Dark amber, perhaps ageing prematurely. Such a surprise for the blend - it doesn't taste like Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon - it's its own thing. Smells like a sweet/dessert wine. Nutty, oily. Supremely luscious. I love the bitter nuttiness and the oiliness. But also a racy acidity. Really distinctive and exciting.
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Bordeaux 2012 (By SS in the Ertepeller.): Beautiful and impressive bouquet with beautiful vanilla and oak. Same on the palate. Tasty and expressive with beautiful acidity, minerals and a good length. Great white!
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Gaumen: trocken, hohe Säure, mittlerer Alkohol, mittlerer (+) Körper mit mittleren (+) Aromen wie in der Nase. Langer Abgang
Entwicklungsstadium: Jetzt trinken, nicht für weitere Lagerung geeignet
Qualität: sehr gut
Gesamturteil: Toller Wein in optimaler Trinkreife. Mineralisch Noten toll kombiniert mit reifen Früchten, alles super gestützt mit knackiger Säure. Jetzt trinken, der Wein wird nicht mehr besser.
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Very much alive but time to drink up. Delightful custard and ripe lemon/pineapple notes with a good degree of minerality- perhaps a trace of struck match? Acidity still carries it but seems a little blunted as the wine has ‘fattened out’ so I’ll look to drink my remaining bottles over the next year.
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Just superb. So many honeyed fruit flavours in play, but with the acidity keeping everything in check. And long! Great value, and looking out for some 2017.
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Last bottle, which was probably the best kept, and what a stunner. Rich tropical fruit with grilled pineapple, passionfruit custard, saffron, and a hint of nettles. Starts broad and fat but but lines up to quite a precise and energetic finish with some minerality and a long citrus sunset. Just delicious with fish pie.
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Glad I'm drinking these up. This bottle was gorgeously on the edge showing custardy passionfruit, but also saffron scented glazed nuts. The minerality almost has that metallic glimmer, which has been at the expense of freshness, but also delivers complexity. Dense and rich, it's accompanying indulgent seafood dishes quite beautifully.
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Back on form here, but this was definitely a rich bottle just at the beginning of its twilight. Ripe, roast tropical fruits with creme brulee and baked orchard fruit. Hints of caramelisation and nuttiness, we're in unctuous territory now with some of that freshness behind us. Very nice if well paired, but definitely needs an appropriate food partner (in this case salmon with avocado mousse).
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Some of the tropical and orchard fruits very much in evidence along with something vaguely custardy. Unfortunately this did show evidence of preox and, while not entirely obtrusive, was somewhat detracting from what has been a delicious wine. Will see where the next bottle takes us.
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Closer to my original note, this was ripe and muscular. Fruit dominated on this one with custardy passionfruit and pineapple. The smoky gunflint is still very much there as is the minerality, but the tight racy texture and more herbaceous notes were a bit more subdued. I see promise in further development, but will need richer sauces to stand up to it.
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There is both richness and energy here. Initial impression of smoked herbs, some steely gunflint, and then the fruit hits you. Deep and penetrating, it lurks beneath the bright mineral top notes, but like a good bass, reverberates and is unmistakable. Pineapple and peach, with a touch of oak spice beneath it all. I think this will continue to improve and evolve such that the song becomes even more integrated. Delicious.
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A: Clear and bright: N: tropical, citrus and oak P: A really pure pleasing palatte with substantial fruit and great structure. this was David's favourite of the evening.
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a: developed. N: developed. Rich. Nutty. But not severe oak. P: gorgeous. Off dry. Tropical. Rich. Attractive. Good body. Hollow middle. =: really terrific. How will the middle develop though. I would guessed it was at the end of its life. Let's see.
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Really complex nose of floral (rose petals), vanilla, ripe lemon and exotic fruit paired with a hint of olive oil. Very nice mouth-feel with a creamy texture and a variety of quite intense aromas with a strong oaky touch. Nevertheless the oak is harmoniously integrated and adds to the slightly sweet touch which in turn is well balanced with enough acidity. I especially like the multi-faceted play of aromas on the tongue. Very delicious and serious wine now, potentially even better in a year or so. 90-91
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This starts off muscular and fruity before transitioning into something smoky and ethereal and finishing with a clean steely minerality that is racy and full of energy. It's everything I love in a wine, full of character, terroir, balanced. Right now the Sauvignon notes dominate, but this is one for the long haul and I can see the Semillon asserting its territory in the next five years. Great stuff.
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A very old world white with awesome depth and character. Burgundian in feel, but exuding sauvignon blanc and semillion charm and freshness. Unique wine...A must try...
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Served without decanting. Nose of cat urine (typical of Bordeaux sauv' blend) and wet calcium carbide (used in head torch for caving). Mouth more expressive than its neighbours Carbonnieux, Brown and Olivier, less sharp. I wouldn’t say there is more richness, but more thickness, same minerality but less acidity (thanks, no edges), so slightly more oily. This one is ready to drink, his pine apple juice is expressive, medium to long length, a kind of white pepper (shy), substance so, so. But very nice balance, why waiting? I have to admit once a year I’ve tried a match with a Mac Donald’s menu, yeeeeear ! The double cheese is a good match (see Pulp Fiction film to understand the French difference) with its fat, sweat ketchup, and especially the gherkins acidity is well managed. No indeed, it is not perfect, but once a year a sin confessed should be forgiven, no?
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5/2/2024 - ricard Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark amber, perhaps ageing prematurely. Such a surprise for the blend - it doesn't taste like Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon - it's its own thing. Smells like a sweet/dessert wine. Nutty, oily. Supremely luscious. I love the bitter nuttiness and the oiliness. But also a racy acidity. Really distinctive and exciting.
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10/16/2022 - Zweder wrote: 94 Points
Bordeaux 2012 (By SS in the Ertepeller.): Beautiful and impressive bouquet with beautiful vanilla and oak. Same on the palate. Tasty and expressive with beautiful acidity, minerals and a good length. Great white!
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3/26/2022 - natap Likes this wine: 91 Points
Optik: mittleres goldgelb
Nase: Mittlere Aromen von Ananas, Pfirsich, Quitte, reife Birne, Toast, nusszig. Voll gereift.
Gaumen: trocken, hohe Säure, mittlerer Alkohol, mittlerer (+) Körper mit mittleren (+) Aromen wie in der Nase. Langer Abgang
Entwicklungsstadium: Jetzt trinken, nicht für weitere Lagerung geeignet
Qualität: sehr gut
Gesamturteil: Toller Wein in optimaler Trinkreife. Mineralisch Noten toll kombiniert mit reifen Früchten, alles super gestützt mit knackiger Säure. Jetzt trinken, der Wein wird nicht mehr besser.
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10/3/2021 - sjecrawford Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very much alive but time to drink up. Delightful custard and ripe lemon/pineapple notes with a good degree of minerality- perhaps a trace of struck match? Acidity still carries it but seems a little blunted as the wine has ‘fattened out’ so I’ll look to drink my remaining bottles over the next year.
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4/30/2020 - Geoffy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just superb. So many honeyed fruit flavours in play, but with the acidity keeping everything in check. And long! Great value, and looking out for some 2017.
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2/29/2020 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last bottle, which was probably the best kept, and what a stunner. Rich tropical fruit with grilled pineapple, passionfruit custard, saffron, and a hint of nettles. Starts broad and fat but but lines up to quite a precise and energetic finish with some minerality and a long citrus sunset. Just delicious with fish pie.
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2/4/2020 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 91 Points
Glad I'm drinking these up. This bottle was gorgeously on the edge showing custardy passionfruit, but also saffron scented glazed nuts. The minerality almost has that metallic glimmer, which has been at the expense of freshness, but also delivers complexity. Dense and rich, it's accompanying indulgent seafood dishes quite beautifully.
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1/11/2020 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 90 Points
Back on form here, but this was definitely a rich bottle just at the beginning of its twilight. Ripe, roast tropical fruits with creme brulee and baked orchard fruit. Hints of caramelisation and nuttiness, we're in unctuous territory now with some of that freshness behind us. Very nice if well paired, but definitely needs an appropriate food partner (in this case salmon with avocado mousse).
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1/3/2020 - depechemoroder wrote:
Some of the tropical and orchard fruits very much in evidence along with something vaguely custardy. Unfortunately this did show evidence of preox and, while not entirely obtrusive, was somewhat detracting from what has been a delicious wine. Will see where the next bottle takes us.
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7/29/2019 - Geoffy Likes this wine: 91 Points
On opening, good but lacking something.
After an hour it was as good as the previous bottle and consistent with previous note.
