12/26/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Still pretty primary on the nose with lots of bright red fruit and just a touch of cinnamon around the edges. Lots of sweet fruit initially on the palate but then a balancing freshness. Still some fine tannin. Absolutely no hurry but so lovely just now that I'm struggling to keep my hands off my bottles.

12/14/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Absolutely reeks of vanilla. Seems like a foregone conclusion what it will taste like. Completely impossible to discern varietal character. When you have such interesting indigenous varieties why obliterate them in such cack-handed fashion?

12/14/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Has the same earthy entry as 7 Fuentes but then it's a little more exuberantly fruity. Again, Galicia is the reference point: this could be Mencia blind, or a fairly ripe rendition of Loire Cab Franc. Lots of bright blue/black fruit flavours but the main impression is of freshness. Hint of rusticity from the blocky tannins but that could just be oak influence that will ease off.

12/14/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Completely different to the Suertes del Marqués' whites. Fresher, more mineral nose. Quite Albariño-like with a touch of sherbet. Interesting texturally with quite a bit of dry extract still. Much more obviously aromatic than the Trenzado; more Galician than Riojan in style. Tastes like there’s some residual sugar. Not nearly as complex as the Suertes’ whites but there's an interesting herbal/floral dimension through the mid-palate.

12/14/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Surprisingly deep gold in colour already. Creamy, beeswax - just a subtle citrus fringe in terms of fruit. Really savoury and gastronomic. Lacks the drinkability of the reds and definitely needs food.

12/14/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Smells surprisingly mature already. Blind I’d be guessing it was 10+ years old. Lovely combo of leather and sandalwood though with some smoky background notes. Fresher and more youthful on the palate. Very fine.

12/14/2014 - davestenton wrote:

field blend of 15 different varieties from 130 year old vines grown on a cliff above the atlantic. First vintage. An enticingly spicy, spiky nose from the high proportion of whole bunch; and subtle floral background notes that I suspect will come to the fore with more time in bottle. The fruit profile is darker but in the mouth it sets the pulse racing like the silkiest of Volnays. Then there's a distinctly non-Burgundian salinity. So much vitality. Fabulous wine. And this is only the ‘village’?!

12/14/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Intensely savoury with wax, lanolin, iodine. Dry with lots of extract. Just the merest hint of richness through the mid-palate. Unique. Closest comparison I can think of is Viña Gravonia but it’s much more muscular and brooding.

12/8/2014 - davestenton wrote:

First experience of Julie Balagny's wines and I can't wait to try more. Very pure and poised. Cru Beaujolais often reminds me more of the Northern Rhone than Burgundy; but this had some definite Côte de Beaune traits - lovely transparency; that combination of bright, juicy red fruit and limestone succulence - despite being unmistakably Gamay. Excellent.

8/31/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mostly dark cherry aromas but there's something calcareous lurking in the background. Initially it's joyously sweet and juicy on the palate but then a firm backbone of acidity asserts itself and the finish is dry and lingering with feint herbal notes. Very fine tannins but there's still a bit of grip and I wouldn't be surprised if some whole bunches were used. Overall, rather delightful; I think you could slip this in amongst a line-up of young Chambolle villages from a ripe vintage and not many would spot it as a ringer.

8/17/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Earthy bouquet offers some soy, beef stock and then more floral top notes. Similar flavour profile to the palate. Still a fair amount of dusty - and drying - tannin that renders the wine a little rustic; might resolve with more time but I suspect it'll never be silky.

7/26/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Slightly odd experience with this wine: initially it was pretty hollow with slightly jammy fruit and just the suggestion of something stale/cardboard-y which made me suspect low-level TCA. But the remainder of the bottle improved dramatically in the fridge overnight: now there's sweet black cherry fruit, much more depth, and some subtle toasty oak in the background. I now wonder whether there wasn't some residual CO2? Either way, I think it would benefit from decanting.

