3/9/2024 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

After 10 months totally dry (no alcohol) due a promise I made regarding the birth of my second child, this was the bottle I wanted to open to commemorate his coming to life. It is a very special one - it was the first Barolo I bought with the intention to cellar long-time. I had written '2020' on the back label in order to at least hold it until that year, but it was definitely not necessary. With a full cellar it is much easier to pick the right spots when to open a bottle of wine.

I popped this bottle at around 1 p.m, and decanted it to consume in the evening, tasting a few sips from time to time. It did not evolve much - one can drink it straight from the bottle. And this wine is very much a creation of the 2006 vintage in Barolo: structured, intense, broad, and long. It is dominated by dark fruit like black cherries and blackcurrant, but some tertiary notes of tar and leather are discernible on the palate. It did have at the very beginning a drying note at the end, but it did blow away, and some spice notes became discernible. There is still some oak, but the tannins are fully integrated at 18 years old. I confess I liked this style of Barolo more in the past - powerful, extracted, mouth-coating. Nowadays I prefer a bit more restraint and elegance. Still this is a very good wine, and my wife and I enjoyed it. 94-95/100, and recommended if you enjoy big boy Nebbiolo.

1/15/2022 - br_winelover wrote:

89pts. Bottle #119 of 11500. This is supposedly a late release wine, having only arrived in the market this year. But in really it is simply a run of the mill Cab Sauv. It was cheap for its 'pedigree', and it showed. I want to believe it has not been properly handled during shipping. Sharp, green tannins, which make me believe the grapes were not fully ripe. Still primary, with no tertiary aromas. Not bad by any means, but not remarkable either.

1/12/2022 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

92-93pts. See my notes below for further info. Excellent QPR in my neck of the woods.

1/5/2022 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

94(+?)pts. Beautiful wine, a reflection of its terroir in the Limari Valley. Its vineyard is situated only 12km from the coast, and it is basically limestone, which confers this Chard excellent energy and intensity.

Very pale yellow. Notes of chalk, pineapple, sicilian lemon, but mostly lime. Lots of tension, long, refreshing, and balanced. Acidity is well under check. I'd like a bit more of complexity to rate it higher (I don't think it will ever reach 98 points like it is mentioned on the capsule), but give it time and it will blossom into an even better wine.

BTW, I'v had recently the 2019 version of this very same wine, and the 2020 is leaps and bounds superior. Although it is normally true vintages are not that important in the southern hemisphere, this is a huge exception to this rule. The 2019 is a 92/100 wine and that's it - this one is at least two points better, and has plenty of room to improve.

12/30/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

90-91pts. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Rustic but structured, medium-big bodied with green tannins, this is a nice wine, but not my cup of tee. I am not a fan of Carmenere, and this tastes somewhat like one although it is not the main varietal in this blend. This needs quite some time yet, but its ceiling isn't high. Not a good QPR either.

12/27/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

88-89pts. No time in barrel, kept in concrete only (as the name states). Very primary, simple, rustic, maybe for everyday drinking if you like Malbec. Some dryness at the end which usually a $25-30 wine does not have. How can anyone rate this 96 points? Give it plenty of air at this stage, but I wouldn't cellar this - after the fruit is gone, there will be nothing left.

12/2/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 97-98pts. Named after a top-notch caviar (Ossetra/Osetra), this is definitely the best Gutswein I've ever tasted. No, wait a second - this is probably the best white wine from anywhere I've ever tasted. It is the highest rating I have given to a white wine in the last decade here at CT. 2019 vintage in Germany + Pechstein + barrel selection = a magical experience.

It has it all - great complexity, intensity, length, energy, freshness, precision, concentration, you name it. Notes of ripe pineapple, caramel, orange peel, mint, lemon, and some residual oak. Pure energy in a glass. My wife couldn't help but smile as soon as she had her first sip. Of course one can hold it for the next 15 years, but it is so delicious now you must try it if you have a case on your cellar. Brilliant!

