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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

1999 Château Léoville Barton

 St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more
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8/19/2022 - SimonG wrote: 93 points

A Medlar lunch (Medlar, London): A big step up from a slightly ungainly and possibly corky bottle five years ago at Piccolino. Dark, lots of blackcurrant on the nose. A touch of spice too. Mellow cassis with a powdering of pencil lead on the attack. Some spice too. Nicely grippy. Opens up to a floral, violet scented nose. Lovely, and really quite serious. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    8/19/2022 10:44:00 PM - Sorry, ‘autocorrect’ typo, should have been “floral”, now corrected
Red

1998 Chateau Musar

 Bekaa Valley Red Blend more
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3/28/2022 - SimonG wrote: flawed

Horribly crumbly cork. Away from home so no Durand and couldn’t filter the cork dust, so basically undrinkable. Dark rosé in colour, seemingly having shed a lot of its pigment. Quite lifted and volatile on the nose even by Musar standards. No. Hopefully the next one is better…

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    3/30/2022 12:56:00 AM - @JohnTelford Ha! My lack of dedication to the cause has been exposed :)
White

2018 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chardonnay Bourgogne

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4/20/2020 - SimonG wrote: 88 points

Very pale. Quite expressive and almost tropical on the nose with melon and lime. Lighter and leaner on the palate, some pear. The tropical flavours are balanced with a freshness and zip. Lovely, but a clear change of style here, stripping away some of the traditional PYCM luxe. ***

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    4/25/2020 5:23:00 AM - It’s a good wine, but I preferrred what I perceive to have been a different style previously.
White - Sparkling

2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

 Chardonnay more
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11/14/2019 - SimonG wrote: 92 points

1991 Burgundy (Chez Bruce, London): Mid straw. Good stream of fine bubbles. Quite taut on the nose. Creamy attack. Nicely rich mid-palate. Opening nicely. A touch of smoke. Fresh finish. Coming together nicely. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    11/16/2019 10:44:00 AM - This particular bottle was ready, but would certainly improve further with some additional cellaring.

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    11/16/2019 12:31:00 PM - Yes, mixed thoughts on that one. I had three bottles during summer 2018 that I was distinctly underwhelmed by. Notes on CT. I ended up buying some on the grounds that it’s Comtes, so would hopefully settle/come round. Anyway, I’m revisiting in a couple of weeks so there will be another TN then...

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    11/16/2019 12:44:00 PM - Sneaking suspicion that the 07 might turn out ok, and the 06 might be a little to rich in the long run. At either rate, they’re not the 02 or the 04. Roll on 08!

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    11/16/2019 1:13:00 PM - I’ve preferred it consistently (04 over 06).
Red

1989 Château Latour Grand Vin

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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10/10/2019 - SimonG wrote: 95 points

Top 89 Bordeaux (Noizé, London): Ruby to garnet.very smooth.quite rich,full, expansive, classic iron fist / velvet glove. Intense. Hints of 82 richness. Power, yet harmony and finesse. A class act.*****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    12/24/2021 8:18:00 AM - Hi Jake, no a normal bottle. Super condition.
White - Sparkling

NV Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve

 Champagne Blend more
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12/14/2018 - SimonG wrote: 90 points

08 base. Quite rich with a good dose of vanilla. Lacking some finese and elegance especially through the mid palate. Very nice, but not top flight. Maybe a slightly awkward phase? ***1/2

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    12/17/2018 12:36:00 PM - 2014
White - Sweet/Dessert

2003 Château Rieussec

 Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more
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12/7/2017 - SimonG wrote: 86 points

Mainly Pinot — work folk tasting/social (Home): Oh dear, this really is going downhill. It's lost the creamy sweet coconut and has taken on a far more medicinal, vin de liqueur profile. My previous note from six years ago suggested this improved after ten days of air, reverting to it's former self. Fingers crossed... bare *** currently... but with a few days of air (as was the previous bottle) this is back to close to its old self. Not medicinal. Creamy coconut and tropical fruit. A closed phase? Whatever, it needs opening a couple of days in advance currently.

