Straw colour with a bit of a tropical nose. The body of the Chenin grape & the lees treatment really shows here. Probably my least favourite in the Huet lineup today. Nonetheless, well made and waiting for the proper pairing. Approx $29
Nearly pale in the glass with a nose of toast, minerals and apple. This is a bit austere on the palate with too many hard edges and a simple finish. Maybe 6 mos. in the bottle will help it along some. Approx $49 (new, '09 price)
France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
Pale colour with a simple nose of sea spray, minerals and lime peel. The palate doesn't show much more depth and I was surprised how conservatively the lees treatment came across. Approx $16, drink thru 2010
Medium straw colour with reflective brilliance. On the nose, this showed a mixture of ripe orchard fruits, some spice and bit of honey. The palate was medium bodied goodness with full-fleshed orchard fruits, and a first-rate acid backbone. This shows structure and depth, which, in my opinion, is the Huet story in a nutshell. Approx $29, drink thru 2027
Light toward medium straw colour with a floral nose flecked with interesting minerality. On the palate, this was very generous with vivid orchard fruits, and a pleasing medium body and compact, focused frame. This has a long, layered finish, lively acidity and is well worth the approx $30 price tag. One of the standouts in this year's Chadderdon white-wine lineup. Drink thru 2015
Light straw colour with a pale tinge at the edge. On the nose, ripe apples, some pear juice and some minerals. The medium-bodied palate was much sweeter than I was expecting and the finish was a bit brief. I'd wait till this cuvée comes out in its '07 incarnation. Approximately $35, drink thru 2014
I think I'd have to agree with sdr's notes, in general. The Chateau de Seuil I tasted right before it is a much better value. However, the nose on this is really engaging in a white-wine-does-sous-bois kinda way. Terribly original. Long finish, approx $65, drink thru 2014
Light straw colour with a very lively nose of spice, ripe peach, chalk and dried flowers. On the palate, this was precocious yet balanced. It really keeps you on your feet and has a satisfying finish. Clean and focused, this shows a lot of character. Approx $24, drink thru 2013
Medium straw colour with a clear edge. This seemed to be in a somewhat reductive style with mostly backward fruit; the finish is creamy and smooth. Give this a year in the bottle. Approx $40, drink thru 2016
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet
Straw colour with a vibrant, fresh nose of orchard fruits, chalky minerality and baking spice. Not surprisingly, the nose wanted to shift every few minutes. The palate was equally inviting and complex with a broad mid-palate and a creamy finish. Approx $45, drink thru 2018
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Straw toward gold colour with a watery edge. A very complex nose that instantly made me hungry: banana, brûlée, perfectly ripe tropical fruits, crème fraîche, and lightly toasted bread. The palate was every bit as interesting and forthcoming, and the zingy acidity balanced it all out perfectly. A very broad mid-palate with flattering structure and keen balance. recommended, drink thru 2020
Dark ruby toward purple, with a rich, elegant nose and palate of plum, blackberry and tobacco. I was surprised that it's showing this approachable now; This is clearly has one foot in the modern camp. I think I'd open one in about 4-5 years. Approx $75.
A dark ruby toward purple colour, and a nose of freshly cut red flowers, minerals, roasted game, wet earth and black fruits. A lot going on here for under $50. I'd rate this a strong buy, but be sure to hold for a couple of years of bottle evolution. The tannins are fine-grained but tight and the balance is a thing of beauty. Buy it if you can find it.
