Outstanding. Mellow florals on the nose with a hint of grass and honey, gravelly minerals (an earlier reviewer called it wet slate, nice) soft rounded mouth feel, long finish. Drinking spot on. Last tasted in 2016, dare I say it but this bottle has continued to improve!
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On PnP, a bit too cold stunting aromas. First notes evolving are geranial and acidic. Clues to its age beyond the pale golden color would include a mild aldehyde/sherry character. As it warms a bit and takes on air, it softens only slightly with some very austere aged fruit showing. I agree with other tasters that this is better on the second day, but it seems even older than it is. This condition is not due to lack of acidity holding things together! Seems well past its prime.
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Yes, this is past prime, but it still delivers satisfaction even if a bit controversial due to showing its age with some oxidation. The color is golden, like butter, but not as bright as yellow squash. The nose is honey, honeysuckle, orange blossom and orange zest, lychee fruit, and creamed corn. The finish is yeasty. The wine still carries sufficient acidity. Between the acidity and fruit, the finish is carries for some time. Layers of flavor and still exquisitely balanced ....but the oxidation definitely detracts. A fading wine with intellectual appeal. 13.9% alc. With fried oysters served with roasted red pepper remoulade and a sauteed garlic-lemon zest aioli. With shrimp, corn fritters. Highly Recommended.
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An interesting wine, with quite an aged profile... much like a fino sherry or a Lopez de Heredia white Rioja. Lanolin, nuts, honey, dried flowers and some rancio notes. Nice enough and an intellectual experience, but not really my thing, I don't think. Maybe the other bottles I recently pulled from my cellar will eventually convince me otherwise.
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Probably at its peak a couple/few years ago. Honeyed richness meets chenin funk. Acidity has taken a back seat at this point. Still very nice if you're into aged whites. I'm sure it will drink like this for some time, but I think maybe enjoy now vs later.
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Oro ambrato. Molto evoluto, il naso declina sensazioni marine e salmastre, un pizzico di iodio, mela cotogna, albicocca secca, persino dattero e fico. Profilo di vino dolce, evidente botrytis. Bocca composta, buona ancora la freschezza. Finale che ricorda il croccante
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Dorato intenso. Naso evoluto, con frutta tropicale (mango e papaya disidratati), miele, cotognata, biscotto. Bocca intensa, quasi salata, di buono spunto finale su note agrumate.
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Yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of camphor, lemon curd, hazelnut and wet stones. Flavors of peach, lemon spritz and minerals. Medium acidity, medium body. Drink now.
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Dorato intenso. Al naso albicocca, anche disidratata, mela cotogna, note decisamente salmastre, camomilla, anice stellato, pepe bianco e zafferano. Bocca secca, intensa, salata. Chiude lungo su note di scorza di cedro e miele
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Two Camhis are better than one as Howard Camhi comes back for more: Riesling, Savennières, Burgundy and Bordeaux (My place.): Jay whips this out and announces that it was a gift from a mysterious stranger he bumped into in the confined quarters of the Chelsea Wine storage lockers. Somehow this stranger was under the impression that I'm a fan of this wine. Now, I've liked the '95 best of the Trie Speciale bottlings, but those bottlings are my least favorite in the Baumard Savennières lineup because of the malolactic fermentation they go through which gives the wines a plush, creamy mouthfeel while softening the acidic spine the other bottlings show. The '97 shows that clearly. Additionally, while there's pleasant quince, bitter almond, yellow floral tones and mineral present, there's also too much alcohol showing, which was a concern a number of us Loireheads had about many '97 whites on release. The alcohol was even more disjointed and obvious the next day when I went back to it. B.
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Magnificent bottle of wine. Deep medium yellow, brilliant, good legs and viscosity. Unbelievable. Nose is infused with lemon oil. But it's on the palate where this wine really struts it's stuff. Rich, full-bodied with incredible staying power! Yet such a light, polite, unobtrusive entry. This thing just builds on itself til you can't believe it can reach even greater heights-but then it does! Incredibly long finish seems to never stop. Stunning. 15 years old,at it's peak but no sign of decline. I've simply got to be buying more of these wines. A real special experience. 5-13-19-10: 97/100
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Wine tasting. sherried and musty nose with a slight vegetal character and an oily texture. Fruit seem somewhat imprecise and muddy to me. Others liked this much more than I did tonight.
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This wine has initial funky aromas out of the bottle then developed into white peach, pear, red apple, and sweet bell peppers. Intriguing flavors that got better a day or two later with pineapple, lychee, candlewax, pear, black olives, wet stones, savory herb flavors and delicious round mid palate and finish. Paired with steamed clams and goat cheese salad. Great wine to nerd out on.
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Barossa Shiraz Tasting (Mike and Chris' Place in Evanston): Nose of a white Rhone wine to me. Some spice, tough of mint. The palate has nice acid with a creamy mouth feel. A little grass and slight chemical action - but enjoyable. Good wine.
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What a great wine. JUST starting to get into that Savennieres beeswax, herbal tea sort of thing, but the rich, vivid fruit is story #1 here. Very good acidity. Tastes way younger than 14 years old. I only have 3 bottles left... hmmm... now how do I make them last another 20 years?
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Wine Dinner at Fond, Philadelphia, PA (Fond, Philadelphia, PA): Tasted non blind at a wine dinner. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of honey, herbs, wet stones and chamomile. Flavors of herbs, minerals and a hint of lychee. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Drink now. 90+?
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This was really delciious, a complex and rapidly evolving mouth. It opened as a leafy must, but developed in about 45 minutes into honey and then into apricots. The table loved it. Was consumed with seared foie gras beside a poached quail egg atop a French pastry; can't ask for much more.
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Groovey nose like pineapple-infused tequila. Really electric. Nice honey texture (not sweet) which broadens on the palate and through the finish. Levels of flavor with fruit, Chartreuse and a mineral-rich finishing. Well-framed with the acid and that lovely texture keeps it in harmony. Lingering mineral water well after. Lovely, lovely wine.
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Light golden. Indeed, this had heavily sherried tones right out of the bottle which made us think it was dead. However, it perked up admirably with air, lightening a bit and showing more pineapple fruit than the 1990, lower acidity, and much earthier finish that seemed typical for these wines. Also has a wonderful feel like its older sib. No question that this was partially oxidized and not pristine, though. My notes on this were more enthusiastic 2-3 years ago. Still, better than we expected when the wine was first poured.
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Neither expansive nor reticent, the nose is rich without being big. Honey, tangerine, lanolin, “limon,” mineral and baked apple all weave their identities into the bouquet. The acidity of the wine keeps it from being full on the palate, yet it delivers a satisfying roundness to the mouthfeel. The lanolin is a bit off-putting to the spousal unit. She proclaims this a wine for “the Colonel.” And so it would be. A very fine wine. 13.9% alc. With fried oysters served with roasted red pepper remoulade and a sauteed garlic-lemon zest aioli. With the aioli the wine pairing is near perfect. Highly Recommended.
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My third bottle of this wine over approx 5 years-- and stunning improvement over where it was 2 years ago, and even then it was profound.
A classic savennieres nose of lanolin, a sweet honeysuckle/beeswax (that belies the utterly dry palate to come), chamomile; palate of minerals, dried honey, herbal tea, exotic, great acidity, long finish. Profound. Easily the most interesting and compelling dry white wine I've ever tasted (except for the 89 Baumard Clos Papillon that followed it!) and validates how savennieres is the most "cerebral" white wine in the world.
I am curious to see where this wine will be in 3-5 years.
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What a remarkable wine. We had this side by side with the 1990, accompanied by a salmon with porcini sauce and roasted baby turnips and celery root that had come out of the ground today. Remarkable nose of honey, honeysuckle, chamomile and verbena and wax. On repeated tastings, this wine has the most distinctive aromatics of almost any white wine we can remember. Very silky mouthfeel with a finish that with some prodding I would compare to an Austrian riesling, but much more exotic. You don't feel the 14% alcohol at all in this wine, we would have guessed 12 or 13%. The finish goes on an on. I called it the vinous equivalent of ululation (ululation being fresh on our minds from the talk of Sarah Palin's church in Wasilla, where they reportedly speak in tongues). Remarkably young; one has the impression it will go on for at least 10 more years. How happy I am that I bought a case of this! We will see if we can get the remaining 4 bottles to last a few more years...
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This bottle was even more impressive than one drunk a year ago. Some initial older Chenin funk quickly gave way to wax, honey, and lemon. First palate impression was marvelously rich and dry with a firm, harmonious feel that was reminiscent of Grand Cru white Burgundy, brought together by sharp acidity and great earthy finishing tones. Then, after an hour or so, it changed registers, with higher toned orange blossom scents emerging, and the mouth feel tightening to a leaner, more Riesling-like structure. This seemed even more youthful than a year ago. Fantastically complex and fresh white wine. Very sad that this was the end of my stash.
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The best aspects of the vintage come through in this Chenin's thoroughly ripe expressiveness, and the structure at this point in the wine's evolution comes off as nicely integrating. Held up impeccably for almost a week after opening.
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Classic savennieres- lovely golden wheat hue, redolent of lanolin, honey and an earthy sweet broccoli note that sounds odd, but makes perfect sense in the context of this wine. Cool minerally mouth feel, with beautiful focus and length. On days two and three still going strong.
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Trip to Boston; 6/4/2008-6/9/2008: this is STILL young IMO. asparagus/brussel sprouts on the nose, with some sweat. very complex middle changing with every sip. going from the tropical to the lilacs and spices. excellent!!
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Yellow/green, nose of pineapples and tropical fruits, great palate with tremendous balace, long and clean finish. Great complement to food. Drank perfectly over two hours from first glass to last. Drinking very well now, buy would not be surprised if it got even more nose and palate, wish I had more.
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Yellow color. Waxy, lanolin nose with some tropical fruit. Round and rich on the palate with a fantastic combination of dry Chenin fruit, tart lemon acidity, and earthiness. This wine is at a great point for drinking now. I really liked the interplay of the aromatics, which teasingly hinted at some sweetness, and the flavors, which were rich but completely dry.
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Very rich, fragrant and honeyed, very intense and long. This had none of the problems of the previous two wines. Really long and sort of soft and pillow-y around the edges (in a good way). Something to slide in to. Should age much more gracefully than the Papillon.
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Very nice. Oxidized at first, then opens and fills nicley, encompasing the palate with fruits, minerals, earth, and chenin funk. Becomes fuller as the honey notes grow and packs on weight. Complex stuff the way it surrounds the tongue almost like stereo. Their was a bit of bottle variation between the 2 bottles I had.
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Pale yellow gold. Nose of mineral, salt air, lime, “limon” says the Colonel. A hint of something floral and some lanolin. The salt air starts on the attack and lingers through the finish with intense mineral following. Focused citrus flavors - lime/limon - and lanolin continue the profile. With bright acidity and lively fruit, it presents a good mouthfeel. This wine is not going anywhere, it’s still youthful and vibrant. Drink now, but it will carry for some time ahead with proper storage. 13.9% alc. With smoked oysters and pont le vec cheese. For complete notes, see when col. comes to town 091506 in WP
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This was absolutely the best bottle of this wine to date. Incredibly complex on the nose showing a whole sepctrum from flowers, to honey, to fruit to stones. A really breathtaking example of chenin made in a "clean" style. On the palate, the fat of youth have stretched out to become sinewy muscle. It is by no means backwards, but manages to be two different wines at once, one powerful, one light and airy. This bottle certainly seemed profound and only got better over the course of the evening. One of the more impressive wines I've had recently. I expect it to age well for a long time, but I don't know if I can keep from drinking the bottles I have.
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10/22/2022 - MikeATL wrote:
It was showing a funky, cheesy aroma that I didn’t really care for. I’ve had better bottles.
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6/29/2021 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 91 Points
Outstanding. Mellow florals on the nose with a hint of grass and honey, gravelly minerals (an earlier reviewer called it wet slate, nice) soft rounded mouth feel, long finish. Drinking spot on. Last tasted in 2016, dare I say it but this bottle has continued to improve!
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4/19/2020 - jmoore431 wrote: 83 Points
On PnP, a bit too cold stunting aromas. First notes evolving are geranial and acidic. Clues to its age beyond the pale golden color would include a mild aldehyde/sherry character. As it warms a bit and takes on air, it softens only slightly with some very austere aged fruit showing. I agree with other tasters that this is better on the second day, but it seems even older than it is. This condition is not due to lack of acidity holding things together! Seems well past its prime.
