Tasted Wednesday, October 22, 2014 by heythatslife with 456 views
This pushes at the boundaries of my white wine experience. This is not something everyone could try to pull off and succeed. Dusty hay, beeswax, tropical fruit, and almond on the nose. So viscous and unctuous, yet the acidity and freshness keeps it from becoming heavy-handed. Really coats the mouth thickly and asserts minerality. An expansive, long vanillic finish, to which I have objected with many a chardonnay but here, it somehow works. An amazing, complex, and thought-provoking wine.
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Has lots of fresh brambly fruit, with some red florals and blackcurrant leaf. There is also enough acidity to sustain the wine and keep it vibrant. Ready to drink now, despite slightly coarse tannins, with a good 5-6 years to go, I think. Overall it's enjoyable for its unabashed fruity-floral profile, and it's certainly not one of those generic Bordeaux blends that come a dime a dozen, but you do wonder if it's worth $100?
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With all the hoopla over the 2005 vintage that the critics stoked up, I was expecting something bolder and more flamboyant. Perhaps I had the wrong impression of what they meant to convey. What I found was somewhat calm but very elegantly balanced claret. I daresay quite classically styled, with cherry, leather, forest floor profiles, supported by good acidity. Tannins seem integrated. A slightly faltering finish mars otherwise an excellent wine.
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Not that I have any experience with Margaux, but it seems ready to drink? So seductive and silky from beginning to end. There's still an ample amount of berries, as well as tobacco, loam, and spice box. Quite persistent on the palate and continues to evolve in the mouth. Tannins are supple. A satisfying finish at the end. Not mind-blowing per se, but possessing a kind of effortless grace.
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Deep gold. Lots of interesting things going on aromatically; petrol, botrytis spices, smoke, honey, vanilla, and tropical fruits galore. Some people might not like the smoky aspect but I dig it. Good volume and balance. Biscuity, spicy finish at medium+ length.
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NV Philipponnat Champagne Royale Réserve Brut 87 Points
France, Champagne
Aspires to be rich but ends up unexciting. Too honeyed and bready for what I like in champagnes. Carbonation is mild, leaving the champagne feeling limpid, which is not helped by the tame acidity. A friend preferred this to the Ayala served immediately after it, though, so each to his own.
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NV Ayala Champagne Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne
Second champagne served. Refreshing, more vibrant than the Philipponat. Green apple, citrus, vanilla. Spirited and fine-grained mousse. Long, tart finish. This could stand up to a wide variety of appetizers thrown at it.
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