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    12/14/2017 12:39:00 AM - It’s curious. I’ve had a couple over the last two years and they’ve both been like this. Both have improved immeasurably after four or five days of air — astringent medicinal notes gone and back to the tropical creamy character of the initial bottles from the case. Some sort of closed phase perhaps? Anyway, needs a long decant at the moment!
Red

2014 Domaine Meuneveaux Corton-Perrières

 Corton Grand Cru Pinot Noir more
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6/22/2017 - SimonG wrote: 92 points

Quite bright, light red fruit. Lots of energy. Not quite the smooth class of the 10 currently, but it's promising. Maybe not quite the density of fruit. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    11/28/2018 11:23:00 AM - All other things being equal (I.e. if prem-ox free), I’d expect it to develop over a decade and hold a few years longer.
Red

1994 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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3/2/2017 - SimonG wrote: 93 points

Traditional Rioja (RSJ, London): Under the centenary subtitled label. Similar nose to the 95. Plush, a little oaky. Fresher on the attack, but some breadth through the mid palate. Some coconut emerging on the nose with time. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    3/8/2017 2:01:00 PM - Yes indeed. The 1970s examples don't show it — lots of bright crunchy red fruit with structure provided by acidity.
Red

2004 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà

 Nebbiolo more
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12/27/2016 - SimonG wrote: 91 points

Mid garnet. Quite full on the nose, mid to dark red fruit and a savouriness tinged with a ripe-fruited sweetness at the edges. Mid weight, good acidity and some fine tannins. Quite long. Plenty of time in hand here, but fine with some air. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    1/3/2017 8:48:00 AM - Not sure, Kirk — I bought this on the basis of the 2005 tasted last year, which was a little richer and rounder. I don't think I need to hurry back to the 04 for a year or two, and would be delighted with the vertical you picked up. The older ones all look strong vintages, so I suspect there's no great hurry, but based on the 04/05 I'd be surprised if they weren't giving pleasure now. Which vintages did you taste at the estate?
Red

1995 Penfolds Grange

 South Australia Shiraz Blend, Syrah more
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10/4/2016 - SimonG wrote: 91 points

Hermitage La Chapelle & Grange (10 Greek Street, London): Dense and dark. Volatile lift on the nose, in the banana and acetone spectrum, though it does blow off. Dark and dense and very hard to judge. *(***)?

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    10/5/2016 10:33:00 PM - I think it was opened at the start of the meal, so a couple of hours before being poured and tasted, but not decanted.
White

2008 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent

 Chardonnay more
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4/5/2016 - SimonG wrote: 91 points

Pale straw. Lovely nose, all salinity and oyster shell. Positive attack with good grip, chalky minerality, mineral, saline mid palate and a long finish. Excellent. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    4/12/2016 2:07:00 AM - Hi Peter, might have been the effect of drinking it on holiday, but I'm a quarter of the way in to a case now having bought it after tasting it on release in Chablis, and they've been pretty consistent. One of my favourite Chablisienne bottlings. Simon
Red

1964 Château Palmer

 Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend more
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11/12/2015 - SimonG wrote: 85 points

Ian A's Palmer @ Trompette (La Trompette, London): Dull garnet. First experience with this vintage of Palmer. Quite leathery and dry on the nose. Palate similar though perhaps a little fresher. A bit musty fusty though. **1/2

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    3/8/2017 2:04:00 PM - Sorry Marc, overlooked your comment rather than ignoring you! These were chateau bottled. I suspect I've had a few Belgian or Dutch bottlings, but not sufficient to take a view on relative quality I'm afraid.

    Simon
Red

2007 Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Villa de Corullon

 Mencía more
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7/18/2015 - SimonG wrote: 90 points

Dense dark red. Very expressive nose with a mix of white pepper and something far more lifted and floral. Dense on the attack with a good thwack of tannin amongst the dark red fruit. Robust. ***1/2

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    7/20/2015 12:05:00 AM - I was a friend's bottle, so I've no previous experience of it, but based on this bottle I personally would wait for the tannins to round out a little. As I said though, that's not based on direct experience of previous vintages.
Red

2008 Ridge Geyserville

 Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more
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7/4/2015 - SimonG wrote: 91 points

Bobby BBQ (B&A's): Magnum. 2/3 double decanted approx five hours in advance. Nicely vibrant, briary plum and mulberry red fruit with a lick of spice. Full and plush and ripe and full, but holding it in ok without heat on the finish. Long and crying out for chargrilled bloody meat. Bare ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    7/5/2015 10:16:00 PM - A magnum taken to a friend's BBQ, so the top 2/3 in to a normal decanter and back in to the bottle again just before leaving the house. A chance to check the wine and get a bit of air in to it, but nothing more clever than that — just the size of the vessel to hand.
White - Sparkling

1998 Nyetimber Classic Cuvée

 West Sussex Champagne Blend more
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3/5/2014 - SimonG wrote: 91 points