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Still massively concentrated. Beautiful chalky limestone texture. Fantastic. Every time I taste this wine I push the drinking window back. 2018+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Quite a heady fragrance already. Greater depth and purity than the '11 (again). Bright, pure red fruits. All the makings of something pretty special. 2016+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Ripe with a sweet fringe to the fruit. Sappy, dry finish. More assured than the '11 Gevrey but needs another couple of years. 2016+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Higher-toned aromas than the CdB. More singular too: cinnamon, predominantly. Palate also more muscular and more focussed than the CdB. This is fantastic. You know what? On today's showing - and completely unexpectedly - I actually prefer this to the CdB. Would love to see them both side-by-side again a few years down the line. 2018+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): The most beautifully sweet, exotic spice scent you could hope for. And the palate delivers too; just delicious. Phenomenal depth. But it seems almost feral; constantly darting in different directions with new flavours emerging from nowhere then disappearing equally fast. Would love to try again in five years when its settled down (wishful thinking?). 2019+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Quite tight aromatically with some subtle oak notes. So much more depth and purity than the '11 served alongside. This has really put on weight since EP and could give the '10 a run for its money eventually. 2016+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Much more herbal than the preceding Gevreys and doesn't hold together quite as well; alcohol seems a little disjointed. Chalky texture. Not so sure about this but it's probably just going through an awkward adolescent phase. 2016+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): This needs a thorough swirl to show what it's made of. Much more refined than the '09 but also more marked acidity. Has an aristocratic nonchalance about it in comparison to the eager-to-please '09. Wait. 2016+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Just gorgeous aromatically: all cinnamon and red fruit. Riper than the '08 but still dry and savoury. Proper burgundy. There's no doubt it will keep but, when it's this good now, why wait?!

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): The acidity is still quite marked (but I suspect that will always be the case with '08s) but this is beautifully pure, fresh burgundy. Very good. 2015+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Second time tasting this wine this year and second time I've been surprised by its maturity: seems like a 10+ year old wine rather than a seven-year-old. Tomato leaf aromas and then a dry, savoury palate. If I had any, I'd look to drink this year and next.

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Fresh and juicy and gorgeous. Much greater purity than the 2011 served alongside. Cracking stuff.

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): The tannins have smoothed out a little (or perhaps there's less CO2) since I last tasted this; less raspy. The alcohol seems a little marked though.

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Much more muted nose compared to the 2011. Tightly wound with the flavours all bound-up for now. With a bit of coaxing there's some pronounced minerality but this really needs to be left alone for a bit. 2015+

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): This is in a great place; and the only 2011 I preferred to its 2012 counterpart at this tasting. Lovely nose; all cream and hazelnuts. Dry, savoury palate with subtle citrus tang and some reductive notes in the background that add complexity. Classic white burgundy and a bargain.

7/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Mark Haisma Tasting (Magdalen Restaurant, London) (Magdalen, Tooley Street, London SE1): Great way to start a tasting. Lovely toasty richness with hints of toffee apple. Very long, which suggests there's absolutely no hurry to drink.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Smells a little sulphide-y but palate is gorgeous with all sorts going on: menthol, eucalyptus and camomile. Very silky. Surprisingly evolved though. And doesn't hit the heights of the Fleurie. 16.5/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Amazing nose: mineral aromas compete with rich cherry fruit. Palate has a really distinctive pumice-like texture. Real energy, too. Raspberry fruit. Pretty taut just now. Top notch. 17.5/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): A little acetone initially but that blows off leaving cinnamon and mineral notes. Very bright but also a little tight at this stage. Give it six months or so. 17+/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Nose is a touch reductive but there's some licorice and violets poking through. Very complex palate: peppery but also a sweeter spice I associate with Morey-St-Denis. Black olive to finish. Beautifully savoury. Splits the difference between Côte-Rôtie and MSD. 17.5/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Slightly smoky and animal-y aromas put me in mind of the Northern Rhone. So transparent: pure granite. Amazingly light on its feet and so refreshing. Great energy. 17/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Gorgeous nose of pure blue fruits. More structured. Slight herbal edge. Greater intensity but also very fresh. 16.5/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Fuller, riper palate with more depth than the two wines that preceded it (Manoir du Carra & Raisins Gaulois). There's a slight aniseed/peppery note to the finish. 16/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Sweet cherries on the nose; almost cherry liqueur. More serious than the Raisins Gaulois with a slightly darker fruit profile. Lovely transparency. 16/20.

