Not as fresh (or as good) as my previous bottle in June 2012. This one was a little darker in colour with a showy and richer nose, as opposed the previous bottle which showed more citrus, salinity and minerality. Sweeter citrus on the palate with a soft and round mouthfeel. There’s decent acidity but again nowhere near as crisp and fresh as my previous bottle. Having said that, this did get better with air and seemed to freshen up a tad. Still quite enjoyable but the bottle variation is frustrating. Very good.
Tasted blind – Mature and ripe nose with stewed dark cherries and leather. Has pretty good weight on the palate considering its age with ripe and slightly stewed dark fruit flavours. Tannins are fully resolved with good acidity and decent length. Based on this bottle, for my palate, this would have been better a few years ago. Very good.
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Tasted blind – A younger and modernish wine with some poopy notes on the nose along with riper dark fruits. Once the poopy note blew off there was a hint of oak that began to come through. Soft and silky mouthfeel but the finish is lively with the energetic acidity. Fine tannins add a bit of edge to the otherwise smooth palate and there’s a hint of oak that comes through on the finish. This is just entering its drinking window. Very good. 88+
Tasted blind – Dark colour and youthful looking. Potpourri spice with ripe berry fruit dominate the nose with hints of green leaf as well. Darker fruits on the palate with some nice spice, average acidity and softer tannins. Drinks well enough now but for me this could use a few more years. Very good. 88+
Tasted blind – Nose here was very nice from the get-go with rich dark fruit, smoke and hints of leather and green tobacco that had me thinking Syrah or Merlot. On the palate this was smooth and charming with solid acidity and well-balanced tannins. This was really nice and made the previous two wines seem rather modern. As good as this was today, I’d hold these for a few more years. Excellent. 91+
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
Tasted blind – Riper pinot nose that lead me to guess Burgundy but I felt this could also be from Oregon. Sweeter dark strawberry and cherry flavours on the palate with medium acidity and round finish. Once I knew it was an ’03, I went to Volnay or Chambolle as there was a hint of elegance (Gevrey did cross my mind but the profile didn’t seem to fit). Compared to some of the 03s I've had this has a hint of elegance that was very nice. Drink or hold. Excellent.
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Tasted blind – Dark colour. Greener/Cab Franc like nose with darker fruits and a touch of black licorice. Slightly rustic on the palate with drying tannins and good acidity. Nice levels of fruit on the palate and overall well balanced. This was a tough one to guess. Very good.
2005 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Not as fresh (or as good) as my previous bottle in June 2012. This one was a little darker in colour with a showy and richer nose, as opposed the previous bottle which showed more citrus, salinity and minerality. Sweeter citrus on the palate with a soft and round mouthfeel. There’s decent acidity but again nowhere near as crisp and fresh as my previous bottle. Having said that, this did get better with air and seemed to freshen up a tad. Still quite enjoyable but the bottle variation is frustrating. Very good.
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1986 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted blind – Mature and ripe nose with stewed dark cherries and leather. Has pretty good weight on the palate considering its age with ripe and slightly stewed dark fruit flavours. Tannins are fully resolved with good acidity and decent length. Based on this bottle, for my palate, this would have been better a few years ago. Very good.
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1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 88 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Tasted blind – A younger and modernish wine with some poopy notes on the nose along with riper dark fruits. Once the poopy note blew off there was a hint of oak that began to come through. Soft and silky mouthfeel but the finish is lively with the energetic acidity. Fine tannins add a bit of edge to the otherwise smooth palate and there’s a hint of oak that comes through on the finish. This is just entering its drinking window. Very good. 88+
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2003 J.L. Chave Sélection St. Joseph Offerus 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
Tasted blind – Dark colour and youthful looking. Potpourri spice with ripe berry fruit dominate the nose with hints of green leaf as well. Darker fruits on the palate with some nice spice, average acidity and softer tannins. Drinks well enough now but for me this could use a few more years. Very good. 88+
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2000 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT 91 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Tasted blind – Nose here was very nice from the get-go with rich dark fruit, smoke and hints of leather and green tobacco that had me thinking Syrah or Merlot. On the palate this was smooth and charming with solid acidity and well-balanced tannins. This was really nice and made the previous two wines seem rather modern. As good as this was today, I’d hold these for a few more years. Excellent. 91+
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2003 Jean-Claude Boisset Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaut St. Jacques 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
Tasted blind – Riper pinot nose that lead me to guess Burgundy but I felt this could also be from Oregon. Sweeter dark strawberry and cherry flavours on the palate with medium acidity and round finish. Once I knew it was an ’03, I went to Volnay or Chambolle as there was a hint of elegance (Gevrey did cross my mind but the profile didn’t seem to fit). Compared to some of the 03s I've had this has a hint of elegance that was very nice. Drink or hold. Excellent.
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2001 Delheim Grand Reserve 88 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Tasted blind – Dark colour. Greener/Cab Franc like nose with darker fruits and a touch of black licorice. Slightly rustic on the palate with drying tannins and good acidity. Nice levels of fruit on the palate and overall well balanced. This was a tough one to guess. Very good.
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