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Comments on my notes

(387 comments on 345 notes)

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White
2010 Domaine Ramonet Bâtard-Montrachet Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Chardonnay
3/9/2024 - shifter wrote:
Grand Cru White Burgundy Fest: Full, deep and explosive throughout. This was an incredible bottle and right up there for WOTN honors.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    3/10/24, 12:11 PM - Lucky, some definite premox associated with these

Red
2005 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Domaine Louis Jadot Pinot Noir
2/3/2024 - swyang wrote:
Splendid, but still way too young! On a blind tasting, I would have said it had 5 years and certainly no more... This wine has all the elements which is going to make it a superb wine, healthy tannin, beautiful fruit, and an extraordinary texture of a great vintage. But it is still somewhat closed and not talking much. I am completely faithful that this in 5 years will be turning into a beautiful fine, refined, elegant and yet will all the charme of a a Gevery Chambertin Clos St Jacques and with pride. Patience will be rewarded. Cheers,
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    2/3/24, 10:04 AM - Yes indeed, these wines age and age so well. The 2010 is pretty grumpy right now.

Red
2012 Domaine Tortochot Chambertin Chambertin Grand Cru Pinot Noir
9/15/2023 - Bordeaux_Jon Likes this wine:
92 points
This wine surprised me, as for a Chambertin, I expected a powerful and bold wine. Instead, Tortochot has made an extremely elegant and ethereal Pinot, which blind I would have said to be a Chambolle. Lot's of red cherry and cranberry, this is easy to drink and as per past reviews, I'd say ready now rather than holding for the long term. A very nice wine but I deduct some points for this not being the character of a proper Chambertin.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    2/3/24, 10:02 AM - Blinded this on some experienced people in the trade. Got a Rousseau guess so wasn’t far off but I know what you mean. Shows very different than a Trapet would for instance.

Red
2010 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles Pinot Noir
1/21/2024 - AudunG wrote:
91 points
Dark color. Earthy aromas of ripe strawberries, forest floor and leather. Broad shouldered and quite tannic for the age. Has lost some fruit and feels more tired than a bottle tasted a few years ago. Maybe not an optimal bottle.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    1/28/24, 9:10 AM - I noticed pretty early on the 10’ Chevillon’s were aging more rapidly than expected. Certainly much faster than their form and reputation in decades prior.

Red
2020 Domaine Nicolas Faure Nuits St. Georges Les Herbues Pinot Noir
My first red from Faure. Darker fruit and didn’t have the freshness that I hoped for. Decanting didn’t help much either. I’m thinking it’s in an awkward phase right now because the two whites I’ve tried from him were lights out!
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    1/20/24, 4:29 PM - Yeah I think the ‘21 of this is the young one that’s most open now. Many 20’s figure to be shutting down, heard this was showing great early last year.

Rosé - Sparkling
2013 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut Rosé Champagne Blend
1/18/2024 - aquacongas wrote:
98 points
not blind, Magnum
We had two magnums in a row. Still Wow. 20 years ahead. Elegant, some raspberry, discreet fruit elements. Great acidity structure. 97-98
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    1/18/24, 8:40 AM - Didn’t know magnums existed, I guess none were imported to the states.

White
2020 Paul Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay
There are softer, buffered textures to the wine, somewhat similar to Lamy. There’s good focus, purity, ample and rounded fruit that shows honeysuckle, touch of green fruit with the yellow and other floral elements, but ends up feeling a bit generic. Doesn’t have the energy and tension of the Bachelet-Monnot. Instead it trades on being pleasant, easy to enjoy and hiding its alcohol pretty well. Got a chance to revisit day 2 on this one with same notes. Thought the Domaine’s Bourgogne was a bigger success in ‘20
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    1/9/24, 9:26 AM - Yes, I think it figures to have benefited from that time. There was definitely oak integration happening real time and just a general unfurling happening with the Bachelet-Monnot where the Pillot was more silky with much more slack. Would be fun to revisit these two!

Red
2013 Domaine Dujac Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts Pinot Noir
12/3/2023 - mattyboy_ Likes this wine:
94 points
Fantastic on pop and pour. The nose started out with menthol and medicinal herbs on the first pour which quickly transitioned to intense perfume of violets, Asian spices - 5-spice, hoisin, aniseed. On the palate, surprisingly generous amplitude of fruit given the vintage - black plum, baked cherry, fig, red licorice, of course beautifully balanced. This is drinking really well now, given the vintage I'm not sure I would hang on to this much longer.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/3/23, 12:03 PM - Opened one last year that seemed like it had 10-20 years left in the tank.

Red
2013 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses Pinot Noir
10/21/2023 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine:
95 points
Unfortunately my last bottle, beautiful pairing with Chinese 5 spice pork leg and braised greens. Took an hour in the decanter to come alive. Lot’s of juicy black and red fruit. Long sweet finish. Emerging trademark Musigny oolong or black tea. Amazing for the weaker ‘13 vintage. Still tannic, drink this now with air or hold. 94-95/100
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    10/21/23, 12:57 PM - Pays to go Grand Cru in the lighter vintages, and certainly some great 13’s made. Thanks for the note.

Red
2017 Domaine Glantenay Volnay Pinot Noir
Decanted 1 hour. Pale ruby, with pale garnet tinges on the edges. Pretty clarity. Medium bodied, medium acidity. Medium- tannins
Cherry florals, mixed cherries, red plum, caramel, orange peel, slight earth and rocky minerality. Prettier, more balanced, and tastier than I was expecting from this producer at this level. With the decant- in a nice place, much better than a few earlier bottles. Clearly not the most age-able or complex Volnay, and mid-palate is somewhat lacking, but I wish there were more of these wines at my original sale price of $35, including tax. Fortunately I bought a case! Drink in the next 3-5 years.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    9/3/23, 8:37 AM - Agreed, such a great value. Would’ve been a great one for restaurants.

Red
2013 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers Pinot Noir
Double decanted a few hours before taking as BYO to a restaurant. Still tight but showing restrained fruit and some sous bois at first. Big structure to this. Over dinner it opened up more as expected later with more fruit, stoniness, and herbality. Never really open in the true sense, very good but tight and holding back. Did I say structured? Two more bottles and I may not open another for 10 years, 5 years minimum. 4- (out of 5) with very good potential.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/13/23, 7:05 PM - Good to know…

Red
2013 Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Bussia Nebbiolo
8/5/2023 - Carbide4425 wrote:
92 points
Really my kind of Barolo! Don’t know how much it will improve, will probably drink one more and save the last one a while longer.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/6/23, 10:34 AM - Good to hear. How we’re the tannins and acidity ?

Red
2013 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Cannubi Nebbiolo
6/28/2023 - Robmcl920 wrote:
93 points
The '13 Burlotto Cannubi was extremely tight at this stage both aromatically and on the palate, providing minimal enjoyment. I found it hard to assess the precise quality of the wine at this stage, but the concentration of the wine and quality of the tannin is solid. What little was perceptible of the flavor profile of the wine is classic Cannubi.

The nose was very muted, showing faint aromatics of dark red cherry fruit, roses, and orange peel with a lot of coaxing. On the palate, the wine was similarly super tight. It has a nice texture, medium in weight and concentrated, but with decently finessed tannins, although there is a lot of tannin here in need of significant time to integrate. I'd say the tannin quality is very good but not in the same league as the truly exceptional wines I've had in 2013, i.e. the Giuseppe Rinaldi Brunate / Tre Tine, Bartolo Mascarello, or Monfortino. I found dusty red cherry fruit, fresh roses, and some sweet spices, again only with a lot of coaxing. The wine clenches tight at the back end with a super tannic, unexpressive finish.

The '13 Cannubi is the tightest Barolo I have tasted in quite some time. I always find the Cannubi to be the tighter and more "classic" Barolo from Burlotto, in that it has a classic sense of tannic structure and seems like it needs a lot of time to develop. I have also found 2013s to be pretty tight right now. But my sense is that the 2013 Cannubi is a rustic wine compared to more recent Cannubi bottlings and is unlikely to be among the top wines from the 2013 Barolo vintage.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    6/28/23, 10:58 AM - When I had the 2012 a couple years back, I definitely understood it as more of a food wine than one to enjoy by itself.

White
2019 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc Chardonnay
5/24/2023 - thesternowl wrote:
95 points
Judgement of Paris Tasting and Dinner (V. Mertz - Omaha, NE): In a night of many firsts, this was my first time trying Clos des Mouches which is a remarkable monopole that was assembled by Drouhin back in the early part of last century. Famously, Beaune has no Grand Cru vineyards but if there was every going to be one, Clos des Mouches would probably be the vineyard. And if this 2019 is an indicator of the standard of quality, it’s no wonder why.

This was gorgeous; a wine of pedigree. It seemed to have layers of depth and concentration that certainly gave off GC vibes. The purity of the fruit is sublime and the acid is brilliant, combining to create a wine of impeccable balance. Many, including myself, tend to poopoo large producer/négociants but it’s really unfair to make blanket judgements, particularly when you consider that they often own or control some of Burgundy’s most important sites. It is clear that great care goes into this wine. It’s special. Drink now and over the next 15+ years.

A wow wine and divinely paired with diver scallops prepared with huitlacoche, mole, lion’s mane mushrooms, crispy potato and tamatillo salsa.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    6/19/23, 1:19 PM - Agreed, a great vintage for this wine.

Red
2020 Domaine Jean-Marc / Thomas Bouley Volnay Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir
Deep red, purple and darker fruit ensemble. Shows a complex nose of mixed spices, earth, and a touch of heat. It’s more obviously marked by the vintage on the palate, bigger bodied with bass notes you wouldn’t expect from Volnay. But that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious, in fact I preferred this version than the lighter, acid driven 2017 in its youth. The fruit here has big bold flavors with complex spices and suggestions of earth. Even the elevated alcohol (which can be sensed) provides some tension, mingling with the moderate tannic structure and medium low acidity nicely, giving good resonance and sustain on the finish. While it’s not the classic Volnay you might look for, and it’s probably even a bit larger than a modern classic, yet it’s a wine that works and gives quite a lot if you’re ever in the mood for such a wine.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    6/10/23, 7:35 PM - Some similarities for sure.

Red
2016 Sottimano Barbaresco Pajoré Nebbiolo
New oak? Why?
Just ug!
Nose was tight, not much to tease out but some tars and flowers.
Palate had cherry and raspberry with tight tars and grippy tannins for a long finish.
But that new oak tainted the glass.
Maybe in 5 years this will integrate well.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    10/3/19, 3:33 PM - Shouldn’t be a problem integrating, 10-15% new oak on these per the producer. 50-70 yr. old vines. What made this a bit inaccessible for me were the searing acids, though not totally surprised this normally is a wine that needs 10+ years aging to show.

  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    10/3/19, 10:27 PM - Yet DRC is 100% new oak and no one complains ; ) I’m not really in to the demonization of oak unless it imparts a sweet vanilla note, which I can’t stand.

  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    5/24/23, 9:53 AM - Unlucky. Surprisingly, 90’ is known as a poor year for DRC. Though I happen to believe the harmonization of the two elements (grapes plus oak) is what makes truly special wines, that it’s a long rich history, and probably a big part of why many old wines are still alive and kicking today, ultimately have to respect wine is a matter of taste.

Red
2013 Aurelien Verdet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts Pinot Noir
3/25/2023 - 87tellub Likes this wine:
92 points
PnP. Light to medium garnet, with a somewhat darker center core. Complex nose, dark wet earth, ash, black fruit, rusty minerals, some green elements.

Medium in weight, some just ripe chewy black cherry. Balanced, seamless finish with pretty good length. Little more weight with air.

Day 2: very put together, black raspberry and black cherry. Could see 93+ potential. Lots of life ahead of it yet.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    4/21/23, 3:33 PM - Quite a beauty and as you say, from my memory. Thanks for the update.

Red
2016 Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Chambolle-Musigny trente deux Pinot Noir
3/22/2023 - Vinvidz Likes this wine:
93 points
Rare to find this once in a lifetime wine. CM 1er Plantes with Musigny blended in. Medium dark red. Classic Mugnier nose of ripe sweet red cherry. Palate of sweet red fruit, clean and pure. Medium length and some complexity. Impeccable balance and and so delicious. Typical Mugnier from a riper year. Compared to the Bonne Mares 2015 it lacks some stuffing and complexity but has all the Mugnier characteristics. So good.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    3/23/23, 6:51 AM - Was made with cru juice only interestingly.
    1er Plantes and Musigny.

