Candied raspberry and strawberry nose. Taste like a candy cane - residual sugar must be fairly high on this as it cloys. Might have some popularity with the right group but not for me.
Smoke, apple, yeast, ginger and roses. The palate has good mouthfeel and texture, though it seems to already be at a point where it should be drunk based on this bottle.
Cherry, toast, strawberry and marshmallow on the nose. Nice mouthfeel, there is a little more purity to the fruit than the 2004 Brut. Nice carry to it as well.
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Lemon and mineral nose. Nice easy going palate, a good mix of fruit and steel. An early drinking wine but I found it quite nice and the value for money is there.
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Peach, pear and spice. The palate seems good initially but it cuts out really early and leaves a little bit of a bitter taste behind. I wondered if it might have a cork issue but a second bottle was the exact same.
Mineral and pear aromas. Palate is also very mineral driven, the fruit and the acid are both there and work well to deliver a good flavour profile. Subtle oak but good structure. Very good.
Slate, orange, pear and more minerals. Super acidity that really cuts through and leaves the finish feeling dry. Tastes like it has some extract to it in addition to all the minerality. Excellent - feels very much in the old-school Kabinett sweetness range rather than a Spatlese in disguise.
Nicely perfumed - some floral and spice notes. The palate though feels a little in-between, it tastes very dry but there is some roundness to the fruit that doesn't quite mesh. Has a little bit of a short length too.
Honey, light greens, earth and spice. Elements combine nicely on the palate with good length. Just starting on the path to being mature, has some complexity already, don't think it'll be a 30+ year wine, maybe just 20 for this vintage?
Decanted only 30 minutes. Celery, pepper, orange, menthol accented, some honey and floral notes. Mouthfeel is good with character and poise. Pretty far out there in terms of flavour profile, but I can't help but like it.
Cherry, lifted florals, some blackcurrant as well. Nice mix of structure and both red and black fruit flavours. I like the cut and length of the wine. Should develop over the medium term.
Pencil shavings, cherry and musk. Restrained on the palate until the tannins kick in toward the middle and finish. I initially thought this was quite approachable but that tannic power means it needs some time.
A nice combination of bright redcurrant and blueberry fruits and some smoky savoury notes. Poised and well balanced with a slight smoky streak for some interest. I didn't love the 2009 at a tasting last year but this was much better.
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Earthy, smoky, blackcurrant and some truffle. Mostly savoury on the palate, there is good, fine tannin here giving it structure while having plenty of finesse.
Blueberry and spice with some cherry and raspberry aromas as well. Acid pushes through. Good tannic grip without overwhelming the fruit. Much better than the first bottle which was really flat.
Spice, pepper, earthy and red fruit on the nose. The palate is savoury and the red fruit is in the background. Has good lift to it as well. Seriously good if you like spice driven and savoury Shiraz.
Some bretty action with horse, truffle, florals, clove and oak. Nice mouthfeel, the palate seems more clean and flows well. Interesting but the quality of your bottle may depend on how much brett has bloomed.
Some high toned fruit and floral notes, some graphite and spice in the background. Very bright palate, with some decent structure to carry it. Nice length, it has interest without feeling too serious.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Redcurrant, graphite and spice. Well balanced palate, there are no rough edges to it. Has good structure and medium bodied fruit as well as good acidity. Really well put together wine.
Pencil, herb and blackcurrant. Drinking well already, it is approachable with a core of red fruit and nice length. Will develop more over the next few years but I don't think this will be a wine for the very long term.
Pepper, blackberry and some sappiness. Has that same pepper kick on the palate. Nice length. This would be better with food than on its own in a tasting.
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Was a bit skeptical of all the hype but I have to say it is pretty impressive - Good aromatic profile with earth, some cherry, spice and musk. The palate is layered, savoury with restrained fruit, good balance with really fine tannin.
NV La Riva dei Frati Glera 85 Points
Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
Apple, pear, peach and orange peel. The sweetness is quite apparent on the palate, smothering the acidity and fruit purity a bit too much.
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NV Lonia Penedès Brut 87 Points
Spain, Catalunya, Penedès
Very floral, earth, some grape and musk. Palate is fresh with decent length and a light touch of residual sugar. Nice.
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NV Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs Brut Perle d'Ivoire 85 Points
France, Burgundy, Crémant de Bourgogne
Florals and mineral notes. Palate has that mineral element too but not much else. Decent but not much excitement.
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NV Miguel Torres País Santa Digna Estelado Rose 83 Points
Chile, Maule Valley
Candied raspberry and strawberry nose. Taste like a candy cane - residual sugar must be fairly high on this as it cloys. Might have some popularity with the right group but not for me.
