1988 Château de la Riviére

1988 Château de la Riviere

Ruby, broad brick rim. Dates, figs, tobacco, bit dusty, very mature nose. Fresh acidity, tannins, almost gone, some minerals, very mature, dates, leaner finish, good length. 89

Dinner last week

2011 Château La Louvière

DEC 17 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, citrus, minerals, vanilla and light smoky note nose. Fresh acidity, playful, citrus, grapefruits, minerals, long finish. 90

2011 Château Gruaud Larose

DEC 17 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, some vanilla and spices, light violets note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, quite intense if tight at this stage, long. 94

1996 Château Simard

DEC 17 Garnet with brick rim. Figs, dates, minerals, light chocolate note nose, some floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe and few tannins, soft, gentle texture, some sweet and sour, elegant texture, iron, good length. 89

1990 Château Dalem

DEC 17 Ruby core, brick rim. Minerals, iron, figs, blueberries still, detailed nose, floral high note, violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant texture getting polished, minerals backbone, figs and dates, long. 92

1985 Château Margaux

DEC 17 Mid neck fill, fairly soaked cork. Ruby, garnet rim.  Shy first, just some tobacco, earthy notes and tobacco. After about half an hour in decanter, violets shows up, then it blossoms, figs, dates, light mineral note, detailed if never the most intense bottle. Fresh acidity, smooth tannins, velvety texture, superb balance, again this floral high note, not as fruity but highly elegant, long. 95

1998 Château Suduiraut

DEC 17 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, some light caramel notes, fruity driven nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, some spices, apricots, touch of sultanas and raisins, light caramel note, elegant texture, smooth and long. 93

2015 Bordeaux Fronsac

Fronsac

2015 L'Acte 7 de G
Ruby. Dark fruits, red berries, some spices, floral, violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, dark berries, lovely balance, elegant. From different parcels around Fronsac. Aim is to put Fronsac back on the map. Young vineyards. Oldest planted in 2009 from grafts from the vineyards of Lafleur. 88-90

2015 Château Carlmagnus
Ruby. Ripe, rich, intense and jammy nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, has freshness even if quite rich. 89-91

2015 Château Dalem
Ruby. Scented, violets, dark fruits, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,f resh, fruity, juicy, rounded, elegant, quite playful, long. 90-92

2015 Château Fontenil
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, leaner, touch herbal, good length. 88-90

2015 Château Franc Magnus
Ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity nose, spicy. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, dark berries, quite woody. 88-90

2015 Château Haut-Carles
Deep ruby. Alcohol, vanilla and dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, fruity, bit warm and woody finish. 87-89

2015 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque
Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, rich and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, sweet. 85-87

2015 Château Puy Guilhem
Ruby. Raspberries, fruity, elegant nose, fresh. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, rounded. Good length. 86-88

2015 Château La Rivière
Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, some red berries, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, juicy, good length. 88-90

2015 Château La Rivière blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, minerals, flinty nose. Fresh acidity, grapefruits, apples, passion fruit, blood orange, good length. 87-89

2015 Château La Rouselle
Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, red berries, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity if a bit lean. 85-87

2015 Château Les Trois Croix
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, spices, rich and fruity nose, coffee and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, spices, rounded, red berries, long. 89-91

2015 Château La Vieille Cure
Ruby. Dark fruits, minerals, vanilla, smoky and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, fruity, smooth. 86-88

2015 Château Villars
Deepish ruby. Vanilla, woody and smoky nose, dark berries. Fresha cidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fruity, woody, bit cooked. 85-87

Grand Cercle de Bordeaux tasting in Oslo

2012 Château Mesille-Aubert
Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, minerals beneath, graphite note, good length. 87

2012 Château Jean de Gué
Ruby. Scented, light red fruits and floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, cassis, fruity, leaner, elegant Lalande. 88

2007 Château de Pressac
Ruby. Rich, fruity, dark berries, spicey nose. Vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, smooth, ripe, minerals, good lnegth. 87

2011 Château de Pressac
Ruby. Rich, intense, dark fruits, vanilla, spices, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, dark berries, graphite minerality beneath, good length. 89

2012 Château Laroze
Deep ruby. Some herbs, dark fruits and vanilla nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fresh, some bell peppers, good length. 88

