A few from Bordeaux

2008 Château Latour Martillac blanc
Lemon yellow. Grapefruit, tropical notes, vanilla, minerals, smoky notes and spices nose, rich. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, intense, minerals, lemons, fresh, smokey and layered, long. 92

1998 Domaine de Chevalier
Ruby. Closed nose, cassis, fruity, lightly scented, some minerals and light tobacco note far back. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, leaner, some cassis, plums and minerals beneath, long but somewhat lean finish. 92

2007 Château Potensac
Ruby. Cassis, plums, some vanilla, lightly scented nose. Some violets. Fresh acidity, ripetannins, leaner body, fruity, little development but somewhat more polished structure since last bottle, good length. 88

2000 Château Pontet-Canet
Ruby. Corked

2001 Château Certan de May
Ruby. Scented, elegant, exotic, flirting nose, red berries, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner fruit than last bottle, elegant structure, plums, blueberries, cassis, layered and nuanced, long. 93

2004 Château Tertre Roteboeuf
Ruby. Intense, ripe fruits, blueberries, lightly spicy, plums, scented, intense and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, sweet, dark berries, red fruits freshness, long. 93

2003 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
Golden. Rich, intense, botrytis, apricots, pineapples, leaps out of the glass. Fresh acidity, ripe, rounded and fruity, intense, leaner palate than nose suggest, pineapples and almost creamy finish, smooth and long. 94

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

1931-1935 Château Mossé

1931 Château Mossé
Amber, rich, intense, nuts, dried fruits, raisins, fresh acidity, intense, rich, nuanced, rounded, layered, long. 94

1932 Château Mossé
Amber. Lighter, nuanced, apricots, raisins, not as intense nose. Marzipan. Fresh acidity, elegant, nuanced, not as powerfull but lovely balance, some will fault it for it,  lovely. 92

1933 Château Mossé
Amber, light red hue. Intense, fruity, raisins, detailed, fuller nose. Fresh acidity, lively, playful, richer, fruitier, detailed, elegant, little bit less nuanced, long. 93

1935 Château Mossé
Amber. Rich, some alcohol, dried fruits and nuts on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity if leaner, apricots, raisins, some sultanas, lighter finish, long. 92

1989 Becker TBA

1989 J. B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Deep amber, golden rim. Rich, dried fruits, almonds, figs, dried apricots, intense nose. Fresh acidity, lively, rich, burnt caramel, intense, rich, layered, long. 92

Two from Weinbach

2012 Weinbach Cuvée Sainte Catherine Pinot Gris
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, very fruit driven nose. Freshish acidity, fruity, ripe, rich, but elegant, lovely Pinot Gris. 88

2010 Weinbach Altenbourg Quintessence de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris
Pale golden. Apples, yellow fruits, intense, floral and detailed, layered nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh and detailed, intense yet feels delicate, lively, mouthwatering, very long. 94

05 Grgich, 05 Goulée and 03 Tourelles de Longueville

2005 Grgich Hills Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby. Rich, intense, fruity, cassis, blackberries, some vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, structured, opened up more with air, good length. 89

2005 Goulée
Deep ruby. Cassis, some spices, fruity, light cedar note, some figs and vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, getting less fat each time I taste it. 89

2003 Les Tourelles de Longueville
(2nd Ch Pichon Baron) Ruby. Youthful, fruity, cassis, some vanilla, fairly intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly raw first and needed an hour in decanter to open up and polish down, fruity, quite refreshing for the vintage and still very youthful. Long. 90

2010 L'Extravagant de Doisy Daëne

2010 L'Extravagant de Doisy Daëne:
Pale golden. Apricots, pineapples and a richer and fuller style on the stunning nose. Fresh acidity, playful, pure, creamy, elegant and refined even if a bit subdued. Superb balance, gorgeous length, ever so sligjtly more shut than last bottle. 97

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

Four from Bordeaux

2009 Château Lagrange
Ruby. Dark fruits, cassis, elegant, nuanced and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fruity, detailed, ripe and long. 93

2009 Sarget de Gruaud Larose
Ruby. Fruity, scented, dark berries and violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, fresh, somewhat leaner finish, good length. 89

2008 Château Mondot Saint-Emilion
Ruby. Scented, fruity, blueberries, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rounded, rich, good length. 88

2011 Château Lanessan
Ruby. Scented nose, light red berries note, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Fruity, red berries, again lighter, good length. 87

3 2012's from Faiveley

2012 Faiveley Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot
Pale lemon yellow. Minerals, apples, flinty and citrus nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh and fruity, richer palate, detailed, give it air, long. 91

2012 Faiveley Beaune 1er Cru Clos de l'Ecu
Bright ruby. Fruity, scented, red berries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh and fruity, good length. 89

2012 Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes
Bright ruby. Red berries, fruity, nuanced, elegant and scented nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, lively and fresh, detailed and long. 91

