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Comments on my notes

(286 comments on 106 notes)

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Red
2023 Château Alcée Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Red Bordeaux Blend
5/17/2024 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
92 points
3 fabulous QPR wines at 3 different prices (prices in France)

Less than 30 euros: Domaine de L’ A 94-96
Less than 25 euros: Clos Manou 93-94
Less than 20 euros: Chateau Alcée 92-93
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/23/24, 6:44 AM - oui, plusieurs:
    Ausone, Lafleur, Conseillante Trotanoy, Margaux Montrose, Carmes H-B et Pichon comtesse

Red
2023 Château Ausone St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
5/15/2024 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
100 points
The greatest Ausone ever made, much more subtle than the 2022, 2020 or 2018, with flavors of black fruits, tar, licorice and even fresh hazelnuts. Immense!!
101-102pts/100, LOL
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/16/24, 3:00 PM - Hello my Lord,

    Very good wine but which seemed to me to lack a little thickness (half body?) 93-95/100

Red
2016 Château Canon St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
5/14/2024 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
99 points
The perfect example of what a great St-Emilion should be in a legendary year. Power, smoothness, sensuality and infinite length. A firework! We can start drinking it.
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/15/24, 7:47 AM - Yes, I open it in the morning to drink it in the evening and 3 hours before I taste it and if it still seems muted, I decant it vigorously. But be careful, if you have a very cold cellar, development may be delayed.

Red
2023 Château Tronquoy St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
5/5/2024 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
94 points
Very good wine and a top quality/price but nothing to see with the fabulous 2022
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/8/24, 12:15 AM - Bonjour, je suis loin d'avoir encore tout gouté mais quelques vins se détachent vraiment pour moi: Margaux et Pontet Canet, Carmes H-B, Lafleur, Cheval Blanc et la Conseillante qui est vraiment splendide cette année.
    A part ça, 2 coups de coeur qualité/prix:
    1) Phelan Segur
    2) Lafon Rochet

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/8/24, 2:27 AM - Pas gouté Montrose. Figeac et Canon sont excellents comme d'habitude mais vu la diff de prix, je privilégierais Canon personnellement. Pavie Macquin est grandiose également
    Pour Gaffelière, un chouïa moins bon, ça reste pour moi et de loin, le meilleur rapport Q/P des 1ers Crus "B"

Red
2021 Psi Ribera del Duero Tempranillo
5/1/2024 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
Fabulous for this price. The best Psi and the best Flor ever made here, better than the great 2019
and Really close to the master Pingus himself
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/1/24, 9:39 AM - Yes, 2021 is much better than 2020 and 2022 is likely to beat them all!

Red
2018 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées Pinot Noir
2/27/2024 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
97 points
Really close than the fabulous 2019 and 2020
  • watcheslover commented:

    4/14/24, 10:52 PM - Hello my Lord,
    I think it's a bad idea. Its “fruity youth” period has passed and it must be completely closed. Personally, I would wait until 2030 for it to reveal all its complexity. On this subject, you can go to the estate's website, it gives drinkability periods for each wine and each vintage. It's very well done:
    https://www.meo-camuzet.com/fr/accueil/quand-deguster

  • watcheslover commented:

    4/15/24, 1:25 AM - Your welcome my Lordy!
    For your information, on the subject of very great Burgundies like this one, I am just starting to open my 2012s which are all superb, I love this year (for the Bordeaux too) unlike the 2013s which always scare me a little because of their acidity

  • watcheslover commented:

    4/15/24, 1:44 AM - In fact the tasting dates from the beginning of 2023 and I found the sheet by chance. Apart from that, to make a wine speak, there are certain laboratory secrets which border on the unspeakable. LOL

Red
2022 Château Durfort-Vivens Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
8/31/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
97 points
Little vertical from Durfort-Vivens yesterday with my colleagues: 2022 in sample, 2021 untasted.
1) 2020 98.2/100
2) 2019 98/100
3) 2018 97.4/100
4) 2022 97.1/100
5) 2015 95.8/100
6) 2016 95.2/100
7) 2017 93.4/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    2/27/24, 3:57 AM - Good morning,
    Yes, it's too early to judge the true place of 2022. I'm looking forward to tasting it again in the bottle. For 2018, he is possibly the best of all but he scares me a little with his "too much" side. Even though the wines and methods have progressed since then, they remind me of some Bordeaux from the 1982 vintage which seemed to be masterpieces and then dried up or became fruit compote. I prefer to play it safe for now!
    Where you from?

Red
2022 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
For your information, here is Jacques Perrin's comment in his Vinifera review. Personally, I think he is the best taster in the world, especially for Bordeaux. For those who don't know him, he is one of the founding members of the European Grand Jury with Mauss, Bettane and Desseauve...And they imposed blind tastings while the "Parker" fashion of the time wanted us to taste by looking at the label.
Les Carmes Haut-Brion 98-100 Atramentary color, black with purple reflections. Sensational fruit on the nose, black berries, floral, the wine springs from the glass. It then opens with incense, black pepper, we think of the greatest French wines made from Pinot or Syrah, whole harvest required. The attack is fresh, almost discreet, then the wine takes on an ascending character, with great bitterness, a very ripe and very noble vegetal, which leads and lengthens the mouth for long seconds. The afterglow is strong and sovereign, the wine returns in layers, at length, like an echo. It is a very great wine, which exists in itself.
  • watcheslover commented:

    2/13/24, 1:45 AM - If you look closely at the text, he gave a score of 98-100/100, which is exceptional from him.

  • watcheslover commented:

    2/21/24, 1:00 AM - Sorry to disappoint you but these are 2 Jacques Perrin who have nothing to do with each other. The one from Chateauneuf has been dead for a long time!

Red
2018 Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Cuvée la Belle Hélène Syrah
2/9/2024 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
99 points
the best Belle Helene ever made (with the fabulous 2010)!
  • watcheslover commented:

    2/9/24, 9:46 AM - Hello, my tastings are as part of my work and I have very few bottles. In any case, the 2018 should not be drunk before 2028 or 2030 and until 2048 or even later. For the 2015, we can start drinking it decanted but I think it will be much better in 5 to 10 years

  • watcheslover commented:

    2/9/24, 1:37 PM - You are quite right. On the other hand, if you are lucky enough to find some, try once in your life to taste Yves Gangloff's Côte Rôtie, Barbarine and Sereine Noire, which are, in my humble opinion, the pinnacle of the appellation.