12/2/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 95(+?)pts. Kirchenstück is a magical vineyard, and tasting great vintages here is usually a wonderful experience. And this von Bühl from Mathieu Kauffmann's last year at the winery is pure Kirchenstück - weightless with plenty of power, a ballerina with muscles. Mineral with little fruit but really long, with citrus and pineapple notes. Almost on a par with Bürklin-Wolf's Kirchenstück for half the price. And I love the new label too - a throwback to its original one, but updated. Wonderful wine!

12/2/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94(+?)pts. Burgberg is the most prestigious dry Riesling at Schlossgut Diel, and is released a year after most other wines from this winery - a reserve bottle. This is very youthful, but oozes potential, with already great minerality and length, but little fruit. Lots of energy and very good persistence in the mouth, but it needs more time in bottle to lose some of its baby fat and gain some extra notes. It improved considerably after 24 and 48 hours, which bodes well for the future. Great wine, but hold.

12/2/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 93-94(+?)pts. Morstein in the hands of Wittmann is a wine which takes time to fully blossom, and that's the case here. I remember tasting the 2015 a few years ago at this same stage, and although that vintage was a little better, these wines are really austere and closed so young. Only on the second day it got better, with herbal and green notes and some residual oak. As usual for this vineyard, this wine boasts loads of tension and energy - there's nothing subtle here, and it fills one's mouth very quickly. I'd hold for quite some time to wait for a very likely improvement.

12/2/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 95(+?)pts. 12,5% vol. This Auslese Trocken from K-R rocks in great vintages, and this is no exception. Absolutely delicious, with notes of caramel, honey, lemon peel, and a touch of grapefruit in great harmony and balance. Smooth and creamy on the palate, this is a joy to taste. Mosel Fine Wines rated it 96+, and although right now I can't be so generous, it might reach such heights with more years (5+ at least) in the bottle. Wonderful QPR here. Drink or hold.

11/26/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94-95(+?)pts. This lacks the mangoes and tropical fruit I have associated with Abtserde after tasting the 2009 and 2010 vintages of it. However, it has the same insane amount of tension and energy I'm accostumed in finding in this bottling, a reflection of its unique terroir. This is definitely not a top vintage for this wine, since it lacks some of the complexity and length of a 2013, for exemple, but it was a pleasure to taste. Just make sure you give it plenty of air at this moment - it only started to shine after 24hs. For the future, but I don't think it will reach great heights.

11/26/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94-95pts. Expensive for a German Riesling at this quality point, but all KPKs are (unfortunately). However, I'd rather drink this bottling than the Kirchspiel from this vintage. Herbal, balanced, with good energy and freshness. Citric on the nose, zesty, long, with a long life ahead. I thought this would be overshadowed in this tasting by KPK's Abtserde from the 2016 vintage, but this was definitely not the case - they offer the same pleasure. Hold.

11/26/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94pts. KPK has been justifiably recognized as one of Germany's world-class wineries, but as a collateral effect the pricing on the secondary market of his GGs have gone through the roof, which makes comparing it to wines from other german wineries really difficult (so I won't digress any further).

I quite liked this Kirchspiel - it is much better than the 2011 vintage of it I have tasted before, with notes of peaches, lime, sicilian lemon and flowers. It does need a lot of air though - it only shined from the second day onwards (it was drunk in 72 hours).Good energy and length, and very aromatic, but I don't like the grapefruit notes at the end. For the price I'd rather drink KPK's Hubacker GG from this vintage. Hold.

11/26/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 95(+?)pts. Bottle #927 of 2509. Erdener Prälat is a vineyard of sublime elegance and smoothness, and this wine translates its terroir in spades. This dances on its feet. Weightless, ethereal, a true ballerina. Notes of white flowers, vanllla, cream, white peach and wet stones, this is so pure and smooth I could drink it all day long, It's a great wine which will continue to develop in the next 10 + years. Love it!

