Summer tasting Sandefjord July 2016 (Part two)

Marcel Pierre Special Cuvée for Color Line Brut
JUL 16 Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Fruity, brioche, minerals. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, rounded, fruity, brioche. 85

2013 Keller Abst E
JUL16 Served blind. Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fruity, pears and peach nose, some citrus. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples, some minerals, then a quite bitter finish, lemon peel and quite green. Not the best balance. Bottle had been "opened" with Coravin in November 2015. I did not taste the bottle then, but has lost quite a bit according to owner. 86

2015 Juliusspital Würzburger Riesling trocken
JUL 16 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach and pears nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, apples, pears, some yeast still. 85

1997 Nikolaihof Riesling Vinothek
JUL 16 Served blind. Towards golden. Intense walnut and almonds, some honey, marzipan. Fresh acidity, bitter, quite oxidised, I would say faulty. With answer in hand, definitely faulty. Nowhere close to other bottles.

2004 Domaine de Chevalier blanc
JUL 16 Ox.

2012 Château Haut-Bergey
Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, vanilla, apples, elderflower,  minerals. Fresh acidity, apples, grapefruits, minerals, fruity, rounded, bit hard on the wood. 87

2001 Château La Fleur Morange
JUL 16 Ruby, brick rim and sediments. Roses, liquorice, cherries, dates, prunes, chocolate and coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, intense, structured, fruity, ripe, blackberries, cherry stones and liquorice, long. 94

1998 Château Musar
JUL 16 Cloudy medium ruby, brick rim. Scented, liquorice, red berries, some floral notes nose. Hung game. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins polishing off, red and darker fruits, some figs and prunes, leather, lovely balance, juicy yet minerals, lovely, long. 93

1998 Penfolds Grange
JUL 16 Deep ruby, sediments. Rich nose, intense, spices, liquorice, blackberries, blueberries, eucalyptus, layered, deep, incredible depth. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity, ripe, intense, dark berries, liquorice, exotic spices, mint, layers of lush fruit, incredible length. 98

1996 Château Poujeaux
Ruby, garnet rim. Leather, figs, prunes, dried violets, cool and elegant nose, some cassis and blueberries still. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, lively, figs and prunes, still firm, long. 92

2010 Elio Altare Barolo
Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, fruity, blueberries, anise, some vanilla, light chocolate and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, structured yet rounded, dark berries, cherries, tar, vanilla and spices, long. 92

2001 Vieux Château Certan
Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, vanilla, light cedar, cassis, leather, delicate nose, layered, subdued, served a bit cold. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, fruity, blueberries, spices, juicy notes, structured, cool, long. 93

2008 Oremus Szamorodni
Pale golden. Apples, raisins, floral notes, fruit driven nose, apricots and peach. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, lively, elegant, bit lean finish. 87

2008 Schloss Lieser Lieser Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, faint cinnamon touch nose, focused and narrow. Fresh acidity, lively, detailed, playful, elegant, refined, apples, cinnamon, fresh, linear, peach and apricots, long. Leaner. 94

2001 Château Raymond Lafon
Golden, amber hue. Rich nose, apricots, vanilla, pineapples, intense, dried fruits, caramel, concentrated nose, honey. Fresh acidity, rich, intense, concentrated, intense, detailed yet almost too up front. Some bitter notes, rich and layered, long. This one would actually be more graceful with less concentration. 92

2012 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Francia
Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some herbs, spices, overripe blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, right tannins, sweet, dark fruits and liquorice, alcoholic. Barbera for kids. 85

Penfolds tastings October 2016

Penfolds Collection Pre-tasting og ekstrasmaking i Oslo.

2015 Pengolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay
Kr 139,90
Pale lemon yellow. Light yellow fruity, citrus and butter touch nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, leaner, light creamy note. 83

2015 Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay
Kr 259,90
Pale lemon yellow. Fruity, apples, pears, peach, some vanilla, butter and spices nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples, minerals, light creamy note, good length. 89

2012 Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay
Kr 949,90
Pale lemon yellow. Popcorn, butter, apples, peach, vanilla, some spices, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, creamy, fruity, ripe, lemons, vanilla, refreshing and detailed, long. 94

2013 Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay
Kr 949,90
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, vanilla, fresh and fruity nose, yighter and less open than the '12 beside it. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, minerals, creamy, lemons, vanilla, elegant finish, long. 94

2015 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet
Kr 139,90
Ruby. Red berries, light spicy nite nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, spices, dark fruits, light vanilla note. 82

2013 Penfolds Bin 138 Shiraz Grenache Mataro
Kr 269,90
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, chocolate, ripe and rich, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich and fruity, some wood in the finish, long. 90

2014 Pengolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
Kr 449,-
53CS 47S Deep ruby. Scented, fruity, red berries, blackberries, floral notes, charming and elegant nose. Fresh. Acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, dark berries and spices, long. 93

2013 Penfolds St Henri
Kr 699,90
96S 4CS Deep ruby. Dark fruits, rich and intense nose, spices, some jammy notes, peppery, blackberries and mulberries. Fresh. Acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, intense, spices, juicy, long. 94

2014 Penfolds RWT
Kr 899,-
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, anise, rich and fruity nose yet tight and firm. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries and spices, detailed, ripe and rich, long. Juicy. 94

2012 Penfolds Grange
Kr 3599,-
98S 2CSDeep ruby. Dark fruits, rich and intense, spices, layers of blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, exotic notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, dark berries and spices, detailed, sweet dark fruits, peppery, vanilla, blackberries, blueberries and mulberries, touch of tobacco and chocolate, long. Stunning and hedonistic. 98

Penfolds Father Tawny
Kr 299,90
Amber with golden hue. Dried fruits, some caramel, red berries, touch of figs. Fresh acidity, dried fruits, some nuts, refreshing and lively, good length. 88

2015 Penfolds Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay
Watery lemon yellow. Light apples, pears, light vanilla, fresh and fruity nose, light spices touch. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, vanilla, spices, creamy, rounded, fairly rich finish. Good length. 89

2015 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
Watery lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, some citrus, peach, vanilla, creamy note, spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, minerals, apples, lemons and spices, detailed, creamy and rounded, long and elegant. 92

2014 Penfolds Bin 138 Shiraz Grenache Mataro
Ruby. Ripe, rich and fruity nose, spices, cinnamon, pepper, cherries, brambles and blackberries nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, juicy and spices, liquorice, good length. Bit of warmth. Give it a half an hour in decanter even if it has a slight rustic bitter finish as a style. 89

2014 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
Kr 449,-
Ruby. Scented, beautiful red berries, violets, fruity, fresh and detailed, spices and some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices, fruity, dark berries and spices, rich and ripe with this leaner red berries and violets mid palate, rich and fruity finish, long. Beautiful vintage for the 389. 92

2013 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz
Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, some spices, rich and intense, blackberries and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, blackberries, mulberries, light ripe raspberries note, spices, anise, juicy, rounded, touch of mint, rich yet lively, long. 94

2014 Penfolds Bin 798 RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz
Deep ruby. Tight, dark fruity nose, rich and ripe, spices, jammy, blackberries and blueberries, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices, ripe, rich, fruity, intense, smoky notes and rich dark berries, long juicy bramble and mulberries finish. 93

2012 Penfolds Grange
98S 2CS Deep ruby. Ripe, rich and fruity nose, some spices, a tighter and firmer vintage even if expressive, not quite as open as some vintages upon release. Deep, minty, rich, blackberries, spices, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, spices, layered, deep, intense, velvety texture, juicy, deep, refreshing, all sorts of ripe red fruits and dark berries, long. Could go higher with age as it is somewhat tight now. 97

Penfolds Father Tawny
Amber with ruby tints and golden rim. Raisins, dried apricots, figs and prunes nose, some spices and mint. Fresh acidity, ripe, rich, fruity, spices, dried fruits, elegant and rounded. Lovely texture. 89

