A really nice showing of this today. Fresh and floral, with some soft red berry tones. A nice bit of minerality on the palate as well. Lighter and really approachable.
Very nice white Bordeaux that isn't obliterated by oak. The nose has a bit of sweet fruit, wax, vanilla, and some high-toned green aromas as well. The palate is fairly concentrated, with some riper fruit flavours, but there is really lovely acidity at the same time, which balances out the richness. The finish is fairly bitter, which I felt really detracted from the rest of the wine.
As far as young Bordeaux is concerned, this is an outstanding example. The nose is earthy and dense, with some dustiness. There are some aromas of wood shavings and black fruit, but any fear that the vintage is over-the-top is unfounded, at least, in this wine. The palate is driven by earth more than fruit, and while this is extremely dense and concentrated, there is a restraint here I wouldn't expect to find in this vintage.
The nose on this is stunning. Light and fresh, with beautiful red-fruited aromatics. The palate is much denser and more potent than the aromatics on the nose would imply. Very dusty and dense, with a bit of an ornery nature. A light bit of barnyard supplements the tart black fruit. A lighter wine that's approachable now. I'm not totally convinced this has the requisite fruit for further aging, but the structure certainly calls for it.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
(11/4/2017)
I'm not totally sure this is showing exactly as it ought to. The nose and palate both show the admirable power and density that you would expect from Corton-Charlemagne, but this doesn't have the freshness and steeliness that I would expect from such a young Burgundy. A touch of butterscotch that worries me a little bit.
An outstanding example of young Monte Bello. Perhaps it's a function of a "lesser" vintage, but this is surprisingly accessible and delicious. Definitely some pronounced American oak on the nose here, showing the classic dill notes. Just like Rioja. Lighter, but really nice elegance, this isn't too dense and powerful, which makes for lovely drinking now. On the heels of the Monte Bello vertical that I had a few months ago, I had thought this would be a lot more dense and ornery.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
(11/4/2017)
For sure, this is an absurdly young Burgundy, but it's strutting its stuff already. Bright red fruit, with lovely crunchy fruit. This shows a touch of young oak spice, but otherwise, lovely red fruit and bright acidity. Any sign of secondary character is yet to develop. A bit simplistic now, but I'm confident this will benefit with some time.
The nose here I liked a little better than the palate. Intoxicating aromatics -- pure classic Bordeaux, with a bit of coffee, some brown spice, a touch of fruit. The palate is absolutely classic, with a very light touch, showing some heavy-duty acids and some lovely earthiness. Tons of cedar, this is a fairly autumnal wine. Drinking brilliantly.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
(11/4/2017)
Outstanding nose that just speaks of Leroy. That earthy spice is incredible, coupled with red fruit, the decaying leaves, and the mushrooms. The palate is definitely on the concentrated side, but there's a lightness here that is very impressive. Surprisingly tannic and dense, but showing a lot of secondary characteristics on the palate as well. Great now, will still be great later.
NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé 90 Points
France, Champagne
(11/4/2017)
A really nice showing of this today. Fresh and floral, with some soft red berry tones. A nice bit of minerality on the palate as well. Lighter and really approachable.
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2013 Château Tronquoy-Lalande Blanc 88 Points
France, Bordeaux
(11/4/2017)
Very nice white Bordeaux that isn't obliterated by oak. The nose has a bit of sweet fruit, wax, vanilla, and some high-toned green aromas as well. The palate is fairly concentrated, with some riper fruit flavours, but there is really lovely acidity at the same time, which balances out the richness. The finish is fairly bitter, which I felt really detracted from the rest of the wine.
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2009 Château Montrose 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
(11/4/2017)
As far as young Bordeaux is concerned, this is an outstanding example. The nose is earthy and dense, with some dustiness. There are some aromas of wood shavings and black fruit, but any fear that the vintage is over-the-top is unfounded, at least, in this wine. The palate is driven by earth more than fruit, and while this is extremely dense and concentrated, there is a restraint here I wouldn't expect to find in this vintage.
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1995 Château Montrose 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
(11/4/2017)
The nose on this is stunning. Light and fresh, with beautiful red-fruited aromatics. The palate is much denser and more potent than the aromatics on the nose would imply. Very dusty and dense, with a bit of an ornery nature. A light bit of barnyard supplements the tart black fruit. A lighter wine that's approachable now. I'm not totally convinced this has the requisite fruit for further aging, but the structure certainly calls for it.
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2007 Morey-Blanc Corton-Charlemagne
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
(11/4/2017)
I'm not totally sure this is showing exactly as it ought to. The nose and palate both show the admirable power and density that you would expect from Corton-Charlemagne, but this doesn't have the freshness and steeliness that I would expect from such a young Burgundy. A touch of butterscotch that worries me a little bit.
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2002 Ridge Monte Bello 93 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
(11/4/2017)
An outstanding example of young Monte Bello. Perhaps it's a function of a "lesser" vintage, but this is surprisingly accessible and delicious. Definitely some pronounced American oak on the nose here, showing the classic dill notes. Just like Rioja. Lighter, but really nice elegance, this isn't too dense and powerful, which makes for lovely drinking now. On the heels of the Monte Bello vertical that I had a few months ago, I had thought this would be a lot more dense and ornery.
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2012 Louis Jadot Charmes-Chambertin 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
(11/4/2017)
For sure, this is an absurdly young Burgundy, but it's strutting its stuff already. Bright red fruit, with lovely crunchy fruit. This shows a touch of young oak spice, but otherwise, lovely red fruit and bright acidity. Any sign of secondary character is yet to develop. A bit simplistic now, but I'm confident this will benefit with some time.
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1966 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
(11/4/2017)
The nose here I liked a little better than the palate. Intoxicating aromatics -- pure classic Bordeaux, with a bit of coffee, some brown spice, a touch of fruit. The palate is absolutely classic, with a very light touch, showing some heavy-duty acids and some lovely earthiness. Tons of cedar, this is a fairly autumnal wine. Drinking brilliantly.
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2001 Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts 95 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
(11/4/2017)
Outstanding nose that just speaks of Leroy. That earthy spice is incredible, coupled with red fruit, the decaying leaves, and the mushrooms. The palate is definitely on the concentrated side, but there's a lightness here that is very impressive. Surprisingly tannic and dense, but showing a lot of secondary characteristics on the palate as well. Great now, will still be great later.
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