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4/17/2020 - Shapnyc Likes this wine: 90 Points
Second night it reverted to the luscious silk I expected.
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11/7/2019 - Shapnyc wrote: 88 Points
A few years late unfortunately
It opens and for about 15 minutes you have a complex delicious wine. Don’t miss them.
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8/11/2019 - SteveHyde Likes this wine: 91 Points
Showing very well for a 22-year old Chenin. Honey and floral notes, wet slate, cut grass, pleasantly sour quince and herb, with nice balance and heft.
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7/27/2019 - cgfrendly wrote: flawed
Not sound
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7/19/2018 - timewithwine wrote:
Yes, this is past prime, but it still delivers satisfaction even if a bit controversial due to showing its age with some oxidation. The color is golden, like butter, but not as bright as yellow squash. The nose is honey, honeysuckle, orange blossom and orange zest, lychee fruit, and creamed corn. The finish is yeasty. The wine still carries sufficient acidity. Between the acidity and fruit, the finish is carries for some time. Layers of flavor and still exquisitely balanced ....but the oxidation definitely detracts. A fading wine with intellectual appeal. 13.9% alc. With fried oysters served with roasted red pepper remoulade and a sauteed garlic-lemon zest aioli. With shrimp, corn fritters. Highly Recommended.
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12/31/2017 - MikeATL Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still youthful, lemon with a little oiliness.
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12/24/2017 - europat55 wrote: 89 Points
Outstanding nose (B++). Interesting palate (B++).
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9/23/2017 - mdefreitas wrote:
My last bottle. Still showing a bit of fino sherry quality. For my tastes, I feel like I should have drunk these sooner.
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9/10/2017 - mdefreitas wrote:
Honey, lanolin and oxidized rancio notes. Quite drinkable, but a bit too fino-sherry-like for me.
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8/31/2017 - mdefreitas wrote:
A bit different than my last bottle. Less rancio and more of a "tired" oxidation note. Surprisingly, this got better with air, but still seemed tired.
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8/26/2017 - mdefreitas wrote: 89 Points
An interesting wine, with quite an aged profile... much like a fino sherry or a Lopez de Heredia white Rioja. Lanolin, nuts, honey, dried flowers and some rancio notes. Nice enough and an intellectual experience, but not really my thing, I don't think. Maybe the other bottles I recently pulled from my cellar will eventually convince me otherwise.
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6/24/2017 - MikeATL Likes this wine: 92 Points
Honey and lanolin, the alcohol and richness create an illusion of sweetness, and a floral freshness lightens it up. Very nice.
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5/29/2017 - ghood wrote: 92 Points
Probably at its peak a couple/few years ago. Honeyed richness meets chenin funk. Acidity has taken a back seat at this point. Still very nice if you're into aged whites. I'm sure it will drink like this for some time, but I think maybe enjoy now vs later.
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9/12/2016 - Ludi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Oro ambrato. Molto evoluto, il naso declina sensazioni marine e salmastre, un pizzico di iodio, mela cotogna, albicocca secca, persino dattero e fico. Profilo di vino dolce, evidente botrytis. Bocca composta, buona ancora la freschezza. Finale che ricorda il croccante
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2/22/2016 - Ludi Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dorato intenso. Naso evoluto, con frutta tropicale (mango e papaya disidratati), miele, cotognata, biscotto. Bocca intensa, quasi salata, di buono spunto finale su note agrumate.
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2/6/2016 - ctbob Likes this wine:
So good. Not much old chenin funk, but plenty of old chenin substance with a firm acidic foundation. Old chenin fans will be in heaven. Ready.
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12/24/2015 - Shapnyc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Remarkably this has developed beautifully. Now, it's vanilla and peaches with a creaminess that's indescribably good. Thank god for great wine!
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9/3/2015 - pwillen1 wrote:
A bit of reduction on the nose, then rich and creamy but green pineapple. Extended chalky finish with persistent acid.
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6/24/2015 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
WIML90
Tasted non blind.
Yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of camphor, lemon curd, hazelnut and wet stones. Flavors of peach, lemon spritz and minerals. Medium acidity, medium body. Drink now.
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2/17/2014 - Ludi Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dorato intenso. Al naso albicocca, anche disidratata, mela cotogna, note decisamente salmastre, camomilla, anice stellato, pepe bianco e zafferano. Bocca secca, intensa, salata. Chiude lungo su note di scorza di cedro e miele
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4/19/2013 - BradKNYC wrote:
Two Camhis are better than one as Howard Camhi comes back for more: Riesling, Savennières, Burgundy and Bordeaux (My place.): Jay whips this out and announces that it was a gift from a mysterious stranger he bumped into in the confined quarters of the Chelsea Wine storage lockers. Somehow this stranger was under the impression that I'm a fan of this wine. Now, I've liked the '95 best of the Trie Speciale bottlings, but those bottlings are my least favorite in the Baumard Savennières lineup because of the malolactic fermentation they go through which gives the wines a plush, creamy mouthfeel while softening the acidic spine the other bottlings show. The '97 shows that clearly. Additionally, while there's pleasant quince, bitter almond, yellow floral tones and mineral present, there's also too much alcohol showing, which was a concern a number of us Loireheads had about many '97 whites on release. The alcohol was even more disjointed and obvious the next day when I went back to it. B.
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12/10/2012 - dbg wrote:
Light gold. Nice nose of white stone fruits, earth, medium to full body, great complex flavors, palate coating, long finish, outstanding.
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9/25/2012 - jeff nowak wrote: flawed
double blind. putrid.
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9/25/2012 - kstoddard wrote:
Blind Night (Kevin): Not good. This bottle was way past it's prime.
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9/19/2012 - Mistress of Wine wrote:
The end. Last bottle as great as you could want.
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6/30/2012 - MicklethePickle wrote: 97 Points
Magnificent bottle of wine. Deep medium yellow, brilliant, good legs and viscosity. Unbelievable. Nose is infused with lemon oil. But it's on the palate where this wine really struts it's stuff. Rich, full-bodied with incredible staying power! Yet such a light, polite, unobtrusive entry. This thing just builds on itself til you can't believe it can reach even greater heights-but then it does! Incredibly long finish seems to never stop. Stunning. 15 years old,at it's peak but no sign of decline. I've simply got to be buying more of these wines. A real special experience. 5-13-19-10: 97/100
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1/9/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Wine tasting. sherried and musty nose with a slight vegetal character and an oily texture. Fruit seem somewhat imprecise and muddy to me. Others liked this much more than I did tonight.
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8/1/2011 - jmht wrote: 85 Points
Consumed as part of a larger Baumard tasting (multiple Trie Speciale, Clos Papillon, Clos Ste Catherine and Quarts de Chaume vintages).
Disjointed bottle, showing none of the love a prior bottle of the same did three years ago. Nose and palate dominated by talcum powder quality.
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3/17/2011 - JaimeGrapes wrote: 91 Points
This wine has initial funky aromas out of the bottle then developed into white peach, pear, red apple, and sweet bell peppers. Intriguing flavors that got better a day or two later with pineapple, lychee, candlewax, pear, black olives, wet stones, savory herb flavors and delicious round mid palate and finish. Paired with steamed clams and goat cheese salad. Great wine to nerd out on.
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3/9/2011 - beezer6 wrote: 90 Points
Barossa Shiraz Tasting (Mike and Chris' Place in Evanston): Nose of a white Rhone wine to me. Some spice, tough of mint. The palate has nice acid with a creamy mouth feel.
A little grass and slight chemical action - but enjoyable. Good wine.
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3/6/2011 - ghood wrote: 94 Points
What a great wine. JUST starting to get into that Savennieres beeswax, herbal tea sort of thing, but the rich, vivid fruit is story #1 here. Very good acidity. Tastes way younger than 14 years old. I only have 3 bottles left... hmmm... now how do I make them last another 20 years?
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9/25/2010 - wineismylife Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wine Dinner at Fond, Philadelphia, PA (Fond, Philadelphia, PA): Tasted non blind at a wine dinner. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of honey, herbs, wet stones and chamomile. Flavors of herbs, minerals and a hint of lychee. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Drink now. 90+?
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4/25/2010 - Shapnyc wrote: 92 Points
This was really delciious, a complex and rapidly evolving mouth. It opened as a leafy must, but developed in about 45 minutes into honey and then into apricots. The table loved it. Was consumed with seared foie gras beside a poached quail egg atop a French pastry; can't ask for much more.
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2/26/2010 - AndrewSGHall Likes this wine:
Groovey nose like pineapple-infused tequila. Really electric. Nice honey texture (not sweet) which broadens on the palate and through the finish. Levels of flavor with fruit, Chartreuse and a mineral-rich finishing. Well-framed with the acid and that lovely texture keeps it in harmony. Lingering mineral water well after. Lovely, lovely wine.
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2/20/2010 - Mistress of Wine wrote:
Unfortunately moderately oxidized. Better after some time out of bottle but nothing like the previous pristine bottles.
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2/19/2010 - drwine2001 wrote:
Light golden. Indeed, this had heavily sherried tones right out of the bottle which made us think it was dead. However, it perked up admirably with air, lightening a bit and showing more pineapple fruit than the 1990, lower acidity, and much earthier finish that seemed typical for these wines. Also has a wonderful feel like its older sib. No question that this was partially oxidized and not pristine, though. My notes on this were more enthusiastic 2-3 years ago. Still, better than we expected when the wine was first poured.
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10/17/2009 - timewithwine wrote:
Neither expansive nor reticent, the nose is rich without being big. Honey, tangerine, lanolin, “limon,” mineral and baked apple all weave their identities into the bouquet. The acidity of the wine keeps it from being full on the palate, yet it delivers a satisfying roundness to the mouthfeel. The lanolin is a bit off-putting to the spousal unit. She proclaims this a wine for “the Colonel.” And so it would be. A very fine wine. 13.9% alc. With fried oysters served with roasted red pepper remoulade and a sauteed garlic-lemon zest aioli. With the aioli the wine pairing is near perfect. Highly Recommended.
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8/2/2009 - jmht wrote: 95 Points
My third bottle of this wine over approx 5 years-- and stunning improvement over where it was 2 years ago, and even then it was profound.
A classic savennieres nose of lanolin, a sweet honeysuckle/beeswax (that belies the utterly dry palate to come), chamomile; palate of minerals, dried honey, herbal tea, exotic, great acidity, long finish. Profound. Easily the most interesting and compelling dry white wine I've ever tasted (except for the 89 Baumard Clos Papillon that followed it!) and validates how savennieres is the most "cerebral" white wine in the world.
I am curious to see where this wine will be in 3-5 years.
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10/6/2008 - Mistress of Wine wrote: 96 Points
What a remarkable wine. We had this side by side with the 1990, accompanied by a salmon with porcini sauce and roasted baby turnips and celery root that had come out of the ground today. Remarkable nose of honey, honeysuckle, chamomile and verbena and wax. On repeated tastings, this wine has the most distinctive aromatics of almost any white wine we can remember. Very silky mouthfeel with a finish that with some prodding I would compare to an Austrian riesling, but much more exotic. You don't feel the 14% alcohol at all in this wine, we would have guessed 12 or 13%. The finish goes on an on. I called it the vinous equivalent of ululation (ululation being fresh on our minds from the talk of Sarah Palin's church in Wasilla, where they reportedly speak in tongues). Remarkably young; one has the impression it will go on for at least 10 more years. How happy I am that I bought a case of this! We will see if we can get the remaining 4 bottles to last a few more years...
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9/6/2008 - drwine2001 wrote:
This bottle was even more impressive than one drunk a year ago. Some initial older Chenin funk quickly gave way to wax, honey, and lemon. First palate impression was marvelously rich and dry with a firm, harmonious feel that was reminiscent of Grand Cru white Burgundy, brought together by sharp acidity and great earthy finishing tones. Then, after an hour or so, it changed registers, with higher toned orange blossom scents emerging, and the mouth feel tightening to a leaner, more Riesling-like structure. This seemed even more youthful than a year ago. Fantastically complex and fresh white wine. Very sad that this was the end of my stash.
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7/6/2008 - tcfishler wrote: 92 Points
The best aspects of the vintage come through in this Chenin's thoroughly ripe expressiveness, and the structure at this point in the wine's evolution comes off as nicely integrating. Held up impeccably for almost a week after opening.
