11/17/2017 - Weinlakai wrote:

Stellar bottle. In a perfect place right now. Elegance, freshness, structure and fruit complexity, all in one harmonious composition. Tannins are round, but promise a bright future.

1/18/2014 - Weinlakai wrote:

Cork!

12/28/2012 - Weinlakai wrote:

Mit Philipp in Schelsen

12/1/2012 - Weinlakai wrote:

Had many bottles of this in the past and this showed as good as it gets. Almost no signs of age, typical Pauillac characteristics and a beautiful fruit with perfect acidity. Although 1975 Bordeaux produced many wines on the harsh side, the Pichon is the antithesis. Highly enjoyable!

10/15/2012 - Weinlakai wrote:

Given the high praises here on CT, I thought it would be a good idea to pop the cork better now than later. Since I only had one bottle, I wanted to catch it in a perfect stage. Although I think the wine is as good as it gets right now I must say I was underwhelmed.
The nose is dominated by classical mature Bordeaux notes, especially pencil shavings. The fruit is quite restrained, the typical black currant notes are very discreet. But overall it has a very intense nose. On the palate the wine is both powerful and smooth, but in my eyes the main weakness is the lack of freshness/acidity. The impression of sweetness through its extract level is very obvious and not counterbalanced by acidity. This makes it a bit flabby on the palate and does not create the level of elegance I would have expected. I've had many better examples of mature Californian Cabs/Bordeaux blends. Some of them much cheaper that the Insignia. E.g. 1991 Beringer Private Reserve.

5/29/2010 - Weinlakai Likes this wine:

Wow, this was by far the best bottle of this wine. Seems to be in a very good stage right now. Very approachable, complex Bordeaux aromas and a silky and fresh mouthfeel. Would have never thought that this could be so good. I assume it's on its peek now since it is not very youthful tannin-wise. In my eyes this can't get any better.

5/24/2010 - Weinlakai wrote:

Outstanding value. Still young with potential, but already delicious. Unbelievable that this sells under 8,- EUR.

5/22/2010 - Weinlakai wrote:

Mit Sanne und Joe in MG

5/22/2010 - Weinlakai wrote:

Mit Sanne und Joe in MG

4/14/2010 - Weinlakai wrote:

I've hoped that this would lose some of its heat over the years. Unfortunately I think the alcohol presence got even worse.

3/2/2010 - Weinlakai wrote:

Bought six bottles of the wine, drank 4 so far. One bottle was fine and very enjoyable. All the other bottles had so much VA, that they were practically undrinkable.

11/20/2009 - Weinlakai wrote:

The nose was pretty closed. On the palate this is a brutal monster. Red fruit in such an overwhelming format that it was hard to name specific fruit aromas. The tannins are very present, but not in an unpleasant way. Very obvious influence of wood and an enormous length. It's quite alcoholic, but still not in a way that it negatively effects the overall impression of the wine (not "hot"). Although this is obviously a young wine, the structure and the massive body left us speechless. 95(+?) P.

11/20/2009 - Weinlakai wrote:

Intriguing nose. Very "new world". The aromas very shouting: "SUN!!!". Very nice red berry profile and jam-like without a lot of freshness. This has a nice mint-quality as well. On the palate this is very full-bodied and complex, but (surprisingly) it's not hot like e.g. an Australian "fruit bomb". Truck loads of fruit with an amazing depth and length. Very hedonistic and a lot of fun to drink. Although this might have some potential, it is ready to enjoy now. 95-96 P.

11/20/2009 - Weinlakai wrote:

Wonderful nose of red berries. Cherry, redcurrant and raspberry. Typical, but restrained garrigue notes. On the palate this is tremendously balanced and refined with a nice extract sweetness. Unbelievably there is NO trace of tannins. In spite of that the wine is very concentrated and has an enormous length. On the palate the red berry profile is intensified by a great freshness that clearly derives from the Grenache. You can feel that there is still a lot of complexity hidden in the depth of this wine. Time will unveil a lot more. 94++ P.

7/13/2009 - Weinlakai wrote:

Haven't had this since almost two years. The 2004 bottling was produced for GB and Denmark only. Worldwide release of Mollydooker wines came with the 2005 vintage.
Yes, this wine still has a considerably high amount of heat, but if drinking it at a decent temperature (18C) the heat gets overpowered by the truckload of red and black fruits. The Cabernet Sauvignon kicks in with very obvious cassis flavors and the whole package is framed by a somewhat distinct oak profile.
Although Mollydooker wines are "legendary" for being over the top alcoholic (16%!) an oaky in flavor, this is still a very enjoyable and hedonistic wine... and the best thing about it: I think it actually benefits from cellaring. I'm really curious how this will be drinking in five years.
So, no Mollydooker bashing from my side. 94 points from the big boss? Oh well...

