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Comments on my notes

(17 comments on 16 notes)

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Red
1996 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend
12/31/2022 - Nothung Likes this wine:
97 points
Sublime. From magnum. Opened for about 5 hours and then decanted for 2 more. The wine is in a great place right now. Don't think there is any rush, but don't think it improves much from here. Served New Year's Eve with chateaubriand in a black truffle Madeira sauce. Perfection.
  • cdunn commented:

    1/2/23, 2:50 AM - Monte Bello paired with the truffle aromatics and fine beef sounds sublime. That was a helluva dining experience. These older Monte Bellos, particularly en mag, are the ultimate Cal cabs IMO. I've been drinking them for almost 40 years and, for my taste, the only comparable cab is Togni.

White
2017 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Côtes du Rhône Villages Inopia Blanc White Rhone Blend
4/4/2022 - BHRH wrote:
This is one of the strangest wines my wife and I have ever tasted (and we don't necessarily agree on a lot of things! :)) Very odd spiciness on the nose, but we couldn't place it - not cardamon, not cinnamon, IKD - some sort of toasted nuts? Definitely a slightly oxidized note, though. The palate is even more odd, with a density that you'd expect from a rich Cali Chard, but not the fruit - yet there is some oak. Not a lot of acidity. Almost wondering if this bottle is flawed. We have two more, so will definitely test drive sooner than later!
  • cdunn commented:

    4/5/22, 4:21 PM - I understand your perplexity. This is a wine that is difficult to define. The winemakers are serious Burgundy producers at Lucien Le Moine. When I first tasted it a year ago, I thought it tasted like Meursault. It has evolved some that the Rousanne is starting to show through, but with a complex of aromas and flavors that are atypical. Notwithstanding all of that, I love this wine. I have several bottles left and look forward to seeing what happens.

White - Fortified
N.V. Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series George Washington Special Reserve White Blend
1/15/2021 - drwine2001 wrote:
Orange amber color. Grilled nuts, high toned perfume, and herbs. Medium weight, moderate sweetness, tangy orange fruit with brisk acidity and an earthy finish. Very good.
  • cdunn commented:

    1/18/21, 3:30 AM - That is an excellent, very helpful description of this wine. Thanks

Red
2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert Syrah
12/6/2020 - SMHalps wrote:
89 points
my last of 4 bottles of this vintage, and a little disappointing. Could it have already been over the hill? Notes of Cedar with a pleasing acidity. I've had a few vintages of this cuvee and this is the first bottle that I was able to wait a few years to open and drink.
  • cdunn commented:

    12/8/20, 3:26 PM - I am genuinely sorry this was your last bottle, as the Thalabert is several years away from reaching maturity. From all indications, it has the components to become an outstanding wine. We shall see.

White
2016 El Enemigo Chardonnay Mendoza
Clearly struggles from a case of overrating, but it is a solid wine. Buttery oak comes through pretty clearly and tends to overwhelm the fruit. No doubt that this is a New World wine. Other than that, balance is nice and a pleasant experience. Decent value in the low $20s.
  • cdunn commented:

    7/21/20, 2:41 AM - Very similar to my reaction to this wine. In a blind tasting, I would have guessed mid-level Napa chard. Not my style, but pleasant enough.

Red
1989 Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
5/2/2020 - MC wrote:
Decanted 3 hours. Perfect fill and cork. All of my bottles from same case purchased as a future. This is a really good Bordeaux. Dark fruits, incredible concentration, some minerals (but it is more about the cool, dark fruit), long finish with lush tannins you can hardly even notice. But for some reason this has never hit the mark for me vs. the '89 Montrose, Angelus, or even the LLC (although different styles, this is probably right there with the LLC in quality). Maybe just me, but really good - just not there with the top of the vintage for me - but at $35 what a steal it was at the time! Based on my bottles I would drink now to enjoy the wonderful fruit. A-/A
  • cdunn commented:

    5/3/20, 4:01 AM - This was an excellent note that is perfectly consistent with my response to the '89 Lynch Bages. Concentrated, deep fruit flavor, well-structured, serious length, but just no excitement there. A lack of savory elements and little complexity, at least for me, has repeatedly left me disappointed. I have only 1 left and may hold it a bit longer to see if something more develops. Your comparative picks, Montrose and Angelus, were 2 of my 3 favorites of the vintage, the Haut Brion being the obvious third.

Red
2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert Syrah
2/3/2020 - gbbwino wrote:
90 points
Good, but not great, wine. It was monolithic & somewhat simple, lacking layers & complexity. PNP from magnum so I'm thinking it was opened too young with not enough time to breath to open up. I suspect with more age & decant time, it would be much better.
  • cdunn commented:

    2/3/20, 4:53 PM - This is a wine that will greatly benefit from 10 years of aging. This is a great vintage for the Thalabert. The '90 Thalabert was the best value wine I ever bought; it was singing from age 10 to 23.

