Great example of the house style. Quite commercial, with the impression of a sweet finish. Textbook bead, and mouthfeel. Medium body and refined balance. Layered and complete in a classy and easy to understand style.
Earthy nose. Starting to turn to canned peas. Smooth texture, some oaky nuance. Lacks a but of verve bu tis quite good. In its round manner, this is appealing and layered.
Slightly softer than the 2011 Jolivet Sancerre. Good balance and acid. Round and harmonious and unlike the Sancerre, this is not turning the corner into the canned pea spectrum.
Modern style - easy to drink and understand. Supple in texture with oyster shell and some nutty complexity. This feels like a step up from the basic cuvee with a bit more apparent fruit ripeness.
Lean and focused nose of hazelnuts and oyster shell, with a hint of vanilla and citrus peel. Beautiful mouthfeel - some dirt, fruit, oak and nuts. Long finish, Very, very good.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune
(9/2/2014)
Clean and spicy nose with plenty of oak. The oak is apparent on the palate as well, but with the requisite fruit to balance. Modern commercial and delicious with excellent length. Near outstanding, for my tastes.
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
(9/2/2014)
This wine is still alive but is clearly in decline. Melony, sweet, developed nose that is not particularly varietal. Quite developed in the mouth - melons, floral, fat. This is lacking in verve but is hanging in there... This would have been way better on release.
Palest salmon. Light raspberry and herbal nose. Clean palate with a savory finish. Hints of alcohol on the finish. I enjoyed this wine more than the Mont Redon Lirac tasted the day before.
Not super-ripe, but fragrant. Lovely oak, suave texture. Very light but has excellent persistence. Savory finish. This is light but surprises with its intensity and may well improve.
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella
(9/2/2014)
Aroma of dark earth and black cherry. Sweet top notes in a slightly monolithic nose. The palate is also currently on the monolithic side. Tannic and chocolatey, big acids. Earthy and hot (15%) finish. Very good,
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
(9/2/2014)
Early maturity. Pencil shavings, lifted, nuts. Clean and vanillin. This is commercial, but classy. A point, but there are still tannins - although most are resolved. Has poise.
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
(9/2/2014)
Lighter hue than the Cecchi 07. Young and animal. Some pepper - needs time in bottle to develop aroma.Very similar wine making to the 07 - just lighter and younger. Both wines display generous oak which departs a sweet, modern and approachable feel.
Tasted next to the 2011 Vetoux, I rated this slightly lower, although I imagine most would say the Cotes du Rhone is the better wine. This has darker fruit than the Ventoux - it is more structured and has deeper fruit. This is excellent value and a more serious wine than the Ventoux. I just give the Venyoux the edge because of its easy going nature.
Light and quite developed. Tannic, lean and savory. Tobacco finish. While this is not as rich as the Gaillard St. Joseph tasted just before, this wine was rather nice in its mature style.
Classy and developed Northern Rhone nose. Lean and flinty with high acid and a smooth finish. This is a very good wine that will always be lean but should improve and develop further nuance with time. 88+
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(9/2/2014)
Great. Savory, a bit hot. Nice savory balance. Stern structure but great fruit. This veers towards the monolithic but has enough interest to gain nuance. Very, very good.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(9/2/2014)
Very young. Very primary. Modern, a bit of heat in the finish. Medium - full body. Nice finish. Impeccable winemaking (optical sorter, etc). The wine has stuffing and is layered in the mouth but it is currently unevolved. and needs time. 90+?
Very dense purple. Ruby meniscus - no tawny notes. Creamy US oak - blueberry milkshake. Supple, smooth and oaky mouthfeel with beautiful grip. This is old school Rioja and I like it very much.
Dense ruby. Not too much age apparent. Very nice palate! Vibrant and vivid. Heaps of US oak. Old school Rioja and not far off the standard of the Gran Riserva. Powdery and savory tannic structuire. Great balance.
Dense purple. Rich, spice - tannic (fine and lean). Completely unevolved. This is firey at the moment with adequate fruit. This is outstanding but needs at least 10 years to fulfill its potential.
NV Lanson Champagne Brut 87 Points
France, Champagne
(9/1/2014)
Rich mellow nose with autolysis, oxidative, mineral and herbaceous character. Very well made.
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NV Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut 88 Points
France, Champagne
(9/2/2014)
Great example of the house style. Quite commercial, with the impression of a sweet finish. Textbook bead, and mouthfeel. Medium body and refined balance. Layered and complete in a classy and easy to understand style.