2011 Château Laroze
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, dark berries, spices, vanilla. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blueberries, ripe fruit, structured finish. 88

2011 Château Croix Cardinale
Deep ruby. Rich, intense, dark fruits, lush, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, ripe, fruity, intense dark berries, spices, almost minerals beneath. 88

2012 Château Fleur Cardinale
Deep ruby. Scented, woody, oak, vanilla, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity, intense, dark fruits but needs cellar time, oak is up front now. 87-88

2011 Château Fleur Cardinale
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, dark berries, somewhat scented, a bit shut. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, smooth, good length. 87

2008 Château Laroze
Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla and spices on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, ripe, smooth, leaner finish, good length. 87

2011 Château Cap de Faugères
Ruby. Fruity, red and darker fuits nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, cherries, elegant and lively. 86

2011 Château de Chambrun
Ruby. Scented, elegant, bright nose, floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, delicate, elegant, good length. 87

2011 Château Faugères
Ruby. Ripe, fruity, blueberries, rich nose, some alcohol. Frsh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, smooth, sweet blueberries, caressing, good length. 88

2011 Château Peby Faugeres
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, intense, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, almost playful, fresh, long. 90

2012 Château du Parc
Deep ruby. Vanilla, spices, dark fruit, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, good length, bright fruit. 85

2012 Château Tour Baladoz
Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, some spices, light mineral note beneath. Frsh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, detailed, elegant, bit woody finish, give it five years in the cellar, should be a charmer. 88

2011 Château Tour Baladoz
Ruby. Ripe, rich, dark fruits, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, dark berries. Good length. 88

2012 Château La Croizelle
Ruby. Dark fruits, scented, spices, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, bit overshadowed by oak, bright fruit behind. 89

2011 Château La Croizelle
Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some spices, vanilla, balckberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, playful, mouthwatering even, long. 90

2009 Château Perron La Fleur
Ruby. Dark fruits, scented, blueberries, fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite lively for the vintage, blueberris, good length. 88

2008 Château Vieux Maillet
Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, little bit dry towards the finish. 86

2011 Château St Jean de Lavaud
Ruby. Scented, fruity, blueberries, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,f resh, lively, fruity, leaner, fresh. 87

2008 Château de Lussac
Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, leane, good length. 85

2010 Château Perron La Fleur
Ruby. Ripe, dark fruits, vanilla, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blueberries palate, leaner, good length. 87

2011 Château Perron La Fleur
Ruby. Ripe, some figs, cassis, vanilla, light floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, figs, wood spices, slightly rustic but charming. 86

2010 Château Siaurac
Ruby. Fruity, blueberries, some vanilla, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, leaner, slightly rustic. 86

2012 Château Siaurac
Ruby. Herbal, bell peppers, blueberries, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, leaner, little bit thin finish. 86

2011 Château Vray Croix de Gay
Ruby. Scented, ripe, fruity, dark berries, blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, some vanilla, fairly smooth. 88

2012 Château Vray Croix de Gay
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, blueberries, vanilla, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, refreshing, elegant, playful, tighter finish. 89

2011 Château Le Prieuré
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, dark berries, minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe, tannins, rich, fruity, playful, good length. 88

2012 Château Le Prieuré
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruity, rich, dark berries, scented, some vanilla up front. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fresh, some minerals, elegant and charming, good length. 88

2011 Château Dalem
Ruby. Dark fruits, blueberries, scented, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, lively, fresh, good length. 89

2010 Château Dalem
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, dark berries and red fruits, vanilla, lovely nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, elegant, playful, lively, long. 90

2001 Château Dalem
Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, dark fruits, some figs and leather, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, maturing but still structure for a long life, drink over the next fifteen years. 89

2011  Château La Graviere
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, blueberries, lightly spicey nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,f resh, fruity, leaner, bit hollow. 86

2012 Château La Graviere
Ruby. Dark fruits,s cented, red berries, quite elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripetannins, fresh, fruity, red berries. 87

2011 Château Montviel
Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, fairly playful, good lnegth. 87

2012 Château Montviel
Ruby. Red berries, dark fruits, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, detailed, elegant and playful, good length. 88

2012 Château Tournefeuille
Ruby. Fruity, some vanilla, dark berries, light floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, leaner. 86

