8/1/2023 - BillyT wrote:

Drinking in a very nice place. Very fruit forward with red varietal fruits. Smooth on the palette with well integrated tannins. Average length finish. Should have several more years in bottle. More Burgundian then Bordeaux like. Really not an expression of Portuguese wine.

7/19/2023 - BillyT wrote:

At special dinner with family. This was an incredibly beautiful expression of an aged champagne and especially Pol Roger. Competes with their Churchill. Sorry, nothing more but find it, buy it. Had I had time to savor and sit with the wine the score could easily been higher.

7/16/2023 - BillyT wrote:

Excellent but you g. Needs more time and can easily achieve 92 or 93. Sorry, drank with family and friends so no opportunity for notes.

7/3/2023 - BillyT wrote:

Sorry no notes. Suffice it to say Outstanding, well balanced, silky smooth. Nice weight on the palate with a long lingering finish.

7/2/2023 - BillyT wrote:

In a perfect drinking window. I am so sorry I won’t have notes since it was at my birthday party. Truly one of the finest wines I have tasted. Perfectly balanced tannins, oak, black and red fruit. There was a crazy balance between herbaciousness and refined development. A memorable wine and you should try if you can. Price point is incredible for a wine that drinks at the highest level.

4/25/2023 - BillyT wrote:

I apologize I do not have notes on the first night. I will return tomorrow with more complete notes. Suffice it to say WOW, so I gave it a preliminary score of 92. Previous notes by others are my sentiments as well, especially about the lamb and the velvety texture. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

4/22/2023 - BillyT wrote:

While in a good place, still young. Initially some I acid but well integrated tannins and beautiful red fruit. I was eating steak and my wife Salmon and provided the perfect balance for each of us. While some may frown eating steak with Volnay but the grass fed filet I had went wonderful with this wine. I believe you need to let it open for 30 minutes or so and it will blossom nicely. I also would suggest 1 more year before it really shows its colors.

3/27/2023 - BillyT wrote:

My original impression was correct. It has not developed at all. Still high acid but tannins have resolved somewhat.

3/17/2023 - BillyT wrote:

I still believe this will achieve a higher score. I had a small glass out of a coravin with an aerator. It seems to have lost its Cali character in terms of fatness. It still is not your traditional pre 2010 Bordeaux but again very nice, succulent, good red and black fruit, moderate tannins and mild acidity. I believe if I give it more air it will prove even better.

3/9/2023 - BillyT wrote:

Easily 96 but youthful and may score higher with time. Unfortunately, I just savored the wine and don't have any notes. Impression, as well balanced and nuanced wine as I have had with years to go.

2/24/2023 - BillyT wrote:

Drank from a Coravin freshly opened. I will drink again tomorrow and give more impressions of the wine.

2/4/2023 - BillyT wrote:

For me its a classical barolo and not modern at all. I will give you that the nose belies the taste. The noes does come across somewhat modern but that’s where it ends. Soft and gentle mouth feel with nice tannins and spice on the finish. At some point almost sangiovese like but not. Needs air and opens beautifully. You have yo understand rustic classic barolo to understand this wine and you will really enjoy it. Sorry, no technical notes, just the emotional character. One last point. Maestro once said a good barolo should be opened 12 hours in advance. This one could make you a believer.

10/4/2022 - BillyT wrote:

This wine was excellent but when you drink Guigal La La's there is no comparison so the 91 score belies how good this was. Drank for son's baptism.

10/4/2022 - BillyT wrote:

Drank for my son's baptism. Better than the 04 but not the 02. Excellent, however, in its own right.

10/4/2022 - BillyT wrote:

Drank for son's baptism. Outstanding wine in an outstanding vintage.

10/4/2022 - BillyT wrote:

Drank with friends for my son's baptism. Excellent, everyone loved. We also drank the 08 and an 02. Response was very diverse regarding which was liked best. In all excellent champagne as always.

4/3/2022 - BillyT wrote:

Stunning. Cork saturated, broke in half, soft. Wine was bright and freah. Quintessential Bordeaux profile. Well integrated tannins and good fruit remaining. Intoduced friends to aged Birdeaux and all loved the profile of sweet tannins and black/red fruit. Excellent. Sorry nothing more but it was opened at my sons baby shower.

12/15/2021 - BillyT wrote:

At dinner with friends so no notes. However, as I look at previous notes in 2021 I agree with everyone regarding their impressions. I would only add that the initial nose was quite herbaceous but blew off after about 30 minutes. Also agree it is still quite young and needs more time.

12/4/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Incredible nose of almost burgundiesque terroir, dork cherries, smoke, quintessential Brunello. Soft sweet tannins with mild acidity. Sangiovese at its finest. Drink now but can hold for 3-5 years. Sorry nothing more, dinner at Tosca DC, but an incredibly wonderful wine. New chef is incredibly talented. Worth a visit if in the district.

11/25/2021 - BillyT Likes this wine:

Today needs at a minimum 1-2 hour decant. Dinner at Little Inn so only basic comments. Wine opened to beautiful floral notes, well balanced, with bright acidity and tannins. Definitely approachable but needs 5-10 more years to realize its potential and its potential is there. Sorry nothing more. I took 1/3 home so we will come back and comment tomorrow night.

11/21/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Starting to shut down but remains approachable. Might be best to wait a few years on this one. 92 is the current state of the wine. 93+ would be my future guess.

