8/7/2013 - rwilmeth wrote:

Original tasting note in 2011 was that this had a toasted bread nose, strong fruit but with long finish, unctuous, good acid. The acid has moderated -- now still ripe peach on the nose, great fruit, dark honey color, served with food that's sweet (jam, dessert) the acid comes back and the wine balances. This wine needs dessert -- peach cobbler, cake with sauce, even a cheese course of mild cheeses with jam, confit, and quince paste. Would be great with orange marmalade.

8/5/2013 - rwilmeth Likes this wine:

Wow wow wow. After having a couple of these that were too old -- and had turned flabby, this one is drinking perfectly! Floral fragrance on the nose with great fruit showing strongly, a tint of blush in the glass, then terrific fruit (ripe peach, ripe white grape, even a hint of tropical fruit) balanced with good acid. This wine is drinking perfectly right now -- I wouldn't hold it. Was sorry to see this bottle end.

8/4/2013 - rwilmeth wrote:

These wines need age and often have long dormant periods. However, the 05 are shining right now. One of the top producers in the region, this wine has all of the traditional Mouvedre hallmarks, dark spice, garrique of wild thyme, sage, black olive, rosemary, and solid dark berry fruit with a hint of black pepper. Perfect with lamb and other Med flavors -- olives, capers, anchovy, tomat.

8/4/2013 - rwilmeth wrote:

Completely prem-oxed.

8/4/2013 - rwilmeth wrote:

Started as a beautiful wine -- all one wants a Corton to be with the quality, structure, and austerity of Rapet. However, the color was a bit off when we opened the bottle. Hard to tell if it was due to age or oxidation. Sadly, it was oxidation. Gorgeous wine -- but within 15 minutes, clear it was slightly oxidized.

8/4/2013 - rwilmeth Likes this wine:

Bright, crisp, acidic wine, light in color, nice and even bubbles, with dry apple, tangy grape, and a hint of vanilla. Great aperitif wine, great producer and great quality for the money. Hard to find in the US.

5/4/2013 - rwilmeth wrote:

Premature Oxidation. This hasn't been a problem with the Rapets -- but unfortunately this wine should have been in its prime. Unfortunately, undrinkable.

12/20/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Rich, fulll-bodied, loaded with fruit and a touch of oak, the winemaker is Burgundian in tradition and lets the fruit really show in this these white IGTs. Great with food -- seafood, tomato, high acid sauces, calimari, Love this wine and winemaker.

12/20/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Outstanding white Burg. Normally, would have wanted to hold on to this for another year or two, but have been finding a lot of prem-ox in the 05s and some 06s. Drank early -- and this wine was still terrific. While it would benefit from a year or two more, it is a 1er Cru, so my rec - drink now.

12/20/2012 - rwilmeth Likes this wine:

This producer releases aged Rieslings and others if you buy at the domaine. Bought this in tasting room (such as it is) in Nov 2011. Aged beautifully -- much more robust than you would think an Alsace Pinot Gris would develop into. Rich, unctuous, ready to drink, and still holding the green apple, pineapple notes. Nicer than I expected.

5/22/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Fantastic fruit without the spice from European Gewurtz; but so fresh and lovely you can't help but love it. Lower acid -- drink now, in my opinion. Lovely wine.

2/20/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Producers recommended the 02s might not have the strength and longevity that a typical Bandol vintage might have. The timing was prefect -- this wine was just stunning. Balanced, great fruit, no "heat", and terrific dark spices -- allspice, cloves, black pepper. Fantastic wine -- from one of the best producers in the area.

2/20/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Lovely rich, lush California chardonnay. Drinking well right now, oaky but not too much so, perfect with rich soups.

2/5/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Light, delightful, great fruit, balanced acidity, but probably not age-worthy. Drink it as soon as the weather gets warm.

2/5/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Last of this from my cellar -- still showing beautifully. Good fruit, good body -- all of the nutty, oaky qualities of a rich Meursault. However, just a *hint* of oxidation starting to come on.

2/5/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Far past its prime -- some oxidation, but more problematic total loss of fruit -- no nose. Drink now -- and it sill might not be at its best.

2/5/2012 - rwilmeth wrote:

Very sad to drink my last bottle! Excellent quality -- good fruit, still round and balanced, lovely with seafood. Tasted with the 2002 and this one was still in terrific form -- stolid enough to have a great conversation about vintage differences.

12/26/2011 - rwilmeth wrote:

Definitely in a dormant period right now -- really closed down -- still good balance, good fruit, and developing into a beautiful pinot. Needs more time.

1/30/2011 - rwilmeth wrote:

On the nose, citrus, unripe pear, green apple. Great mouth feel, very clean. This bottle was great -- same wine opened 9 months ago was a little rough around the edges. A few extra months has given this wine a smoothness and moderated some of the harshness the oak might have smoothed out.

1/30/2011 - rwilmeth wrote:

Fresh, floral, bright but well balanced. Smelled like summer -- love these southern French whites. Apple, pear, white flowers, with a bit of citrus with white grape.

9/11/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Drinking beautifully -- good fruit, lots of oak, butter, round finish. A signature California chardonnay.

8/14/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Great fruit and acid, beautifully balanced, flavors of red fruit -- plums, currants, and a slight minerality. Great Burgundian style in a Cali Pinot.

5/24/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Head to head blind against Napa Valley stars like Rohioli and Peter Michael, this wine was a stunner. Bind, L'order Mondiale tasting. Best of 8. Oak hit on the nose, but fades to fruit, white grape, unripe pear, nicely balanced, good oak, gorgeous finish -- terrific food wine or on its own.

5/12/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Was concerned based on previous notes, but this bottle was stunning. Great fruit -- unripe apple, pear, key lime, and nicely balanced. less dry and slate-y than expected. This wine continued to open up as it warmed. Wonderful nose and finish.

5/9/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Disappointing; none of the characteristic Bandol/Mouvedre nose or texture. This wine should have lots of life left but the big fruit style has cost them the traditional tastes/nose of a Bandol. Maybe this wine is in a dumb period or perhaps the dish was a poor pairing -- but this wine felt thin, without all the wonderful leathery finish I wanted.

5/9/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Did not decant but did let bottle stand open for 45 min or so; this wine was a stunner -- all the characteristic Burgundy experience -- barnyard, leather, dirt, dark fruit -- ripe plum, ripe red currant with just a hint of clove and licorice. Great texture and finish -- perfect with a plate of epoisses and other stinky lovelies.

5/9/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Really nice showing. Beautiful minerality and elegant structure still showing; Still a lot of life left in this wine.

5/2/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

On first taste, heavy lemon, very little typical fruit, slight bitter-lemon finish. After bottle was opened for 1-2 hours and warm, this wine begins to show itself. Smoothed out and presented with banana, white grape -- balanced with the citrus. Needs a little age and good air exposure when poured.

5/2/2010 - rwilmeth wrote:

Oaky, smooth, beautiful Cali chardonnay. Good fruit but well balanced. Could age a bit but not too long.