Creamy and soft, but a bit too much green sauvignon peeks out at the end, making it quite sour. The Semilon is done in barrel, the sauvignon in stainless steel.
Floral, honeysuckle nose; thick glycerin body. Unavoidably sweet. I was surprised that the BDR rep recommended trying it mixed with tonic and a slice of orange peel, or as a base for cocktails.
Still quite soft and supple, but very grippy and dark on the finish compared to the 2021. Much more merlot (87% vs 64% for 2021) making it more generous and rounder in the mid-palate.
Estate borders Petrus on one side and Cheval Blanc on the other. Soft and smooth, dark turn on the finish, then a note almost of caramel - interesting and not without charm, though still to bitter for me.
Dedicated plot within Lafite. Really welcoming and soft. Refined and discreet compared to the L'Evangile which was bigger - this has finer tannins, greater length. "An introduction to the Lafite style" apparently
Shown by the winemaker, Philippe Rolet. At the foot of the highest peak in the estate - unique microclimate with lots of persistent fog. V unusual blend - 54% syrah, 43% cab sauv, 3% can franc. Glossy and silky, still quite grippy on the finish. No barrels, only foudres and amphorae. Will age 20-30 years. Maybe because it was served chilled, this was lovely and I had a sense I could drink this all day despite the 14% ABV
Shown by winemaker, Philippe Rolet. Like nectar - sweet opening, light on the attack, then deep and dark and tannic on the finish. Again, served slightly cooled which helped it show, but this was _lovely_ - like chocolate milk (!)
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
This was great. Everything amped up, but all in balance. Popcorn nose, some reduction. Smoky and creamy on the palate. Elegant in spite of its extremity.
Shown by Landon Patterson, CEO. Not at all what I was expecting from £140 CA chard in this context. Soft, gentle - has that CA softness/sweetness - compared to the Penfolds Bin 19A, this is simple, but charming for it. Note it's big - 15% ABV. Apparently "clone 4" ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, growing in microclimates that are inhospitable to phylloxera.
2020 Ridgeview Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Limited Release
United Kingdom, England, Sussex, West Sussex
Fine effervescence overlays creamy texture. Very clean, with a saline finish. Savoury rather than pastry shop - umami. Lovely.
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2016 Ridgeview Blanc de Noirs Limited Release
United Kingdom, England
Shimmer of strawberry-blonde colour. Savoury & complex. Red fruit, without sweetness. Very fierce effervescence on the palate. Purity of fruit. Good.
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2022 Château Rieussec R
France, Bordeaux
Creamy and soft, but a bit too much green sauvignon peeks out at the end, making it quite sour. The Semilon is done in barrel, the sauvignon in stainless steel.
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2021 Château Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Floral, honeysuckle nose; thick glycerin body. Unavoidably sweet. I was surprised that the BDR rep recommended trying it mixed with tonic and a slice of orange peel, or as a base for cocktails.
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2021 Château Duhart-Milon Moulin de Duhart
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Apparently neighbours Lafite. Big nose, but quite linear, soft; lacking density compared to the 2022 - lighter in the mid-palate.
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2022 Château Duhart-Milon Moulin de Duhart
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Still quite soft and supple, but very grippy and dark on the finish compared to the 2021. Much more merlot (87% vs 64% for 2021) making it more generous and rounder in the mid-palate.
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2023 Château L'Evangile Blason de l'Evangile
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Estate borders Petrus on one side and Cheval Blanc on the other. Not much oak, but still a bit dark for me
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2022 Château L'Evangile Blason de l'Evangile
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Estate borders Petrus on one side and Cheval Blanc on the other. Soft and smooth, dark turn on the finish, then a note almost of caramel - interesting and not without charm, though still to bitter for me.
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2020 Château Lafite Rothschild Anseillan
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Dedicated plot within Lafite. Really welcoming and soft. Refined and discreet compared to the L'Evangile which was bigger - this has finer tannins, greater length. "An introduction to the Lafite style" apparently
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2025 Château d'Aussieres Chardonnay Aussières Blanc
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc
Quite fresh, simple
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2022 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Caneten
Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
Shown by the winemaker, Philippe Rolet. At the foot of the highest peak in the estate - unique microclimate with lots of persistent fog. V unusual blend - 54% syrah, 43% cab sauv, 3% can franc. Glossy and silky, still quite grippy on the finish. No barrels, only foudres and amphorae. Will age 20-30 years. Maybe because it was served chilled, this was lovely and I had a sense I could drink this all day despite the 14% ABV
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2022 Bodegas Caro (Barons de Rothschild / Catena) Caro
Argentina, Mendoza
Shown by winemaker, Philippe Rolet. Like nectar - sweet opening, light on the attack, then deep and dark and tannic on the finish. Again, served slightly cooled which helped it show, but this was _lovely_ - like chocolate milk (!)
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NV Penfolds x Thienot Champagne Cuvée Brut
France, Champagne
Penfolds' style - rich, fuller-bodied, rounded. Nice.
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2019 Penfolds Chardonnay Reserve Bin 19A
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
This was great. Everything amped up, but all in balance. Popcorn nose, some reduction. Smoky and creamy on the palate. Elegant in spite of its extremity.
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2024 Summer Dreams Chardonnay The Sun Also Rises
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Shown by Landon Patterson, CEO. Not at all what I was expecting from £140 CA chard in this context. Soft, gentle - has that CA softness/sweetness - compared to the Penfolds Bin 19A, this is simple, but charming for it. Note it's big - 15% ABV. Apparently "clone 4" ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, growing in microclimates that are inhospitable to phylloxera.
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2020 Maison Roche de Bellene Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru La Garenne
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru
Very pure and fresh, lovely. No topsoil for this plot - all rock -> very mineral, clean and pure.
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2025 Château d'Estoublon Roseblood Blanc
France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
70% Rolle/vermentino, 25% sauv blanc, 5% clairette. Winemaker ex-Cloudy Bay. This is VG, actually very nice, long
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2024 Château d'Estoublon Roseblood 1489 Rosé
France, Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
Oak aged. VG - well-balanced, gastronomic. Liked this more than I wanted to/expected.
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2019 Penfolds Chardonnay Reserve Bin 19A
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Coming back to this again, I thought it would be my wine of the day, but maybe the Hundred Acre Sun Also Rises 2024 beats it...?
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2024 Summer Dreams Chardonnay The Sun Also Rises
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Coming back to this - texture plus acidity - luxurious and yet restrained. Lovely. Wine of the tasting.
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