11/26/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94-95pts. Idig is always a great Riesling, and 2013 is a vintage I really like, with great acidity and energy, This is a blue chip wine year after year, with this one still possessing lots of fruit but with some tertiary aromas. I didn't write detailed notes, but from memory I can remember peaches, caramel and honey together with some pineapple, which gave it good freshness. Zesty and balanced, powerful but precise, this is a great Idig, whose rating could be higher if it were just a bit longer.

12/1/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94(+?)pts. 12,5% vol., remaining sugar 0,8g/l. This is a delicate, smooth Pinot Noir with a medium body and very nice length. Lots of cherries and wild berries on the palate, and still very primary (of course). This is precise, elegant and delightful, with chewy tannins and good energy. A Chambolle-Musigny from Baden. But I'd rather give it time - 5+ years at least.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 97pts. S-F Halenberg was the most satisfying Riesling of this 9-wine flight, and it came on top against some of the very best wines of Germany. This might sound like heresy, but I'll write it anyway: Halenberg is at least at the same level as S-F Felseneck GG in good vintages, being able to combine Felseneck's remarkable minerality and purity with an array of tropical fruit like lemon, pineapple and orange peel. Long, balanced, powerful but restrained, this is a desert island Riesling. I love it - what a wine, and a great QPR too. Drink or hold.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 96-97pts. E-S Halenberg GG always shines in great vintages, and this is Exhibit A of such statement. It smells and tastes pure slate (Halenberg is blue slate if I am not mistaken), but with gorgeous notes of ripe fruit like lemon and pineapple. Can't really put the glass down - it is that captivating. Long, mouth-coating, zesty, and uterrly balanced, with power and elegance. It was great upon opening, and only improved in the following three days. Highly recommended for the price.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 96(+?)pts. I have seen some people mentioning this vineyard as Riesling's Montrachet, and although it is clearly hyperbole, I can understand some of the reasoning here. This has such an incredible power and length, it looks like it will explode on the palate and throat. Very little fruit, but loads of tension and energy. I guess tasting it at this juncture doesn't really do justice - it needs easily another 10-15 years to blossom, although it is already superb at this stage. But it was a bit overshadowed by a few other wines during the tastings I put together in Germany, which are more expressive now. For $200 it is not the best QPR around, although I'll probably buy it again because it's so good.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 96pts. This is an amazing Riesling - so pure, crystaline, elegant, truly a joy to taste! This is a reflection of its vineyard on the Roter Berg, like all great wines are. Really complex both on the nose and mouth, with notes of crushed rock, white flowers, peaches, ripe pineapple, and some vanilla and honey. It held beautifully for more than 72 hours, wich bodes well for its future. Long and layered on the palate. Drink or hold.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 92-93pts. Although this is not a bad Riesling by any means, this was the weakest one of this flight. Austere, muted, this needs a lot of air at the moment, and even after 24, 48 and 72 hours it did not shine, although it improved somewhat. There were notes of green apple, pineapple and mint, with good minerality, balance and length, but it definitely was not helped by the excellence of the other wines on this flight. The Pettenthal from Kühling-Gillot, for exemple, which is a sister winery to Battenfeld-Spanier, costs the same and is a much more pleasant wine at the moment. Hold.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 93-94pts. This is a really nice GG for the price - it didn't look out of place being poured together with other Riesling that cost more than twice. Lots and lots of green fruit on the palate, herbal, long, refreshing, zesty, with nice balance and weightlessness, a ballerina. Clearly terroir-driven. Good minerality here, although it could use a little sweetness at the end. Very nice, and a Riesling whose cellaring will be rewarded.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 96-97pts. This was (again) my favorite from the three Markus Molitor Riesling Auslese *** Trocken which I tasted on this flight. Zeltinger Sonnenuhr in the hands of Molitor is always superb, but the much-heralded 2019 vintage add a touch of extra intensity and length to it. Spicy, really complex, with loads of green fruit and energy. This is electric on the palate, with such beautiful minerality and tension - it's really a reference point for all Moselle Rieslings. Still very young and primary, though - it might improve further with some decent cellaring. A wine one can buy blind. Wow!