  • watcheslover commented:

    2/10/24, 12:07 PM - I warn you right away, I hope your Rhone Connection is very strong because it is very difficult to be able to go to Gangloff but not impossible! If it's ok, he'll make you taste all his wonders but he won't be able to sell you anything!!! I know him personally and I think he likes me but despite that, it took me almost 10 years to have an allocation of 12 variegated bottles per year. I advise you to find one or two bottles on Idealwine for example but count that it takes at least 8-10 years for a Barbarine to be excellent and 10-12 years for a Sereine Noire. I'm just starting to open the 2013s

Red
2019 Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolás Catena Zapata Mendoza Red Bordeaux Blend
9/16/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
95 points
Comparative tasting of world wines

1) Cheval des Andes 100/100
2) Masseto 2020 98-99/100
3) Sena 2021, Opus One 2018 98/100
5)Opus one 2019, Petrolo 2021 97/100
7) Solaia 2020, Massetino 2021 96/100
9)Catena Zapata Nicolas 2019 95/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    2/9/24, 1:35 AM - Oops, I just noticed that I didn't put the vintage for Cheval des Andes. It’s 2020!
    It is quite possible that within several years, this classification will be changed. More massive wines like Masseto could take the lead. The only thing for sure is that the 2020 is the best Cheval des Andes that I tasted in its youth

  • watcheslover commented:

    2/9/24, 9:54 AM - And I forgot to say that after this comparative tasting, I tasted the Almaviva 2021 which is sublime and which risks surpassing them all within 2-3 years but it will not last as long as the Massetto for example

  • watcheslover commented:

    2/9/24, 1:17 PM - If you're talking about Almaviva, 2017 has never been a great vintage and in my humble opinion, JS, JD, JA, JR and JCL, have never been great tasters. In the USA, I would personally favor Leve, Martin and Galloni who have a less "oak soup" sensibility

Red
2016 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
12/11/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
100 points
G. Pouthier elected best winemaker in France!!! in front of Leroy, Romanée Conti, Petrus, Figeac.....
I'm very proud of him and of me too, since I've been advising people to jump on all their bottles since 2014 anyway! I'll put the link below. And advise you once again to buy, especially the 2022 and 2016, the winemaker's favorites and mine too
https://avis-vin.lefigaro.fr/tops-selections-vins-spiritueux/o157055-guillaume-pouthier-chateau-les-carmes-haut-brion-elu-meilleur-vigneron-de-france-par-le-figaro-vin-se-croire-arrive-c-est-le-debut-de-la-fin
  • watcheslover commented:

    2/9/24, 1:21 AM - Yes, for many people, 2016 and 2022 are the best ever. But if you have the opportunity, I invite you to taste the 2014 and 2017 which are extraordinary for their price.

Red
2014 Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
8/14/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
98 points
Very top wine, actually better than 2015
  • watcheslover commented:

    11/2/23, 11:26 PM - Hello, I strongly advise you to wait another 2 or 3 years before drinking it, otherwise you will have to force the wine to open by doing a double decantation which consists of emptying the bottle once the day before and putting the wine back ( without the cap) minus a tasting dose and the next day, decant for at least 4 hours.

  • watcheslover commented:

    1/31/24, 1:05 AM - Hello, I have compared the 2008s several times with each other and particularly Haut Brion with Ch Margaux. In my humble opinion, HB was one of the best in primeurs but over the years, it was caught up by the other 1er crus because 2008 and ultimately a very good year but especially for the Medoc wines because of their higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon which is the king grape variety of
    vintage. Which does not prevent HB 2008 from being very good with a very original ink note. 95-96/100
    For me HB 2014 is much superior like a lot of Pessac or St Estèphe or even other wines with a lower proportion of CS. They are often superior to 2015 and much less expensive. If you have the chance, try a Calon Segur or a Carmes HB

Red
2019 Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona Val d'Arno di Sopra Merlot
9/14/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
99 points
re-tasted, the best and the 2021 is not far
  • watcheslover commented:

    1/26/24, 11:47 PM - 2025-2045

Red
2019 Château Lafleur Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
9/30/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
100 points
My colleagues and I were finally able to organize a mini Lafleur vertical last night (an old dream that was very, very difficult to bring together) to redefine the odds against the fabulous 2022 vintage. Once again, we can't put 100 points everywhere.

1) 2019 - 2022 (sample) 100/100
3) 2020 99-100/100
4) 2018 99/100
5) 2016 - 2021 (sample) 98-99/100
7) 2015 98/100
8) 2012 -2017 97/100
10) 2014 96-97/100
11) 2013 94/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    1/26/24, 8:58 AM - He his not alone!

Red
2022 Château Petit-Figeac St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
11/18/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
93 points
93-94 one of the best Petit-Figeac, not far of the great 2019
  • watcheslover commented:

    1/23/24, 9:20 AM - Yes, for my job. I have just to ask

Red
2018 Domaine de Trévallon Alpilles Red Blend
11/2/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
93 points
good wine but but really far from the best Trevallon (2019-2020)
  • watcheslover commented:

    1/5/24, 3:12 AM - Hello, I know Trévallon particularly well because it is an hour’s drive from my house. I go there every year and I have the opportunity to discuss with the Durbach family and we agree on the fact that their best wines are those from "cold" years which bring out the extreme finesse of the 50% of syrah of their wine. The problem with their “solar” vintages (2018, 2015, etc.) is that they too often approach over-ripeness and the taste of stewed fruits which could please Parker's disciples. The 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 (not to mention the 2019 and 2020 which are grandiose) will all be better to drink over the next 10-15 years. That's not to say the others won't be great, but when? The 2003, which is a true solar year, is splendid to drink now! My rating for 2018 therefore only reflects the short or medium term. In the meantime, I suggest you taste a 2013 or even better, a 2007 and you will have a better idea of the great wines of Provence.

Red
2022 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
12/11/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
100 points
G. Pouthier elected best winemaker in France!!! in front of Leroy, Romanée Conti, Petrus, Figeac.....
I'm very proud of him and of me too, since I've been advising people to jump on all their bottles since 2014 anyway! I'll put the link below. And advise you once again to buy, especially the 2022 and 2016, the winemaker's favorites and mine too
https://avis-vin.lefigaro.fr/tops-selections-vins-spiritueux/o157055-guillaume-pouthier-chateau-les-carmes-haut-brion-elu-meilleur-vigneron-de-france-par-le-figaro-vin-se-croire-arrive-c-est-le-debut-de-la-fin
  • watcheslover commented:

    12/19/23, 9:03 AM - All this for KJD45$ it’s a great deal! %O)))

Red
2022 Château Croix de Labrie St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
To be reserved for oak suckers
  • watcheslover commented:

    12/18/23, 12:51 AM - No, I think that 2015 is better and less "heavyweight" but it is still very closed for this vintage. To wait another 4-5 years in my opinion

Red
2022 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
I celebrated my 60th birthday yesterday (a little late) and my friend Romanée Confit brought me a Carmes HB 2016 to drink with a magnificent piece of very rare beef. Once again, at the risk of repeating myself, what splendor! I then made a wish, it was to live another 15 years while keeping the same discernment, just to know which will be the best between 2016 and 2022? That is the question! (Hamlet III, 1)
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/26/23, 2:25 PM - I've answered the same question 50 times now. Please read my profile! I work in a certification laboratory and all we have to do is request samples and they will send them to us

  • watcheslover commented:

    12/13/23, 1:11 AM - You did very well. I had the chance to re-taste several samples of 2022 recently, more than 6 months after the primeurs and I am convinced that Carmes is one of the 5 best wines of the vintage with Las Cases, Petrus, Las Cases and Cheval Blanc. In addition, G. Pouthier has just been elected best winemaker in France (see my article). Prices will explode.

Red
2019 Mathilde et Yves Gangloff Côte-Rôtie La Barbarine Syrah
12/2/2021 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
97 points
Incredible, I didn't think Gangloff could ever make more grandiose wines than his 2018s and well I was wrong. Whether it is the Barbarine or the Sereine Noire, they are breathtaking !!! The Condrieu is beautiful too
  • watcheslover commented:

    12/2/23, 1:10 PM - What vintage is your Gangloff?

  • watcheslover commented:

    12/2/23, 11:19 PM - If you have some time, please comment on your tasting. What did you think?

White
2021 Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre Chardonnay
7/19/2022 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
94 points
Very good wine but nothing to see with the fabulous 2020
  • watcheslover commented:

    11/30/23, 12:46 AM - Hello my Lord,
    The 2 wines are magnificent but personally I prefer the Droin:
    Complex, rich aromas of linden, rose, ginger, citrus... Concentrated, fleshy, tense, distinguished, saline mouthfeel. Great wine to keep! 95/100
    Billaud is much more about minerality.

    Les Grenouilles of Droin are fabulous this year.

    I'm still waiting for your opinion on the Sigaut of your special evening?
    See you soon

Red
2018 Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers Pinot Noir
1/5/2020 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
98 points
Incredible purity and flavours. The better Gevrey 1er cru i ever taste (included Saint-Jacques)
  • watcheslover commented:

    11/30/23, 12:18 AM - No, I'm sorry. I don't it in my little cellar

Red
2019 Domaine Anne et Hervé Sigaut Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes Pinot Noir
11/20/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
Re-tasted, Certainly one of the best Morey Saint-Denis tasted in my life and the best wine of the estate for 2019, ahead of the very great Chambolle (Sentiers, Fuées and Noirots). For me, Sigaut (like Felettig) are the future stars of these 2 villages. To be restocked urgently because the prices are very very reasonable but not for long.
  • watcheslover commented:

    11/22/23, 1:33 AM - Hello, your question is very difficult for me because I realize that outside France (or Switzerland VAT of 7.7%) the same wines are much more expensive or simply unobtainable, especially for small producers. more interesting. For example, Millandes can be found here for around 70 euros and Sentiers 1er cru around 95 euros. So the quality/price ratio is not the same. It still remains very interesting for this wine.
    For the most famous villages, I can recommend a few producers who in my opinion are undervalued at the moment:

    Sigaut, Felettig, Rossignol-Trapet, Confuron-Gindre, Marchand Frêres, Michel Magnien, Frederic Magnien, Stephane Magnien and my favorite which is starting to become more expensive: Bruno Clavelier (villages and 1st growths).

    Otherwise, I strongly recommend trying the less star villages which do wonders much less expensive: Mercurey, Fixin, Givry...

  • watcheslover commented:

    11/22/23, 9:09 AM - So for Givry, there are 3 Cellar of very high quality:
    Cellar to the monks, François Lump and Joblot

Red
2018 Cheval des Andes Vistalba Red Bordeaux Blend
12/14/2021 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
99 points
98-100
Wonderful, by far the best ever. a wine with a strong character. On the nose, we find beautiful fruity and floral notes. Its great complexity on the palate, giving way to beautiful aromas of cherry, vanilla and spices and many more.
  • watcheslover commented:

    11/21/23, 2:54 PM - 2025-2040

Red
2019 Château Laroque St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
10/24/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
94 points
My colleagues and I organized a mini Laroque vertical to redefine the scores in relation to the fabulous 2022 vintage. Naturally these notes correspond to an "M" moment and are likely to vary at another moment.

1) 2021 (sample) 96,8/100
2) 2022 (sample) 96,5/100
3) 2020 95,8/100
4) 2018 95,4/100
5) 2005 95,1/100
6) 2019 94,6/100
7) 2016 93,4/100
8) 2017 92,8/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    10/25/23, 9:56 PM - Yes, I know, you are not the first surprised. Almost every year is better than the previous one at Laroque because they try to "recalibrate" their wine in relation to their exceptional terroir and over the last 2-3 years, they have really understood everything. A bit like Carmes H-B which also made a sublime 2021, in the register of finesse more than power. Here is my comment on Laroque 2021 en primeur:

    Very great wine that explodes the standards of the vintage, everything is there on nuances of precious wood, cedar, mineral (chalk), incredible length on an ascending finish! All this for a fabulous quality/price ratio. To be cellared urgently. 95-97

Red
2020 Château Laroque St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
10/24/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
My colleagues and I organized a mini Laroque vertical to redefine the scores in relation to the fabulous 2022 vintage. Naturally these notes correspond to an "M" moment and are likely to vary at another moment.

1) 2021 (sample) 96,8/100
2) 2022 (sample) 96,5/100
3) 2020 95,8/100
4) 2018 95,4/100
5) 2005 95,1/100
6) 2019 94,6/100
7) 2016 93,4/100
8) 2017 92,8/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    10/24/23, 10:56 PM - No, why do you say that? Only the introductory sentence is the same.

  • watcheslover commented:

    10/24/23, 11:07 PM - I always use the same introductory phrase for the mini verticals (Canon, Carmes H_B, Lafleur...) but the notes are very different from Laroque!

Red
2016 Château Laroque St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
10/24/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
93 points
My colleagues and I organized a mini Laroque vertical to redefine the scores in relation to the fabulous 2022 vintage. Naturally these notes correspond to an "M" moment and are likely to vary at another moment.

1) 2021 (sample) 96,8/100
2) 2022 (sample) 96,5/100
3) 2020 95,8/100
4) 2018 95,4/100
5) 2005 95,1/100
6) 2019 94,6/100
7) 2016 93,4/100
8) 2017 92,8/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    10/24/23, 9:48 AM - Yes, as these days I taste over 200 per week, I only report the highly rated wines. Apart from that, it's a bit weird to compare a St Emilion and a Margaux, no? But be aware that in France in any case, the latest Laroque (2021 and 2022) cost half as much as the Malescot. And apart from that, that's my personal taste, for Margaux, I often prefer the 2014 to the 2015 and what's more, they are much less expensive.

Red
2022 Château Laroque St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
10/24/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
97 points
My colleagues and I organized a mini Laroque vertical to redefine the scores in relation to the fabulous 2022 vintage. Naturally these notes correspond to an "M" moment and are likely to vary at another moment.

1) 2021 (sample) 96,8/100
2) 2022 (sample) 96,5/100
3) 2020 95,8/100
4) 2018 95,4/100
5) 2005 95,1/100
6) 2019 94,6/100
7) 2016 93,4/100
8) 2017 92,8/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    10/24/23, 7:56 AM - I'm sorry, a Laroque Vertical!

Red
2012 Château Canon St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
10/9/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
95 points
Rated 92 in primeur, this little duck has transformed into a large majestic swan. The wine caresses the mouth with a very sensual and bursting fruity body and a floral hint. Very long and complex finish. Fabulous value for money 95-96/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    10/9/23, 11:48 PM - Exactly, it is splendid, I think it is much better than the 2014 and 2017 and very close to the 2015 and 2016 and it should not be very difficult to find a few bottles at a good price, 2012 not being in general, a speculative vintage. And for your information, there is no need to decant it, it is perfect like that and will last another 15 years easily

  • watcheslover commented:

    10/10/23, 9:47 AM - Yes, these days I'm trying to rediscover 2 vintages that were less esteemed at the start and which are really starting to excite me and not at all with a view to quality/price ratio, even if that's a big plus. There are 2012s for the right banks which are magnificent to start drinking (Lafleur, Canon, Clos l'Eglise,...) And the 2014s for the left banks which are to my taste, often better than the 2015s (Calon Segur , Haut Brion, Carmes H-B...) And some magnificent right banks (Figeac, Eglise Clinet..)

  • watcheslover commented:

    10/10/23, 10:15 PM - Yes, Troplong is a magnificent wine not recognized enough in my opinion. 2019 and 2022 are grandiose. To finish with 2012, this is an excellent ready-to-drink vintage for all French regions. In Burgundy, I greatly prefer it to the 2013 which seems to have very (too much?) significant residual acidity.

  • watcheslover commented:

    10/11/23, 10:01 PM - I don't entirely agree with you, I regularly drink excellent Burgundy for around 20 euros. But you have to know how to go off the beaten track. There are splendors in Givry, Mercurey, Rully, Pernand Vergellesse, Aloxe Corton... And a little reminder which can always be useful, a great Burgundy (especially in Côte de Nuits) cannot be decanted!!! These are very volatile wines. If it is ready to drink, simply open it, remove 3-4 cm and wait between 1 and 3 hours for it to aerate on its own. So avoid opening super bottles from 2015, 2016 and 2018 for the moment, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, 2019, 2020 and 2021 are still drinkable for the moment, "on the fruit" but will soon close for 2-3-4 years or more.

Red
2021 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
6/11/2022 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
97 points
For me, the best wine of the left bank for 2021, better this year than Haut-Brion and La Mission.
Some Anglo-Saxon (and Chinese) critics are finally beginning with difficulty to glimpse the real class of this Chateau while it has been working wonders at least since 2014!!! When will they understand that finesse and originality of taste is worth more than the quantity of new oak dear to the great Bobby? And despite the enormous speculation on this wine, it remains, in my opinion and by far, the best value for money of all Bordeaux.
97-98
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/25/23, 10:55 PM - Well done, you did very well. Since 2014, there are only very great wines here. It seems that the vagaries of “difficult vintages” have no influence at Carmes. And although 2022 and 2016 are even better, they no longer have the same quality/price ratio as 2021, 2014 and 2017, or even the 2012 (93-94/100) which is excellent to drink now

Red
2016 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
2/14/2023 - Padawine wrote:
89 points
Une note relativement sévère ce soir, relative à la réputation, et à l'attente de la qualité en rapport avec le placement tarifaire et le terroir mis en avant.
Ce soir j'avais affaire à un vin simple, d'une longueur plus que moyenne, avec une sensation d'alcool légèrement trop pondérante.
5 minutes après une gorgée, le vin était oublié. Aucun caractère ! Aucune typicité.
En même temps, ce n'est pas un grand cru. D'où vient ce battage médiatique ? Serions-nous dans une nouvelle époque, post-Parker, qui justement devient extrême à sa manière, en sur-notant des vins au profil simplement nerveux ou moins boisés ?
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/23/23, 11:46 PM - Bonjour Padawine,
    Cela me ferait très plaisir que vous me parliez des conditions de votre dégustation. Température, carafage ou non, combien de temps et comment? ...

    Bien à vous
    Watchelover

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/24/23, 7:44 AM - Merci pour votre réponse. Si vous me permettez quelques remarques:

    1) vous parlez une fois de 30 euros et une fois de 50, êtes vous sûr que vous avez bien bu un Carmes HB 2016 et non pas un "C" de Carmes HB qui correspond bien plus à ces prix et qui n'a rien à voir en qualité avec son grand frère? Pour info le Carmes 16 est sorti en primeurs en juin 2017 au prix de 85 euros HT soit 102 euros TTC ce qui est très loin de vos chiffres. Et maintenant il sent vend au minimum 60-70% plus cher.

    2) Mis à par cela, si je puis me le permettre, je pense en lisant votre commentaire de dégustation du Léoville Barton 2008 et celui du Carmes que vous ne savez pas vraiment préparer un Bordeaux très jeune à la dégustation. En effet, cela ne sert à rien, avec ce type de vin, d'ouvrir une bouteille et de l'épauler. Même 3 ou 4 jours d'avance!!!
    Ce sont des vins qui ont un besoin extraordinaire d'oxygénation si vous voulez pouvoir les approcher. Le meilleur truc et le double caraffage (appelé "à la bordelaise") qui consiste la veille, à caraffer une première fois votre bouteille et de remettre le vin en entier dans cette bouteille (sans remettre le bouchon) ce qui a le mérite de présenter une 1ere fois tout le vin à l'air. Le lendemain à midi, si vous buvez le vin le soir, vous goutez celui ci et si vous sentez déjà un début d'ouverture vous pouvez le laisser épaulé et le carafer 3 heures avant de le boire. Si non, caraffez le tout de suite et dans les 2 cas, n'hesitez pas à agiter la carafe fortement, une fois toutes les heures pour l'oxygéner un max. Et là, seulement là, vous approcherez ce qu'est un grand Bordeaux! Votre méthode d'épaulage est excellente mais uniquement pour les grands Bourgogne qu'on ne doit pas carafer car ils perdent trop rapidement de leurs arômes.

    3) Vous dîtes que Carmes n'est pas un grand crû classé (Petrus non plus!) mais ce que vous ne savez pas c'est que ce vignoble par le passé était entièrement intégré dans le 1er grand cru Haut-Brion et que cette parcelle a été offerte aux petites soeurs du coin sous condition qu'elles ne revendiquent pas ce classement ensuite. Et pour finir, actuellement , il est question que les Carmes soient reclassées directement en 1er cru tant par son terroir que par sa qualité depuis 2013 car ils dépasse systematiquement tous les 2emes crus et souvent aussi la Mission HB.
    Je vous invite donc, avant de réessayer un 2016, de gouter le grand 2014, bien moins cher mais en respectant également la méthode ci dessus. Et si dans tout ceux que vous avez goutés, il n'y 'a qu'un vin Post-Parker, c'est celui que vous avez apprécié le plus, le Chevalier 2016 qui ne devrait pas être appréciable juste après un trop petit moment d'ouverture au restaurant.

    Bien à vous
    Watchy

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/24/23, 9:01 AM - Le problème de ces vins est bien plus complexes que cela. Certains sont voulus pour être accessibles rapidement et avoir également un bon potentiel de garde mais forcément, ce ne sera pas 30 ans ou plus. C'est cela que vous appelez Post-Parker sans le savoir, ce n'est pas seulement le phénomème "soupe de chêne" qui a disparu. D'autres vins et particulièrement les Carmes ne sont pas voulus comme cela, ils sont conçus pour durer bien plus longtemps et donc forcément commencer à s'ouvrir bien plus tard. Pour les Carmes cette longévité' est une nécessité s'ils veulent pouvoir récupérer le classement perdu. Les signes de reconnaissance de ce genre de vin sont une sensation alcoolique très importante et une acidité basse ce qui ne les rend absolument pas accessibles aussi vite (les 2016). Pour autant ceux qui affirment le contraire n'ont pas menti, ils ont triché, comme moi, en faisant cette double décantation pour aller à l'encontre de la nature de ce vin. Si vous ne voulez pas essayer, je vous conjure de ne plus toucher vos 2016 avant 2030 et vous serez le plus heureux des hommes.
    Faites moi confiance, cela fait presque 40 ans que je goute entre 30 et 40 échantillons de vins jeunes par jour dans un but de certification d'appelation controlée et de typicité de terroir.
    Et pour finir, j'ai bu hier un Carmes 2016 pour mon anniversaire et il était sublime!

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/24/23, 9:55 AM - Je me suis mal exprimé c'est le taux d'acidité qui est bas, ce qui donne une acidité plus marquée que la moyenne. Dans les autres paramètre pour ce grand vin, il y'a le sol de petites graves avec beaucoup de crasse de fer, il y'a un enfermement total des moûts, une reduction plus importante que les autres, une vendanges entière mise en couches comme un mille feuilles et surtout comme le fabuleux Lafleur (même philosophie) une très forte proportion de Bouchet qui sont la vraie variété des Cabernets Francs et pas des clones

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/24/23, 11:26 PM - Bonjour, j'ai retrouvé cet article qui pourrait vous interesser
    Bien à vous
    Watchy

    https://www.cavissima.com/blog/et-si-les-carmes-haut-brion-devenait-un-premier-grand-cru-classe.html

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/24/23, 11:56 PM - Oui exactement, c'est un défaut de langage de laboratoire. On a l'habitude de dire "acidité basse" au lieu de pH bas puisque on descend par rapport au neutre. Mais plus le ph est bas plus l'acidité est haute, ce qui est le cas ici.
    Et je pense que le facteur le plus important dans cette recherche de long vieillissement et la réduction plutôt que l'oxydation. C'est cette dernière surtout, qui permet d'apprécier facilement des vins jeunes

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/25/23, 12:04 AM - Et pour finir, j'ai retrouvé l'analyse de JM Quarin pour ce 2016:

    Alcool : 13,8° - IPT : 76. - pH : 3,55, c'est bas et très rare pour un sol argilo-graveleux, ce qui va donner à ce vin une longue vie, même si les gourmands le boiront avant. 2026 - 2070.

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/25/23, 12:45 AM - En attendant, je vous conseille fortement de gouter un 2012 (bien moins cher) qu'il suffit de caraffer 3-4 heures à l'avance ou un 2014 ( double caraffage) pour vous rassurer et prendre beaucoup de plaisir

Red
2019 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
3/24/2023 - forceberry wrote:
87 points
A blend of organically farmed Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (20%) and Syrah (10%); the remaining 5% rounded out by a combination of Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin and Vaccarèse. The fruit gets fully destemmed before the spontaneous fermentation. Aged in old, neutral oak foudres up to 18 months, depending on the vintage. Bottled unfiltered. 15,5% alcohol, 1 g/l residual sugar and 4,9 g/l acidity.

Somewhat translucent ruby-red color with a faint, vaguely purplish hue. The nose feels bold, rich and rather alcoholic with bold aromas of ripe dark fruits, some kirsch, a little bit of juicy red plum, light earthy and herby notes of garrigue, a candied hint of sweet primary fruit and a touch of strawberry. The wine feels dense, ripe and chewy on the palate with a very full body and quite concentrated flavors of juicy dark fruits, red plums and strawberries, some earthy notes of garrigue, a little bit of roasted gamey meat, light blueberry tones, a hint of kirsch and a touch of peppery spice. For such a big and ripe wine, the wine shows relatively good sense of structure, thanks to its medium-to-moderately high acidity and balanced, moderately grippy medium-plus tannins. However, there is no denying that the wine is very hot - even at cellar temp the 15,5% shows quite a lot and the boozy heat becomes only more apparent as the wine warms up. The finish is rich, juicy and somewhat grippy with a moderately long aftertaste of youthful dark fruits, some ripe blueberries, a little bit of sweet strawberry, light earthy notes of garrigue, a hint of gamey meat and a touch of kirsch. The high alcohol becomes only more apparent as the flavors fade and the alcohol heat just lingers on your palate.

The producer has described their 2020 Pape as the "elegant" vintage and the 2019 vintage as the "powerful" vintage. Well, at least I can agree with the "power" part - this vintage is just ridiculously ripe, resulting in a very big and excessively alcoholic wine. I do admit that the wine is remarkably balanced for such a big wine - the fruit department hasn't turned pruney nor does it even feel too sweet at any point, the acidity is surprisingly high for such a big and ripe wine and the tannins are remarkably balanced: they feel ripe yet ample and grippy enough to bring good sense of firmness to the mouthfeel. I guess my biggest beef is with the ridiculous ABV - had this been clocking in at 14%, the wine would've been pretty enjoyable and rather promising, aging-wise. However, now the wine feels very alcoholic right from the first sniff, and things don't get any better as the wine sits in the glass. On the contrary, the heat from the alcohol simply grows in intensity as the drinking temperature goes up. Even if the wine is otherwise pretty enjoyable, the boozy in-your-face alcohol takes a big toll on the drinkability (and the score) here. This wine might get somewhat better with additional aging, but be warned: there's no way around how this will always be a hot alcohol monster, no matter how old it gets. Not really worth the price at 99,89€.
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/20/23, 2:51 AM - Hello, your report is very interesting, very rich (15.5%?) and very bold but it contains some inaccuracies that I would like to correct, if you allow me? For information, after your messages, we were 6 tasters intrigued by your words (including a best sommelier in France) who wanted to taste it again).

    1) It is not true that this wine contains 8 grape varieties, there have always been only 6. No Picpoul noir or Terret noir.

    2) Notes of meat or game do not exist in a Chateauneuf this young, you have to wait at least 10-15 years before they appear (if you are lucky)

    3) This alcohol level is absolutely not a problem for a Southern Rhône, it is not a Burgundy or a Bordeaux, it will digest them without problem over time. We invite you to taste (if you can find one) a Clos des Papes (2003, 2005, 2007...) which gave the same alcoholic impressions at the time and you will see for yourselves.

    Finally, the only way to seriously approach a wine like this when it is very (too) young is to decant it for a very long time and ESPECIALLY to drink it chilled (around 15°, maximum 16°) so as not to be disturbed by alcohol.

    I invite you to taste it again.

    Yours sincerely
    Watchy

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/21/23, 2:45 PM - For your information, one of the only estates to use all 13 grape varieties is Beaucastel.
    Yours sincerely

Red
2016 Château Malescot St. Exupéry Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
9/17/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
94 points
mini-vertical by Malescot Saint Exupéry, 3 days ago
2021 not tasted.

1) 2019 97/100
2) 2020 95/100
3) 2022 (sample) 94-95/100
4) 2016, 2018 94/100
6) 2015 93/100
7) 2017 92
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/18/23, 11:38 AM - In my humble opinion, a big gain in finesse and subtlety that is difficult to have in exuberant years like 2018. But once again, I was educated in French tastes which are often in opposition to the taste "Parker " which favors power and new oak. It is very interesting to note that certain estates such as Carmes Haut-Brion and even more, Arnoux-Lachaux in Burgundy, are in the process of quietly eliminating oak barrels (for ceramic containers) in order to one day not have , more than the true taste of the grapes and especially of its terroir. I'm happy about that, but that's not everyone's opinion.
    Apart from that, I think it is beneficial not to have all the tasters giving the same notes on the same wines. After a while, it gets a little tiring, right? If one day you are curious and above all without a preconceived idea of what a wine from a particular region or year should be, drink a Carmes Haut-Brion 2014 which was rated 87/100 by certain Asian tasters and not much better by some Americans and tell me one day what you think!