Paul D's Chandon de Briailles @ 28-50 (28-50, Fetter Lane, London): Blind. Nicely rich on the nose. Honeyed and mellow. Rich, rounded with a nice spice towards the finish. Just enough acidity too. A mini Bollinger in style. Wow, best English fizz I've had - really didn't stand out as non-champagne. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    5/9/2014 1:07:00 PM - Well, I was pleasantly surprised / impressed. Similar in style, mini as in not quite as full-bodied. As to value/qpr, depends on how much you're paying! First time I've tasted the 98, so no reference point to its youth, but this was significantly better, for my palate, than the 96 on release.
White - Sparkling

2002 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année

 Champagne Blend more
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12/31/2013 - SimonG wrote: 92 points

Christmas & New Year 2013; 12/20/2013-1/1/2014: March 2011 disgorgement. Nicely spicy, custard apple and warm toasted brioche on the nose. Moderately rich on the rounded attack, vanilla, warm pastry and a little ginger spice through the mid-palate to the long finish. Showing Bolly weight and richness but without fully losing sight of the surprising zing it had when first released around three years ago. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    1/1/2014 12:04:00 PM - Hadn't spotted it on the back label. Note amended. March 2011.
White - Off-dry

2006 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand Vendange Tardive

 Alsace Grand Cru more
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10/18/2013 - SimonG wrote: 91 points

A Ledbury lunch (The Ledbury, London): Half. Mid to full straw. Fragrant nose hinting at sweetness. A touch of botrytis, very round and quite honeyed on the mid-palate and a positive finish. Good acidity to balance but not so much that it dominates the finish. A sense of roundness and balance pervades. Excellent. ****

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    10/20/2013 7:16:00 AM - This was a half bottle. I think it 's ready, but lots of life ahead of it. I have a case in bottles that I'll make a start on soon.
Red

2007 Coche-Dury Auxey-Duresses Rouge

 Pinot Noir more
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6/26/2013 - SimonG wrote: 90 points

Burgundy WIMPS 'Col d'Aubisque' table (La Trompette, London): Mellow, dustier fruit on the nose, a little softer. Paler colour. Light to middle weight red fruit with a touch of caramel wafer. Good acidity. A leanness on the finish. Similar in profile to the Dujac but a little less clean and polished, more sauvage. More intent. ***1/2

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    6/26/2013 11:52:00 AM - I think it's nice now, and I'm not sure there's much room for improvement. Whilst there's no immediate hurry this is a lighter bodied 07 and I wouldn't leave a full case to 2019, though you might be ok drinking it gradually between now and then.

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    6/26/2013 12:30:00 PM - Personally, if I only had one I wouldn't leave it that long.
Red

2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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5/10/2013 - SimonG wrote: 93 points

La Rioja Alta (La Rioja Alta, Haro, Rioja): Spicy red fruit, some soft oak influence. A roundness here without tending to flab. A density to the fruit too. Lots upfront. Currently a slight hole in the late mid-palate though this fills with air. Long. Spicy acidity. Vibrant. **(**) possibly **(**1/2)

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    5/14/2013 2:38:00 PM - Sjontoft,

    Yes, I use the stars as my rating system (I only add the numbers as CT works on the hundred point scale and it makes searching/sorting easier for me). They are based on the old fashioned five star hotel system although I allow myself the luxury of half stars. I use the same system albeit numerically for unfinished wines.

    * I wouldn't buy a bottle but a glass will help down the meal in a simple restaurant
    ** quite decent, would buy a bottle in said restaurant or for home if the price was right
    *** very decent to very good. Bottle to case purchases, everyday to weekend drinking, value may be variable
    **** top wines of their type, can probably only afford for weekend drinking though bargains do exist. The type of wine one looks forward to.
    ***** top of their type and any type. Special occasion / wow wines. I wish I could afford a case but I suspect I can't!

    I equate my stars to the hundred point scale thus:

    ** 81
    **1/2 85
    *** 86-89
    ***1/2 90
    ****1/2 94
    ***** 95

    Hope that helps!

    Simon

  • Comment posted by SimonG:

    5/14/2013 2:41:00 PM - And as far as the brackets go, the stars indicate my thoughts on absolute quality, but the brackets at the end indicate that it needs time to fully realise the potential. The more stars are in the brackets, the longer required. Brackets at the start indicate a wine that is fading rather than needing time. Eg (*)** is three stars but on decline and **(*) three stars but needs time whereas *(**) is three stars and needing a lot more time.

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