We invited two couples for dinner at our place so had a chance of opening a number of bottles, including some bigger bodied reds which I would only rarely feel like opening without guests.
Together with Bollinger, I always find Roederer one of the best NVs among the large Champagne producers with its slightly richer and nuttier palate. Nice match with the raw oysters we had.
Consistent with the bottle two months ago. Only issue was that I served it a bit too warm due to lack of a cool spot for the decanter that evening. Wonderfully round and balanced wine, would drink now and not wait much longer. 92
Was curious to try a mature Bordeaux blend from a quality South African producer, and given some of the guests preference for bigger reds I thought would give it a try. Medium garnet color, very new world with rich sweet dark fruits, which for my taste is overripe, eucalyptus and tar. Was however puzzled by a clearly green streak, from the Cabernet Sauvignon I suppose in the this otherwise overripe wine with 14.5% alcohol. What I don't mind in a Sociando Mallet with it's cooler and dryer aromatic profile, does not work for me with much sweeter dark fruit.
This was great after the unconvincing De Toren Fusion and also showed better than I remember the first bottle a few years ago. Typical Tuscan with plenty of herbs. Lovely balance on the palate with the acidity of the Sangiovese providing freshness to this otherwise rather broad shouldered wine (14.5% alcohol). Good length too. Unlike some other 06 Tuscan's which still need time, this is fully open with the substantial share of Merlot in the blend providing softness.
Pnp for the fun of it, and without expecting much from this Cru Bourgeois, since two of our guests were born in 1978. Cork came out easily using the Durand. Still a very nice garnet with little browning. On the palate less convincing with plenty of forest floor and some leathery notes. Nevertheless better than expected given 78 was not exactly a great year in Bordeaux.
Opened this bottle out of curiosity at the end of our dinner. Based on the bottle condition and the font used on the importers label, would estimate this bottle as about 40 years old. Champagne cork broke when pulled but brought rest out nicely with a corkscrew. Amber color. No bubbles at all. Interesting flavor profile, drinking more like an aperitif with caramel notes and earth but fairly dry. As a Champagne this was clearly decades past but not unpleasant to sip. NR
NV Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier 92 Points
France, Champagne
Together with Bollinger, I always find Roederer one of the best NVs among the large Champagne producers with its slightly richer and nuttier palate. Nice match with the raw oysters we had.
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1999 Lamborghini (La Fiorita) Umbria Campoleone
Italy, Umbria
Consistent with the bottle two months ago. Only issue was that I served it a bit too warm due to lack of a cool spot for the decanter that evening. Wonderfully round and balanced wine, would drink now and not wait much longer. 92
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2001 De Toren Fusion V 88 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
Was curious to try a mature Bordeaux blend from a quality South African producer, and given some of the guests preference for bigger reds I thought would give it a try. Medium garnet color, very new world with rich sweet dark fruits, which for my taste is overripe, eucalyptus and tar. Was however puzzled by a clearly green streak, from the Cabernet Sauvignon I suppose in the this otherwise overripe wine with 14.5% alcohol. What I don't mind in a Sociando Mallet with it's cooler and dryer aromatic profile, does not work for me with much sweeter dark fruit.
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2006 Il Borro Il Borro Toscana IGT 93 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
This was great after the unconvincing De Toren Fusion and also showed better than I remember the first bottle a few years ago. Typical Tuscan with plenty of herbs. Lovely balance on the palate with the acidity of the Sangiovese providing freshness to this otherwise rather broad shouldered wine (14.5% alcohol). Good length too. Unlike some other 06 Tuscan's which still need time, this is fully open with the substantial share of Merlot in the blend providing softness.
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1978 Château Monbrison 87 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Pnp for the fun of it, and without expecting much from this Cru Bourgeois, since two of our guests were born in 1978. Cork came out easily using the Durand. Still a very nice garnet with little browning. On the palate less convincing with plenty of forest floor and some leathery notes. Nevertheless better than expected given 78 was not exactly a great year in Bordeaux.
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NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle Brut
France, Champagne
Opened this bottle out of curiosity at the end of our dinner. Based on the bottle condition and the font used on the importers label, would estimate this bottle as about 40 years old. Champagne cork broke when pulled but brought rest out nicely with a corkscrew. Amber color. No bubbles at all. Interesting flavor profile, drinking more like an aperitif with caramel notes and earth but fairly dry. As a Champagne this was clearly decades past but not unpleasant to sip. NR
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