Cellar Raid

A suprising and decent showing from chinese wines. Got a lot of ppl stumped and guessing old world.

• 1998 China Great Wall Wine Co. Chardonnay Great Wall 78 Points

  China, Guanting Lake

  (1/16/2010)

  This is deep urine urine yellow. Obvious age on the nose with reductive notes of honeysuckled light english toffees and gluey-ness. This reminds me of Qoo white grape drink . Exciting on the nose but the opposite on the palate with a rather flat structure and pfalz like neutrality to it. Not too bad a wine.

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• 2003 Changyu Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Red Wine 79 Points

  China, Shandong, Yantai

  (1/16/2010)

  We think its an 03 though not clearly written on the label but there were some chinese descriptors at the back. Suprising effort with old world austerity and extremely earthy dirty frontal attack. This left many ppl guessing a german pinot/ greek varietal or some spanish minor regional. That does say something about the direction China is going with their wines. Old fashioned backward wines are favoured over the new world fruityness that is so much more easily made. Quite an attractive nose of the bitter herbal roots and just a touch of sweet fruit to the end. On the palate, this really is extremely austere and you can almost feel like biting on a dry branch covered with dried root herbs. Tastes less oak driven than it actually smells which was very interesting. In fact, this has a kumquat ring to it at the end.

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• 2005 Guy Bocard Chardonnay Bourgogne 82 Points

  France, Burgundy, Bourgogne

  (1/16/2010)

  Mineral, chalky white fruits and lemon citrus notes. Thought I got some white florals too. Quite clean and fresh styled.

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• NV Henri Bonneau Les Rouliers 79 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vaucluse

  (1/16/2010)

  Some coffee, rich spiced, coffee oak. Rich brambly, spicy fruits . Very tannic and kinda harsh too. Cigar undertones.

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• 2006 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Charmes-Chambertin 86 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

  (1/17/2010)

  Still a kid, thisi is kinda too early to open. From its youthful vibrance though, we sense a lovely already blooming nose of sensual seductive flowers that makes this chambertin plot so charming and alluring. Tannins still tight and palate unrelenting except with glimpses of its future beauty and poise. Pretty red fruits underneath that is waiting to blossom.

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• 1990 Domaine Tollot-Beaut Chorey-les-Beaune 78 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chorey-les-Beaune

  (1/16/2010)

  Past its best to drink by date. A bit soapy. Delicate nice fresh and pristine still with cool tea with dried fruit bits. On its last leg and should be better drunk now than later.

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Somehow we had a strong cast of bordeaux stretching across different styles and cru classes.

• 1983 Château Potensac 82 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc

  (1/16/2010)

  Typical aged claret nose. Cool fruits that is slightly tired but does have some depth. Standardish aged claret not offering much suprises but punches at its level.

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• 2004 Château Larose-Trintaudon 84 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  (1/15/2010)

  Textbook bordeaux and what else can it be but bordeaux. Green bell peppers, leather, spicy french oak, earthy and rustic undertones with backwardish rootishness. Very rustic oomph. Uncomplicated straigthforward village bordeaux with respectable showing. I love this wine for what it is. It is absolutely something you can depend on.

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• 1997 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) 85 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  (1/16/2010)

  Despite the weak vintage labelling, this is really a surpise. Quite weighty in fact. Some leather, spicy oak , red currant fruits and well balanced . Still big and probably can take on another few year of ageing easily. Not multi layered but offering more a 99 robustness than a 97.

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• 1997 Château La Conseillante 84 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  (1/17/2010)

  Excellently fresh! with fresh leather and exotic indian sandalwood and smoky licourice spices. The freshness of the fruit just gets to you and dominates the flavour profile with its lifted cool freshness almost to a eucalyptus chill. Mostly dark fruits with touch of mocha. Very nice.

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• 2001 Clos de l'Oratoire 84 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  (1/17/2010)

  Savory roasted meats with coffee oak marinate. Modernly styled rich ripe spiced fruits with cat's pee and exotic intonations. Almost inkish and definitely a parkerised wine.

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• 1999 Lindeman's Shiraz - Cabernet Limestone Ridge Vineyard 83 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

  (1/17/2010)

  Coconut oak with sweet confected nose. Fresh plummish rich chocolatey palate.

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• 2001 Feudi di San Gregorio Irpinia Serpico 87 Points

  Italy, Campania, Irpinia

  (1/17/2010)

  Wasabi powered peppery spices that punches your nasal senses! This is a knockout but this is not alc knockout..,this is true au naturel spices . Excellent structure with a cooling palate of dark brooding sensual fruits. Very interesting and intriguing wine. I like it . This is a breath of fresh air. Structured and balanced.

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• 1998 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 84 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (1/17/2010)

  Chinese red dates dominates the nose . Very sappy , tannic and harshly young wine.Powdery tannins with chinese tea finish. Needs more time and needs food.

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• 1996 Künstler Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Beerenauslese 86 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  (1/17/2010)

  Lovely rich spritzy riesling with super acid balance. Mouthwatering BA with rich luscious apricots and sweet lime , some slate but fresh racy acidity for this dessert wine. Excellent .

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