2013 Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay
Kr 949,90
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, vanilla, spices, creamy nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, fruity, ripe, pears and vanilla notes, ripe apples, creamy, long. 94

Penfolds Collection middag

2006 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs
Pale lemon yellow. Light apples, fresh, fruity, minerals, plaster and yeast nose. Fresh acidity, fresh mousse, fresh, fruity, minerals, elegant and nuanced, long. 92

2008 Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligoté
Watery lemon yellow. Vanilla, minerals, fruity, chalk, oysters, apples and pears nose. Spices. Fresh acidity, vanilla, herbs, lemons, green notes, apples, light, chalky, good length. 89

2007 Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay
Watery lemon yellow. Vanilla, apples, minerals, light lemons nose, fresh and fruity, rounded. Fresh acidity, fruity, ripe, rich, apples, minerals, pears, smoky finish. A little bit fat and even if it is the finish that saves it, a bit on the ripe and heavy side. Still a lovely wine, but served blind next to the 08 Bin 08 A, that one stole the show for me. 90

2008 Penfolds Bin 08A Chardonnay
Watery lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, detailed and fruity, vanilla and spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, minerals, spices, vanilla and spices, pears, long. 92

2007 Penfolds Bin 707
Ruby. Cassis, spices, rich, intense, detailed, some mint, anise, touch of eucalyptus, almost an iron touch to it, warm cinnamon, deep nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, rich, spices, dark berries, some cooked plums, cassis and blueberries, long. 95

2005 Penfolds Grange
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, intense, ripe, rich, liquorice, blackberries, blueberries, spices, some cinnamon, black pepper, has a depth that is difficult to describe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, intense, deep, blueberries, detailed and layered, juicy, spices, masses of fruits but freshness to follow up, beautiful. Long. 97

2012 Penfolds Grange
Deep ruby. Rich, dark fruity, spices, massive, ripe, more open than last bottle, just layers of deep ripe dark fruits of all sorts with layers of spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, intense, deep and dark, spices, playful yet rich and ripe, red fruity, superb length. 98

Dinner with friend January 2016

2009 Arlaud Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes
Bright ruby. Red berries, spices, some darker fruit notes beneath, some spices and vanilla notes in the back. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, somewhat staccato, not fully integrated with the oak, red berries, seems to start to get together if not fuly there, long. 90

2008 Hudelot-Noellat Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers
Bright ruby. Red berries, touch of sous bois, starting to mature, elegant nose, scented, raspberries and a touch darker fruits notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, playful, some mint and red berries, fresh and playful with touch of sweet prunes and again sous bois. Real charmer. 93

1992 Château Montrose
Ruby, thin brick rim. Mint, maturing nose, figs, leather, tobacco, some cassis still. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, some red berries, cherries, leather, anise, touch of cassis and blueberries. Bit lean and skinny but has some (fainting) beauty still. 89

2011 Penfolds Grange
Opaque. Rich nose, intense, layered, needs hours to open and even after almost seven hours in the glass (after decanting), it still builds. It still ads. Anise, pepper, dark fruits, some red fruits comes and goes, touch of mint and eucalyptus, some vanilla, some spices, some blackberries. Even some floral notes shows up every now and then. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity, sweet dark fruits, layered, detailed, nuanced, but nothing is up front. Everything is hidden, compact and tight, yet it reveals layers upon layers. Long. Very long indeed. Save it for twenty years, will last fifty years more, or longer. 96

2004 Château Climens
Golden. Apricots, quite ripe, fruity, some grilled pineapples and cinnamon, slight vanilla note. Fresh acidity, vanilla, fruity, rounded, creamy, quite lively before a slight bitter note in the finish, long. 94

2010 Penfolds Grange and more

2011 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby. Rich, fruity, detailed, nuanced, intense and spicey nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity, fresh, fairly detailed, long. 91