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NV Nautilus Estate Cuvée Marlborough Brut 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Lemon, yeast and orange. Clean on the palate, well composed and refreshing. Some more interest would be nice but it is good for what it is.
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2004 Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut 89 Points
France, Champagne
Smoke, apple, yeast, ginger and roses. The palate has good mouthfeel and texture, though it seems to already be at a point where it should be drunk based on this bottle.
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2006 Pol Roger Champagne Brut Rosé 90 Points
France, Champagne
Cherry, toast, strawberry and marshmallow on the nose. Nice mouthfeel, there is a little more purity to the fruit than the 2004 Brut. Nice carry to it as well.
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2014 Opawa Pinot Gris 85 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Herb and lemon. Palate has some roundness, without having much drive behind it.
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2013 Greywacke Pinot Gris 87 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Ash and lemon. A little bit of fruit fatness on the palate, there is some texture that lifts it slightly but still wasn't really for me.
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2013 Ata Rangi Chardonnay Petrie 89 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Lemon and mineral nose. Nice easy going palate, a good mix of fruit and steel. An early drinking wine but I found it quite nice and the value for money is there.
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2013 Nautilus Estate Chardonnay 86 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Honey and lime. The palate wants for a bit more structure or for the fruit to be reined in a bit more.
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2012 Dry River Chardonnay 83 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Peach, pear and spice. The palate seems good initially but it cuts out really early and leaves a little bit of a bitter taste behind. I wondered if it might have a cork issue but a second bottle was the exact same.
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2013 Hugel Riesling Classic 86 Points
France, Alsace
Light peach and herb. Palate is medium bodied. There is little excitement here but it carries well enough and is fine to drink.
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2012 Hugel Pinot Gris Tradition 88 Points
France, Alsace
Lime and lemon. Palate is quite viscous but it gets directed by some nice acidity. Medium length.
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2011 Fromm Chardonnay Clayvin Vineyard Marlborough 91 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Mineral and pear aromas. Palate is also very mineral driven, the fruit and the acid are both there and work well to deliver a good flavour profile. Subtle oak but good structure. Very good.
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2014 Fromm Riesling Spätlese 89 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Pear and peach with some spice. Good roundness with the sweetness tempered by citric acidity. Medium-good length. Very solid wine.
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2008 Egon Müller/Le Gallais Wiltinger Braune Kupp Riesling Kabinett 91 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Slate, orange, pear and more minerals. Super acidity that really cuts through and leaves the finish feeling dry. Tastes like it has some extract to it in addition to all the minerality. Excellent - feels very much in the old-school Kabinett sweetness range rather than a Spatlese in disguise.
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2013 Rabl Grüner Veltliner Spiegel 86 Points
Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal
Nicely perfumed - some floral and spice notes. The palate though feels a little in-between, it tastes very dry but there is some roundness to the fruit that doesn't quite mesh. Has a little bit of a short length too.
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2012 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner Faß 4 88 Points
Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
Steely nose and palate. Has some nice acid and texture on the palate. Mid length.
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2013 de Ladoucette Sancerre Comte Lafond 85 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
Herbs on the nose. Palate is fairly clean, not that much interest but it is easy to drink.
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2003 Marc Brédif Vouvray 89 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Honey, light greens, earth and spice. Elements combine nicely on the palate with good length. Just starting on the path to being mature, has some complexity already, don't think it'll be a 30+ year wine, maybe just 20 for this vintage?
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2011 Nicolas Joly Savennières Les Clos Sacrés (Les Vieux Clos) 91 Points
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières
Decanted only 30 minutes. Celery, pepper, orange, menthol accented, some honey and floral notes. Mouthfeel is good with character and poise. Pretty far out there in terms of flavour profile, but I can't help but like it.
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2013 Jean-Jacques Vincent Chardonnay Bourgogne 86 Points
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne
Herb butter on the nose. Palate is rounded out. Well balanced overall but little depth to it. Delivers to its level.
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2013 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis
Pear and slate nose. Clean cut palate, decent acidity. Not deep but does have some refreshment.
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2012 Château des Quarts Pouilly-Fuissé Clos de Quarts 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé
Perfumed florals, smoke, slate and apple. Palate delivers nicely with pure fruit and some decent depth to it. Will age well over the medium term.
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2011 Prunotto Barbaresco 89 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Redcurrant, ash and smoke. Good tannin structure with nice acid to play with the red fruited profile. Clings to the mouth nicely.
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2010 Gaja Langhe Sito Moresco 90 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Cherry, lifted florals, some blackcurrant as well. Nice mix of structure and both red and black fruit flavours. I like the cut and length of the wine. Should develop over the medium term.
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2010 Gaja Barolo Dagromis 90 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Pencil shavings, cherry and musk. Restrained on the palate until the tannins kick in toward the middle and finish. I initially thought this was quite approachable but that tannic power means it needs some time.
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2011 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Conca Tre Pile 91 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba
A nice combination of bright redcurrant and blueberry fruits and some smoky savoury notes. Poised and well balanced with a slight smoky streak for some interest. I didn't love the 2009 at a tasting last year but this was much better.
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2010 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Earthy, smoky, blackcurrant and some truffle. Mostly savoury on the palate, there is good, fine tannin here giving it structure while having plenty of finesse.
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2012 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT Flawed
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Flat/corked.
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2012 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT 90 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Blueberry and spice with some cherry and raspberry aromas as well. Acid pushes through. Good tannic grip without overwhelming the fruit. Much better than the first bottle which was really flat.
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2011 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Classique Ampodium 92 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Spice, pepper, earthy and red fruit on the nose. The palate is savoury and the red fruit is in the background. Has good lift to it as well. Seriously good if you like spice driven and savoury Shiraz.
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2012 Famille Brunier Vaucluse Le Pigeoulet 88 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vaucluse
Pepper and cherry. Approachable now with a fair bit of red fruit sweetness. Nice but not more than that for me.
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2012 J.L. Chave Sélection Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur 89 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
Some bretty action with horse, truffle, florals, clove and oak. Nice mouthfeel, the palate seems more clean and flows well. Interesting but the quality of your bottle may depend on how much brett has bloomed.
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2011 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
Some high toned fruit and floral notes, some graphite and spice in the background. Very bright palate, with some decent structure to carry it. Nice length, it has interest without feeling too serious.
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2012 Famille Brunier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Piedlong 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Redcurrant, graphite and spice. Well balanced palate, there are no rough edges to it. Has good structure and medium bodied fruit as well as good acidity. Really well put together wine.
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2007 Château Sociando-Mallet 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
Pencil, herb and blackcurrant. Drinking well already, it is approachable with a core of red fruit and nice length. Will develop more over the next few years but I don't think this will be a wine for the very long term.
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2011 Château Filhot 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Marmalade, spice and orange. Quite sweet on the palate, though the acid drives it nicely. Medium depth.
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2010 Château Guiraud Petit Guiraud Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Corked.
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2006 La Chartreuse de Coutet 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Botrytis, melon, orange and spice. Palate is rich and full but there is nice acidity to counter. Drinking well now. Seems like good value to me.
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2011 Fromm Pinot Noir La Strada 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Mild perfume, some red berries and a touch of earth. Palate is mild too. Not adventurous but seems well made and nice to drink.
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2013 Fromm Pinot Noir Clayvin Vineyard 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Cherry, earth and floral notes. Medium bodied, well made but doesn't do anything above and beyond that.
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2012 Fromm Syrah La Strada 89 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Pepper, blackberry and some sappiness. Has that same pepper kick on the palate. Nice length. This would be better with food than on its own in a tasting.
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2013 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 92 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Was a bit skeptical of all the hype but I have to say it is pretty impressive - Good aromatic profile with earth, some cherry, spice and musk. The palate is layered, savoury with restrained fruit, good balance with really fine tannin.
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NV Domaine Roulot Fine de Bourgogne 93 Points
France, Burgundy
Caramel, toast, lemon and orange - seems quite complex. Caramel intensity on the palate with great length. This is really likeable.
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NV Domaine Roulot Marc de Bourgogne 93 Points
France, Burgundy
Almond, orange, lemon, wood and spice. Has a kick to the palate, good length to it. More subtle than the Fine but still very fine.
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NV Jean-Marc Roulot la Poire 95 Points
France, Burgundy
Awesome. Refined pear, with a wild floral tinge to it. Balance on the palate is superb. The pear flavour is ultra pure and long. Delicious.
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NV Gaja Costa Russi Grappa di Nebbiolo 91 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Piemonte DOC
Rose florals, lime, lemon and ginger. Quite clean motuhfeel, it doesn't burn even with the alcohol kick. Very pleasant after dinner drink.
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NV Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Grappa 92 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Vino da Tavola
Ginger, spice, oak with toasty woodiness. Apple driven palate with bold flavour and that oak influence showing through. Quite compelling.
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2012 Latour-Labille / Vincent Latour Chardonnay Bourgogne Blanc 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc
Lemon soap. Palate is quite good with nice acidity and fruit power. Enjoyable to drink.
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