12/21/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

A lot more mature than my 1st bottle 2 years ago. Very accesible with ripe fruit and beautiful texture. Still young tannins that I'm sure will smooth out completely with some additional years. This a Italian beauty with a long finish and superb Sangiovese character. If you have some bottles, try it out now and the next in 2 years... it will be exciting to observe the development.

8/20/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Very underwhelmed. This has a lot more heat than the bottles before. It might just go through a weird stage. Still nice barrique characteristics and inviting fruit, but the finish is ruined by the heat.

7/25/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Decanted for almost 8 hours. Don't have to repeat other tasters when it comes to the aroma profile. What made this wine outstanding for me was the amazing silkiness this wine already has. That's something I've discovered with many young, but great wines: You can tell that they are still young (even after a 8 hour decant), but the structure and tannin profile already leaves you speechless. On the nose and even on the palate it has a great density and depth which will definitely become more approachable over the years... I will save my other 2 bottles... at least I'm gonna try!

6/17/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

I had very high expectations and although this is a very good wine I am disappointed. Even at the 2nd day this has a lot of heat... really tasty and nice aroma profile. It lacks of complexity and secondary aromas though. Young tannins makes the wine not very elegant. Probably I'm drinking this wine far too young. Right now it is a good, tasty and powerful wine, but it is not challenging you in an intellectual way.

5/27/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Great value!

5/16/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Awesome!!! I wish I'd have more...

5/15/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

This is really my kind of wine... chocolate, smoke and classic Right Bank Bordeaux aromas. Great structure and full body, young and harsh tannins, but not in a disturbing way. Only thing worrying is the acidity which is a bit too much and too little integrated.

5/13/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Fruity, jammy and almost sweet. Hardly medium bodied. Too "exhausting" for my taste, because its lacking structure and body... drinking it after the Domaine de Courbissac Orpheé (Minervois) is shocking... the 10 Euros cheaper Minervois is the way better wine.

5/8/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Hint of VA. Slight moussage. Earthy, meaty ,raisiny profile, but also floral notes. Quite bitter tannins. Good length in the bright and clean finish. A very good wine, but nothing I have lots of pleasure tasting. On the 2nd day this is better. Good balance, the tannins are still quite harsh, but not bitter. Actually just the way I like it.

3/31/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Wow, this is wine is really accessible right now! Will it stay like this? It is a Bordeaux in a Californian style. Totally atypical for a Bordeaux, but typical for this very warm vintage. It's a wine for people that don't find Bordeaux hedonistic enough and Californian wines not elegant enough. With other words: this wine is not an intellectual experience, but simply fun to drink!

2/21/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Always delivers. Delicious.

2/14/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Had it after a great bottle of 1993 Newton Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wow, very nice! Served double-blind. Clearly an Aussie wine. I could have sworn that it is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz cuvee. Very Syrah like fruit, but also a Cabernet Sauvignon like spicebox/cedar aroma. Very open, very ripe with lots of complexity, great mouth feel, very long finish. The tannin structure shows its youth, but is not disturbing at all. Very enjoyable to drink right now.

2/12/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Very elegant. Very nice and mature!

9/27/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

Wow, amazing stuff! 28 € makes it one of the best QPRs I have ever had! Made in the Amarone style and really expressing that style. Not over the top, but very intense and elegant at the same time.

1/13/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

OK, now I know that my first bottle was slightly corked. This bottle was a typical example for a mature Bordeaux and thanks to the vintage it was very good. Not a world-class wine, but given the price, it probably doesn't get cheaper for a 1982 Bordeaux that is still drinkable.

1/26/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Not as good as the previous 2 bottles... I bought from two different sources... Still OK to drink, but far from the experiences before... So rather disappointing and no real fun to drink... Not flawed, but just aged in a way that the fruit was pretty much gone and the palate was too oaky... But for a 30+ year old wine from a harsh vintage it is fine to be drinkable at all.

1/29/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Not a shame to drink this so young. Very enjoyable. DECANT AT LEAST 2 HOURS!

1/5/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Similar but better (more approchable) than the Whit Hawk right now. Really excellent stuff... I start to like Californian Syrahs more and more!

12/31/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

Very typical Pinot Noir nose and palate, but compared to the Calera Selleck and the Chevillon Vaucrains 1er cru I had alongside, this was rather artificial and superficial in style. Very nice to drink, but without the complexity or charm of the other two.

12/24/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

Well, I finally was brave enough to open one of this. Clearly a great CNDP, but still very young. Even after 6 hours of decanting I didn't find it very approachable. I couldn't see why Parker would give this a three digit score... but like I said many times: I'm not able to tell how a wine will develop over the years. I only know that this for sure has the potential to become a lot better... let's wait and see. Right now the 2003 Deus Ex is more enjoyable! But to make it clear: this already is a very good wine that clearly deserves the 94 points I gave it.