2006 Gianni Brunelli Brunello Riserva

2006 Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Bright ruby, garnet rim. Scented, fruity, liquorice, leather, figs and cherries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, elegant, fresh and fruity, elegant and long. 93

2012 Faiveley Macon blanc

2012 Faiveley Macon
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, butter, light minerality on the nose. Fresh acidity, creamy texture, fruity, rounded, bit short. 86

2010 Produttori and Ratti Marsenasco

2010 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco
Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, anise,s pices, floral, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, darkberries, some herbs in the finish, good length. 89

2010 Renato Ratti Barolo Marsenasco
Bright ruby. Ripe, intense, cherries and anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich and fruity, intense, bit hollow finish. 89

3 from Antonin Guyon

2010 Antonin Guyon Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras
Ruby. Scented, red berries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, rounded, good length. 88

2011 Antonin Guyon Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes
Bright ruby. Scented, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, soft and juicy, good length. 87

2011 Antonin Guyon Corton Clos du Roy
Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, fruity, floral and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity and lively, detailed and nuanced, long. 91

2011 Château Coutet

2011 Château Coutet (Saint-Emilion)
Deep ruby. Rich, fruity, intense, ripe and sweet nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity, ripe and sweet. 86

3 from Henri Darnat

2011 Henri Darnat Bourgogne Blanc Jumaile
Pale lemon yellow, apples, fruity and rounded nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity and fresh, good length. 86

2011 Henri Darnat Meursault 1er Cru Goutte d'Or
Pale lemon yellow. Citrus, minerals, not the most complex but elegant nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh, minerals, fruity and juicy, good length. 89

2011 Henri Darnat Meursault 1er Cru Richemont Monopole
Pale lemon yellow. Citrus, minerals, apples, smokey notes. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh, citrus, apples, intense but could be longer. 89

Hatt et Söner Prestige le Grand Père

2006 Hatt et Söner Prestige le Grand Père
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, lemons and yest on the nose. Fresh acidity, lively mousse, fresh, elegant and fruity, lively. 90

Two from Bordeaux

2009 Château Guitignan (Moulis)
Ruby. Scented, richer and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fairly elegant, good length. 86

2009 Château Beaumont (HM)
Ruby. Scented, cassis, bit easy going nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, easy going, fruity, leaner, structured finish, not enough fruit to balance it seems. 84

2012 Domaine de Chevalier

2012 Domaine de Chevalier rouge
Ruby. Scented, layered, red berries, fruity nose, some minerals, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, red berries, some spices, long. 92

04 Dom Perignon and Krug Grande Cuvée

Krug Grande Cuvée Brut
Towards lemon yellow, small bubbles. Apples, minerals, detailed, richer nose, brioche and yeast. Fresh acidity, lively mousse, quite intense, fresh, detailed, nuanced, more focused again, long. 93

2004 Dom Perignon
Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Apples, minerals, detailed, nuts, butter, layered nose, citrus, brioche. Fresh acidity, lively mousse, fresh, fruity, detailed, elegant, fruity, firmer 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

06 Mascarello Villero and 2010 Monprivato

2006 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Villero
Bright ruby. Scented, detailed, nuanced, fruity, elegant, lovely nose, tar, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fresh, detailed, elegant and nuanced, superb, long. 93

2010 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato
Bright ruby. Scented, dark fruits, elegant, nuanced and detailed nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, detailed, transparent, layered, complex and long. 95

Cremant de Bordeaux and 1989 Loire

Château Grand Housteau Crémant de Bordeaux
Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Fruity, apples, some brioche behind. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, more detailed than earlier, fruity. 83

1989 Couly-Dutheil Clos de l'Olive
Ruby, garnet rim. Cassis, bell peppers, some figs. Fruitier and more scented than last bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs, letaher, some herbs behind, good length. 89

2010 Domaine de Chevalier blanc, 00 rouge, 09 Guiraud and more

2013 G de Guiraud
Towards lemon yellow. Elegant nose, fresh, grapefruits and minerals. Frsh acidity, lively, fresh, fruity, detailed, elegant, good length. 88

2012 Esprit de Chevalier blanc
(2nd Dom. de Chevalier) Towards lemon yellow. Minerals, fruity, and fresh nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity, fresh and elegant, grapefruity finish, good length. 89

2010 Domaine de Chevalier blanc
Towards lemon yellow. Minerals, detailed, elegant, nuanced, complex and layered nose, oysters, citrus and vanilla. Fresh acidity, lively, citrus, detailed, elegant, lively and nuanced, long. 95

2012 Esprit de Chevalier
(2nd Dom. de Chevalier) Ruby. Scented, blackcurrants, some vanilla, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, lively, fresh, good length. 88

2000 Domaine de Chevalier
(Magnum) Ruby. Cassis, scented, minerals, elegant, maturing, seductive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, detailed, elegant and nuanced, lovely texture and balance, long. 94

2009 Château Guiraud
Golden. Nuanced, lively, detailed nose, apricots, rich and intense. Fresh acidity, fruity, lively, fresh and detailed, nuanced, long. 95