Thought this was a new-world Pinot with ripe strawberry and cherry on the nose on the first pour, but after some time the acidity and tannins made it obvious that it was a Nebbiolo. Very fresh and elegant despite clearly being from a warmer vintage - thought 2011 or 2012 - no excess ripeness at all. Very approachable without any rusticity so I thought this was a producer that straddled modern and traditional. Enjoyable now - I think 2018 has been unfairly maligned and is much better than 2017.
Opened the night before for lunch by Alex which probably helped the wine to show better. Initial impression was a traditional left-bank producer like GPL. No new oak sticking out with quite cool, dark red fruit so I thought this had some age but from a more restrained vintage, maybe 2008. A hint of plummy notes with air so I wondered if it could have been a right-bank, guess this was down to the high percentage of Merlot. Drinking very well now, this was a much more traditional claret than the first wine of Les Carmes that we tried last year.
My contribution. First time trying a Raffault and very impressed. Very elegant, Burgundian nose but the grippy tannins suggested it couldn’t have been a Pinot. Lovely balance between the silky red fruit from a warm vintage and the classic Loire Cab Franc character, which was only apparent a couple of hours in with a green streak and a hint of brett. Still very young and will have a long life ahead.
The previous note by Acyso has it spot on. Excellent balance, not too tart or acidic with the right amount of sweetness and delicate floral fruit. The best of three Falkensteins tried on this trip.
2018 Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 92 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Thought this was a new-world Pinot with ripe strawberry and cherry on the nose on the first pour, but after some time the acidity and tannins made it obvious that it was a Nebbiolo. Very fresh and elegant despite clearly being from a warmer vintage - thought 2011 or 2012 - no excess ripeness at all. Very approachable without any rusticity so I thought this was a producer that straddled modern and traditional. Enjoyable now - I think 2018 has been unfairly maligned and is much better than 2017.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2019 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Opened the night before for lunch by Alex which probably helped the wine to show better. Initial impression was a traditional left-bank producer like GPL. No new oak sticking out with quite cool, dark red fruit so I thought this had some age but from a more restrained vintage, maybe 2008. A hint of plummy notes with air so I wondered if it could have been a right-bank, guess this was down to the high percentage of Merlot. Drinking very well now, this was a much more traditional claret than the first wine of Les Carmes that we tried last year.
Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 91 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon
My contribution. First time trying a Raffault and very impressed. Very elegant, Burgundian nose but the grippy tannins suggested it couldn’t have been a Pinot. Lovely balance between the silky red fruit from a warm vintage and the classic Loire Cab Franc character, which was only apparent a couple of hours in with a green streak and a hint of brett. Still very young and will have a long life ahead.
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2021 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb "Palm" #3 91 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
The previous note by Acyso has it spot on. Excellent balance, not too tart or acidic with the right amount of sweetness and delicate floral fruit. The best of three Falkensteins tried on this trip.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue