Important Update From the Founder
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Weekend with friends
At Home
Tasted August 2, 2014 - August 3, 2014 by stephen locke with 462 views
Flight 1 - Saturday (7 notes)
The Fevre made up for a disappointing Mise en Cave and the flawed Puligny.
Of the 96 Clarets the Duhart is drinking better now, but I think the Barton offers more for the future. Great shame about the Pontet Canet
White - Sparkling
N.V. Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Reserve Mis en Cave 2009
90 points
Mature colour with only moderate bubbles. Mature toasty flavours balancing some fresh yellow fruit.
White
2002 Benoit Ente Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts
flawed
Sadly shot. The colour was reassuring and some fruit on entry - but the oxidised notes started and the finish was raw and unpleasant.
White
2007 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
92 points
Really good - starbright pale yellow with lots of sweet fruit - peaches and grapefruit notes supported and balanced by a beautiful line of acidity. The clarity of the wine shines through.
White
2012 Roberto Anselmi San Vincenzo Veneto IGT
88 points
Another lovely bottle - crisp pear flavours and some acidity, very easy to drink and enjoyable
Red
1996 Château Duhart-Milon
92 points
Decanted - but ready to drink straight away. Aged claret bricking at the edges - pencil box with sweet fruit and supple tannins & enjoyably fresh. Drinking very well now but still no rush for the remaining bottles
Red
1996 Château Léoville Barton
93 points
Big and burly. Decanted and drunk 2 hours later. Relatively quiet nose, but the palate is all there. Classic claret of pencil box, red fruit and tannic structure. Still has firm tannins and I'd guess still some development to come. Compared to the 96 Duhart - this is bigger and in need of more time, whereas the Duhart is more accessible now. Overall I think the LB will be the better wine
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Flight 2 - Sunday (4 notes)
The Moscato always splits opinions.
The Chambolle stood out but the 904 isn't far behind - 2001 seems to be rather special for La Rioja Alta - the Ardanza has been great every time I've tasted it.
The Rouget was disappointing compared to other bottles - I view it as an early drinker, and it may just have been a little old, or a poor bottle
White - Sparkling
2011 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Moscato d'Asti Bricco Quaglia
85 points
Fizzy grape juice. Very refreshing after a long walk, quite pretty and delicate tones but the overwhelming sweetness dominates for me. Possibly it would have been just as refreshing to have had a beer?
Red
2001 Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras
93 points
Just lovely with barbecued leg of lamb. Quite a floral nose with the expected red fruits. Balanced with ripe fruit and acidity. Tannins have melted somewhat and the forest floor is starting to show. Overall impression of a fresh elegant wine that was very easy to drink
Red
2001 Château Rouget
89 points
Ready to drink - no decant needed. Aged looking claret with sweet plummy fruits minerals and smoke on the nose. Lost some freshness on the palate and a little foursquare in the mouth. A surprisingly long finish.
Red
2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904
93 points
Classic traditional Rioja - no hurry to drink this at all. Spicy smokey nose with hints of balsamic. Very round and smooth in the mouth - supple with more spice and black fruit. Long lingering finish. Feels elegant
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