4/17/2024 - ChristopherB wrote:

Didn’t shine on day one; was better on day two. About an 88-89. Not the best showing.

4/14/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Nice pale straw colour. Very very timid on the nose. Slight white fruit and minerals. On the palate, this is pure rock water, just how I like my Chablis, but this vintage can’t be compared to the more classic 2012, 2014 and 2017. It is not remotely as intense as those vintages. So 2018 makes a good cellar defender for those more intense vintages. Good, but not stellar in this tasting. 89-90

4/10/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Nice pale straw yellow with green reflections. On the nose, aromas of white fruit and melon. On the palate, the attack is frank, fruity, lively with a very good lift with the aromas from the nose with added banana. Some minerality. A decent length for this rather light, “aerial” wine. I walked in this vineyard with my love, may her soul rest in peace. Good value and a buy again.
87-88 or so.

4/7/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

No formal note. Tasted over several days. Still fresh, though heading more towards caramel and toffee notes than the citrus type notes. Good length and lift which compensates for the sweetness. 90-91 or so.

4/7/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Brief note. Better than initial tastings. This has a very nice red fruit with a good lift and fine tannin. Without being as good as the 2016, it is quite nice, though has a touch of a Savigny-lès-Beaune note to it which I can't quite identify, but detracts a bit. Good lift and length, nice fine tannin. Quite good today, and though it can live for a few years, it might as well be enjoyed today or over the next four-five years or so. More openly fruity and super fresh compared to the Passion and Calcaire which is a little surprising. 90 or so?

4/2/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Brief note. From a difficult vintage. First time I taste a Marc Colin white Santenay, having mostly tasted the Chassagne and Saint-Aubins.

This was more monolithic than those. Lemon and minerals. Little detail and finesse, but a good balance. Currently quite young, not sure where it is heading, but it is pleasant. No rush to drink the others… 88 or so

3/24/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Nice garnet colour with bricking a cm down from the rim. On the nose, aromas of wilted roses, spices, slight forest floor, balsam wood and cherries. On the palate, the attack is frank, fairly intense, with the fruit and spices from the palate, but also a good lift and quite present dusty tannins. This is way more interesting than the 2003! A good length and persistence - very nice with an osso bucco, no rush to drink, at peak.

My oldest Barolo at this point and ultimately a nice experience.

91

3/21/2024 - ChristopherB wrote:

Another "new" Paccot wine for me. First time trying this, and from a secondary vintage, which they usually manage very well anyway.

Very timid on the nose. On the palate, a higher acidity and touch of woodiness is palpable. Not bad, but currently still prefer Bayel, Brez & PC. But then vintage may not be representative. 87-88?

3/21/2024 - ChristopherB wrote:

When I purchased this, I didn't realise it was a NV. Not an issue per se, just makes it difficult to figure out if I am buying the same thing again or not, as they likely change blend composition a little each time.

Regardless, quite "fun", with a nice purple dark colour, fruitiness but also a "fringant" side to it. I quite like it, but prefer their Colombe Noire and Colombe Rouge.

Hard to score, as somewhat atypical, but I'll say 87-88 or so.

3/16/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Nice medium yellow straw colour. On the nose, aromas of yellow fruit, butter, nuts and minerals. On the palate, the attack is frank, fruity and mineral, with a good lift, intensity and really good length. Ready to be enjoyed today but can no doubt hold another 3 years. I may have slightly preferred the 2019. 92

Could easily be confused with a good 1er cru from Côte de Beaune area.

3/15/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Very brief note - tasted in parallel to the 2018 Calcaire.

The Passion is ever so slightly cloudy, unlike the Calcaire. A touch paler and more orangish than the Calcaire. The attack is frank, fruity with the aromas of red fruit, but also a touch of orange. It was relatively muddled compared to the Calcaire and was more timid on day 1. A good length and intensity - discrete but present tannin. Longer and more intense than the Calcaire, but not on best form on day 1. Was more interesting on day 2. Regardless, came behind the Calcaire in this vintage for me. Further, not as good as the 2015 and in particular the 2016 to my tastes. May be in an awkward age. Even more than the Calcaire, this need a year or two.

90 today

3/15/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Very brief note - drunk in parallel with the 2018 Passion.

The calcaire has a clear medium dark red for a PN. On the nose, more precise aromas of dark fruit (cherries in particular) as well as red fruit. A frank fruity attack with the red fruit aromas but also cherries and a bit of liquorice. Wider and more ample than the Passion, but less intense and long. More precise as well.

Preferred the 2015 Calcaire for complexity and style. May be at an "off" age. Give it more time? Still really good, but not as memorable as the 2015, or the 2015/2016 Passions.

91 today.

3/3/2024 - ChristopherB wrote:

Very brief note. This is more open than previously, but retains a good acidity and is less "flabby" than past tasting. There is a clear oak and butter type note to this, yet it seems to mix oxidative and slightly reductive notes a bit like a Pico wine. Regardless, this is pleasant, but I've preferred other vintages of this (like the 2015). 88-89

2/19/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Diam cork. Nice dark ruby red, with slightly purplish edges. On the nose, aromas of (mostly) red and black fruit. On the palate, the attack is frank, fruity, but with a nice tannic structure. The aromas are the same as found on the nose but magnified. There is a good length of the fruit and the structure. This is good to go today, but could likely be kept 4-5 years at least. This is really nice, and probably the densest and most concentrated Gamay I have ever had. A serious wine. Chapeau! 90 or so today with upwards potential.