Red
1990 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend
10/18/2019 - greedy wrote:
100 points
Exquisite. My first experience with an an aged mont bello. One of the best wine experiences of my life. Some describe an aged mont bello as being very similar to first growth Bordeaux. The tannins were there but not like Bordeaux. Otherwise I would agree.

This wine still has perfect acidity and lots of fruit. Beautiful barnyard funk and mushrooms flavours.

I have a number of bottles of 2012 and 13. Nice to now know what these will evolve into. Sadly I will be in my 70s before I can enjoy them.
  • cdunn commented:

    12/19/19, 11:01 AM - Don't worry about being in your 70s when these Monte Bellos are peaking. I am in my early 70s and these Monte Bellos and Tognis from the early '90s are a great pleasure in my life. You'll be delighted you have them and others.

White
2016 El Enemigo Chardonnay Mendoza
11/18/2019 - Zweder wrote:
90 points
Weekly tasting group RWP #352; Six whites and six reds fully blind (@ My place): Yellow fruits, butter and a firm dose of oak in both the bouquet and on the palate. Good citrus acidity and a firm dose of sweetness.. Ripe fruits and there is some elegance as well.
  • cdunn commented:

    11/22/19, 2:45 PM - Totally agree on all points. Very much Cal-like Chardonnay. Not my favorite style, but a nice wine.

White
2008 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Chardonnay
5/24/2019 - Marc C wrote:
flawed
Complètement oxydée... Une Montee de Tonnerre 2008 (bouchage diam) ouverte en secours était par contre trop jeune
  • cdunn commented:

    5/24/19, 4:59 PM - It is a shame, but I have found Fevre's wines are the most susceptible to premox of any of the elite producers. Fully 50% of the 30+ bottles drunk from my cellar have been premoxed. Very sad and very expensive.

Red
1992 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
12/27/2016 - Winemusic wrote:
96 points
Beautiful, has aged very well.
Lovely graphite and mineral in a bed of floral, violet and currant fruit.
  • cdunn commented:

    12/27/16, 2:41 PM - One of the greatest CalCabs of that era.

Red
2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
12/27/2016 - ifishtoo Likes this wine:
95 points
Next to the 89 (3 bottles left), this is our favorite Beaucastel. Everything you want in a CdP with just enough of the barnyard to let you know what it is. Bricked color, powerful nose and lovely balance on the palate. Stood up well to the city ham cooked sous vide at 140 for 5 hour. Yum.
  • cdunn commented:

    12/27/16, 2:38 PM - That sous vide ham sounds almost as good as the Beaucastel. What did you put into the vacuum with the ham. I, too, love the '01 Beau.

White - Sweet/Dessert
2001 Château Rieussec Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
12/25/2015 - tcosgriff wrote:
86 points
Amber color with a bouquet and flavor of botrytis, but little else. Only modestly sweet. Lacking in definition, intensity, and nuance. Not very enjoyable, but I am beginning to think that I am not a fan of older Sauternes. I wonder what I will think of very old Sauternes?
  • cdunn commented:

    12/31/15, 3:28 AM - Your description leads me to believe you had a flawed bottle. The color and taste profile of your bottle are very atypical of this wine. I hope you have the opportunity to try another bottle.

Red
1989 Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
** Erroneous Note ** Cellar Tracker has a bad index. I've twice selected a different (everyday drinker) to consume and add a note, but it keeps selecting this wine. I went a different route to correct that bottle. Really: a Haut-Brion and Thai food? ** (Original note read "Good pairing for Thai food.") Sorry all...
  • cdunn commented:

    9/14/15, 4:28 PM - You can't be serious!

White
2004 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Chardonnay
6/19/2014 - cos82 wrote:
flawed
Horrible, maderized and disappointing. Friend of mine who tried a bottle of the same wine last week, but purchased from a different vendor, said he had the same experience.
  • cdunn commented:

    6/20/14, 2:55 PM - One of the bigger disappointments I have had. I bought a case of this on the rave reviews of Burghound and Gilman. I've had 4 bottles, ALL premoxed. The idea of throwing the rest out is torturous, but so is the thought of trying to drink them. I stopped buying Fevre after the '08 vintage after tasting these and the '02s (similar experience).

Red
2007 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
5/27/2014 - andtheodor wrote:
65 points
Wow, I don't think I've ever tasted such a disaster in a bottle. Burnt tar, prunes, wickedly fumy, and an oxidative note to kick things over the cliff into the smouldering refuse pile. Perverse.
  • cdunn commented:

    5/27/14, 4:08 PM - I think you may have a flawed bottle.

  • cdunn commented:

    5/27/14, 5:26 PM - I hope you're wrong, as I have a few bottles left. Drank one several months ago, and it didn't have the stewed fruit aspect, which I keenly dislike. I'll try to remember to post notes on my next one. Wish you better luck on any future ones.
    Chuck

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