2011 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
Deep ruby. Spicy, rich, dark fruits, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively, spicey, fruity, rich, detailed and intense. 91

2011 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, scented, layered, complex nose, spices, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, juicy, refreshing, sweet and long. 93

2012 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby. Rich, intense, ripe, spicey, vanilla, dark fruits, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense, rich, layered and detailed, long. 94

2012 Penfolds RWT
Deep ruby. Fruity, ripe, intense, rich, liquorice, dark fruits and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet attack, fruity, intense, rounded, rich, structured finish, long. 93

2010 Penfolds Grange
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, intense, detailed, complex, layered, dark fruits, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, layered, detailed, spicey, nuanced, rich and intense, dark fruits, very long indeed. 97

Penfolds flight

2011 Penfolds Bin 309
Ruby. Bell peppers, cassis and plums, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, fruity, rich and sweet, good length. 89

2011 Penfolds Magill Estate
Ruby. Rich nose, blueberries, cassis and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, leaner, warm spices, vanilla, long. 90

2011 Penfolds RWT
Deep ruby. Rich, intense, dark berries, spices, layeed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, slight warm nettles note, fruity, dark berries, bit sweet. Long. 92

2009 Penfolds Grange
Deep ruby. Rich, intense, dark berries, spices, ripe, vanilla, big nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity and rounded, rich and intense, sweet and ripe, long. 95

Penfolds tasting including four vintages each of Grange and RWT

2012 Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling:

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

2010 Penfolds Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay:

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

2010 Penfolds RWT:

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

2009 Penfolds RWT:

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

2008 Penfolds RWT:

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

2005 Penfolds RWT:

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

2008 Penfolds Grange:

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

2007 Penfolds Grange:

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

2006 Penfolds Grange:

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

2003 Penfolds Grange:

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

1993 Grange

1993 Penfolds Grange;

Ruby, sweet blackcurrant's, anise, alcohol shows above the fruit on the nose, leather and black pepper. Way fresher on the palate, nice acidity, pretty playful, ripe tannins, nice balance and texture, good length. 92

Served totally blind, I was in California and on Opus One, mid nineties, not top vintage. Then the bottle owner stated it was the only legendary wine in the country, Grange was on everybody's lips instantly. How did I miss those black peppers that I actually wrote down.....

98 Grange

1998 Penfolds Grange;
Deep ruby, lots of sediments. Pronounced nose, very intense, anis, wallnuts, vanilla, leather, cedar, spices, dakr berries. High acidity and high of rope tannins, very complex, very youthfull, perfect balance, and you don't even notice the 14,5 alcohol, very long finish. 98

2001 Grange

2001 Penfolds Grange;
Deep ruby, pink rim. Liquorice, vanilla, spicy notes, pepper, camphor, raspberries and blackberries. Very fresh acidity, texture like velvet, very elegant, ripe tannins, the only thing negative, this my first Grange where I actually feel warm alcohol, and unfortunatelly, that ruins it a bit, fantastic otherwise. 90 (barely)

1976 Grange, another 100

1976 Penfolds Grange Hermitage;
Deep ruby and a 2mm of garnet rim. Tobacco, pepper, syrah as from the very best of Rhone, a complexity you only dream about, it's so intence and huge in complexity, you just can't take it apart and describe it, it's too much, the brain shut's down, and just enjoy, immensely! Acidity is increadible, fresh and lively, exceptional balance, great tannin structure, like falling crisp snow, one of the most complex wines I have had, increadible long finish, my best syrah/shiraz, only startting to show signs of maturation, aftertaste for minutes and minutes, keep at least another 20 years if you're lucky. 100

Future legend

1998 Penfolds Grange;
Deep ruby with ruby rim. Liquorice, pepper, very youthfull, intence and still elegant, flirting as only Grange can, at it's best. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, great structure, so complex, slightly sweet, but sweet just for perfection towards the structure, so young, fantastic length, a true beauty, and a future legend in my book. Amazing with this intencity, elegance and structure. Keep a long time. 98