12/31/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

Oh wow, I liked this a lot. "Audouzed" for 6 hours. The nose was similar to the 2000 Chevillon Vaucrains 1er Burgundy I had alongside, but the palate was thicker and richer with a lot of structure and aromatical depth... and what a finish! Lovely. This really combines all the great things of a Burgundy with the hedonistic aspect of an Californian Pinot Noir. Gorgeous stuff even at this price point. One of the best red wines I drank in 2007.

12/31/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

After six hours of "audouzing" the nose reminded me more of CNDP than of Burgundy... very garrigue-like. The palate with the typical Burgundian Pinot Noir aromas of red fruits revealed its origin. I wouldn't call this wine too young right now... for me it was just right to drink it now. A nice surprise, because I was drinking Burgundies far too young lately. Compared to the US and NZ Pinot I drank alongside, this was VERY elegant and refined... just like you would expect from a good Burgundy. This wine doesn't have too much structure or length, but at this price point it is still a Burgundy bargain!

1/1/2008 - Weinlakai wrote:

Very nice Champagne to welcome 2008. An absolute women-pleaser with those nice red fruit aromas and excellent moussage. With a lot of structure and length to please me as well ;-) Addictive stuff.
Not a steal, but still OK in a highly priced (Champagne) market.

12/6/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

Compared to the 1995 Musar which I like a lot, this wine shows too much acidity right now. It also doesn't have the finish of great examples of Musar. I'm not sure whether it is still too young or the '98 just simply a rather bad example of Musar.

12/11/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

I drank this wine over the last 4 days. Air is a good thing for this wine right now. It opened up beautifully showing some nice red fruits and a caramel/vanilla aspect. Very smooth and balanced for such a young wine. The finish is quite long and reveals a present, but not too dominant tannin structure.
A very well done and tasty wine. I had the 2004 a couple of months ago and think it has more body and depth compared to the 2005. I rated the 2004 93 points and compared to that the 2005 is 91 points. For the price it is a very good wine and another evidence for Douro being a great wine region.

11/29/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

This is one of the most outstanding values I have ever tasted and one of the best Hecula vintages I have ever tasted. Big potential in the long-term as well. On the third day it offered all the stuff it got.

11/24/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

Had it on Thanksgiving. I decanted this bottle for 7 hours, because with the 2003 Deus Ex I made the experience that decanting is the key to open up young CNDPs. Clearly this "technique" doesn't work with all wines... e.g. the 2004 Numanthia shuts close big time when getting too much air.
With the 2005 Clos Des Papes the trick worked and everybody who pos and pours will be very disappointed. The wine is a great example of a young CNDP: not too much of the typical garrique notes, but lots of red fruit all over the place. The mouthfeel is VERY smooth, elegant and somewhat fresh. The finish is very long and ends with a clear, but undisturbing, impression of tannins. Already integrated quite harmonious, but of cource still signaling youth.
The wine of the year? 98 points? I don't know. I think those wine critics are very experienced in how those wines will develop... I'm not, so I can only rate the wine that was sitting in front of me that evening.

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #4 Lafon Rochet, St. Estephe
Sweet cassis on the nose, cedar, vanilla. Medium bodied, relatively short finish with quite harsh tannins... maybe it needs more time!? Not very enjoyable right now.
87+

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #8 Poujeaux, Moulis
Reminded me on a St. Estephe wine. Spicy and tannin driven. Not an elegant wine, but nice black fruit and mineral aspect. Quite long finish, but has to come together.
89 pt.

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #9 La Croix De Gay, Pomerol
The nose smelled slightly oxidized. The palate was different. Sour cherries and olives and smoke. This is clearly a good wine, but not really my style. If this is a typical Pomerol, I don’t like Petrus ;-) Thank god.
89 pt. (Group’s 2nd rank, my 4th)

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #3 Lagrange, St. Julien
First off it had a „baby diaper“ smell that wore off after sitting in the glass for a while. Light cassis flavors, black currants and flowers Full bodied with a long finish and a nice and present tannin structure that signals a long future. Very nice and totally enjoyable right now.
93 pt. (My WOTN)

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #6 Prieure-Lichine, Margaux
Spicy on the nose, light black fruit aromas. Medium bodied and tannins that should be more integrated. I would have expected more elegance from a Margaux wine... probably too young.
88 pt.

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #2 Pontet Canet, Pauillac
Sour cassis on the nose, licorice, elegant and silky tannins on the medium to full bodied finish. Very elegant indeed.
90 pt. (My 3rd rank)

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #1 Haut-Bergey, Graves
Very refined nose, toasted oak, marzipan, light blackberry notes, medium bodied finish. Nice, but boring.
88pt.

5/19/2007 - Weinlakai wrote:

2001 Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting (Wetzlar): #7 2004 Mouton Cadet -> Pirate
Our “pirate” was easy to spot. It was “artificial” blueberry all the way… in combination with the other wines, this was barely drinkable.
76 pt.