2011 Château Tournefeuille
Ruby. Fruity, blackberries, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, detailed. 87

2012 Château Lécuyer
Ruby. Scented, blueberries, light rustic note, detailed nose. Intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively, slightly hollower finish, good length. 88

2012 Château Fougas Maldoror
Ruby. Blueberries, fruity, scented, minerals, elegant nose, graphite notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, spicy, peppery finish. 88

2011 Château Fougas Maldoror
Ruby. Scented, fruity, violets, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe. Tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, rounded, good length. 88

2010 Château Fougas Maldoror
Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, elegant nose, flirting, rich, again violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, detailed, elegant, long. 90

2012 Château Fougas
Ruby. Fruity, ripe dark fruits, some vanilla and spices, bit shut. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, lively. 88

2011 Château Fougas
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, dark berries, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, sweet, fruity, fresh and rich. 88

2010 Château Fougas
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, rich, scented but also herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, seems to be trying to hard this vintage. 86

2014 Château Sainte-Marie Vielilles Vignes blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruit, apples, herbs. Fresh acidity, fruity, lighter, fresh, lemons and grapefrukt, floral. 87

2012 Château Sainte-Marie Vieilles Vignes
Ruby. Fresh nose, red berries, some bell peppers and herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fresh, fruity, red and darker fuits. 87

2011 Château Peyredon Lagravette
Ruby. Fruity, red berries, scented, some violets, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, some vanilla, fairly smooth, half Moulis and half Listrac for the vineyards, 2000 cases made on average. 88

2012 Château Peyredon Lagravette
Ruby. Floral, scented, red berries, elegant nose, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, lively, detailed. 87

2012 Château Tour du Mirambeau Cuvée Passion
Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, some herbs and lime. Nettles. Fresh acidity, fruity, narrow, tight, herbal and nettly finish. 85

2009 Girolaté blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some grapefruit and lemons. Fresh acidity, fruity, smooth, balanced, rounded, almost creamy, like a grapefruit sorbet. 87

2010 Château Tour du Mirambeau Cuvée Prestige
Ruby. Red berries, lightly scented nose. Fresha cidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, good length. 84

2009 Château Tour du Mirambeau Cuvée Prestige
(Magnum) Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruits, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe with some herbal notes below, slightly hollow and spicey finish. 84

2008 Girolat
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruity, intense,d ark berries, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fruity, sweetish, good length. 87

2001 Girolat
(Magnum) Ruby, garnet rim. Ripe, fruity, ripe, dark berries, spices, only 3 years old vines. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, sweet, fruity, sweetish, vanilla, good length. 88

2012 Château Guibot La Fourvieille
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices, floral notes, rich and fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fresh, leaner finish, quite smooth. 87

2009 Château Haut Condissas
Ruby. Fruity, scented, darkf ruits, herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner, some herbs, bit thin, coffee finish. 83

2011 Château Tour Seran
Ruby. Vanilla, barrel notes, some dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, rounded, leaner. 85

2011 Château Rollan de By
Ruby. Fruity, scented, dark fruits, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, rounded, good length. Bit spicey finish. 87

2011 Château Greysac
Ruby. Scented, vanilla, fruity, ripe dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, leaner, red berries, fresh finish. 87

2008 Château Ramafort
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, some, red berries, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, leaner, fruity, bit short. 84

2009 Château Grivière
Deepish ruby. Fruity, scented, pepper, liquorice, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fresh, elegant, bit leaner. 85

2010 Château La Cardonne
Deep ruby. Fruity, intense, liquorice, cassis, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, detailed,r ounded, needs lots of air. 88-89

2010 Château Brilette
Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe, fresh, scented and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, coffee, dark fruits, varm and alcoholic finish. 85

2012 Château Brilette
Deep ruby. Red berries, intense, fruity, ripe, dark berries, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, lively, good length. 88

2012 Château Sérhilan
Deep ruby. Scented, fruity, vanilla, dark berries, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, elegant, lively, violets, good length. 88

2012 Château Haut-Bacalan
Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe and sweet nose, vanilla. Some herbs far back, Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, sweet, fresher palate than nose, good length. 86

2010 Château Haut-Bacalan
Deep ruby. Intense, dark fruits, ripe and rich nose, sweet. Freshish acidity, ripe tabnins, sweet, fruity, overdone. 84