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NV Taittinger Prelude 93 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
(9/2/2014)
Perfect nose - great texture, a point. Creme brulee finish, fresh biscuits. Wonderful and brilliant value for its standard.
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NV Valdespino Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Fino "Inocente" Macharnudo 89 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
(9/1/2014)
Lifted rancio nose with a lot of flor character. Great presence. Excellent.
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NV Valdespino Manzanilla Deliciosa 87 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
(9/1/2014)
No flor character. Beautiful fruit, lively texture. Refined.
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2011 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 86 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
(9/2/2014)
Earthy nose. Starting to turn to canned peas. Smooth texture, some oaky nuance. Lacks a but of verve bu tis quite good. In its round manner, this is appealing and layered.
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2011 Pascal Jolivet Pouilly-Fumé 87 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé
(9/2/2014)
Slightly softer than the 2011 Jolivet Sancerre. Good balance and acid. Round and harmonious and unlike the Sancerre, this is not turning the corner into the canned pea spectrum.
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2012 Domaine Laroche Chablis 86 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis
(9/2/2014)
Very mineral, very oyster shell. Melony (ripe) mid palate. Really nice commercial entry level chablis with poise, balance and vivid fruit quality.
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2012 Domaine Laroche Chablis Saint Martin 86 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis
(9/2/2014)
Modern style - easy to drink and understand. Supple in texture with oyster shell and some nutty complexity. This feels like a step up from the basic cuvee with a bit more apparent fruit ripeness.
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2010 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Meursault Le Limozin 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
(9/1/2014)
Lean and focused nose of hazelnuts and oyster shell, with a hint of vanilla and citrus peel. Beautiful mouthfeel - some dirt, fruit, oak and nuts. Long finish, Very, very good.
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2010 Domaine de Bellene Savigny-lès-Beaune Blanc 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune
(9/2/2014)
Clean and spicy nose with plenty of oak. The oak is apparent on the palate as well, but with the requisite fruit to balance. Modern commercial and delicious with excellent length. Near outstanding, for my tastes.
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2007 Maison Alex Gambal Chassagne-Montrachet 83 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet
(9/2/2014)
Mealy nose. Light fruit. A bit tart. Some hazelnut complexity. Alive and developed. A decent village wine.
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2010 Domaine de Bellene Côte de Nuits Villages Les Monts de Boncourt Blanc 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Nuits Villages
(9/2/2014)
Impeccable. Great balance. Smart wine making. Very fresh, clean,nice fruit,oak and hazelnut nuance. Very, very good.
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2006 Rene Rostaing Viognier Les Lézardes 83 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
(9/2/2014)
This wine is still alive but is clearly in decline. Melony, sweet, developed nose that is not particularly varietal. Quite developed in the mouth - melons, floral, fat. This is lacking in verve but is hanging in there... This would have been way better on release.
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2013 Château Riotor Côtes de Provence Rosé 88 Points
France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
(9/2/2014)
Palest salmon. Light raspberry and herbal nose. Clean palate with a savory finish. Hints of alcohol on the finish. I enjoyed this wine more than the Mont Redon Lirac tasted the day before.
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2011 Château De Leoube Côtes de Provence Le Secret de Léoube 84 Points
France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
(9/2/2014)
Very assertive wine. Thick, extracted and a bit hot. Slight maderized nose alongside the extract and melon notes.
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2009 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Pommard Les Noizons 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard
(9/1/2014)
Young, light ruby. Spicy cherry`and earth. Very good palate. Beautiful fruit-oak balance with a savory finish. Fine wine.
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2009 Domaine Jessiaume Volnay 1er Cru Les Brouillards 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
(9/1/2014)
Not super-ripe, but fragrant. Lovely oak, suave texture. Very light but has excellent persistence. Savory finish. This is light but surprises with its intensity and may well improve.
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2009 Domaine Jessiaume Morey St. Denis Les Herbuottes 85 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis
(9/1/2014)
Light ruby. Spicy candycane. Highish acid, some oxidation, well made.
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2009 Domaine Tortochot Gevrey-Chambertin Champerrier Vieilles Vignes 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
(9/1/2014)
Very light, smooth and complete. Light on its feet.
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2009 Domaine Michel Gros Nuits St. Georges 82 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges
(9/1/2014)
Very light, easy drinking.
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2009 Domaine de Bellene Beaune 1er Cru Pertuisots 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
(9/1/2014)
Earth/ heavy toast. Rich and smokey, powerful an excellent. Savory and spicy with nice grip.
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2010 Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella 87 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella
(9/2/2014)
Aroma of dark earth and black cherry. Sweet top notes in a slightly monolithic nose. The palate is also currently on the monolithic side. Tannic and chocolatey, big acids. Earthy and hot (15%) finish. Very good,
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2008 Jacopo Biondi-Santi Sassoalloro Toscana IGT 90 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
(9/2/2014)
Very inviting nose of dried meat, spice and rubber. Classy mouthfeel. Very refined, supple, smooth and tannic structure. Complex and refined.
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2007 Cecchi Brunello di Montalcino 88 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
(9/2/2014)
Early maturity. Pencil shavings, lifted, nuts. Clean and vanillin. This is commercial, but classy. A point, but there are still tannins - although most are resolved. Has poise.
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2009 Cecchi Brunello di Montalcino 86 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
(9/2/2014)
Lighter hue than the Cecchi 07. Young and animal. Some pepper - needs time in bottle to develop aroma.Very similar wine making to the 07 - just lighter and younger. Both wines display generous oak which departs a sweet, modern and approachable feel.
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2009 Cantine Florio Marsala Superiore Secco Vecchioflorio 85 Points
Italy, Sicily, Marsala Superiore
(9/1/2014)
Dense, grapey nose. Oxidative in style with lifted gingerbread notes. Off dry, with a beautiful nutty finish, Slightly firey.
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2011 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Ventoux Les Traverses 87 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Ventoux
(9/2/2014)
Bright grenache fruit - great in the mouth! This is an archetypal carafe wine! Not too hot and luscious. Not complex but luscious and lots of fun.
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2011 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes du Rhône Secret de Famille 86 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
(9/2/2014)
Tasted next to the 2011 Vetoux, I rated this slightly lower, although I imagine most would say the Cotes du Rhone is the better wine. This has darker fruit than the Ventoux - it is more structured and has deeper fruit. This is excellent value and a more serious wine than the Ventoux. I just give the Venyoux the edge because of its easy going nature.
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2008 Pierre Gaillard St. Joseph Clos de Cuminaille 91 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
(9/2/2014)
Perfect hue for its age. Sweaty armpits. Early maturity. This is excellent - serious, dense, dark and nuanced.
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2008 Domaine Yves Cuilleron St. Joseph Les Serines 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
(9/2/2014)
Light and quite developed. Tannic, lean and savory. Tobacco finish. While this is not as rich as the Gaillard St. Joseph tasted just before, this wine was rather nice in its mature style.
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2008 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Côte-Rôtie La Madinière 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
(9/2/2014)
Classy and developed Northern Rhone nose. Lean and flinty with high acid and a smooth finish. This is a very good wine that will always be lean but should improve and develop further nuance with time. 88+
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2011 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Classique 89 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(9/2/2014)
Great. Savory, a bit hot. Nice savory balance. Stern structure but great fruit. This veers towards the monolithic but has enough interest to gain nuance. Very, very good.
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2010 Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(9/2/2014)
Very young. Very primary. Modern, a bit of heat in the finish. Medium - full body. Nice finish. Impeccable winemaking (optical sorter, etc). The wine has stuffing and is layered in the mouth but it is currently unevolved. and needs time. 90+?
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2005 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Gran Reserva 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
(9/2/2014)
Very dense purple. Ruby meniscus - no tawny notes. Creamy US oak - blueberry milkshake. Supple, smooth and oaky mouthfeel with beautiful grip. This is old school Rioja and I like it very much.
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2009 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Reserva 89 Points
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
(9/2/2014)
Dense ruby. Not too much age apparent. Very nice palate! Vibrant and vivid. Heaps of US oak. Old school Rioja and not far off the standard of the Gran Riserva. Powdery and savory tannic structuire. Great balance.
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2006 Finca Allende Rioja Allende 85 Points
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
(9/2/2014)
Spicy, fruit dominant nose. Plummy and moderately rich . Nutty finish. Good wine.
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2007 Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza 86 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
(9/2/2014)
Light ruby. Correct nose but slightly nondescript. Caramel, wood, nice fruit quality. Spicy structure. Quite good.
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2012 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Camins del Priorat 89 Points
Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
(9/2/2014)
Modern and rich. Beautiful balance. Sweet entry but slightly herbal. Structured mouthfeel. Excellent and good value.
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2003 Sandeman Porto Vintage 90 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
(9/2/2014)
Dense purple. Rich, spice - tannic (fine and lean). Completely unevolved. This is firey at the moment with adequate fruit. This is outstanding but needs at least 10 years to fulfill its potential.
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