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6/21/2008 - i musicisti di boston wrote:
Classic savennieres- lovely golden wheat hue, redolent of lanolin, honey and an earthy sweet broccoli note that sounds odd, but makes perfect sense in the context of this wine. Cool minerally mouth feel, with beautiful focus and length. On days two and three still going strong.
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6/8/2008 - Mlermontov wrote: 92 Points
Trip to Boston; 6/4/2008-6/9/2008: this is STILL young IMO. asparagus/brussel sprouts on the nose, with some sweat. very complex middle changing with every sip. going from the tropical to the lilacs and spices. excellent!!
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4/24/2008 - Doug House wrote:
Showed very well with waxy Chenin fruit, some secondary aromas, hints of quince, apricot. Complex and nicely mature, but still very attractive fruit.
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2/18/2008 - MC wrote:
drink now. this one felt like it was fading. B+
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9/23/2007 - MC wrote:
Mature and drinking really well. Was better than the 96 Papillon, with more fruit and body, and a longer finish. A-
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7/20/2007 - Rechrom wrote: 93 Points
Yellow/green, nose of pineapples and tropical fruits, great palate with tremendous balace, long and clean finish. Great complement to food. Drank perfectly over two hours from first glass to last. Drinking very well now, buy would not be surprised if it got even more nose and palate, wish I had more.
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7/11/2007 - drwine2001 wrote:
Yellow color. Waxy, lanolin nose with some tropical fruit. Round and rich on the palate with a fantastic combination of dry Chenin fruit, tart lemon acidity, and earthiness. This wine is at a great point for drinking now. I really liked the interplay of the aromatics, which teasingly hinted at some sweetness, and the flavors, which were rich but completely dry.
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6/16/2007 - dbg wrote:
excellent
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6/2/2007 - vulgar little monkey wrote:
Very rich, fragrant and honeyed, very intense and long. This had none of the problems of the previous two wines. Really long and sort of soft and pillow-y around the edges (in a good way). Something to slide in to. Should age much more gracefully than the Papillon.
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11/10/2006 - Pilot wrote:
Very nice. Oxidized at first, then opens and fills nicley, encompasing the palate with fruits, minerals, earth, and chenin funk. Becomes fuller as the honey notes grow and packs on weight. Complex stuff the way it surrounds the tongue almost like stereo. Their was a bit of bottle variation between the 2 bottles I had.
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9/15/2006 - timewithwine wrote:
Pale yellow gold. Nose of mineral, salt air, lime, “limon” says the Colonel. A hint of something floral and some lanolin. The salt air starts on the attack and lingers through the finish with intense mineral following. Focused citrus flavors - lime/limon - and lanolin continue the profile. With bright acidity and lively fruit, it presents a good mouthfeel. This wine is not going anywhere, it’s still youthful and vibrant. Drink now, but it will carry for some time ahead with proper storage. 13.9% alc. With smoked oysters and pont le vec cheese. For complete notes, see when col. comes to town 091506 in WP
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7/1/2006 - winefool wrote: 85 Points
Full golden yellow. Huge forward aroma of briar tight yello wfruit with caramel hints. Grassy? Rich yellow fruit and very nutty - oxidized? 7/06
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1/29/2006 - vulgar little monkey wrote:
This was absolutely the best bottle of this wine to date. Incredibly complex on the nose showing a whole sepctrum from flowers, to honey, to fruit to stones. A really breathtaking example of chenin made in a "clean" style. On the palate, the fat of youth have stretched out to become sinewy muscle. It is by no means backwards, but manages to be two different wines at once, one powerful, one light and airy. This bottle certainly seemed profound and only got better over the course of the evening. One of the more impressive wines I've had recently. I expect it to age well for a long time, but I don't know if I can keep from drinking the bottles I have.
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7/27/2001 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 95 Points
July 27, 2001 - Vineyard Gate tasting: “the Greatest White Wine: Chenin Blanc of the Loire.” 5-13-18-9: 95/100.
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12/1/1999 - mdefreitas wrote: 91 Points
Medium yellow in color. Medium nose of lime, minerals, and quince. Zingy and slightly nervy; not as fat as the '95. Nice, minerally finish.
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