Heater week

Chicago, IL
Tasted Sunday, March 26, 2023 - Monday, April 3, 2023 by acyso with 378 views

Flight 1 - Lunch at 312 Fish Market (4 Notes)

  • 2008 Domaine Roulot Meursault Les Luchets 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault

    (3/26/2023)

    A wine from the (imagined) old era of Roulot before the reduction and high-tension acidity wines of now. This is of a much more old-school style, rounded and somewhat fat, with a meyer lemon note throughout. There seems to be a fair bit of botrytis as well, giving this a slight mushroom note. I really do like this more restrained and subdued style of Roulot, even though I'm a big fan of the current wines as well.

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  • 2008 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    (3/26/2023)

    Next to the Chapelot, which I preferred, though that is not to say that I'd turn this down at all. This is archetypal Raveneau, with a distinct chablisien mineral and citrus quality, as well as plenty of salinity. The difference between this and the Chapelot was that this came across as relatively diffuse, and didn't have the same laser focus. To be sure, there was more fruit here, with a broader, richer profile. But the mineral intensity of the Chapelot is what drew me to it.

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  • 2008 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Chapelot 95 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    (3/26/2023)

    Next to the Montée de Tonnerre, I preferred this wine. Whereas the MdT was rounder, broader, and slightly diffuse, this was more intense with its laser-like minerality and acidity. Taut and electric, this was just much more exciting to drink (and paired especially well with some otoro and hotate sushi). One of those bottles of Chablis that reminds me of how good the wines can be; a shame about the current market price.

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  • 2017 Henri Germain et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières 95 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

    (3/26/2023)

    Pretty sure this is the first time I've tasted Germain's Perrières, despite having been a fan of the wines for the last few years now. This is a step about the Charmes (which is much more readily available in my market). Unmistakably Perrières with its intense, stony minerality. The oak comes off a little strong here, but in the context of the wine and its weight, it works (and well!). A long future ahead for this.

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Flight 2 - Sunday afternoon at Domaine (15 Notes)

  • 2021 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 93 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (3/26/2023)

    #09-22, 7.5% abv. I think I liked this more than most others today -- it's not quite as unmistakably Prüm as some of the older wines have been. Likely owing to the vintage, this shows a lot racier and green, with plenty of electricity already. It's a lighter style, and reminds me a little bit of 2013 with its intensely high acids. All that said, it's been ages since I've had a young Prüm (and by that I mean on release) and my perceptions are possibly quite skewed some way or another.

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  • 2021 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben "Gisela" #8 93 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (3/26/2023)

    #08-22, 8.5% abv. I think most others preferred this to the Prüm WS Kabinett, but I was in the minority. This was dryer but had way more mineral extract and acidity (to the point where I felt it was skewing a little too heavily in that direction). Overall, this feels quite light and while I really admire the intensity of this, I'm not quite as big a fan of the relative lighter texture.

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  • 2017 Henri Germain et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Charmes 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

    (3/26/2023)

    Next to the Perrières, this felt like it just wasn't as well put-together. A bit plump and unshapely with loads of fruit. Of course, that's not actually true -- I've had this wine in isolation and quite liked it, and it just goes to show what comparisons can do. But there's no denying the quality here of the winemaking, and how much the style appeals to me.

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  • 2016 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur Blanc Brézé 85 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur

    (3/26/2023)

    A huge disappointment -- fat and oily, with unclean botrytis(?) or some other sort of rot leading this to have unpleasant mushroomy notes. Furry as chenin can be, but in a slightly off-putting, dirty way. Some oxidation issues here as well.

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  • 2019 Domaine Eleni et Edouard Vocoret Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    (3/26/2023)

    Didn't get a good read on this at all. Just tasted like acidic, concentrated mineral water. Pretty clear that air would help -- will make a point of it next time.

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  • 2020 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett #1 Auction 95 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (3/26/2023)

    #01-21, 7.5% abv. Stunning, classically style Kabinett, with just the proper amount of sweetness to round out the palate. Great intensity and concentration with lots of classic, slatey minerality. Interestingly for a young Schaefer, the typical white pineapple Haribo note isn't here on this bottle. Nonetheless, this is a joy to drink now, and I particularly enjoy it for its youthful vivacity. Not as sure this is one I want to age for a long time.