3/12/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Gorgeous Gamay: The Wines of Beaujolais (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Juicy, earthy and herbal-tinged palate with a lifted finish. Lovely flyweight structure. A great wine bar red. 16/20.

5/25/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Very pure cherry fruit with an earthy undertow and just the merest hint of spice. Textbook Gevrey and, now the tannins have resolved, it's drinking beautifully.

5/19/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Very ripe with masses of black fruit. Still has the freshness you expect from cabernet franc but it's a little overwhelming; couldn't manage much more than a glass.

5/19/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Slightly confected black cherry nose that reminded me of a New Zealand pinot (which I've noted before with spätburgunder). Fruit-forward palate and just a touch on the sweet side which rendered it a little ponderous. It seemed a little fresher and more energetic on day two but still lacked the transparency I look for in pinot. Good value but not my style.

5/18/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Drank across two days. Initially, quite floral and aromatic but with a stoniness too. The palate was dry and stony and primarily grapefruit but there was also a feint floral/herbal - lavender maybe? - impression. On day two it seemed to have taken on a bit more depth and cohesion but I'm still not fully converted to the joys of trocken; couldn't quite shake the conviction that I would rather have been drinking a kabinett.

5/6/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Drank across two days. Day one: blackcurrant leaf aromas; very concentrated palate with lots of barley sugar and just the beginnings of a more mineral quality on the finish but not that exciting. Day two: what a transformation! Much more mineral on the nose but also an additional floral element. Palate is tighter and more focused with tangy lime. Really vibrant and energetic and oh-so moreish. NB lots of CO2 when first opened so try to open several hours in advance if you can or pour out a glass and give the bottle several vigorous shakes.

5/5/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Drank this across two days. Following the suggestion on the label this was served straight from the fridge. A distinctive ferrous/feral quality initially - on the nose and palate - with juicy red berries and marked acidity. Really sappy and mouthwatering; a Chilean vin de soif. It became a little fruitier on day two but not overly so as there was a nice earthy underlay. Good.

5/4/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Drank across two days. Initially the nose was a little mute and, although there was a touch of sweetness to the mid-palate, a lovely stony transparency rendered the finish almost dry. Much more aromatic on day two with the palate seeming a little sweeter. A cracking kab; great value, too.

4/18/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Enjoyable now but still pretty taut and nervy and only hinting at the complexity of a mature Loire chenin. 2015+

4/13/2014 - davestenton wrote:

A little tight initially with '08 acidity to the fore but settled down in the glass and revealed surprisingly dark fruit with some richness through the mid-palate. Very different to the 2009 drunk the week before but no less enjoyable.

4/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Theatre of Wine Pinot Noir Tasting (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Lovely, lifted nose with red fruit, cinnamon and a leafy fringe. Palate starts out quite rich and ripe but the lingering finish is beautifully fresh with subtle herbal notes. Pretty captivating and certainly 1er Cru quality but then it is nearly £70.

4/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Theatre of Wine Pinot Noir Tasting (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): There’s a slightly caustic aroma - VA maybe? - alongside the strawberry fruit. Palate is very ripe with much purer fruit than the nose suggests. Slightly syrupy finish though. And, again, slight alcohol burn.

4/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Theatre of Wine Pinot Noir Tasting (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Herbal-edged cherry fruit and just a hint of alcohol on the nose. Very ripe (after the Fourrier) with a cola cube note but finishes dry. Better than previous Dog Point Pinots I’ve tasted; a little more transparent. Touch of heat at the back of the palate but still quite more-ish.

4/9/2014 - davestenton wrote:

Theatre of Wine Pinot Noir Tasting (Theatre of Wine, Tufnell Park): Real transparency on the nose and not a hint of the herbal/pyrazine character others reference. Cherry fruit palate with good depth and a deceptive amount of power. Seems so effortless. Undoubtedly lots more to come for those that can resist its early charms.