Red
2018 Opus One Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
9/16/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
98 points
Comparative tasting of world wines

1) Cheval des Andes 100/100
2) Masseto 2020 98-99/100
3) Sena 2021, Opus One 2018 98/100
5)Opus one 2019, Petrolo 2021 97/100
7) Solaia 2020, Massetino 2021 96/100
9)Catena Zapata Nicolas 2019 95/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/18/23, 6:41 AM - Hello to you too!
    Can you explain to me why?

Red
2019 Opus One Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
9/16/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
97 points
Comparative tasting of world wines

1) Cheval des Andes 100/100
2) Masseto 2020 98-99/100
3) Sena 2021, Opus One 2018 98/100
5)Opus one 2019, Petrolo 2021 97/100
7) Solaia 2020, Massetino 2021 96/100
9)Catena Zapata Nicolas 2019 95/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/16/23, 4:26 AM - Ooops, sorry, the 2020

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/16/23, 11:28 PM - Yes and Masseto made a grandiose wine in 2020. As a fan of this Italian wine, I was the first to be surprised because since 2015 in any case, it has always been better than CdA

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/16/23, 11:31 PM - And for your information, out of 5 tasters, 4 voted CdA in 1st place and 1 for Masseto (2nd CdA)

Red
2015 Château Durfort-Vivens Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
8/31/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
Little vertical from Durfort-Vivens yesterday with my colleagues: 2022 in sample, 2021 untasted.
1) 2020 98.2/100
2) 2019 98/100
3) 2018 97.4/100
4) 2022 97.1/100
5) 2015 95.8/100
6) 2016 95.2/100
7) 2017 93.4/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/14/23, 11:28 PM - Good morning,
    For Durfort Vivens there is a simple explanation. In recent years all the facilities have been modernized and above all, since 2016 the wine has switched to biodynamics and has gained extraordinarily in finesse, length and vibration. More and more connoisseurs think like me that Durfort is now (especially since 2018) in the top trio of Margaux with Ch Margaux and Palmer but with a fabulous quality/price ratio.

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/15/23, 12:59 AM - It's rare that I buy bottles in quantity (given what I drink at work) But I really fell for the 2020 and 2019 which are, in my humble opinion, at the level of Palmer and Margaux (or better? future will tell) and also for another wine from 2022 that I strongly recommend, given its exceptional price, Ch Tronquoy (ex-Lalande)

Red
2020 Château Durfort-Vivens Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
8/31/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
98 points
Little vertical from Durfort-Vivens yesterday with my colleagues: 2022 in sample, 2021 untasted.
1) 2020 98.2/100
2) 2019 98/100
3) 2018 97.4/100
4) 2022 97.1/100
5) 2015 95.8/100
6) 2016 95.2/100
7) 2017 93.4/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    9/1/23, 9:30 AM - Here is the explanation taken from the Revue du Vin de France:

    Gonzagues Lurton owns this property with conviction and has transformed it from top to bottom over the last ten years. Certified organic and biodynamic in 2016, the 62-hectare cru today delivers wines of fantastic finesse, among the most vibrant in the appellation. Matured 30% in amphorae and 70% in new barrels, with a very large predominance of Cabernet-Sauvignon, they seduce with their grain and their straightness. As of 2017, the progress is very clear and today a star rewards the vision and the work carried out here.

    The wines: we were impatiently awaiting the 2020 and we are not disappointed: it is a major success for the vintage and the appellation. The wine is energetic, it increases in power on the palate, everything is smooth and precise. The fruit is bright and voluptuous and coats ideally defined tannins. A Margalais essence.

  • watcheslover commented:

    9/1/23, 9:35 AM - If you have the possibility, I advise you to buy a bottle of Ch. Margaux, one of Ch. Palmer, one of your favorite Margaux and one of Durfort Vivens in 2019 and especially 2020. You wait 10-15 years and you tell me which one you prefer.

Red
2018 Dominus Estate Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
8/22/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
100 points
1) 2018 100/100

2) 2017-2019 98-99/100

3 )2013-2016 97-98/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    8/22/23, 8:52 AM - Hello to you too!
    Bottles tasted last night during my hollidays.
    Comments will follow when I start school %O))

Red
2015 Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
8/14/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
A little deception, i prefere the 2014 actually
  • watcheslover commented:

    8/14/23, 11:14 PM - Ideally I would say
    2014 (2025-2045) and 2015 (2028-2048)
    The 2 bottles were opened the day before (5cl removed) and decanted 4 hours before tasting

  • watcheslover commented:

    8/14/23, 11:20 PM - Other than that, I've tasted several 14-15 pairings lately and often find the 14 the best. This only in Left Bank and particularly in Pessac and Saint-Estèphe. Carmes H-B and Calon Segur are sublime

  • watcheslover commented:

    8/15/23, 9:28 AM - Yes, all Carmes HB are at HB level but only since 2014 and 2021 and 2022 are much better. I advise you to buy a bottle of 2014, decant it as explained above for the HB. It is a wine of incredible originality which sometimes in its youth can resemble a great Syrah, a great Burgundy or even a Loire wine and I am sure that you will take down the cross above your bed to put my photo; %O)).
    For a great quality / price ratio, choose the 2014, 2017 and especially 2021

Red
2022 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
My colleagues and I hosted a Carmes H-B mini vertical last night to redefine the odds against the fabulous 2022 vintage. We can't put 100 points everywhere.

1) 2022 100/100
2) 2016 99/100
3) 2020-2021 98-99/100
4) 2018 98/100
5) 2014-2017-2019 97/100
6) 2005 96/100
7) 2012 94/100
8) 2013 91/100

(2021 and 2022 tasted on samples)
  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 12:38 AM - THANKS
    For me their 2021 is the greatest Bordeaux of 2021 with Lafleur. They have overcome all the pitfalls of the vintage. On the other hand, we were a little surprised by the 2019 which was not in great shape that day???? To be re-tasted soon

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 12:54 AM - Despite the completely unjustified rise for many of 2022, Carmes H-B is only placing itself in its true value (as Figeac risks doing too). It is better than Haut-Brion and Mission this year and much, much cheaper! I was only able to buy 3 bottles. The price was 149 euros in France. Today, it is already at 235 euros in 2nd proposal!!!

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 12:57 AM - Just a tip:

    Buy, buy, buy! And if you have a little money left, buy it!

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 1:03 AM - für Zürcher Freunde: granchateaux.ch

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 1:12 AM - Yes for Figeac, it is grandiose.
    And I'm waiting for the release of a little pearl, Clos du Clocher (Pomerol) but I'm also very afraid of the price.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 1:19 AM - Ansonsten gibt es in Zürich einen tollen Weinladen: Arvino und der Sommelier (Thomas) ist ein großer Genießer. Ich empfehle es, wenn Sie es nicht wissen

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 7:34 AM - This wine is much rarer than Cheval Blanc and many more people want it!
    In France in any case, it is impossible to have many, whatever the price.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 8:31 AM - Yes, for 2019, I leave 97 because I'm sure it only closed for a while. My rating is for the future not for the present moment.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 8:34 AM - And personally, I have some 2014 bought 37 euros that I find wonderful to start drinking this estate

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 8:50 AM - Yes, that was the EP price in June 2015. But for $95 it's still a bargain. Prices can only explode, as more and more experts rank it in the 10 best Bordeaux for the past 3-4 years. And all the others are much more expensive and are 5 or 10 times less rare. But hey, it makes me rather unhappy because I drink it, I don't resell it

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 10:07 PM - where is it, out there?

