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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

1999 Chateau Musar

 Bekaa Valley Red Blend more
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8/23/2023 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 93 points

While Musar produces freak great wines in "difficult" years (ie 1984) this is a classic archetypical vintage Musar that will age for a good time yet. Wonderful. Managed to acquire another case direct from Musar in 2018 and looking forward to breaking into it over the decade.
Now-2029 (at least).

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    9/1/2023 2:09:00 PM - Hello Stefan. 1984 saw Lebanon deep in bloody civil war and Musar only got two loads of grapes from the Bekaa to their winery N.of Beirut. The grapes were already fermenting on the lorries it took so long. Yet somehow they produced a phenomenal porty, profound wine from the raw material they were presented with. Even they didn't expect it to be up to much until they were persuaded to open a bottle in the noughties (by wine tourists I think) - and the 1984 legend came into being. I was lucky in 2018 to obtain the last 9 reconditioned bottles available direct from Ch.Musar and still have 4 in my cellar. See my notes for a description of the 1984. ps will be cruising in Japan next April - looking forward to it!
White - Sweet/Dessert

2001 Château Climens

 Barsac Sémillon more
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6/9/2023 - NickBurwood wrote: NR

BYOB lunch in The Spectator boardroom hosted by Jonathan Ray (The Spectator's drinks editor). Limited notes in the main!
Unlike the "big" maturer (albeit with time on its side) Rieussec '01 that preceded it, my overwhelming impression here was of spritely lightweight youth. I have no idea where this will go - is it a 90/91pt disappointment as is or a 95?+ pointer in waiting? Time will tell.
Either way, the proof will out from, say, 2026 onwards.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    7/4/2023 8:33:00 AM - To "I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine"

    Thanks for your comment. Sadly I have no 2001 Climens (someone else brought it to the BYOB lunch). I do have 2001 Rieussec and Lafaurie-Peyraguey though - and they will go on for a long time!

    Nick
White

2009 Tyrrell's Johnno's Sémillon

 Hunter Valley more
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5/27/2020 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 91 points

As per my January note. Excellent but a complete contrast to its illustrious and über long-lasting stablemate (Vat 1) - if none the worse for it!
For drinking up over the next year or so.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    5/28/2020 4:40:00 AM - ...a very thick top quality pan seared and rested pork chop with salady accompaniments!
Red

2003 Chateau Musar

 Bekaa Valley Red Blend more
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5/22/2020 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 91 points

In the almost exactly 3 years since my last bottle this has really filled out. The dark fruit which I then described as "crunchy" has now taken on a much denser/richer/sweeter character and signs of age with hints of truffle, vegetable nuances etc becoming apparent. Excellent still but definitely approaching the end of its life at this level.
Now and up to 20yrs from vintage max

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    5/27/2020 8:29:00 AM - Hi Mike
    75cl indeed
    Nick
Red

2013 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône

 Red Rhone Blend more
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2/1/2020 - VB9 Likes this wine: 51 points

2003, 3.2 rating. A medium red color with a friendly flower nose with a medium, complex body and a moderately long aftertaste. A bargain price for the money. Just let it sit in a cool cellar for a few years, which this wine has. A bargain for the price.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    2/8/2020 3:03:00 AM - I think you need to edit your score!!
Red

2010 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 Red Rhone Blend more
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10/10/2018 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: NR

Château de Beaucastel Dinner & Tasting at Jeroboams, Walton Street. Limited notes.
Infanticide: furry tannins with a tight core showing hints of dark secrets to come. Undoubtedly a great wine - but not now. Ordered 6 on the promise.
Hold till 2022 at least. Should be good once ready for 25yrs+ from vintage. 93pts+ potential.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    11/14/2018 1:42:00 PM - Dead right Magnum PI! Should have read 25+yrs from vintage - well picked up! Corrected
White - Sparkling

NV Nyetimber Classic Cuvée

 West Sussex Champagne Blend more
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6/29/2018 - vinkarl Likes this wine: 92 points

Surprising, I really liked it. An English sparkling wine, of champagne quality.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    8/2/2018 3:19:00 AM - You shouldn't be surprised! Nowadays, the majority of English (classic blend) sparklers compare favourably against many of their French equivalents.
Red

2009 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 169 Coonawarra

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7/13/2016 - Coachron13 wrote: NR

Way way way too much eucalyptus/menthol on the nose and the palate, overwhelmed the wine. Not providing a score because I know there are some who love this characteristic, but not us. Finally calmed down some after five hours open. Maybe waiting several years will provide a more balanced wine???

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    8/8/2017 4:51:00 PM - Classic signature Coonawarra trait I'm afraid (that I love). Should be more in balance with other elements say a dozen years from vintage. Have just bought a case but won't be touching it till 2021.
White

2010 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve

 Carneros more
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5/20/2017 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 91 points

Now showing well.
Highly focussed new world exotic chardonnay fruit with touches of citrus zest, vanilla and cedary oak. Long dry finish. Excellent and a much more refined outurn than expected especially alongside many a more muscular (though still just as enjoyable) Californian top end chardonnay.
Now and until the end of the decade.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    6/9/2017 11:49:00 AM - Hi Wine Problems,
    Uncorked an hour before pouring and left in glass 5-10 minutes before tucking in. I do tend to decant my Kistlers and Varners ie Cakebread's oaky cousins!
Red - Fortified

1977 Warre Porto Vintage

 Port Blend more
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2/18/2017 - doctornoah Does not like this wine: NR

My 40th Birthday Weekend; 2/17/2017-2/20/2017: I recognize this as being a good example of vintage port from a supposedly great year. That being said, this is a hot sweet mess to me and smelled of prune and some things I don't particularly want to eat for dessert. I hate port.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    2/22/2017 1:04:00 AM - ...one persons "mess" is another persons...
    Glad to note that you recognised its intrinsic quality in spite of your port allergy! The sign of a serious wine buff.
White

2010 Denbies Bacchus

 Surrey more
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10/22/2014 - mugginsthedog wrote: 79 points

This is one of the more unpleasant wines that I have had the misfortune to drink. No nose to speak of. Generic and cheap tasting.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    9/1/2016 12:36:00 PM - Must have been a faulty bottle.
White

2013 Mt. Difficulty Pinot Gris Roaring Meg

 Central Otago more
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11/22/2015 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 89 points

A private lunch (The Dining Room *, The Goring Hotel, London, UK): Aromatic nose, fresh, peaches and roses, herbs, spices; the palate is off-dry but fresh, juicy and supple, clean and nicely intense flavours, rich but elegant; slightly light on the finish, but length is good.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    11/22/2015 2:03:00 PM - Wonderful venue - will be having a pre-Xmas dinner there. Wine list sounds very interesting - Greek Viognier?!
Red

2010 Penfolds Mataro Cellar Reserve Kalimna Block 25

 Barossa Valley more
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4/6/2013 - JerM wrote: 94 points

(Brunner:Justina's lamb pot roast @Mich&Bo's) Ruby purple in glass, showing big, spicy perfume, along with an initial hit of pong, before reavealing luscious violets edging on roses. Seductive, generous nose. The palate is juicy and dark, with some spicy licorice, juicy cherry, raspberry syrup, blackcurrant pastilles, herby, with some green leaf, and smoke on the end, reminding one of ricola swiss-herb+berry sweets. Interesting 'hollow' mid-palate, but easily filled up with food. Incredibly youthful, but approachable already. Ends with a mid-length finish, savory, and inviting another sip. Would love to see how this ages...

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    10/3/2015 10:59:00 AM - A Mourvèdre fan(atic). On your reviews have ordered six of these to see the aging potential for myself. Hard to find gold dust!!
White

2005 Château Carbonnieux Blanc

 Pessac-Léognan Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more
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9/6/2015 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 90 points

My note of July this year says it all. Excellent but reaching the end of its plateau.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    9/7/2015 11:29:00 PM - The flawed bottle was indeed a deep gold with almost brown tints, whereas the good bottle was a clear pale yellow with green tints. I agree that the colour has been variable - but only 2 out of 27/36 drunk over the last three years have actually been significantly flawed to taste.
    Might a modern screwcap have helped? This problem is endemic in many white Rhônes where I have long advocated the use of screwcaps.
Red

1982 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

 St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more
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8/6/2015 - dcwino wrote: flawed

Mostly French dinner - Rayas, 00 Lafite, 13 Trump, H Lignier CDR and etc. (The Grill Room at Capella Hotel Georgetown): As I recall the 82 Ducru Beaucaillou had a cork issue. This bottle once again is clearly off. Caveat Emptor. Avoid!

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    8/8/2015 7:38:00 AM - I fear your bottle was just bad luck. The cork problem started in the mid-late 80's - I know, DB's my favourite Chateau and it can be be depressing when you regularly get duff 88/89/90s!
    But my 82's and before have all been fine, and anything from 95 on excellent (allowing for year).
White

2005 Mount Pleasant Wines Sémillon Elizabeth

 Hunter Valley more
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12/1/2014 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 90 points

Decanted for 90 minutes.
Green tinged youthful colour - no hint of gilding with age.
Excellent clean citrus oil character nose, fullish bodied on the palate with hints of exotic fruit - pineapple, rose petals and good zesty acid spine. Dry. As fresh as though bottled last week. Accompanied our sea bream well. Good length.
Drinking beautifully now, but with this structure will evolve and still be with us at the end of the decade. ?91+ potential. Unfortunately only one more bottle left.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    12/4/2014 7:14:00 AM - Thanks MSheridan for the intel - have ordered 2x6 online from Tesco. Must be one of the best value wines around!

    NickBurwood
White - Fortified

1820 Lomelino Madeira Boal Solera

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4/13/2014 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 98 points

60th Birthday at home with 15 guests and superb caterer (Kalm Kitchen) - wines from my cellar. Limited note taking.
Cork pulled 36 hours before dinner and set in a wine cradle. 1970 bottling. Indestructible! Sipped after the dinner with coffee (Hawaiian Kona).
Deep ruddy brown colour. Nose of spiced apricots and baked cooking apple; clove, smoke and caramel. All elements are present in the mouth and coat the tongue, bound together with an intense but perfectly balanced pectic acidity that sears the flavours in the memory. Warming in the throat. Extraordinary length - 20-30 minutes! Intrinsically sweet but given a splendid grip by the acidity. .
For sipping in small quantities. Will hold up for a week or more in a decanter/recorked bottle. Sensational.
This bottling has at least ten years ahead of it as a minimum.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    5/7/2014 12:46:00 PM - Well spotted! An Arian Horse indeed.
Red

2009 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos de la Mousse

 Pinot Noir more
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9/8/2013 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 89 points

Decanted for two hours.
Taut aroma of ripe cherries with a merest dash of smoke. Concentrated juicy follow-through on the palate with just the right amount of sourness to balance. Nonetheless, still very closed up and showing some immature "heat". In my view needs at least another year to start showing anything like its full potential and complexity.
An enjoyable enough 89 now but with a couple of points at least in waiting given time.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    1/3/2014 4:43:00 PM - Hi Drankard

    This was a case of deliberate infanticide to give an idea of the potential drinking window.
    From memory, while the wine showed, as described, basic pinot character, sour cherry etc., the full potential of the wine was masked by (unintegrated alcohol) "heat" etc and was therefore relatively closed up. I won't be drinking another bottle till this autumn when I will make a further assessment.
    Personally, when I have enough of a wine, I like to continuously reappraise it - even in its relatively unevolved state.
    To summarise, this is an perfectly drinkable wine now, but only displaying basic characteristics. Given time it should develop far more complexity and move into the excellent 90+ rating.
Red

2008 Passopisciaro Passopisciaro

 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese more
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10/30/2013 - NickBurwood wrote: flawed

Corney & Barrow Tasting at Millbank Tower. Brief notes.
Flattered to deceive. Jammy strawberry/red fruit aromas showed potential, but excessive greenness on the palate and an overdone oakiness took away any pleasure and masked any residual fruit that may have been present. Verging on the faulty.
£29.95 per bottle; no way!! Wouldn't pay £5.00 for this.

SUBSEQUENTLY: Clearly this bottle must have flawed based on comments received, so I now reserve judgement to another day.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    10/31/2013 3:22:00 PM - Christiaan and jdietz.

    I bow to your experiences and now presume the bottle was flawed (note amended). I had no experience of this variety/wine to judge from - but (Christiaan) I'm afraid that the price I stated came straight out of the Corney and Barrow list!

    Many thanks.

    NickBurwood
White - Sparkling

NV Pol Roger Champagne Brut Réserve

 Champagne Blend more
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10/20/2013 - Atreyu wrote: 84 points

Simple, sweet but rather good.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    10/20/2013 4:08:00 AM - It sounds as though you had a badly faulty bottle!!!
Red - Fortified

1997 Niepoort Porto Vintage

 Port Blend more
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9/25/2013 - djewesbury wrote: NR

Following purchase of a few bottles of this dubious vintage, I decided that there was no point in delaying their opening. Bottle one was opened on Thursday 31st July at about 2 pm.

[Individual images are linked below; to see them all, click here.]

As previously discussed, the capsule of this bottle was smeared with leaking, sticky, brown port. On cutting the capsule, the selo and bottle lip were stained and crusted. The cork, which was substantially raised, was wet through but sound.

The wine was dark ruby, 70%, with slight tones of orange and a pink rim.

At decanting, the nose had strong notes of strawberry jam behind the very evident VA (varnish, predominantly). The taste was strange at first: this was not very unpleasant as might have been expected, though. There was peppery heat, boiled sweets, a noticeable tannic dryness on the upper gums and a general toasted (rather than burnt) taste.

At D+8, the nose had a pronounced elderberry smell, again with varnish. In the mouth, there was wood varnish but this was not excessively offensive. Behind it, and very quickly coming through, there was a big plum taste, the same pepperiness as earlier, but a very short finish indeed.

On the second evening, the acid has largely dispersed (it's still there though). There isn't much else left either though - plums, short tannins which appear and disappear very quickly, and no finish to speak of.

This wine was not a disaster, which is what I feared, but it's clearly been both tainted with VA, and affected by the poor corking mentioned elsewhere on .

Niepoort have removed this wine from their website, so it is officially disowned.

  • Comment posted by NickBurwood:

    9/25/2013 3:53:00 PM - In my book 1997 is a very good to fine vintage. Your description of your bottles seems to indicate a dubious storage history rather than an intrinsically poor wine.
    I opened my first 1997 Niepoort at the beginning of this year, it was fine if far from ready to drink. A wine for the long haul which will achieve a significant 90++ score when mature.

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