2009 Château Haut-Bacalan
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruity, vanilla, dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, dark fruits, has freshness but a bit sweet, rich. 86

2012 Château Le Sartre blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, cats pie, yellow plums, fruity nose. Fresha cidity, fruity, fresh, rounded, grapefruits, quite smooth, good length. 89

2011 Château Le Sartre rouge
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, dark berries, vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, leaner, fairly fresh, good length. 88

2012 Château le Sartre rouge
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices nose. Minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, fruity, vanilla, needs time, not fully together now, good length. 87

2009 Château de Myrat
Pale golden. Rich, apples, vanilla, fruity, some grapefruit notes. Fresh acidity, fruity, leaner, elegant, fresh, rounder Myrat, fresh apricots finish, good length. 89

2007 Angelus, 10 Villemaurine and more

2011 Château Carlmagnus
Ruby. Red berries, floral and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, sweet, bit alcoholic, good length. 87

 2011 Clos Madelaine
Ruby. Fruity, blueberries, fresh and ripe, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and rounded, elegant, good length. 89

2002 Clos d l'Église
Ruby. Some plums, dark berries, fruity if leaner, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, oaky palate, wood, spices, no fruit to back it. 86

2010 Château Grand Puy Ducasse
Ruby. Cassis, vanilla, leather, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh and fairly lively, bit lean for the vintage, good length. 89

2007 Château Angelus
Ruby. Fruity, floral and elegant nose, anise and blueberries, leather, cigars, highly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and fresh, lively, elegant and refreshing, detailed and long. 92

2010 Château Villemaurine
Ruby. Blueberries, scented, minerals and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich and fruity, ripe, some graphite notes, fresh and long. 92

Six fairly inexspensive Bordeaux

2011 Château Sénéjac
Ruby. Red berries, scented, some oak on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,f ruity, lively, fresh and elegant, good length. 87

2010 Château Roche de Gaby
(2nd Ch. Gaby) Ruby. Fruity nose, some blackberries, slight vanilla note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded and fruity, more together now than last bottle, evolving nicely. 85

2004 Château La Tour de By
Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, starting tobacco nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh and evolving, bit lean finish.  88

2008 Château La Tour de Bessan
Ruby. Vanilla, spices and dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, bit lean. 86

2011 Château Le Coteau
Ruby. Vanilla, fruity and spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, more elegant palate than nose, fresh. 87

2007 Château La Gurgue
Ruby. Red berries and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner, fresh, pruney finish, good length. Drink soon. 86

Two Fronsac/ Canon Fronsac's

2011 Château Haut Bardon
Ruby. very easy going cassis nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, lean if fruity, very simple. 78

2010 Château Grand Canon
Ruby. Some cassis, plums and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, bit easy going. 82

Fronsac/ Canon Fronsac 2013 Primeur

2013 Château Canon Pécresse
Ruby. Fruity and a bit cooked nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, cooked notes, lacks freshness. 82-84

2013 Château Dalem
Ruby. Dark berries, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity if leaner, good length. 85-87

2013 Château La Dauphine
Ruby. Spices, jammy and still a bit lean nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, bit edgy and dry. 83-85

2013 Château Fontenil
Ruby. Red and darker berries, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity if lean. 83-85

2013 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque
Ruby. Dark berries and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, soft tannins, lean, fresh and easy drinking. 83-85

2013 Château La Vielle Cure
Deep ruby. Fruity, richer nose, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity if leaner palate, fresh and lively but short. 85-87

2013 Château Villars
Ruby. Scented, plums and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft, rounded, easy going. 82-84

Five from Bordeaux

2011 Château Canon: (Canon-Fronsac)

Ruby. Some cassis, minerals, vanilla and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner than 09 and 10 and lacks the freshness of '12 but still quite lovely. Good length. 85

2007 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot:

Ruby, garnet rim. Fruity, scented, elegant and nuanced nose, some anise, floral notes, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and refreshing if a bit lean, lovely balance, drink now-2020. 90

2007 Château Potensac:

Ruby. Fragrant, cassis, slightly floral notes, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, maturing nicely and ready to drink now and over the next five years, good length. 87