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/10/23, 11:56 PM - You are lucky in UK. In France, it is impossible to make pre-orders even for historical customers like me. And when the bottles came out (in many places), everything was sold out in less than 15 minutes with maximums of 6 bottles, sometimes 3 or even just one. It is true that the estate has always favored exports and that there are more bottles for sale in the UK or the USA than in France. I found mine in Switzerland, LOL

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/11/23, 12:15 AM - We find them again in France but this is a 2nd presentation and the prices have already increased by 60 to 80% in 3 days. I suspect some merchants of not having offered all their bottles the first time.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/11/23, 12:23 AM - Even at +28% I only have 3 tips

    1) Buy!

    2) Buy!!

    3) Buy!!!

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/11/23, 12:40 AM - 850 taxes included?
    Apart from that my advice was not specifically for you but rather for those who are still hesitating and will regret it bitterly one day. It's too early to tell but I feel like it's one of the two greatest Bordeaux wines I've tasted in my life (with Lafleur 2019). Do not buy this wine to resell it but to, one day, make your children (or grandchildren) understand that Paradise is not a legend. Just for that, I find this wine very, very, very cheap.
    Good day to all!

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/11/23, 12:50 AM - Yes, the 2016 is sublime but still very young. If you want to treat yourself to a big treat soon, try the 2014 and we'll talk about it later

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/12/23, 10:34 PM - Hello, I know this site, it is not a scam. But the CHBs are all sold. If you want, I can do a search to find some but it may be around 230-240 euros? Say it to me.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/12/23, 10:45 PM - Switzerland is cheapier. Good luck!

    https://www.grvins.ch/vins/chateau-les-carmes-haut-brion-2022/

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/12/23, 10:59 PM - Otherwise, there's Clos Fourtet coming out today. It is a fabulous wine not to be missed (if the price is still human)

  • watcheslover commented:

    8/3/23, 11:21 PM - Hello, if I understood correctly, you are asking me which one to buy between 2020 and 2021? If so, I would tell you that if it's for drinking, don't hesitate, take the 2021. It's currently as good as the 2020 and many of us think it may well exceed it a day. If it's for an investment, the 2 are great deals at that price. The 2020 will surely end up more expensive than the 2021 but not necessarily with a 40 chf difference??? Currently it is around 20-25 chf. Instinctively I will take the 2021 but I could really be wrong! Apart from that, if you buy in Switzerland, there are still 2022 at 170 chf (magnum at 342 chf) at cavesa.ch
    You have to be a member of the club, it costs 20 francs and you will have fabulous offers at low prices
    Good day

Red
2014 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
6/11/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
97 points
My colleagues and I hosted a Carmes H-B mini vertical last night to redefine the odds against the fabulous 2022 vintage. We can't put 100 points everywhere.

1) 2022 100/100
2) 2016 99/100
3) 2020-2021 98-99/100
4) 2018 98/100
5) 2014-2017-2019 97/100
6) 2005 96/100
7) 2012 94/100
8) 2013 91/100

(2021 and 2022 tasted on samples)
  • watcheslover commented:

    6/27/23, 10:25 PM - Chanel bought Canon, not Carmes H-B

Red
2022 Château Larcis Ducasse St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
6/13/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
96-97
A great wine but nothing to see with the fabulous 2019 who is really better and really, really cheapier
  • watcheslover commented:

    6/22/23, 11:26 PM - Sorry but I don't know the US market. In France (Wine searcher) the 2019 is 76 euros excluding tax and the 2022 is 94 euros excluding tax! And on the Liv Ex (for professionals) or Wine Lister, the 2019 is 61 GBP and the 2022 is 72 GBP! Apart from that, I do not recommend Millesima which even in France is much more expensive than other sellers

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/22/23, 11:31 PM - This is an extract of Larcis 2022 release (Liv-ex):

    Using Liv-ex’s ‘Fair Value’ methodology, prices for Château Larcis Ducasse are 63% correlated to Neal Martin scores.
    Looking at the chart below, today’s release is coming to the market above the Fair Value line.
    Buyers looking for other opportunities might want to consider the 2019 vintage, which has a Neal Martin (Vinous) score of 96 points, similar to the 2022. It is available at a discount of 36.6% to today’s release.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/22/23, 11:50 PM - Finally, in my humble opinion, this year's prices are shameful for the vast majority of wines (especially Grands Crus). The only ones that have had an honest increase in their exceptional quality are: Cheval Blanc, Las Cases, Carmes Haut-Brion, Duhart Milon, Pape Clement, Belair-Monange, Canon and Lafleur. Sorry for the few wines I forget. I have never made so few purchases as this year and only in the list above.
    Good day.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/23/23, 7:24 AM - If you have the choice, try Switzerland, all the wines are 12% cheaper than France. VAT is 7,8% only against 20% (Carmes H-B 2022 = 133 euros tax incl.)

Red
2022 Clos du Clocher Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
5/11/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
Top quality/price
  • watcheslover commented:

    6/15/23, 4:19 AM - BSB 97pt 80 euros

    Clocher 96pt 69 euros

    A same quality:price, excellent

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/15/23, 9:59 PM - As good and cheaper than Troplong,
    1) Gaffelière
    2) Belair Monange
    3) Clos Fourtet
    And the magnificent Canon which must be so expensive
    And for LCHB, if you can buy in Switzerland, there are still whole bottles around 180 euros

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/15/23, 10:23 PM - If it can help you, here are the next release dates already announced

    16 juin 2023

    Château Montrose
    Château L’Eglise-Clinet
    Château Lafite Rothschild

    19 juin 2023

    Château Smith Haut Lafitte
    Château Léoville Las Cases
    Clos du Marquis
    Château Margaux

    20 juin 2023

    Château Canon
    Château Beauséjour Duffau
    Château Mouton Rothschild

    21 juin 2023

    Château Haut-Brion
    Château La Mission Haut-Brion
    Quintus
    Château Troplong Mondot

    22 juin 2023

    Château La Conseillante
    Château Figeac

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/16/23, 1:48 AM - Personally, I see Canon around 170-180 euros and the King Figeac at 280 euros.
    Apart from that, the Eglise-Clinet and Lafite have just been released

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/16/23, 8:31 AM - Sehr gute Auswahl und wenn es noch billige Carmes HB gibt, bei granchateaux.ch

Red
2022 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious !!!!! My best wine ever drink with Lafleur 2019.

between 102 and 105/100
  • watcheslover commented:

    6/8/23, 9:57 PM - Hello, I am not a wine critic and was not at the EPs. I tasted all the samples in my lab as usual. I admit that the score above 100/100 was a bit of a mockery compared to all those who constantly put 100/100 on wines (myself included). The fact is that Carmelites 2022 is superior to all other Carmelites. It would require a new rating or lowering the ratings of others. What I would do over time for those I could taste again (not easy, I only have very few bottles in my cellar). The problem may be the same for other masterpieces of this vintage (Las Cases, Cheval Blanc, Lafleur, Petrus....)