Bright raspberry, spices and cigar box on the nose with tight red berries and toasty oak on the palate. I wouldn't be afraid to open one with a 3 hr decant, but wait a few years for much better results. This shows nice structure and depth. Approx $89
Pop n pour. Straight from the bottle, this comes out swinging. A smoky, almost peat-like nose, with licorice, minerals and expensive cigars. On the palate, this shows lots of depth and dark intrigue with its black fruits, dark spices and a medium + body. The fine-grained tannins will keep this one drinking for another 12-15 years easy. I think I'd hold it for just a couple of years more, but don't be afraid to pop it if you can't wait; I just like the additional subtleties that the bottle time brings out. Approx $109, drink thru 2021
Simply gorgeous. This is a BIG wine in an elegant, very well-structured kind of way. Nothing overdone or out of proportion. Classic St. Julien tannins with brooding depth and complexity. I bought a mag and a few bottles on futures (which haven't shown up yet) and I'll be sure not to open any of them for at least 10 years; this is going to be something else. If you do open one early, be sure to give it a long decant and spend some time with it, the integration is marvelous. Approx $65, drink thru 2035
I'd agree with the majority of the notes to date: this is not a stand-out wine in an otherwise stand-out vintage. I've seen some deep discounting in the market to reflect these observations. There are much better values in the $100 and up club. I didn't want to rate it any lower, because it is showing pretty well right now -- it just doesn't seem to have the stuffing for the long run. Approx $125 (reduced)
Brilliant gold colour with a watery edge. The nose showed lemon furniture polish at first but that quickly gave way to ripe guava, honey, caramel and baking spices. The palate proved quite a mouthful with rich crème brûlée, toasty custard and lightly grilled apricots. A solid wine - with a long finish - for under $80.
These walnuts are harvested and split on "feast day" in San Giovanni, then macerated in sugar and alcohol. A half a decade later, it's bottled up where it rests for another 4 years. Vaguely indestructible e.g. madeira, this is 74 proof, with a deep, dark brown colour and is best served in very small doses after the meal. Approx $60 in a 750ml
2001 Domaine Huet Vouvray Pétillant Brut
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray Pétillant
Straw colour with a bit of a tropical nose. The body of the Chenin grape & the lees treatment really shows here. Probably my least favourite in the Huet lineup today. Nonetheless, well made and waiting for the proper pairing. Approx $29
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve
France, Champagne
Nearly pale in the glass with a nose of toast, minerals and apple. This is a bit austere on the palate with too many hard edges and a simple finish. Maybe 6 mos. in the bottle will help it along some. Approx $49 (new, '09 price)
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé
France, Champagne
consistent tn's. This has a very pale color and seems at its best if served warmer than 37 degrees
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Gadais Pere & Fils Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Domaine de la Tourmaline
France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
Pale colour with a simple nose of sea spray, minerals and lime peel. The palate doesn't show much more depth and I was surprised how conservatively the lees treatment came across. Approx $16, drink thru 2010
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut-Lieu
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Medium straw colour with reflective brilliance. On the nose, this showed a mixture of ripe orchard fruits, some spice and bit of honey. The palate was medium bodied goodness with full-fleshed orchard fruits, and a first-rate acid backbone. This shows structure and depth, which, in my opinion, is the Huet story in a nutshell. Approx $29, drink thru 2027
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Dirler-Cade Pinot Gris Schimberg
France, Alsace
Light toward medium straw colour with a floral nose flecked with interesting minerality. On the palate, this was very generous with vivid orchard fruits, and a pleasing medium body and compact, focused frame. This has a long, layered finish, lively acidity and is well worth the approx $30 price tag. One of the standouts in this year's Chadderdon white-wine lineup. Drink thru 2015
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Albert Boxler Riesling Reserve
France, Alsace
Light straw colour with a pale tinge at the edge. On the nose, ripe apples, some pear juice and some minerals. The medium-bodied palate was much sweeter than I was expecting and the finish was a bit brief. I'd wait till this cuvée comes out in its '07 incarnation. Approximately $35, drink thru 2014
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Château Lynch-Bages Blanc de Lynch-Bages
France, Bordeaux
I think I'd have to agree with sdr's notes, in general. The Chateau de Seuil I tasted right before it is a much better value. However, the nose on this is really engaging in a white-wine-does-sous-bois kinda way. Terribly original. Long finish, approx $65, drink thru 2014
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Château du Seuil Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves
Light straw colour with a very lively nose of spice, ripe peach, chalk and dried flowers. On the palate, this was precocious yet balanced. It really keeps you on your feet and has a satisfying finish. Clean and focused, this shows a lot of character. Approx $24, drink thru 2013
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Domaine Jean Collet & Fils Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Medium straw colour with a clear edge. This seemed to be in a somewhat reductive style with mostly backward fruit; the finish is creamy and smooth. Give this a year in the bottle. Approx $40, drink thru 2016
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Marc Colin et Fils Puligny-Montrachet Le Trézin
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet
Straw colour with a vibrant, fresh nose of orchard fruits, chalky minerality and baking spice. Not surprisingly, the nose wanted to shift every few minutes. The palate was equally inviting and complex with a broad mid-palate and a creamy finish. Approx $45, drink thru 2018
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Domaine Jean-Michel Gaunoux Meursault 1er Cru Gouttes d'Or
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Straw toward gold colour with a watery edge. A very complex nose that instantly made me hungry: banana, brûlée, perfectly ripe tropical fruits, crème fraîche, and lightly toasted bread. The palate was every bit as interesting and forthcoming, and the zingy acidity balanced it all out perfectly. A very broad mid-palate with flattering structure and keen balance. recommended, drink thru 2020
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Château Lascombes
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Dark ruby toward purple, with a rich, elegant nose and palate of plum, blackberry and tobacco. I was surprised that it's showing this approachable now; This is clearly has one foot in the modern camp. I think I'd open one in about 4-5 years. Approx $75.
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Les Tourelles de Longueville
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
A dark ruby toward purple colour, and a nose of freshly cut red flowers, minerals, roasted game, wet earth and black fruits. A lot going on here for under $50. I'd rate this a strong buy, but be sure to hold for a couple of years of bottle evolution. The tannins are fine-grained but tight and the balance is a thing of beauty. Buy it if you can find it.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Château Langoa Barton
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Bright raspberry, spices and cigar box on the nose with tight red berries and toasty oak on the palate. I wouldn't be afraid to open one with a 3 hr decant, but wait a few years for much better results. This shows nice structure and depth. Approx $89
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2004 Château Cos d'Estournel
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Pop n pour. Straight from the bottle, this comes out swinging. A smoky, almost peat-like nose, with licorice, minerals and expensive cigars. On the palate, this shows lots of depth and dark intrigue with its black fruits, dark spices and a medium + body. The fine-grained tannins will keep this one drinking for another 12-15 years easy. I think I'd hold it for just a couple of years more, but don't be afraid to pop it if you can't wait; I just like the additional subtleties that the bottle time brings out. Approx $109, drink thru 2021
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Château Léoville Barton
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Simply gorgeous. This is a BIG wine in an elegant, very well-structured kind of way. Nothing overdone or out of proportion. Classic St. Julien tannins with brooding depth and complexity. I bought a mag and a few bottles on futures (which haven't shown up yet) and I'll be sure not to open any of them for at least 10 years; this is going to be something else. If you do open one early, be sure to give it a long decant and spend some time with it, the integration is marvelous. Approx $65, drink thru 2035
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
I'd agree with the majority of the notes to date: this is not a stand-out wine in an otherwise stand-out vintage. I've seen some deep discounting in the market to reflect these observations. There are much better values in the $100 and up club. I didn't want to rate it any lower, because it is showing pretty well right now -- it just doesn't seem to have the stuffing for the long run. Approx $125 (reduced)
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Château Rieussec
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Brilliant gold colour with a watery edge. The nose showed lemon furniture polish at first but that quickly gave way to ripe guava, honey, caramel and baking spices. The palate proved quite a mouthful with rich crème brûlée, toasty custard and lightly grilled apricots. A solid wine - with a long finish - for under $80.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
NV Aggazzotti Liquore Nocino Green Walnut Riserva
Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Emilia IGT
These walnuts are harvested and split on "feast day" in San Giovanni, then macerated in sugar and alcohol. A half a decade later, it's bottled up where it rests for another 4 years. Vaguely indestructible e.g. madeira, this is 74 proof, with a deep, dark brown colour and is best served in very small doses after the meal. Approx $60 in a 750ml
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue