7/5/2008 - WC-ME wrote:

Had to taste the new vintage...of course way too early but I wanted to get a sense of the style in 2004. Very attractive and intense nose showing a beautifully complex melange of raspberry liqueur, earth, smoke and some faint tar. No green whatsoever and the wood, while noticeable is rather subtle despite the elevage in 100% new barrels. Fantastic length on the palate with polished, but at this point slightly drying tannins. Nevertheless, they release waves of fruit in the lingering aftertaste. No doubt needs a bit of time in the cellar. For me, this ranks behind the great 2002, but above the 2001. Markedly different from the ethereal 2000 (which I like quite a bit). Leave the others alone for at least 10 years, but then be prepared to be transported. Cab Franc does not get better than this!

7/13/2008 - WC-ME wrote:

Drink up...soon. Very advanced and lost freshness. What a shame because it is otherwise quirte a good wine. Addition of metabisulfite markedly improved the wine, so it is clear that this also suffered from prem-ox. Far from completely turned, but I am now really aware of the problem and once you know how how this manifests itself in an otherwise aromatically "young" wine, it is easy to spot...Buyers beware, as I had also a few other 2004 that were developing fast, such as Fontaine Gagnard (a shame too because the wines are really great).

1/29/2008 - WC-ME wrote:

oxidized and bacterial spoilage...too bad as a previous bottle was a mid-90s experience.

4/21/2007 - WC-ME wrote:

Fabulos bottle! A little more developed than a previous bottle with a hint of barnyard which made this more interesting on the nose. Very well balanced, almost "complex" flavors with respectable length. Our guests said that they never had such a good Dolcetto before, and I have to agree that it was indeed very good!

2/4/2007 - WC-ME wrote:

Very curious how Truchot did in 2004. Translucent, brilliant medium red color. Lovely nose without any hint of greenness. Red fruits, violets and a little whiff of vanilla oak. On the palate, rather light but seems very well balanced. I guess it will put on some weight with bottle age. But lovely to drink now. Despite the 13.5% alc, this is very refreshin, with noticable, but well-integrated acidity and only some hints of tannin. This will be too light for many, but I thought it has a lovely vinosity (to borrow a term from Tanzer) and was consumed all too quickly - you always feel you could drink another glass.

12/13/2006 - WC-ME wrote:

My first Thibault Liger-Belair 2004 from bottle. I was very curious because I tasted the whole range in the cellar in Nov 05 and was blown away by the quality of the wines back then. Based on this bottle, it seems that young Thibault brought the wine into bottle without any decrease in quality. Dark ruby, not totally clear (I think non-fined and unfiltered). Expressive nose, ripe (no greenness at all) but not overripe black cherry and raspberry fruit, some (high quality) wood spice. Very interesting and inviting nose. In style, the nose reminds me a bit of the wines from Virgile Lignier-Michelot, and to a lesser degree from Magnien. On the palate, a very concentrated and intense wine with quite some tannin showing. A bit rustic (this essentially comes from a vineyard in Nuits Saint Georges near Les Cailles and Les Saint Georges) perhaps, but this is only a Bourgogne...Very good length with strong but ripe tannins in the finish. Some wood is also detectable (20% new I am told), but it only frames the fruit and does not overwhelm the wine. Improved on the second day with the structure becoming more and more integrated. Very satisfied with it and at least a good sign for the other wines in the range...

8/2/2006 - WC-ME wrote:

Oh my God...What a wine!! This one was simply unbelievable. Hugely complex, expressive nose nose offering all kinds of nuances. PApple, nectarines, smoke, roasted nuts, pears, lots of wet stone, you name it. From your first sniff of the wine, you know this is a great wine. My wife "complained" that this demands all your attention - not a simple Riesling to sip before dinner... Same on the palate, wave after wave of the most noble and complex riesling fruit with minerality to burn. Perfectly integrated sweetness and acidity - just pure harmony but with incredible intensity. Certainly the best white I had this year - but I haven't tasted the Hermannshöhle yet... My rating is probably a bit stingy because on that night it was simply the perfect Riesling for me.