2001 Château Potensac:

Ruby. Cassis, floral, scented, some vanilla and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity after the 07, has more of everything and almost feels younger, good length. Now til 2022. 89

2008 Croix de Beaucaillou:

Ruby. Cassis, violets, anise, elegant and seductive nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounder than last bottle, elegant, lovely. 90

10 Ch. Jeanrousse

2010 Château Jeanrousse:

Ruby. Floral, scented and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, lovely balance, refreshing, good length. 86

02 Pontet-Canet, 08 Clos du Clocher and more

2010 Clos Vieux Taillefer:

Deep ruby. Rich and fruity nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, again rich and fruity, a bit plump. 85

2009 Château Gaby:

Deep ruby. Fruity, blueberries and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly fresh for the sometimes excessively rich vintage, especially on the Right Bank, good length. 86

2008 Clos du Clocher:

Ruby. Fruity, nuanced and quite elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, almost velvety texture (allready),elegant and lovely purity of fruit, long. 91

2008 Château Bonalgue:

Ruby. Fruity, scented, blackberries and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant if slightly lean palate, refreshing, good length. 89

2002 Château Pontet Canet:

Ruby. Scented, fruity, leather and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and quite lively, leaner than I remember last bottle, good length. 89

Some wines from last week

2001 Fenocchio Barolo Villero:

Ruby, garnet rim. Rich and plummy nose that sson opened up to a more classical liquorice and cherries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a sweet and slightly alcoholic note on the palate, fruity, good length. 89

2001 Pira Barolo Vigna Rionda:

Ruby, brick rim. Liquorice, tar, caramel and prunes on the nose. Scented and more nuanced with air. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean and somewhat alcoholic palate, somewhat unbalanced, good length. 88

2008 Montecillo Crianza:

Ruby. Some anise, dark berries and vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fairly easy going, good length. 85

2000 Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga Camp Gros:

Bright ruby, garnet rim. Anise, cherries, some tar and a slight floral touch that isn't quite roses. Elegant intensity on the nose. Fresh and quite high acidity, ripe tannins and and elegant and fairly transparent body and fruit that doesn't feel lean next to the structure. Savory. Lovely length. 92

2009 Pierre André Châteauneuf-du-Pape:

Ruby. Some barnyard notes (brett?) nettles and ripe blackberries on the nose. Pepper underneath. Freshish acidity, ripe and few tannins, some unripe ones as well sticking out, lacks complexity and is quite unpleasant. 70

2011 Château Canon:

Deepish ruby. Slightly scented and dark berries nose, quite fruity and elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, a bit cool in the glass at the time of writing this note at 23.00 hours at night in the Norwegian mountains overlooking a magnificent sunset over the moors of Setesdal. Fresh fruity and elegantly lively, not the most complex but definitely quaffable. Lovely. 86

2000 Château Dalem:

Ruby with just a hint of a garnet rim. Starting out rustic and seemingly rough but after ten minutes showing a pure fruit much more reminiscent of my last bottle about two years back. Fairly ripe and slightly rich and ripe but never massive or opulent on the nose. Fresh acidty, ripe tannins, with a fruity and refreshing palate, somewhat leaner than the nose suggests, but elegant and quaffable. Refreshing and good length. 89

2011 Domaine de Christia Châteauneuf-du-Pape:

Bright ruby. Fruity, some spices over pure fruit nose, fairly easy going nose, but a pure feel to it. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, a fruity and almost silky feel that is somewhat interupted by a slightly rough texture. Sweet, and warm finish but considering it's 15% on the label, fairly integrated. Good length. 86

2010 Gravette de Certan:

(2nd VCC) Deep ruby. Almost leaping out of the glass, a rich and deeper fruity nose, somewhat sweet and ripe, but not excessive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and quite lively, again sweetish fruity and a bit raw textured at the moment, delicious now, especially with grilled meat, but will evolve nicely over the next ten years plus. 90

Two from Bordeaux, two NSG

2011 Château de Seguin:

Deep ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some vanilla and tobacco. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit and body, even if slightly rough still. Give it a year or two. 84

2009 Château Les Roches de Gaby:

Deep ruby. Fruity blue- and blackberries with some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and hides it's 14,5 alcohol well for this level. Fruity finish. 84