Red
2016 Domaine Bertheau (Pierre et François) Chambolle-Musigny Pinot Noir
Shows good medium concentration of raspberry and cranberry fruit, though quite firm and somewhat tense underneath. It's pleasingly fresh all the way through, with a fairly light touch of oak. Great purity. Gives the impression that it will age very well for the level. Bertheau's 13' Chambolle was a favorite of mine, and this is another fine rendition.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    3/10/23, 5:22 PM - Glad to hear it’s showing well 👌

Red
2015 Bruno Desaunay-Bissey Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir
2/22/2023 - Elwoodr wrote:
94 points
Popped and poured with steak au poivre. Bright cherry and plum. Light oak frame that gives way to some nice spice and earth notes. Super juicy and one of those wines you just want to drink.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    2/23/23, 7:27 AM - Very true

Red
2013 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero Nebbiolo
Very very reticent. Even after a few hours in the decanter and over an extended evening of drinking. Started to try and open at the very end, but not enough. After a night of drinking, everyone seemed to appreciate its freshness and general weightlessness, but very closed in terms of its fruit and flavor expression.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    1/5/23, 8:01 PM - Tannins weren’t a factor. Mellow/medium.

Red
2010 Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Fellom Ranch Santa Cruz Mountains
12/28/2022 - rhit wrote:
Drinking very well, with dark red fruit, herbs, and elegant wood tones. Taut at the core with nicely softening edges. Still really only secondary at this point, and seems it could provide plenty more interest after several years.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/29/22, 7:01 PM - glad to hear there’s gas in the tank.

White
2018 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc Chardonnay
12/23/2022 - Sun_Ship Likes this wine:
93 points
Powerful and complex nose of lemon curd, ripe stone fruit, cooking apple, vanilla biscuit and buttered pastry, with hints of nutmeg, spiced pear and white blossom. Lightly reductive struck match tone. This took 45 mins of air and warmth in the glass to get going. Succulent, concentrated and juicy mouthfeel, muscular and persistent, but there is significant acidity here which is just starting to become integrated. Slightly drying and bitter finish that lingers, with touches of grapefruit and lemon peel. Good, but a fair bit more time needed and plenty of upside. 93+.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/23/22, 10:53 AM - It’s a beaut of an ‘18 blanc and more.

White
2016 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett Mosel Saar Ruwer
9/24/2022 - Keith Levenberg wrote:
90 points
No real sign of age, though it feels very close to dry so maybe it's eaten up some sweetness. It's brightly acidic with pale fruit composed vaguely of pears and much more vividly of lime pith. The latter along with a chalky texture contribute to that sensation of dryness. Very cleansing, bracing even. Not worth the Egon Muller price tag though.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    9/25/22, 1:52 PM - WEB, this wine on release was the best Riesling I’ve had. Hopefully just in an awkward phase right now.

Red
2013 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Pinot Noir
7/22/2022 - jchrisharris wrote:
99 points
Mind blowing wine. Had this at The French Laundry and this was probably the most aromatically complex wine I've ever had. Paired immaculately with duck. Our group was originally going to have two bottles of a really nice Barolo, and we subbed out one bottle for the Ponsot. While it made an odd side by side pairing, it also showed just how good this bottle was. I'm a huge Barolo fan, but it was entirely outclassed by the burgundy and it wasn't close.

I've never been good at listing wine aromas and honestly I don't care to because I don't find it all that useful beyond general categories. But this had a lot going on at once. Bits of forest floor with medium dark red fruit and some underlying cedar. Great acidity and structure.

This wine is one of the best 2 or 3 bottles of red wine I have ever had and single handedly has turned me into a Burgundy fan. I hesitate to call it life changing but I doubt I will ever be able to have a refined red wine and not mentally compare it to this ever again.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/15/22, 8:25 PM - Love to hear it

White
2019 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon Chardonnay
Nose- notes of sulfer, lemon curd, fresh flowers, citrus & fresh mint & saline. Fresh, fragrant, yet somewhat tight & restrained.
Palate- lots of citrus, minerals, saline, with fresh flowers, fresh mint in a medium body with vibrant acidity & subtle spice. Quite young & tight with great balance. Youthful & quite beautiful with a very long finish. This is quite young & definitely deserves some cellar time to reach its full potential.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    7/18/22, 7:43 PM - Did you mean to give this an 82?

White
2018 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc Chardonnay
6/9/2022 - Klyman1 wrote:
93 points
I just couldn’t wait any longer and had to try a bottle. I wasn’t disappointed. Wonderful and round with honey, hazelnut and some apple. Long finish. All that said, there’s still a lot of baby fat and I will do my best to give it another couple of years (if I can keep my hands off of it).
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    6/9/22, 2:41 PM - Definitely not a wine to miss in its youth, at least in 2018.

Red
2010 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Pinot Noir
4/13/2022 - Burgnick Likes this wine:
93 points
Very refined with wild berries, oak spice, and minerals. Palate is expressive with good grip and texture. Drinking very well in its early drinking. One of the very few successful Ponsot vintages. 92-93
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    4/13/22, 11:21 AM - 10’ and 13’ have been my favorite. The handful I’ve had from the 90’s have all been corked.

Red
2013 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses Pinot Noir
4/9/2022 - joshabramson Likes this wine:
96 points
So fresh and pretty! Juicy and already quite expressive on the nose and palate at this stage. Love it!
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    4/9/22, 9:37 AM - Nice…sounds more excellent than most vintages. I tend to love 13’ Chambolle, too.

Red
2017 Domaine Glantenay Volnay Pinot Noir
1/7/2022 - Puligny33 wrote:
92 points
I really liked this. Drinking beautifully and very approachable at a relatively young age. Lots of red fruit; some tannin but not intrusive. All in all very good village wine.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    1/7/22, 6:54 PM - Agreed. Always nice to get a competent village wine that gives a little more than expectations!

White - Sparkling
N.V. A. Margaine Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée le Caractere M Champagne Blend
Disgorged October 2019, 95% Chard and 5% Pinot Noir. 4.5grams of dosage. What a pleasant surprise. Fresh, rich with a touch of dried lime peel and a wet stone finish and flint. This is a solera of about a decade, and 4 years on the lees. Very good, a wine I don't see often but I got some bottles that I'm happy to have.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/29/21, 4:58 AM - Sounds interesting 👍

Red
2012 Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 3 Central Otago
Disappointing bottle, not at all like I remember it five years ago. Possible issue with the stelvin closure here as this was bricking a bit more than age appropriate. Indeed this came off as pretty well oxidized, and showed as much or more chocolate impression as ripe red fruit. Hopefully just an off bottle.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/24/21, 4:53 PM - Good to hear Howard.
    Really enjoyed this in its youth. Glad to hear its still kicking, you might have to open one for me some time! Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Red
2013 Domaine Bertheau (Pierre et François) Chambolle-Musigny Pinot Noir
Comes across riper than expected for Chambolle - delicious nonetheless. Raspberry liqueur and whiffs of bramble and spice to offset the ripeness. Not the most profound yet very drinkable over dinner.

EDIT: Really develops with some air. Do not make the same mistake I did and judge too early; really comes into its own with an hour to breathe. Spice notes and fruit intensifies and integrates. Word of warning to all who taste a small splash of wine soon after it's poured. Texture also much improved... can drink entire bottle myself now. Will not do so out of propriety and will share with the chef and maitre'd.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/23/21, 9:35 PM - Thanks for the note. Found the same with this on release, really developed with air.

  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/23/21, 9:56 PM - I have this wine to blame for getting me in to Chambolle and 2013 reds.

Red
2014 Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux Romanée St. Vivant Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru Pinot Noir
12/10/2021 - clayfu wrote:
blown over by the concentration of sappy powerful red fruit out the gate. John and I looked at each other on the first sip and gave each other that look. With time the fruit focuses and strengthens in the middle core. The depth of flavor is mind bending on the wine. It's just an absolute crate of cooking spice and red fruit melange that's free flowing in this vast space. I imagine one of those sci fi movies where there's this large box with liquid and this non shaped material moving snake like all over inside and expanding as it moves along. That's how it felt in my mouthreceptors.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/12/21, 4:08 PM - So glad my lone bottle didn’t sell.