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  • 2021 Idda Sicilia 90 Points

    Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC

    (3/26/2023)

    It tastes like a volcanic white. I really don't know how better to describe it. Good acidity, moderate aromatics, and a pleasant salinity as well. In a Sicilian lineup, I'm not sure this would stand out as well as the MSRP should demand, but there's no denying the quality in the bottle here.

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  • 2016 Champagne Christophe Baron Champagne Le Dessus du Bois Marie Crouttes-sur-Marne 90 Points

    France, Champagne

    (3/26/2023)

    From magnum. Disgorged March 2020 (remember that time?). Not sure I get this. A somewhat nondescript champagne, but with balanced dosage (whatever regime it was). Drinks at a level comparable to something like the Bereche Brut Reserve, but then I looked up the price of this.

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  • 1997 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard 85 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

    (3/26/2023)

    Hollowing out, but showing raisinated notes, as well as a good amount of bitter oak. Par for the course for Quilceda Creek, of course.

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  • 2018 Domaine Michel Lafarge Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Aigrots 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

    (3/26/2023)

    So nice to taste this after trying it in barrel. This has filled out very nicely, even if it comes across a little simplistic (especially for Lafarge). Ripe, plump, and very easygoing red fruit, with relatively lighter structure in the background. Probably one for drinking younger, but it's very nice to drink now.

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  • 2012 Vieux Château Certan 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    (3/26/2023)

    I need to buy more VCC. In this average vintage, the estate has produced a stunning wine. Sure, it's relatively large-scaled, but the balance of pyrazine and ripe black fruit is amazing. Intense and powerful, this will undoubtedly be a long-lived edition of this wine. This belongs in my cellar and I'll be searching some out. Fortunately I've plenty of time to do so, because this won't be nearing maturity for a long while.

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  • 2014 Gargantua Syrah Oregon 83 Points

    USA, Oregon

    (3/26/2023)

    Not particularly syrah-y. Just kind of like a big, generic red wine. Decently well-made but comes across as non-descript for me.

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  • 1983 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley 85 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (3/26/2023)

    Still alive, but it's more like it's hanging on. Pruney and starting to dry out. More impressive that it's just still alive than anything else. Quite plummy, which speaks honestly to the grape. Needless to say, the wines of this era are far better than the mass-market trash this has become.

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  • 1985 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (3/26/2023)

    Quite good, but definitely starting to show a little long in the tooth. Not quite as eucalyptus as Heitz is renowned to be, but there's definitely a herbal green streak here. Black fruit and leathery textures, this is pretty classic, proper old Napa here. Nonetheless, I'd be inclined to drink this sooner than later.

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  • 2019 Walter Scott Pinot Noir X-Novo Vineyard 80 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

    (3/26/2023)

    I just don't get these wines at all. Something is up with the sulphur regimen that I consistently cannot understand (and I've tasted a fair number of bottles), and this pinot also has that reduction issue. The palate is incredibly candied and confected (think those neon red maraschino cherries), and there's not much else there.

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Flight 3 - Dinner at D Cuisine (8 Notes)

  • 1997 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel #9 Flawed

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (3/28/2023)

    #09-98, 7% abv. Fuder 9. Corked. Not enough to detract from enjoying the palate, but enough to be distracting on the nose. A shame -- some absolutely outstanding material here.

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  • 1997 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 95 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (3/28/2023)

    #09-00, 7.5% abv. Fantastic, textbook Prüm with the acids that are so 1997. Bright and crisp, but with plenty of palate weight and white fruit. Scintillatingly exciting acidity that keeps everything together, it's kind of a shock that this is as old as it is -- served blind, I would have readily guessed something 10-15 years younger.

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  • 2020 Guffens-Heynen Mâcon-Pierreclos Le Chavigne 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Pierreclos

    (3/28/2023)

    Shows a fair bit of oak and reduction on the nose, but the good ol' Fourrier shake gets rid of most of that, and yields a more put-together wine, where the acidity and minerality comes more to the forefront. The weight is very much Guffens and this is an archetypal example of the wines from the estate.

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  • 2017 Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet Fixin En Combe Roy 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Fixin

    (3/28/2023)

    Lovely stuff, with a beautiful perfumed note that only really develops with a little bit more air. Crisp and bright, this is yet another example of the estate's combining the post-modern red fruit with a classical sensibility, yielding a wine that has that both the weight and gravitas of an old school Burgundy with the fruit/floral-forward characteristics of the post-modern style. Wonderful stuff is happening here.

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  • 2007 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett #2 93 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (3/28/2023)

    #02-08, 8% abv. Under screw cap. Ugh, why didn't I buy more Kabinett to age? Fantastic. Electric, exciting, and plenty of acidity. Doesn't show the opulence of the ripe vintage, but you do get some ripe fruit to couple with all the acidic elements. Drinks so young -- this seems like it's been stuck in time. Not as minerally and stony as I would expect versus a Domprobst.

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  • 2010 Domaine Pascal Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnés

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    (3/28/2023)

    Next to the François (which has always been a side-by-side I've wanted to try). Unfortunately this bottle showed advanced and the fruit browning. Unfocussed and very much lacking the precision of its neighbour. Not totally convinced this is a sound bottle.

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  • 2010 Domaine François Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnés 90 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    (3/28/2023)

    Next to the Pascal, which was showing slightly advanced and probably not totally up to scratch. This didn't have the typical green notes of sauvignon blanc (or at least, not prominently), but I loved the racy, mineral acidity reminiscent of Chablis on this.

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  • 2019 Bodegas Javier San Pedro Ortega Rioja Viuda Negra El Arca de Asa 90 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

    (3/28/2023)

    No. 1694 of 4500. Unmistakably young Rioja. Plenty of oak, plenty of leathery tannins and black fruit, but relatively light in texture on the palate until the tannins. Acidity that gives this wine excellent lightness as well. Very drinkable now.

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Flight 4 - Dinner Chez Francesco (8 Notes)

  • 2011 Domaine Roulot Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières 98 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

    (4/1/2023)

    At first, this was just tight and reductive, and really not giving at all. Surprisingly dark colour for so young a wine, but this never tasted oxidized. In any case, we put it in a decanter, and somehow that just made this shut down even more. So we shook up the decanter and then, boom, this was on full display. Surprisingly rich and broad for a 2011. This tastes more like the Roulot of old than more recent incarnations, with more of a waxy texture and less outright acid and reduction. This is very Perrières with its intense minerality and breadth. Extraordinarily long finish. More grand cru than most wines that actually say grand cru on the label.

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  • 1999 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Château des Ducs

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

    (4/1/2023)

    Just not a great bottle of this today. I'd believe it was slightly heat-damaged at some point, though it didn't show any stewed or cooked notes. Just kind of dense and tannic, but also lacking in flavour -- tasting this immediately after the Chênes, it felt like all the flavour had been stripped out of this wine.

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  • 1999 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes Flawed

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

    (4/1/2023)

    Corked.

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  • 1999 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

    (4/1/2023)

    ...and another bottle that was full-on grumpy and ornery, though it was far better than the Ducs alongside. This had very pure fruit, but it was also somewhat subdued and not on full display. Quite tannic and chewy, and almost a little leathery too. Drinking this just before the Ducs, it entirely wipes out any semblance of flavour of the latter wine. Despite having anecdotal evidence that this was drinking very well, this bottle was more about long term potential than anything.

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  • 1987 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    (4/1/2023)

    I think this is exactly what I expected it to be. The nose is very much old-school, Gerard-era Chave, with a very rustic bloodiness/meatiness to it. The palate is very thin and lean, and very much lacks the weight of a recent 1993. With air, you get more smoke and brine, but the weight never really seems to pick up. Very high acids, as you might expect from a light vintage. I do really love the Gerard-era rusticity here, but the lightness/dilution detracts from an otherwise impressive effort in a very difficult year.

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  • 1987 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    (4/1/2023)

    Very fresh and bright (the colour was actually lighter than the 2011 Roulot Perrières). The nose shows a little mushroomy, but there's plenty of Chablis salinity, even if the tart citrus seems to have receded over time. On the palate, this is quite lean and lacks the typical weight of Raveneau (and we quipped that this might have been mistaken for a solid bottle of Dauvissat from a different vintage). A little earthier and mushroomier (definitely not a word) than I like in my chardonnay, but that this was produced in such a tough vintage is a coup in and of itself.

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  • 1987 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (4/1/2023)

    Absolutely awesome old school Napa cabernet, with very much a ripe-vintage old world sensibility to it. The fruit is more Napa though, with its generosity and breadth. Mostly black fruit and pencil shavings with balanced sweetness on the palate. Leathery tannins, a fair bit of acidity. Very much balanced, with just the right amount of pyrazines. Outstanding drinking now, but good bottles of this (like tonight's) should just be reaching maturity now.

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  • 1976 Château d'Yquem 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    (4/1/2023)

    Fairly dark in colour. The nose is classic Yquem -- coconut, marmalade, burnt sugar, stone fruit, all that good stuff. There's plenty of botrytis spice to boot. On the palate, this has a slight burnished quality to it, and while this is fairly sweet for a wine this old, it doesn't feel unbalanced. As always, that slight Sauternes bitterness helps balance out all the rest of the components here, and there's actually some nice acidity to balance everything else too. Maybe not at the same level as the 1975, but definitely up there in the pantheon of great Yquem vintages.

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Flight 5 - Sunday afternoon Chez Francesco (7 Notes)

  • 2020 Xavier Monnot Meursault Le Limozin 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault

    (4/2/2023)

    Moderate, and balanced hint of reduction on the nose. Not the biggest weight on the palate, but I really like the acid-driven character of this, while it still retains a good richness and breadth on the palate. No doubt this would have been better with even more air.

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  • 2021 Weingut Keller Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Kabinett 93 Points

    Germany, Rheinhessen

    (4/2/2023)

    Man, this is bracing. Tastes like the post-modernist style that seems to be pushed these days, with the absolutely bracing acidity. Very long on the palate, just from the acidity and minerality along, but on the attack and midpalate, I just wish I could find a little more sugar and weight to balance out all the acidity. And I'm not totally sure that this has the fruit for aging. All that said, this is some pretty intense minerally stuff, and that alone is absolutely impressive. I've long maintained that Keller's Kabinetts are as good, if not better than his GGs, and while I've yet to try the 2021 GGs, I'm willing to bet I'd prefer this.

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  • 2005 F.X. Pichler Riesling Unendlich 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (4/2/2023)

    So waxy and oily. Almost like an Auslese trocken but with a slight residual sweetness to it. Huge palate -- honestly, I feel like the best descriptor of this wine is thicc. Drinks like a top shelf GG, though this has much more prunus than maleae character. Honeyed and rich, this is definitely getting to a bit of an over-the-top stage.

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  • 2005 Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Néore 93 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    (4/2/2023)

    I love the richness and breadth on the palate here, with that ripe tropical fruit note that you get from sauvignon blanc. Missing all the bad characteristics of this most insipid of grapes, this is an intense, rounded, and large-scaled wine. The alcohol pokes through a little bit, and there's a little bit of sweetness here as well. Quite stylistically distinct, this is the sort of wine that is interesting to try once every few years; it's hard for me to picture why I would want to drink this regularly.

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  • 2019 Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet Fixin 1er Cru Les Arvelets 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Fixin 1er Cru

    (4/2/2023)

    Served single blind. A really nice wine, to be sure, with its mix of red and black fruit, but I found this a little woodsy for BG, and the oak definitely poked through a little more than I really would have cared for, especially coming off my experiences with other wines from Berthaut. Don't get me wrong -- this is a really interesting and compelling pinot, but I think it paled in comparison to the lighter and more lifted Hervelets, and would stand to benefit very much with additional time.

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  • 2019 Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet Fixin 1er Cru Hervelets 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Fixin 1er Cru

    (4/2/2023)

    Served single blind. I strongly preferred this to the Arvelets, which was a little too woodsy and oaky for current enjoyment. This was lighter and lifted, and felt closer to my conception of the BG house style. Again a mix of red and black fruit, but more red than black. Small red berries here, with a somewhat perfumed complexion. Very, very nice.

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  • 1973 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello 95 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    (4/2/2023)

    Without a doubt modern cabernet drinkers would hate this. So light and ethereal, this dances on the tongue with tart, red berries rather than the traditional cabernet fruit. Fully resolved with lots of leather and graphite notes, resolved tannins, and an acid-driven profile. No clearly discernible notes of American oak. A real treat to try a Monte Bello this old.

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Flight 6 - Dinner at Hermosa (12 Notes)

  • 2009 Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Spécial Club Rosé 93 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    (4/3/2023)

    Stellar showing of this, with such lovely balance between the ripe vintage and the acidity here. Very pale in the glass (or the room was just very dark), but with distinct and prominent red berry notes here. Nearing the end of its primary phase, this is still plenty fresh and vibrant, but with also nascent secondary brioche starting to develop.

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  • 2005 Dönnhoff Schloßböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Spätlese 90 Points

    Germany, Nahe

    (4/3/2023)

    Very dark colour -- worryingly so, but surprisingly this was still drinking very well. The fruit definitely shows a good bit of ripeness and softness, with a slightly roasted quality to the fruit. I wonder if this bottle, while drinkable, was really representative/sound.

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  • 1990 Prince Poniatowski Vouvray Moelleux Clos Baudoin Flawed

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    (4/3/2023)

    Corked.

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  • 2016 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti)

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (4/3/2023)

    Wow. Hands down the best bottle of young Cappellano I've had. Ethereally light and lifted red fruit, just the right amount of sweetness, and a maddeningly crystalline profile. Right on the pop and pour, the tannins were quite soft and hidden in the background; with air, the immense structure undergirding all that top-level crystalline fruit became more apparent. One for the ages.

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  • 2016 Weingut Keller Kirchspiel Riesling Großes Gewächs 95 Points

    Germany, Rheinhessen

    (4/3/2023)

    Shows a bit of ripe fruit here, but there's a distinct rock dust character that is really compelling about this wine. Slightly powdery on the palate from all that mineral intensity. The fruit is moderately sweet and gets broader with more air (and as this warmed up). Very much a classic Keller GG -- I'm really liking where this is at right now, and it'd be pretty compelling to pop a few more while there's still some of that primary freshness left.

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  • 2001 Schloss Schönborn Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling Spätlese 90 Points

    Germany, Rheingau

    (4/3/2023)

    Very much a product of the Rheingau. Ripe and fat, but the vintage gives this a little more acidity to freshen it up. Pretty clean, this doesn't seem like it's developed too many secondary characteristics yet, and is living in that inbetween phase. That said, this is still drinking quite well, as the structure isn't as stern as Mosel rieslings.

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  • 1995 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spätlese 98 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (4/3/2023)

    Absolutely stunning. In a perfect, secondary characteristic spot, but still with incredible amounts of Saar acidity and mineral extract to the point this wine has a chewy texture. The fruit is mature and there's no primary freshness here, but that acidity still keeps this taut and exciting to drink. A slight dill stem, green herb note adds complexity to this. A marvelous bottle out of the Bonelli cellar.

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  • 2012 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 93 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    (4/3/2023)

    This is wine more about potential than enjoyment right now. The fruit is clean and precise, but the palate feels slightly attenuated, and you can clearly see that the secondary characteristics are about to emerge. Probably the most profitable to revisit this in at least five years.

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  • 2019 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo 93 Points

    Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC

    (4/3/2023)

    On the nose, this has a glorious array of volcanic stink and delicate red fruit. It's as Etna as it comes, and I absolutely love it. On the palate, this is not quite as delicate and light as the Don Peppino -- it's more brooding and intense, with a lot of fine-grained tannin providing the structure. Whereas the Don Peppino is already providing great pleasure now, this is a wine whose structure demands a good bit of aging.

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  • 2002 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Flawed

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (4/3/2023)

    Corked.

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  • 2008 Egon Müller/Le Gallais Wiltinger Braune Kupp Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Auction 93 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (4/3/2023)

    It's pretty wild that you can make a wine this thicc in such a cold vintage. Heaps of botrytis and spice on the nose and palate, with notes of apricots, marmalade, and slight mushroom. Lacks a bit of definition; this feels a little diffuse, as if the sole thing on display here is a study on the intense botrytis. Quite sweet.

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  • 2009 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (4/3/2023)

    This isn't as delicate as some of the other lighter vintages of this wine, and the ripeness shows quite prominently in the context of other bottles of Monvigliero. The olive/stemmy quality is in the backseat, though you can still pick out some of it. Not quite as resolved as I would like, but this is still drinking very nicely now. The vintage character shows, which to be clear is no bad thing.

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