2010 Domaine R.Dubois Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Argillières:

Bright ruby. Scented, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh fruit but the oak needs a few years to settle down. Quite long. 87

2010 Domaine R.Dubois Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Porêts Saint Georges:

Bright ruby. Somewhat scented, more red fruity nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant palate, refreshing, quite long. 89

6 inexpensive from Bordeaux

2011 Château de Roche (Loupiac)

Pale golden. Apples, and some tropical notes on the nose. Quite fresh, easy going but quite lovely. 84

2006 Château Priban:

Ruby, brick rim. Quite lovely nose with some cassis and figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean and drying palate. First vintage under new Norwegian ownership where they had no hand in the first vintage. Only 900 bottles made. 77

2004 Château Lamarque:

Ruby with garnet rim. Some cassis, figs and leather on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean but has all it should have for an inexpensive Haut-Médoc. 85

2004 Château Rocher-Bonregard: (Pomerol € 12,-)

Ruby, garnet rim. Some plums, anise and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, towards a bit rustic in style, lean and slightly dry finish, more of the structure and not quite enough fruit than being too old. 84

2011 Château de Fontenil:

Ruby. Floral, fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and fruity, fairly elegant. 86

2010 Château Larruau: (Margaux)

Deep ruby. Scented, lovely fruit, easy going nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and elegant palate, quite refreshing, good length. 84

2012 Primeur Canon-Fronsac/ Fronsac

Canon-Fronsac/ Fronsac:

2012 Château Barrabaque:

Ruby. Fruity, nuanced, liquorice and chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, elegant and fairly nuanced, good length. 85-87

2012 Château Canon Pécresse:

Deep ruby. Fruity, liquorice and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fairly lively, good length. 84-86

2012 Château Carlmagnus:

Deep ruby. Oaky nose, same on palate, the fruit behind seems nice. 79-81

2012 Château Cassagne Haut-Canon:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet and ripe palate. 82-84

2012 Château Chadenne:

Deep ruby. Ripe and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity if a bit simple. 82-84

2012 Château Dalem:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, elegant and almost playful, refreshing and quite long. 87-89

2012 Château La Dauphine:

Deep ruby. Rich and fruity nose. fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe. 84-86

2012 Château Fontenil:

Deep ruby. Floral, fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidoty, ripe tannins, 

refreshing, fruity and soft texture. 85-87

2012 Château Gaby:

Ruby. Scented nose, some blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite lively palate. Good length. 85-87

2012 Château Haut-Carles:

Deep ruby. Fruity, slightly scented and vanilla nose. Freshish acidity. Ripe tannins, fruity, a bit oaky. 82-84

2012 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque:

Deep ruby. Slightly scented and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and fairly lively. 83-85

2012 Château Moulin-Pey-Labré:

Deep ruby. Fruity and a bit ripe nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, slightly sweet and alcoholic. 80-82

2012 Château La Rivière:

Ruby. Scented and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and fairly elegant and good length. 85-87

2012 Château La Rivière Aria:

Deep ruby. Scented, fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft and ripe texture, good length. 86-88

2012 Château Les Trois Croix:

Deep ruby. Spicy, rich and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe butbnot sweet, good length. 84-86

2012 Château La Vielle Cure:

Deep ruby. Fruity and sweet nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and less ripe palate, good length. 84-86

2012 Château Villars:

Deep ruby. Fruity, a bit ripe and alcoholic nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, soft and sweet, untypical for the estate. 80-82

2012 Château Vrai Canon Bouché:

Deep ruby. Scented, fruity and elegant nose. Fresh acidiy, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, good length. 84-86

Some inexpensive Bordeaux and 06 Doisy Daëne

2009 Château Lestage: (Listrac)

Ruby. Cassis, some vanilla, slightly scented nose. Some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, light bodied but fruity, quite lovely even if easy going. 85

2009 Château La Fleur Peilhan:

Deep ruby. Started out rich but fairly nuanced, with air, alcoholic and sweet, even bitter. Feels extracted (14%) and is simply too much for this one. Ungainly. Falls completely apart after ten minutes. Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, why on earth? 70

2010 Grand Cannon: (Canon Fronsac)

Ruby. Coffee, rich and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, somewhat unrefined and not very elegant. Canon Fronsac can do better. 83