Red
2014 Domaine Amiot-Servelle Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes Pinot Noir
The aromatics have really bloomed over the last few years, pretty stellar with complex spice accents to the fruit. On the palate, it’s softened, maybe too much. While pleasant enough, it comes across a bit flat. There’s good sweetness of fruit but not quite the structure or tension to match.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/8/21, 9:31 AM - I would suggest opening one these holidays, it’s an enjoyable wine. Though there’s always the caveat of what kind of natural cork you get, so maybe this particular bottle allowed a bit more oxygen than the next. Cheers

Red
2010 Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Bussia Nebbiolo
A really pleasant, old-fashioned Bussia at this price. Tart, sappy red cherry, mineral, and medicinal herbs, a la cherry cough drop. Was quite potent over two days, though lacked a ton of support on the finish, which at times felt hollow. Young, but open enough today and good with food. Less complexity than you might expect from a cru Barolo, but good energy and potential.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    10/23/21, 8:53 AM - Recall this wine on release. Very clean and pure, though not a ton of spice and wildness that you often get in Barolo.

White
2013 Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Clos de la Chateniere Blanc Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay
10/1/2021 - liber Likes this wine:
92 points
4th magnum of 6, pnp, perfect cork and level, essentially as last July's but with grassy notes and hint of sulphur, maybe less energy to fruit and sense of approaching maturity plateau, but no rush if little upside. F (17.5).
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    10/6/21, 9:06 PM - Agreed, there is no upside remaining.

Red
2011 Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Castellero Nebbiolo
This is evolving beautifully, and already turning secondary as the tannins have softened and the fresh red fruit flavors have opened up nicely since release, about five years ago. The fruit is accented with rose petal, light tar, white spice, and a surprisingly assertive herbal streak that I really enjoyed. Shows good, elevated acidity throughout. This wine is full of life and verve, and has a hard to find balance of elegance and power. Good versatility too, as it has enough fruit to drink well on its own, and also does well with food.

Inaugural vintage for this wine, going in to G Fenocchio’s Barolo Classico beforehand. The vineyard is just across from where Cannubi/Cannubi and Cannubi Boschis meet. Vines here about 30 years old.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/23/21, 3:02 AM - Thanks. 2011 is a pretty forward year, but I assume this will continue to drink well throughout the decade, maybe longer.

Red
2008 Château Clinet Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
8/1/2021 - Radboy wrote:
93 points
This got better after the two hour mark. Great wine.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/2/21, 9:26 PM - Built like a tank.

White
2017 Domaine Jean Chartron Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Pucelle Chardonnay
8/1/2021 - Nicephoras wrote:
Replacement for a corked Chablis, this was quite nice; though still a bit too young with a bit too much structure on the finish. Extremely promising.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/2/21, 9:25 PM - Nice...holding.

Red
2013 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Pinot Noir
7/20/2021 - Curtis Chen Likes this wine:
96 points
Awesome showing of candied red fruit, fresh herbs, and fragrant spices. Really bright and drinking super well right now. The complexity really gives it an extra kick to make it exciting. Damn, really great stuff.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    7/21/21, 3:07 PM - Another 2013 I’m happy to own.

Red
2010 Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe Nebbiolo
3/31/2021 - sburtt wrote:
flawed
very disappointing... I hope it was an issue with the cork, the nose what flat and the palate extremely astringent, drys your throat up and gives no please
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    4/2/21, 8:09 AM - This was a very open 2010 when I had it a couple years back.

Red
2010 Louis Jadot Grands-Echezeaux Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru Pinot Noir
12/28/2020 - kr522 wrote:
92 points
Benefits from aeration as it starts out very tight. Light sweet red berries and floral aromatics. classically 2010...light on its feet, packed with minerals, and chiseled lean red fruit which needs to fill out. I find myself thinking that more frequently about 2010 reds as i revisit them
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/28/20, 8:47 PM - Thanks for this. Surprisingly, DRC’s Grands Eche was very forward in 2010 when I had it last year. Wasn’t sure what to do with this bottle, but suppose I’ll wait a while.

  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/29/20, 12:43 PM - Thanks, think I'll wait a few more years or so. Doesn't seem like one for the back of the cellar.

