| | We knew the theme, but all wines were tasted fully blind. - N.V. Dominique Massin Champagne Cuvée de Réserve Rosé - France, Champagne
Salmon color. In the bouquet roses and red berry fruits as well as some yeasty impressions. On the palate good citrus acidity and some salty minerals. Grapefruit bitterness in the finish. (89 pts.)
- N.V. Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne Rosé Top Brut - France, Champagne
Pale union skin color. In the bouquet yeast, brioche, almonds and earthy impressions. On the palate good minerals, firm lemon and lime citrus, multi layered. Some grapefruit bitterness in the finish. Very good wine. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Didier Dagueneau Silex - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé
Expressive bouquet with minerals and nutty flavors. On the palate green herbal/grass impressions, citrus, salty minerals, hazelnuts. Beautiful and complex wine with a long finish. (93 pts.)
- 2011 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Beautiful, expressive and inviting bouquet with yellow fruits, citrus, but especially some pleasant smoke and minerals. On the palate rich and complex, minerals, salty butter and beautiful citrus acidity. Still youthful, but already a great pleasure to drink! 94+ (94 pts.)
- 1988 Chateau Musar - Lebanon, Bekaa Valley
In the mature bouquet rust, tobacco, leather, mushrooms, dark fruits and some alcohol. On the palate more or less the same impressions; also earth, plums, chocolate and caramel. Good acidity, round tannin with still a soft bite and some pleasant bitterness in the finish. Completely ready now. (92 pts.)
- 1997 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
In the bouquet dark forest fruits, chocolate, sweet spices, vanilla and forest floor impressions. On the palate dark and red berry fruits, chocolate, earth, elegant acidity and a touch of sweetness. Off vintage, elegant wine. Starting with 2000 Pontet Canet improved considerably. For this bottle nevertheless 89 and still enjoyable for some years, but don’t wait too long. (89 pts.)
- 1997 Château Latour Grand Vin - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
The bouquet shows dark berries, earth, barnyard and some green notes. On the palate dark berries, a touch of graphite, rust and chocolate, good acidity and soft tannin with a little more bite and concentration than Pontet Canet of the same vintage. Overall a beautiful wine, but for a Latour Grand Vin a bit disappointing. The 1993 I tasted less than a month ago (TN will follow soon) performed much better. (93 pts.)
- 2009 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia
This bottle was brought by a professional. There was about 1/3 left in the bottle and the Coravin was used. He did not know since how long. In the bouquet rust, but also a high concentration. On the palate chocolate, some celery, ok acidity, oxidized impressions and soft tannin. For me personally a big disappointment! This is not how Sassicaia 2009 is supposed to taste. Was the Coravin not properly used or what? Anyway, no score for the wine.
- 1997 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Beautiful and deep bouquet with red and dark berries, sweet spices, leather, autumn and barnyard impressions. On the palate earth, chocolate, red berries and cherries, firm acidity and slightly drying tannin. Beautiful mature, complex and elegant wine with still a future of several years. (92 pts.)
- 2000 Parusso Barolo Piccole Vigne - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Very transparent garnet red. In the mature bouquet celery, earth and autumn impressions. On the palate cherries, leather, animals, beautiful acidity and soft, developed tannin. Lovely and mature wine. 90 - 91 (91 pts.)
- 2001 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì Tildìn - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
The beautiful and luxurious bouquet is still somewhat locked, but also has mature elements like rust, earth, and mature cherries. On the palate cherries and dark forest fruits, luxurious impressions, firm tannin which still has a firm bite and is a bit drying. Beautiful and complex wine in its young maturity stage now, but it will probably soften and become more complex and friendly over the next 5+ years. For tonight 93 – 94+ (94 pts.)
- 2006 Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Dark blood red color. In the bouquet luxurious, with beautiful oak, cedar, sweet spices, dark forest fruits, cherries, vanilla and autumn impressions. On the palate Amarena cherries, autumn forest floor, nuts, leather, coffee, chocolate, beautiful acidity , round and still powerful tannin. Luxurious and beautiful wine with still a future of several years. 95+ (95 pts.)
- 2007 Tua Rita Syrah - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Beautiful bouquet with ripe dark forest fruits like blackberries, herbs and some minerals. On the palate leather, minerals, full bodied, beautiful acidity, tight, full bodied and good tannin. Still a bit/few years too young. 94+ (94 pts.)
- 2003 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Dark and red berries in the bouquet. On the palate ripe red berries, ok acidity and soft tannin. A mature and fairly complex wine. I am not that negative. Beautiful wine and completely ready now. (90 pts.)
- 2003 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Mature bouquet with ripe berry fruits, some celery and olives. On the palate, leather, mushrooms, ripe fruits, herbs, sweet spices, beautiful acidity and soft tannin. Beautiful wine and completely ready now. (93 pts.)
- 2010 Domaine de Montgilet (Victor et Vincent Lebreton) Coteaux de l'Aubance Les Trois Schistes - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux de l'Aubance
In the bouquet apricots and mandarin. On the palate apricots and beautiful sweetness and acidity. Lacks a bit in excitement to be truly great. 90+ (90 pts.)
- 2001 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
This is truly a great Sauternes with beautiful botrytis, apricots, orange zest etc. The same on the palate with a great concentration. Firm sweetness, but also great acidity. Oppulent, but elegant as well. A great, luxurious and harmonious wine. (94 pts.)
- 1900 Barbeito Madeira Malvazia - Portugal, Madeira
This is really special of course! For the age, but also in the impressive bouquet and taste. Oxidized and nutty bouquet with raisins, mandarin, apple syrup, nuts, intense sweetness, and also good acidity. I don't score this. Thank you DJ for sharing!
This was a very special evening with very special wines and in great company.
Daan, thank you very much for sharing these wines with us!!! |
