A lovely long weekend in Athens, GR

Tradition, almost, sends us to Athens for the August bank holiday w/e with good friends, good food and some great wines

Great old school not extravagant french restaurant, meat focussed and with a BYOW policy that allows us to take our own wines. Highly recomended ( http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d1014332-Reviews-Tartare-Athens_Attica.html)

• 2004 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  (8/27/2011)

  We did not decant nor did we think it needed it. Tight, mild on the nose. On the palate it is mineral, stony yet with a creamy feel to it.lovely balance and length. Very enjoyable 92-93, drink now

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• 2001 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  (8/27/2011)

  Needs decanting. Tight, focussed and precise to a Dom perignon level ( with no bubbles of course!), Mild on the nose with some floral notes . Sharp with a dominant palate presence. Long finish with a bit of spicy twist. A very interesting well made wine and it feels it can easily last another 10 years. 91-92

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• 1989 Tertre Rôteboeuf 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  (8/27/2011)

  Needs decanting as this wine is still at this stage a baby. Lovely open nose from the start with lots of fruit and some secondary notes of earth. Amazing nose. Dark, dense in colour which leads to a very big powerful ( not on the alcohol side) wine with lots of depth. Tannins are very much alive , not dry though. Some merlot sweetness and concentration ( maybe a touch over extracted especially for 1989 standards). This needs another 10 yrs. 93-94 at the moment with lots of potential for the future. We suggest you wait.

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Easily the best restaurant in Greece, deserves its 2 Stars and we struggle to find a better one even in London. Leadbury or Per Se/ French Laundry quality. The innovation behind and quality of the the food is superb. A world class restaurant - http://www.spondi.gr/

• 2010 Weingut Willi Bründlmayer Riesling 1ÖTW Reserve Ried Heiligenstein 89 Points

  Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

  (8/28/2011)

  Riesling kabinet style wine with lovely balance, playful, fresh and with a good sharp level of acidity to finish. Perfect aperitif , beautiful wine to begin a good dinner. Drink from now 89

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• 2007 Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières Domaine 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  (8/28/2011)

  The more we try the more we love the new age Bouchard meursalts. Genevrieres is more feminine (less mineral but more round and lush than the perrieres) perfectly balanced, buttery, long, layered and very complex. This is a beautiful wine and vs it's price the arbitrage of white wines. Simply superb. We will definitely buy more. Drink from now 94-95 and we would suggest decanting

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• 2000 Château Pontet-Canet 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  (8/28/2011)

  We originally ordered the 2001 and that was corked we were offered the 2000 which worried us as most 2000's have been too young. No need to worry here. Decanted for 45 minutes and it needs it.
  Beautiful and open on the nose, red fruits, light earth, such long and deep nose, simply stunning. On the palate it feels young but not austere or difficult but it feels that 5 years down the line this will rise to new levels. This is among the most open and ready(er) 2000s we tried. Long layered, dense and worthy of the recent upgrade from Parker. Buy. 93-94 drink now with good decanting but really needs 5 more years.

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• 2003 Argyros Vinsanto Mezzo 89 Points

  Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini

  (8/28/2011)

  The younger brother of the main vinsanto (that is left to age for like 20 years) . Dark caramel in colour. Stewed fruit, caramel and a long riesling style petrolly nose that de definitely did not expect. On the palate it feels a bit unbalanced and with some bitter elements , maybe time will help. 89

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• 2006 Parparoussis Muscat of Rio Patras 94 Points

  Greece, Peloponnisos, Patras

  (8/28/2011)

  Another great ( and consistent) showing from this world class of a sweet wine. Simply stunning and to us among the best the country has to offer. 94 drink from now.

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A michellin starred fish restaurant. Imaginative and amazing fish dishes like no other. (Follow the chef's suggestions, u can not loose) Simply great. - http://www.varoulko.gr/

• 2010 Karadimos Malagousia Oak Fermented 87 Points

  Greece, Continental Greece, Attica, Parnassou

  (8/30/2011)

  A good effort for Malagousia (This grape usually makes average, light and watery semi sweet wines) which deserves some kudos. Malagousia none the other with light oak, sweetness and some acidity and a lot of muscat style fruit on the nose. Some bitter (in a nice way) lime on the finish for some extra length.

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• 2009 Skouras Viognier Eclectique 87 Points

  Greece, Peloponnisos

  (8/30/2011)

  Lots of vanilla and oak on the nose. Starts strong but sort of tails off quickly in the glass. In a Buttery, oak style on the palate , medium bodied with some fruit but it seems this wine is all nose and light body. Dont overpay for the funky label.

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We cannot wait for next year :)