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94(+?)pts. This is neither as high-pitched as the Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** Trocken, nor as balanced and weightless as the Markus Molitor Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** Trocken. It is however a suave and subtle wine, loaded with spices and tension. There is beautiful minerality here, but it lacks the intensity of its Sonnenuhr cousin next door. I'm still not sold on Wehlener Sonnenuhr being a top vineyard for dry wines - I'd rather focus here on the sweet ones. There was also a grapefruit note at the end which I didn't appreciate, but it blew away on the second day, which made me add an extra point to my rating above. I'd hold it for 5+ years at least.

11/20/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 96pts. This was the most ethereal and purest of the three 2019 Markus Molitor Riesling Auslese *** Trocken I tasted on this flight. It's a delicate Riesling, but it is really aromatic - a true reflection of its terroir, Loads of white flowers, vanilla cream, white chocolate, avocado and lime - it mixes remarkably well sweet and dry aromas. I really like the style, the perfect balance, the weightlessness, and the supreme elegance. Great minerality too. Superb!

11/19/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

Tasting in Germany during a brief COVID interlude - November/December 2021; 11/19/2021-12/2/2021 (Germany - Schwanau/Monschau): 94pts. 2004 Peter Jakob Kuhn (Drei Trauben) Östrich Doosberg Trocken is the correct name for this bottling. I confess I opened this bottle with a bit of trepidation, since most reviews here have described a wine with a real potential of oxidation/flabbiness. But no - I had a sound bottle here, although its closure is indeed unortodox and something I'd rather not see again (leave those for beer only).

This is actually an Auslese Trocken-style Riesling much in the manner of a Koehler-Ruprecht Auslese Trocken from a good vintage (which 2004 definitely was). Golden yellow, almost amber. Notes of caramel, toffee, honey, but with enough acidity to keep it fresh. I really like this style, with plenty of tertiary notes, but no discernible sweetness. Drink now if you get your hands on one of these. Great stuff!

12/15/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

91-92pts. Still great. Excellent QPR at $11. Minerality and freshness - what's not to like here?

11/13/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

92-93pts. See my notes below for further info.

11/15/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

91pts - see my comments below for further info.

11/13/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

92-93pts. This is Exhibit A of a really well-made Tannat that doesn't explode the alcohol odometer, being clocked at "only" 14% (most other top-notch Tannat from Uruguay are around 15% - 16%). Not really long, but full-bodied, complex, and mouth-filling. It offers lots and lots of dark friut, and of course at this stage of its evolution it is very primary, but I guess this will drink well for the next 5-10 years. Please go for it if you are a fan of this varietal.

11/11/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

93pts. 2000 bottles only, from granitic soils. Top notch Syrah from the coolest area in the Casablanca Valley. One can feel the freshness here, but if I could change anything here it would be the oak, which is a bit excessive and makes me take a one point from this wine. But it is otherwise superb, being complex, full-bodied, spicy and long. Really nice, and a great match with red meat.

11/3/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

91pts. Excellent QPR, and a Chardonnay one can buy every vintage because its consistency is stellar. Schist soils, which really impart white wines with good minerality. Notes of sicilian lemon, lime, and citrus. Zesty and spicy, and with a decent finish for $11. What's not to like here?.

10/31/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

90pts. Drank during Halloween night. At 15,5% alcohol one must pair it with food - this is neither subtle nor easy drinking. Also young and undeveloped, but I don't know if this will age nicely, since it is mostly driven by fruit. There are black and blue fruit notes, and also some plum, but its green tannins are quite a handicap, probably from oak. This is a good QPR, but could use more elegance and a longer finish. Ok wine.

10/31/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

91-92pts. Consumed during Halloween night. See my notes below for further info.

10/28/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

91-92(+?)pts. From 90 years old vines, situated at a height of 1050 meters above sea level at Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo. The Malbec and Petit Verdot vines are mixed in the vineyard, so there is no indication on the bottle of the approximate blend. This is definitely not a pure Malbec, but its Petit Verdot component doesn't shine either. Upon opening it is tannic, tight, and really oaky. With air it improves considerably, so please decant before enjoying it, or give it time in your cellar. It's not really complex, but it is balanced and long, with nice red fruit aromas. Nice but no cigar, especially for the price.

