex, a lovely if subdued nose, especially for the vintage. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, nuanced, fresh, elegant, superb balance, long finish. 91

1991 Château Latour:

Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, fruity, elegant, nuanced if lighter nose, spicy, trying to seduce. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, leaner, elegant but lacks some nuances, still lots of pleasure. Good length. 89

90 Lafite Rothscild

1990 Château Lafite Rothschild:

(Magnum) Ruby with thin garnet rim. Cassis, leather, scented, some cigars, layered and complex nose, beautiful. You can smell this for the whole evening. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant texture, somehow subdued and intense at the same time, refined, elegant and seductive and quite refreshing. Very long. 97