Red
2014 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
12/23/2020 - stkilda wrote:
For me I found this vintage needs some serious aging for further development to integrate the elements. Even with a long decant it was not a wine that was approachable at this time and brought little sensory enjoyment. The wine still has some hard edges to shed but with time perhaps a minimum of 5 years that will change but does require patience.
Having really enjoyed other Classed Growths from the 2014 vintage I was optimistic this super second would deliver similar enjoyment. If you were considering opening this for Christmas my advice would be choose an alternative ......though you are the boss 😀😀😀😀
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/24/20, 1:48 PM - Sage advice 👌

Red
2010 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles Pinot Noir
Decanted for ~3-hrs prior to serving (blinded), this was showy on the nose from the get-go - common descriptors/comments were, "You brought a Vosne?", "this must be a Vosne lah, don't mind-F me" etc... But yes, this exuded very nice florals/roses, spice/sandalwood and guesses immediately gravitated towards villages close to the VR-NSG border. It probably "didn't help" (w/ the guesses) that this was also very pretty & elegant on the palate, with great minerality & freshness. Perhaps the only misgiving was that this was somewhat ageing (given that this is a '10) a tad faster than it should, where bottles from a previous case showed more fruit/intensity/concentration/sappiness, this displayed a bit more complexity that's typically brought about by age. Not bad from an enjoyment point-of-view. Only snag is, how long will it continue to cellar and drink beautifully? For now, this was exemplary.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    12/2/20, 10:30 AM - I’ve definitely noticed this from Chevillon 10’s myself, quite advanced.

Red
2014 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Clos du Roy Pinot Noir
10/3/2020 - stefr Likes this wine:
93 points
Positive trend! Good I have some bottles left
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    10/3/20, 11:37 AM - Nice to hear. Look forward to revisiting myself.

Red
2008 Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges Pinot Noir
This is just different from the wine fashions of today, it’s very much built on its firm, rigid acidity and tannic structure, while the red fruit does have some charm to it, and while it isn’t hidden it’s rather restrained. Some secondary nuance is starting to take shape, a bit of smokiness, spice, and soil. There’s a strong sense of solemness and sturdiness to the wine that tells of world wars, or of people who grew up closer to the impact of those times, and with that it also shows a capacity to age for quite a while, that is if the fruit will hold up. If opening now, best to follow over a couple days as it does better with air, or leave it for later this decade.

I remember tasting some of Faiveley’s 08’s near release, and this wine took me back to that tasting, the wines tending to have a guarded personality, and doing well with food, and cheese in particular. Also got to meet Erwan at that tasting nearly a decade ago, having no idea that he was just starting his tenure. 08’ is generally considered a transition year for the house, and this bottle, suffice it to say, shows as more traditional Faiveley than new.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    9/26/20, 10:15 AM - Yes, would agree that naturally, the vintage character obscures how we view what changes were or were not being made leading up to the rather plush vintages of 2009 and 2010. Even with this figured in the 2008 LSG does seem more traditional Faiveley in approach, and/or just picked a bit earlier than others like Chevillon.

  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    9/26/20, 11:11 AM - Reading that makes me wish I had more. Will say the 08’ carried more interest than the 12’ did last year, even accounting for its youth the 12’ didn’t seem to have the stuffing to age that the 08’ possesses.

Red
2014 Domaine Duroché Gevrey-Chambertin Pinot Noir
8/26/2020 - WEB,III Likes this wine:
88 points
Wow. All the hype, too. Purity and elegance is remiscent of Fourrier style. At the same time, the Gevrey character was less apparent.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    9/24/20, 8:36 AM - The hype is more about what they’re doing now at Duroche...19>18>17>16, etc.

Red
2017 Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes Pinot Noir
7/26/2020 - NickA Likes this wine:
92 points
Touch of cedar from new oak, and flowers. Not overtly stemmy, just vivid and flavourful, with bright red fruit and plenty of gingerbready spice. Very fresh and energetic. Dark, juicy finish. Deft and elegant and drinkable, but the acidity is a little bit too marked.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/7/20, 5:54 PM - Vivid is a good word for it. There’s tons of fruit too, think it’s just a bit more closed now than it was back in Spring.

White - Sparkling
2013 Ulysse Collin Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Pierrières Chardonnay
Showing ultra pure, bright lemon zest on the nose, true on the palate as well with just enough cream underneath to buffer and give drinkability without food. Very crisp with lively freshness and strong mineral impressions with a little chalkiness underneath. Excellent, cracking champagne.
  • Robert Pavlovich commented:

    8/5/20, 10:34 AM - Have wanted to try this for a while and it sure didn’t disappoint.

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