2006 Pessac-Léognan de Latour-Martillac:

Ruby. Somewhat scented, graphite minerals, cassis and some cedar. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, some would say maybe a bit lean and/ or austere touch, I find it lively. 86+

2008 Baron de Brane:

(2nd Ch.Brane-Cantenac) Ruby. A bit rough before decanting, then cassis, floral and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit and body, quite lively, good length. 87

2008 Grand Cannon: Canon Fronsac

Ruby. Ripe and somewhat sweet blueberries, vanilla and jasmin nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fairly fresh, good length. 84

2011 Berger Baron (Baron Philippe de Rothschild)

Ruby. Blueberries and slightly herbal. Freshish acidity, ripe and few tannins, very easy going. 78

2006 Château Doisy Daëne:

Golden. Apricots, pineapples, some vanilla, botrytis, pure feel and elegant. Fresh acidity, fruity and elegant palate, lively, lovely body and texture, long. 92+

2010 Ch Le Bergey

2010 Château Le Bergey Cuvée la Côte:
Deep ruby. Fruity, easy going nose of blackberries, some spices and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant body, well made even if easy going Fronsac. Lovely everyday wine at €3,89. 82

Bordeaux tasting with Vinhuset NoFra

Dry white
2010 G de Guiraud:
Pale lemon yellow. Apricots, minerals and citrus. Fresh acidity, elegant texture, refreshing, long finish. 88

Red
2009 Quien Bordeaux:
Deep ruby, fresh cassis and bell peppers nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, classic and somewhat lean body. Nice structure.81

2007 Château Castera:
Ruby. Scented blueberries and leather, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and slightly hollow, typical of the vintage. 86

2009 Château La Croix Saint-Estèphe:
(2nd Ch Le Crock) Deep ruby. Cassis, vanilla and scented. Rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit sweet palate, good length. 87

2009 Château Pavillon Beauregard:
Deep ruby. Blueberries and somewhat scented nose with vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing palate, long. 89

2009 Benjamin de Beauregard:
(2nd Ch Beauregard) Deep ruby. Blueberries, vanilla, somewhat scented. Acidity does the job, ripe tannins, elegant body and texture, long. 90

2006 Château Moulin Haut-Villars;
Deep ruby. Blueberries, vanilla, elegant and almost scented nose behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, good length. 85

Sweet
2009 Château Haut-Peyraguey:
Pale golden. Botrytis, apricots and ripe apples nose. Fresh acidity, elegant creamy texture, long finish. A joy of freshness and seamlessness. 91

2009 Petit Guiraud:
Pale golden. Plums and apricots nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and pure feel, apples in the finish, lovely texture, long. 89

2009 Château Guiraud:
Pale golden. Stunning nose, rich yet elegant, apricots, pineapples and vanilla. Fresh and lively acidity, superb balance, has a massive feel to it, yet so elegant and layered. Stunning finish. 96

2007 Château Raymond-Lafon:
Golden. Rich nose of apricots and stone fruits, somewhat tropical. The typical light bitterness of the estate is present. Fresh acidity, elegant texture, refreshing and long. 92

2004 Château Doisy-Daëne:
Golden. Fresh and pure nose, apricots and pineapples. Fresh acidity, superb balance, refreshing and the ever present purity of this estate. Long. 93

Alle viner tilgjengelige i BU

2005 Bordeaux, Spesialbutikkslipp Oktober 2012

The wines below was tasted at Vinmonopolet prior to the release in the special shops next week.  The tasting notes below are of all wines tasted, in the order they were tasted.



2005 Château Dalem:

9245401 (326,30) Deep ruby, vanilla and cassis nose, slightly sweet touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich texture and fruit-driven, tight yet rounded. Long finish. 89

2005 Château Poujeaux:

9528705 (981,30) (Magnum) Deep ruby, sweet cassis and vanilla, fruity. Meaty. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, mouthwatering, fruit forward now, good length. 88

2005 Château Lanessan:

5339601 (310,30) Deep ruby. Cassis and slightly scented nose with blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, savory and elegant body, just a lite bit short. 89

2005 Château Sociando- Mallet:

9530601 (657,70) Deep ruby. Rich cassis, leather and a slightly scented over-tone. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, slightly hollow mid-palate, more robust finish. Long. 89