10/22/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

94pts. This bottle was decanted for 7 hours, and it needed that - it started a bit muted (around 93pts), closed significantly (91-92pts after 4 hours), and then blossomed beautifully. This a balanced, much more elegant red wine than what I'm used to taste from Argentina, a country whose reds are sometimes fruit bombs. This Cab Franc on the other hand is smooth and long, with notes of red and blue fruit like cherries and blueberries. It does lack a bit of energy and depth of aromas to be rated higher, but it is definitely a top of the heap red from Argentina. Recommended.

10/20/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

92pts. This was a slight disappointment, since it has received lots of accolades recently, and retails for a premium regarding Chilean Chardonnay. I'm not a fan of underripe notes, and this wine has plenty of it - green fruit, lemon, lime, some pineapple, with bracing acidity and very nice length. One can see the fruit used here is of a high quality, and its oak exposure is optimal, but I'd rather have a bit more richness and balance.

10/6/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

90-91pts. Definitely not as expressive as Dönnhoff's Grauburgunder -S-, which is the better wine for the same price. Notes of plum, fig, lime, and some grapefuit. Spicy and mineral, but neither long nor really complex. For $18 it is just OK.

10/4/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

92pts. Again an excellent QPR - for $15 this delivers beautifully. See my notes below for further info.

10/1/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

90-91pts. Not for the weak - this is the proverbial fruit-bomb, in your face Tannat from Uruguay. Sourced from the northern part of the country, close to the border with Argentina and Brazil. 16% ABV. Tons of black fruit, tar, some oak, and a bit sweet at the end - the grapes must heve been really mature when picked. Lacks acidity and balance, but with barbecue it pairs nicely. Maybe that is the whole point of bottling this - you must have meat with it.

9/24/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

89-90pts. A very meh wine considering what it retails for. Red fruit (strawberries, cherries), good acidity and medium length, but noticeable tartness on the palate (unripe grapes?). It does improve a bit with air, but is this worth $30? I don't think so.

9/18/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

91-92pts. No formal notes, but compared to Bouza's B28 single vineyard Tannat, which is my favorite wine of Uruguay ATM, it was just by a whisker not as good. Both drank great with barbecue, as expected.

9/18/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

92-93pts. No formal notes, but I do remember it drank really well with barbecue, as expected. Black fruit, long, and balanced even though it clocks at 16% of alcohol. My favorite of all Bouza's single vineyard Tannat.

9/25/2021 - br_winelover Does not like this wine:

80pts - what a crazy wine. This was a bottle opened by fscov, and he usually appreciates it, although he said this bottle might have been defective. I really don't know - this might have been tainted by heat, but the truth is I couldn't finish what was poured - and that was half a glass of wine only. Unbalanced, hot, tart, with no fruit other than grapefruit on the palate, and not much in the nose. It's rare for me not to appreciate wine, but this was it.

9/25/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

95pts. Drank with fscov, his bottle. This is probably the best Chardonnay of Chile these days, and sells for half of what one must pay for anything near this quality from another countries. My complete notes can be seen below. Excellent.

9/25/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

94-95pts. Opened my second bottle, which showed as well as the first. This can be tasted in a flight of Cru Chablis without missing a beat. One of the very best Chilean Chardonnay currently.

9/22/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

91pts. Suckling's grades are sometimes a bit inflated, but he was right on the money here. For the price I consider this Chard to punch above its weight - it possesses good minerality and length, with notes of passion, melon, pear, and pineapple. I buy it every vintage, and have never been disappointed.

9/15/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine:

91pts. I have never regretted opening a bottle of this wine. It's always a pleasure.

9/11/2021 - br_winelover wrote:

90-91pts. Pretty run of the mill wine, although priced above that range. Pepper, black cherry, cassis and plum notes, with good acidity and some tartness which made me wonder if the grapes were a bit unripe. Medium finish. I would skip this vintage if you like this bottling.