From a vineyard in Lelystad, 7 metres below sea level (hence "min zeven") planted with Hibernal, Sauvignac and Souvignier Gris. Being on reclaimed land, the medium-heavy soil used to be the seabed of the Zuiderzee (now: IJsselmeer) and contains lots of seashells. Organic viticulture, spontaneous fermentation without any additives, aged on the lees for 10 months in stainless steel and 30 months sur lattes, no sulfite added. Maiden vintage, limited edition of 777 bottles. Flavoursome, ctirus and salty notes, creamy and toasty, soft and gentle, attractive but lacks a bit of definition and minerally energy.
Last tasted in 2019, when I found it underwhelming. It has developed well. Salted butter, hint of oak, elegant weight (13% ABV), harmonious acidity, ripe citrus fruit, spicy depth, creamy texture, gentle bitters, good length.
Nine months on oak, 13.5% ABV. Excellent Condrieu typicity, freshness and intensity, apricot and passion fruit, flowers and granite, well judged oak, velvety bitters, freshness and minerality, well-balanced, very good resonance and length.
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Delicate sweetness, rounded and ripe, fresh and supple, round attack, hedonistic and seductive but slightly one-dimensional, characteristic Sangiovese acidity, lovely oak spice, light and fragrant finish. Fully mature, drink up.
Mature appearance, fragrant Cabernet Franc nose, light and fresh palate, nutty evolution, grippy tannins, slightly metallic acidity, hint of overripeness on the finish.
Marvellous fruit and freshness, ripe cherries and spices, vibrant and tannic, hint of clay, energetic, not the most elegant or refined wine, but sturdy and vibrant, firm and fresh, very good persistence. A clear outperformer in this vintage.
Elegant and harmonious, rich and sweet blackcurrant fruit, soft and flowing and fully mature, soft and rich, resolved tannins, gravel and flowers, delicate and aromatic, long and delightful finish. Fully mature, great charm.
Deep and spicy, glossy and polished, profound and rich Pauillac, velvety and rich, big and weighty, marvellous bouquet, warm and meaty, firm tannins, long and spicy finish.
Deep and rich and big, powerful and concentrated, huge drive and weight, medium sweet, honey and cream, tropical fruit, big and weighty, no elegance but oodles of power, excellent resonance and length.
2018 Min Zeven Bruut & Bruizend Zilver 89 Points
Netherlands, Flevoland
From a vineyard in Lelystad, 7 metres below sea level (hence "min zeven") planted with Hibernal, Sauvignac and Souvignier Gris. Being on reclaimed land, the medium-heavy soil used to be the seabed of the Zuiderzee (now: IJsselmeer) and contains lots of seashells. Organic viticulture, spontaneous fermentation without any additives, aged on the lees for 10 months in stainless steel and 30 months sur lattes, no sulfite added. Maiden vintage, limited edition of 777 bottles. Flavoursome, ctirus and salty notes, creamy and toasty, soft and gentle, attractive but lacks a bit of definition and minerally energy.
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2015 Freiherr von Gleichenstein Ihringer Winklerberg Chardonnay 91 Points
Germany, Baden
Last tasted in 2019, when I found it underwhelming. It has developed well. Salted butter, hint of oak, elegant weight (13% ABV), harmonious acidity, ripe citrus fruit, spicy depth, creamy texture, gentle bitters, good length.
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2020 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Condrieu Les Chaillets 92 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
Nine months on oak, 13.5% ABV. Excellent Condrieu typicity, freshness and intensity, apricot and passion fruit, flowers and granite, well judged oak, velvety bitters, freshness and minerality, well-balanced, very good resonance and length.
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2000 Alain Hudelot-Noëllat Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Delicate, fragrant, cool, flowers and spices, fresh but fully mature, light body, slightly metallic acidity, dry and light finish, dried fruit. Fully mature, drink up.
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2000 Fattoria Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Delicate sweetness, rounded and ripe, fresh and supple, round attack, hedonistic and seductive but slightly one-dimensional, characteristic Sangiovese acidity, lovely oak spice, light and fragrant finish. Fully mature, drink up.
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2000 Charles Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 91 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon
Mature appearance, fragrant Cabernet Franc nose, light and fresh palate, nutty evolution, grippy tannins, slightly metallic acidity, hint of overripeness on the finish.
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2000 Château Villars 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac
Marvellous fruit and freshness, ripe cherries and spices, vibrant and tannic, hint of clay, energetic, not the most elegant or refined wine, but sturdy and vibrant, firm and fresh, very good persistence. A clear outperformer in this vintage.
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2000 Château Lynch-Bages 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Elegant and harmonious, rich and sweet blackcurrant fruit, soft and flowing and fully mature, soft and rich, resolved tannins, gravel and flowers, delicate and aromatic, long and delightful finish. Fully mature, great charm.
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1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Deep and spicy, glossy and polished, profound and rich Pauillac, velvety and rich, big and weighty, marvellous bouquet, warm and meaty, firm tannins, long and spicy finish.
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2000 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Carte d'Or 90 Points
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon
Honey and spiced apples, delicately sweet, fully mature, drying bitters, just a bit flat on the finish. Getting long in the tooth.
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1996 Château Rieussec 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Deep and rich and big, powerful and concentrated, huge drive and weight, medium sweet, honey and cream, tropical fruit, big and weighty, no elegance but oodles of power, excellent resonance and length.
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