Red
2016 Domaine Gourt de Mautens (Jérôme Bressy) Vaucluse Rouge Red Rhone Blend
5/6/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
98 points
One more time fabulous. For me Bressy is the Gangloff of the South. To taste one time in your life. try the 2007 too.
  • watcheslover commented:

    6/5/23, 11:12 PM - Hi Montrachet, Just like Gangloff for the Côtes Rôtie, Gourt de Mautens never misses the quality of a vintage. 2018, 19, 20 are all excellent and very close to the grandiose 2016 and 2007. Perhaps a slight preference for the 2019?? But you can go there with your eyes closed.

  • watcheslover commented:

    6/5/23, 11:21 PM - But for information, you have to be patient. I'm just starting to drink the magnificent 2013s after 2 hours of decanting. They are still very young.

Red
2019 Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red Rutherford Red Bordeaux Blend
I don't no if i am a fan? This is a "Parker's Wine". I think it has too much of everything except finesse and subtlety (89-94????)
  • watcheslover commented:

    6/1/23, 11:30 AM - No, 5 months before!

Red
2021 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
12/25/2022 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
99 points
Re-tasted a few days ago, this wine is incredible as it exceeds the limits of this vintage!
I think he might be the only one of all Bordeaux to end up being better than 2020-2019 and maybe even 2016, too early to tell.
  • watcheslover commented:

    12/26/22, 12:01 AM - Hello,
    99 points is a tasting score.
    For the rest, if you want to read 10 times in a row that a wine tastes of red fruits, undergrowth and soy sauce, that's up to you. I try to do things differently and to be more impressionistic than realistic. I also tend to give a slightly higher rating to a not too expensive wine than to another more famous one of the same quality. Finally, my real name is not known, neither to consumers nor to winegrowers, and I never leave a tasting at the estate with my arms full of gifts. In short, it's my style, some people like it and others don't have to read me.
    Happy Holidays

  • watcheslover commented:

    12/26/22, 3:11 AM - Simply because they are different wines!!! These are winegrowers who do not rest on their laurels, telling themselves that the terroir is great, the year is good, we are going to make the same wine as last year and if the year is less good, bam we spend 30% of the harvest in a second wine, no big deal we make 250,000 bottles!
    A wine has to be a surprise, that it upsets our habits, that we discover new emotions. The relatively recent addition of, for example, large quantities of Cabernet Franc is often a marvel. To put the unstemmed harvest too. After the Parker wave where all the wines had to be black and powerful oak soups, we found the finesse and above all the most important, the definition and the exact taste of the terroir.
    This is why I would always prefer a Lafleur to a Petrus or a Le Pin, a Tertre Roteboeuf to a Pavie, a Carmes to a Haut-Brion, an Arnoux-Lachaux or a Leroy to the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, a Côte Rôtie from Gangloff to a Guigal...
    I saw that you rated the Allobroges estate, if you liked this wine, you must understand me.
    Do you live in France?

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/23/23, 9:29 AM - Das ist kluges Einkaufen!! Probieren Sie auch den 2014er, er ist wunderbar und trinkfertig

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/23/23, 9:39 AM - Gut gespielt!

Red
2022 Château L'Eglise-Clinet Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
5/11/2023 - watcheslover wrote:
97 points
96-98
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/14/23, 1:36 AM - Too soon for me.

    I think 2029-2030 for Le Pin and Tertre R and 2032 for Eglise Clinet

    For 2022, I prefere La Conseillante

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/14/23, 2:41 AM - Las Cases is incredible but Poyferré too. Carmes H_B, Lafleur, Petrus and Cheval Blanc are fabulous and Tronquoy is exceptionnal for his price

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/14/23, 2:44 AM - without forget Pichon comtesse

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/15/23, 9:18 PM - No, too expensive for me.

    I prefere Figeac, Conseillante, Canon, Carmes H_B, L. Poyferré, Larcis Ducasse... And Tronquoy.

    For a really better QRP

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/15/23, 9:20 PM - And 1 bt of Lafleur

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/16/23, 7:15 AM - And Laroque is FA-BU-LOUS

Red
2022 Château Tronquoy St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
5/10/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
96 points
Fabulous, a wine of this price that transcends its appellation to such an extent?? Blind I thought I was drinking a Montrose!
My biggest favorite (Quality/Price) for a very long time 95-97/100
the first time in my life that I buy 48 bottles of the same wine!
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 9:02 AM - Sorry but JR is really not a reference for me. I think the 2018 is definitely better than 19 and 20. And 2022 is even better than 2018

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 9:53 AM - Yes I love Alcée 2022 (91-93) and Berliquet and La Lagune too, this year

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 9:53 PM - If you are talking about the Tronquoys, the 2022 without hesitation! For the other wines it's hard to say because the prices are not fixed and seem to explode! Is it to drink or to resell? Good little wines or very grand crus? A priori 2020 is a great year for the Right Bank and often also the 2019 for the Left Bank and also Right. For example the Lafleur, Figeac, Cheval Blanc, Canon, Carmes H-B,... are already sublime for these 2 years. Will they be better in 2022? Really not sure. Only certainty, they will be much more expensive to buy. Personally, I would not favor the 2022s unless they have a very moderate increase (+ or - 10-15%) Angelus 2022 is an aberration (+33%). Finally, I would say 2016 which for me is the greatest and 2019 for the quality/price ratio. Without forgetting the fabulous Burgundy 2020. If you give me specific wines, I could refine my answer

Red
2022 Château Figeac St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
5/3/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
99 points
99-100
The vintage of the century!!!! Yes I know we have already told you this several times but this time it is the real truthful truth! Who are we kidding again? It was very hot but it was very cold, it was very dry but it rained a lot, the grapes are very ripe but with acidity...
And Darwin said that man and mammoth sperm were adapting to climate change, why not grapes? Primeur wines are all more beautiful than each other, it's true! But that is not enough to make an exceptional vintage. One dimension is missing, the lifespan of the wine. And frankly, let's be honest, who can foresee today, that such a climatically contrasting vintage will not be syrup or vinegar in 20 or 30 years when the 2016, 2018,19,20 will begin their peak?
  • watcheslover commented:

    5/6/23, 1:28 PM - Hey kid, if you had the respect to read my profile, you'd see that I've decided to only rate exceptional wines. Inevitably they have similar notes.
    Apart from that, if you understand correctly, I never said that this vintage was not going to last over time but that, given all these new extreme climatic parameters, never experienced, no one could say currently that it would last over time and therefore, that it is the vintage of the century. It is possible or not, noboby knows! Those who know it now are either liars or sellers.
    I don't know how old you are my kid, but I've been working in wine for more than 40 years and just since the 21st century, we've been told at least 5 times the vintage of the century??? Is there anything bothering you?
    Kiss and sweet dreams
    santa klaus

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/6/23, 10:47 PM - Thanks for your answer

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 8:27 AM - Sorry, Wine.Ape, I don't understand???

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 8:39 AM - I don't see what it represents, it's too small. A box of McDonald's fries? A birthday present?...

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 8:43 AM - Salt or Sugar?

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 8:44 AM - And if ever Boillatm, I put a lower note, just for you, on Tronquoy(ex Lalande) 2022, a pure marvel

  • watcheslover commented:

    5/10/23, 8:52 AM - Yes, it is easier to eat with a Romanée Conti 1961

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