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7/1/2019 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 92 Points
Closer to my original note, this was ripe and muscular. Fruit dominated on this one with custardy passionfruit and pineapple. The smoky gunflint is still very much there as is the minerality, but the tight racy texture and more herbaceous notes were a bit more subdued. I see promise in further development, but will need richer sauces to stand up to it.
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5/22/2019 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 91 Points
There is both richness and energy here. Initial impression of smoked herbs, some steely gunflint, and then the fruit hits you. Deep and penetrating, it lurks beneath the bright mineral top notes, but like a good bass, reverberates and is unmistakable. Pineapple and peach, with a touch of oak spice beneath it all. I think this will continue to improve and evolve such that the song becomes even more integrated. Delicious.
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5/11/2019 - Geoffy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Golden colour:rich, complex citrus flavours but fresh as a daisy. Quite long.
Great value - wish I'd bought more.
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6/2/2017 - colmanstephenson Likes this wine:
With David, Mel, Sonia Partap, Nadine
A: Clear and bright:
N: tropical, citrus and oak
P: A really pure pleasing palatte with substantial fruit and great structure.
this was David's favourite of the evening.
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2/21/2017 - NarunP Likes this wine: 89 Points
Grassy, grapefruity, melony. Medium plus acidity. Very refreshing and paired very well with salmon sashimi salad.
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2/17/2017 - colmanstephenson Likes this wine:
Drank at gamekeepers cottage on Blenheim estate
a: developed.
N: developed. Rich. Nutty. But not severe oak.
P: gorgeous. Off dry. Tropical. Rich. Attractive. Good body. Hollow middle.
=: really terrific. How will the middle develop though. I would guessed it was at the end of its life. Let's see.
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9/24/2016 - Salamander wrote: 93 Points
Just gets better. Fantastic wine.
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7/6/2016 - multimax wrote: 90 Points
Really complex nose of floral (rose petals), vanilla, ripe lemon and exotic fruit paired with a hint of olive oil. Very nice mouth-feel with a creamy texture and a variety of quite intense aromas with a strong oaky touch. Nevertheless the oak is harmoniously integrated and adds to the slightly sweet touch which in turn is well balanced with enough acidity. I especially like the multi-faceted play of aromas on the tongue. Very delicious and serious wine now, potentially even better in a year or so. 90-91
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5/25/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
Fresh lemons, lime and grapefruit on the nose, medium bodied, with a refreshing Pomelo finish.
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4/8/2016 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 92 Points
This starts off muscular and fruity before transitioning into something smoky and ethereal and finishing with a clean steely minerality that is racy and full of energy. It's everything I love in a wine, full of character, terroir, balanced. Right now the Sauvignon notes dominate, but this is one for the long haul and I can see the Semillon asserting its territory in the next five years. Great stuff.
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3/11/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 87 Points
Fresh citrus and grapefruit on the nose, medium bodied, with a light, fresh and refreshing Pomello and vanilla finish.
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2/1/2015 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
A very old world white with awesome depth and character. Burgundian in feel, but exuding sauvignon blanc and semillion charm and freshness. Unique wine...A must try...
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1/30/2015 - Woodbridge Brad Likes this wine: 85 Points
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux Tasting of the 2012 Vintage (Palace Hotel San Francisco): Bit woody but a nice white with good balance.
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10/23/2014 - vespasian Likes this wine: 89 Points
Hint of reduction alongside citrus; smoky palate with good flavour. A bit short.
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10/1/2014 - dead puddle wrote: 90 Points
Served without decanting. Nose of cat urine (typical of Bordeaux sauv' blend) and wet calcium carbide (used in head torch for caving). Mouth more expressive than its neighbours Carbonnieux, Brown and Olivier, less sharp. I wouldn’t say there is more richness, but more thickness, same minerality but less acidity (thanks, no edges), so slightly more oily. This one is ready to drink, his pine apple juice is expressive, medium to long length, a kind of white pepper (shy), substance so, so. But very nice balance, why waiting? I have to admit once a year I’ve tried a match with a Mac Donald’s menu, yeeeeear ! The double cheese is a good match (see Pulp Fiction film to understand the French difference) with its fat, sweat ketchup, and especially the gherkins acidity is well managed. No indeed, it is not perfect, but once a year a sin confessed should be forgiven, no?
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