My contribution. Another natural-leaning champagne but thought this was very good. Fresh, energetic red apple fruit; clearly ripe but with a good acidic spine.
Clear label from a later release. Guessed '95/96 house from the brioche and autolytic notes. Rich old-school style, slight caramel and honey notes. A little tired for me and this bottle was probably on the gentle downslope.
Not blind. Austere and at the same time lacking focus and concentration, also a bit austere? Think Savart is overpriced now after tasting so many good growers in Champagne at more affordable prices.
Not blind. Another house-style champagne with rich yeasty notes but with fresh, pure strawberry fruit. Loved the clarity and depth on this, nice saline streak on the finish. Have enjoyed all the Bollinger 2014s despite not being a fan normally.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru
My extra. Guesses were mostly in CdN from the early ‘00s. Started off elegant and precise, but became more oxidative and earthy with air. High acidity of '08 present.
Primary, Syrah-like hue that made it obvious that it was a young Burgundy from a warm vintage, guessed ‘18 Gevrey. Blue-fruited but still retained elegance and good acidity; not too heavy for a 2020. Excellent potential but the gentle extraction surprised me, a complete change in style compared to the older Lafon reds.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Thought this had to be a Gevrey; iron, meaty savoury notes, but still quite delicate and light. Lacked the stuffing to be a great BM but very well-balanced with good acidity. A resolutely traditional, old-school Burgundy from a cooler year.
Most guessed right-bank because of the soft, plush fruit but I thought this was a 1990 left-bank because of the firm tannins and vibrancy. Unlike the magical ‘95 Lafite that I tasted in February, this felt reticent and lacked greatness but a generous share from a friend.
Beautiful, expressive nose with tobacco, leather and a hint of pyrazines. Regal and classy on the palate, had a superb restraint and understated nature which I love in wines. Acidity, tannins and fruit were in perfect balance at this stage of its development. Guessed 1996 Montrose and when revealed to be a Saint-Estèphe but not Montrose, could only be Calon Segur who knocked it out of the park in this vintage. This wine was on my list to try, and happy that it was firing on all cylinders. A fantastic old-school Bordeaux at its peak
Such a contrast to the brilliant '96 Calon Segur that came before, clearly a Parkerized, over-extracted wine from a hot vintage. Guessed '05 or ‘09 left-bank modern producer. Agree whole-heartedly with the previous note that said this was soupy and muddled.
2013 Stroebel Champagne Logos d'Heraclite Rose de Saignée Brut Nature 90 Points
France, Champagne
Brought for a friend. Bracing at first but became more delicate with air, wild strawberry fruit that could have been more refined.
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2020 Amaury Beaufort Champagne De Quoi Te Meles Tu? 92 Points
France, Champagne
My contribution. Another natural-leaning champagne but thought this was very good. Fresh, energetic red apple fruit; clearly ripe but with a good acidic spine.
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1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires 92 Points
France, Champagne
Clear label from a later release. Guessed '95/96 house from the brioche and autolytic notes. Rich old-school style, slight caramel and honey notes. A little tired for me and this bottle was probably on the gentle downslope.
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2018 Savart Champagne Premier Cru Les Noues 88 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Not blind. Austere and at the same time lacking focus and concentration, also a bit austere? Think Savart is overpriced now after tasting so many good growers in Champagne at more affordable prices.
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2014 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année Rosé 94 Points
France, Champagne
Not blind. Another house-style champagne with rich yeasty notes but with fresh, pure strawberry fruit. Loved the clarity and depth on this, nice saline streak on the finish. Have enjoyed all the Bollinger 2014s despite not being a fan normally.
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2008 Domaine Michel Mallard & Fils Corton-Rognet 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru
My extra. Guesses were mostly in CdN from the early ‘00s. Started off elegant and precise, but became more oxidative and earthy with air. High acidity of '08 present.
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2020 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Volnay 1er Cru Santenots-Du-Milieu 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
Primary, Syrah-like hue that made it obvious that it was a young Burgundy from a warm vintage, guessed ‘18 Gevrey. Blue-fruited but still retained elegance and good acidity; not too heavy for a 2020. Excellent potential but the gentle extraction surprised me, a complete change in style compared to the older Lafon reds.
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2008 Domaine Bart Bonnes Mares 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Thought this had to be a Gevrey; iron, meaty savoury notes, but still quite delicate and light. Lacked the stuffing to be a great BM but very well-balanced with good acidity. A resolutely traditional, old-school Burgundy from a cooler year.
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2011 Domaine Ponsot Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Cuvée des Alouettes 85 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis 1er Cru
Strange showing for a 2011 MSD. Candied, jammy fruit that lacked structure and acidity, picked too late or the problematic Ponsot seal?
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1996 Château Lafite Rothschild 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Most guessed right-bank because of the soft, plush fruit but I thought this was a 1990 left-bank because of the firm tannins and vibrancy. Unlike the magical ‘95 Lafite that I tasted in February, this felt reticent and lacked greatness but a generous share from a friend.
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1996 Château Calon-Ségur 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Beautiful, expressive nose with tobacco, leather and a hint of pyrazines. Regal and classy on the palate, had a superb restraint and understated nature which I love in wines. Acidity, tannins and fruit were in perfect balance at this stage of its development. Guessed 1996 Montrose and when revealed to be a Saint-Estèphe but not Montrose, could only be Calon Segur who knocked it out of the park in this vintage. This wine was on my list to try, and happy that it was firing on all cylinders. A fantastic old-school Bordeaux at its peak
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2005 Château Cos d'Estournel 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Such a contrast to the brilliant '96 Calon Segur that came before, clearly a Parkerized, over-extracted wine from a hot vintage. Guessed '05 or ‘09 left-bank modern producer. Agree whole-heartedly with the previous note that said this was soupy and muddled.
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