2005 Château Figeac:

6291901 (1095,90) Ruby, scented over blueberries, some vanilla. Subdued now, needs decanting. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering. Lovely structure, long. 93

2005 Château Magdelaine:

6435601 (680,30) Bright ruby. Scented blueberries and leather nose. Rich but transparent. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, superb balance, savory, long, fresh and transparent finish. 94

2005 Château La Fleur-Petrus:

6434901 (945,30) Deep ruby. Intense blueberries, some vanilla, touch of cassis and slightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, creamy texture, seemless, long and elegantly fruity finish. 92

2005 Château Trotanoy:

6433701 (1110,30) Deep ruby. Closed nose but scented and flirting, blueberries, vanilla, layered and complex. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering and refreshing, superb palate, lovely texture and structure, very long finish. 95+

2005 Château Gazin: 

6419601 (821,50) Deep ruby. Chocolate, coffee beans and blueberries. Rich and dense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, more nuanced and fresher palate. Almost some herbal notes in the back. Long. Needs ageing. 92+

2005 Vieux Château Certan:

9811501 (1499,50) Deep ruby. Deep nose of blueberries, vanilla, blackberries and scented over tones. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, velvety texture even if the tannins still needs a few years. Long and refreshing finish. Superb. 94+

2005 Château Haut-Bergey:

9706101 (345,20) Deep ruby. Slightly herbal over cassis and some minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit lean but fresh texture and structure. Good length. 86

2005 Château Les Carmes Haut- Brion:

6419801 (676,80) Deep ruby, almost opaque. Vanilla and oak dust, cassis and blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, the normal edgyness of this estate, rough and needs time. 89

2005 Château d'Issan:

6419101 (736,70) Deep ruby. Pure cassis under floral high notes and somewhat scented and seductive nose allready. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, very elegant and lovely balance. Flirting. Long finish. Issan is a property to follow as they have really set in a new gear the last ten years. 93

2005 Château Gloria:

9498101 (474,70) Deep ruby. Somewhat scented behind cassis, blueberries and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit. A bit easy going, good length. 89

2005 Château Lagrange:

9718101 (767,30) Deep ruby. Cassis, almost a raspberry touch, vanilla and white chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, ripe yet elegant. Good length. 90

2005 Château Saint-Pierre:

9811201 (674,80) Deep ruby. Somewhat scented nose with cassis and blueberries. Layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering and refreshing. Sollid and long. 91

2005 Château Léoville Poyferré:

9717901 (1365,70) Deep ruby. Somewhat extracted and sweet nose. Cassis, coffee and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, shut and somewhat ungainly without five hours of decanting. Power and with age hopefully finesse. Long. Forget it in the cellar. 92 for now.

2005 Château Léoville Las Cases:

9257101 (2377,50) Deep ruby. Deep cassis notes, somewhat floral. Tight nose at this stage. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering, layered but extremelly difficult now. Very long. Wait another decade or two. 94 for now. 

2005 Château Cantenac Brown:

9706901 (530,10) Deep ruby. Floral over cassis, vanilla and blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries and almost mineral, refreshing and long. Feels transparent and very elegant. 92

2005 Château Lafon- Rochet:

9902701 (559,70) Deep ruby. Rich but transparent of dark berries, and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Slightly tight texture, good length. 89

2005 Château Haut- Bages- Libéral:

6419401 (448,30) Deep ruby. Tobacco, cassis, minerals, pencil shave and some bell peppers. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Refreshing palate, elegant if structured palate, long. 92

2005 Château Duhart- Milon:

6419301 (640,90) Deep ruby. Cassis, some chocolate, tobacco and blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite refreshing and somewhat edgy now that will polish of in another few years. Good length. 91

2005 Château Clerc-Milon:

6419201 (635,50) Deep ruby. Slightly more scented over cassis, vanilla and sweet tobacco. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, somewhat rich and opulent style, but still elegant and refreshing. Long. 92

2005 Château Pichon- Longueville Baron:

6444901 (1145,20) Deep ruby. Rich and intense nose. Cassis, leather and vanilla. Tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and classic texture. Very long. Wait another ten years or more. 94 for now.