11/18/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Likely 93-94 but 3-5 yesrs young. Needs minimum 3 hiur decant if you drink now. Sorry nothing more. At Marcel’s DC for Anniversary dinner. Wine was excellent.

9/7/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Found the wine very pleasant, fruity, soft, integrated tannins and just on the edge of special. Guess I'm spoiled but Meo has been a favorite producer of mine for years and I'm used to a bit more 'wow' factor. Regardless, a good wine, well made and worth drinking.

8/24/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Soecial. Always splendid wine. Sorry no notes. Flora yet rustic. All the character of Burgundy terroir. Lovely wine.

8/25/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Almost there but on the other side.

8/25/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Wow. What DC Wino said. Perfect review.

8/25/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Over the hill. Non descript.

8/16/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Beautiful for so young.

8/16/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Disappointing.

8/7/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Sorry no notes. At dinner with friends. Buy more but price point a bit high.

8/6/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Excellent. Sorry no notes. At dinner with friends.

8/6/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Probably deserved 94. The wine has matured impeccably. While previous notes apply, there was no alchol on the nose. The nose almost seemed muted and then on the palate the wine exploded with flavors. The meat, tobacco, dark chocolate, and so much more. Reaolved tannins and a beautiful balance. Only weakness was a short soicy finish I wish would have had more length. Beautiful and in a good drinking window. Drink now and for another 2-3 years.

8/1/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Probably deserve another point. Excellent freshness, medium mouth feel with balanced minerality and acidity. Beautiful tropical fruit profile with stone characteristics. Sorry nothing more but to recommend to buy.

6/2/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Beautiful

5/24/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Papies right on all counts. Needed 30 minutes to open but a stunning young wine with a future. Drinking excellent but has longevity. Smooth and silky as only guigal can do. What a consistent world class producer. Sorry not more notes.

5/17/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Excellent chianti. Not old world but not new world either. Balanced with aging potential. Very good table wine.

5/15/2021 - BillyT wrote:

For us, the best Bordeaux blanc. Mind you I have not tasted many to compare bur exceptional. Minerality, wet stone, very Jura like i.e. Dageneau with less petrol. Exquisite with seafood.

5/12/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Bordeaux masquerading as good California wine. Follow on note. While very California in style I found little to tell me this was a Bordeaux. Having said that it is an excellent wine, not big and bold and in your face as one might expect and from that perspective you can say it's Bordeaux. Balanced, expressive palate, nice well integrated tannins. I do think that many California and Bordeaux lovers will find this wine interesting from a neutral sort of way. Unfortunately, I don't drink sufficient Merlot based wines to make that comparison. Sorry. Worth trying.

5/9/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Not certain but this tasted like a California Pinot. Not at all representative of DRC. A factor that may have contributed was drinking alongside a 70 La Tache but I don’t think so. Disappointing to say the least. I won’t score as to not negatively influence what others have experienced.

5/8/2021 - BillyT wrote:

At Marcel's for a early Mothers Day dinner. Pop and pour and the Somm's inital reaction was it was very 'La Tache' like in its flavor profile. That's like comparing a pontiac tempest to a corvet in the movie my cousin Vinny... But wait, there was strong elements of truth. Personally, my first impression was either La Tache or Clos de Tart. So what's the point? The point is that the while the flavor profiles may be similar that's where the comparison ends. In terms of depth, structure, balance, and dimension this wine moves in an immutable direction of beauty. Fourrier is one of my favorite produces and this bottle confirms my lust for the wine. La Tache NO, Fourrier, YES and that should be enough. It its own right it is spectacular, comparisons aside. Find it Buy It!

5/7/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Upon opening the Somm said La Tache? The rest is history and raste profile thawas wo derful.

5/1/2021 - BillyT wrote:

I won’t rate. Should have read others notes and first waited and second decant. Muted nose and oalate but enough to suggest the future is bright. Unfortunately alas, unless I find more I won’t know if the wine will evolve nicely.

4/25/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Excellent.

4/24/2021 - BillyT wrote:

For me one of the best non-Bordeaux Claret I've had. Indeed it was light as one person mentioned but the palate and aromas, and the weight on the palate belied it's light color in the glass. At dinner so this is the best I've have for you. Sorry

4/24/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Consistent and went great with Indian food. No notes tonight.

4/21/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Gave as gift to a friend and then drank together at dinner, not a bad gig if you can get it. Wine is Masseto with a more Bordeaux left bank profile. I believe as the years go on this will be a world class second. Yes, infanticide I know but someone has to pre-screen the wine.

4/14/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Interesting how many different takes on this wine when reading the notes. We were at lunch for a friends bday. All I can say is that the CT notes all share common threads about this wine and it is really very good. While I think the price point is a little high it remains worth the try. PSMITH I think does a good job with the review.

4/10/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Beautfully aged and ready to drink. Still frah with micro bubbles. Carmalized apricots with hints of cherries. Beautifl. Short not. At Bday dinner with friends. Excelled against 2002 Grande Anne which also was great.

4/10/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Hard to compare against 59 Haut Brion, however, decant essential for minimum one hour. Excellent. No notes. Friends Bday party wine dinner.

4/10/2021 - BillyT wrote:

Birthday with friends. Excellent. Sorry no notes.