2/15/2024 - ChristopherB wrote:

Brief note, very very timid. Really very little aromas, some structure and some minerality, but not much to be seen here. Bottle shock having received it a few days before? Too young? À devoir as they say, but as I only bought one, it won't be anytime soon. 85 or so?

2/17/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

From memory. Nice pale straw colour. On the nose, faint aromas of quality oak, citrus and minerals. On the palate, the attack is frank, fruity and minerals, with the aromas as found on the nose, but with added nuts and butter and reductive notes. This is quite representative of the aromas found in Chassagne. My only issue is that this lacks the pizzaz, intensity, concentration or length of others. As such, I would rate this not quite equivalent to a Marc Colin St-Aubin or a non 1st growth Chassagne from Marc Colin. But then Marc Colin wines are particularly good. That being said, a pleasant wine, but not really worth its price. That being said, prices in the general area are increasing again and as such, it could be consider a "poor" alternative. 90 or so.

2/14/2024 - ChristopherB Does not like this wine:

Symbolic, drinking the Prisoner 4 weeks to the day after my breakup with E. from... California and on Valentine's Day.

Unfortunately, this is rather a caricature. No finesse, big boned, overly fruity, nearly like fruit juice (blueberry dominant), overly oaked with overly toasted oak. A cross between a fruit juice and oak tea? I may be exaggerating, but then isn't this what this wine is all about? Exaggeration?

Anyhow, a matter of taste, but this is not remotely my taste. Fortunately, while in California I did taste better local wines, including some really nice and well balanced wines, but as a general preference, I still prefer old-world wines.

88 or so?

2/10/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Diam30 cork. Medium gold yellow. Upon opening, on the nose, aromas of popcorn, faint citrus. On the palate, the attack is lively, lifted, with the aromas as found on the nose, with added citrus and minerals. A good length and concentration. This is more ethereal than the Montceau. It is still very lively and I would likely give it another year or two. Certainly not in an overripe style despite the vintage. No rush to drink these, next in 2026. 90 or so today, but with upwards potential.

2/6/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Coravin from a new half-bottle. Nice dark ruby. On the nose, aromas of red (raspberries) and black fruit (blackberry and a touch of blackcurrant). There is also a touch of pencil shavings. On the palate, the attack is frank with a beautiful fruit overlayed over some graphite, fine oak, touch of coffee and metal. This has a surprising density for a second wine, but then it is from a great vintage for this property.

This is already interesting to taste, and could be enjoyed with a few hours of air, but I'd prefer to give it another 3-4 years. Very nice! 91

1/27/2024 - ChristopherB wrote:

Not a formal note. Quite disappointed by the value of this wine. It is ok, but nothing extraordinary and not currently worth its price. I let this breathe and exist over 4 days, but at no point was the evolution particularly interesting.

Regardless, by day 2, decent muddled red fruit. Decent length and balance. I'll let the other age 4-5 years to see if there is any improvement. 87 today?

1/21/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Fairly dark for a pinot noir. Upon opening, on the nose, aromas of red fruit, soil mostly with a bit of spice. On the palate, the attack is frank, with some angular tannin, fruit and lots of spice from the oak. Seems somewhat archaic compared to previous tasting. The probably requires more time. Next not before 2026.

88-89 today

Held well over 4 days with little evolution. Was still way more interesting than the Rippon Mature 2019, to my general surprise. I should keep the last one till 2028 to see its evolution... if I can.

12/25/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Drank with K, V and Seba. This was consumed after a Sassicaia, but had no reason to be embarrassed. Quite the contrary, the complex, evolved and balance aromas and palate were quite striking and likely more to my taste despite the 2009 Sassicaia's wonderful pure raspberry aromas. 92 or so.

1/2/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not a formal note. On the nose, aromas of petroleum (like a riesling), citrus and minerals. On the palate, this is still very fresh with a good length. I'd say this is good for another two years at least. 90 or so

1/1/2024 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not a formal note. Still super fresh, nice black and red fruit, balance and length. A beauty!

12/30/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Cork in perfect condition. Nice light gold color. Upon opening, aromas of cotton candy, oyster shells, yellow fruit (golden delicious apple dominant, touch of pineapple) and minerals. On the palate, the attack is frank, lifted with a good acidity, followed by the aromas as found on the nose in an ethereal style and a very good length of golden apples.

This is still perfectly fresh, though in my book, ready to go now. Likely good for another 4 years or so - we'll see. I'll be tasting one each year for the next three years (having three left) with the Christmas/New Year seafood bonanza and then I'll move on to the 2017. I really love this and it is good value for an old world Chardonnay. 92

This Chablis 1er in particular and Chablis in general are among my favorite wines. Why do I only seem to drink them 1-2 times a year...??? Got to do something about that.

12/29/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not a formal note. A very successful match to a chili free palak paneer made by S. Still perfectly fresh with nice fruit. For more info, see last year’s note. 91

12/27/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not a formal note. Tasted with V, K and S for Christmas evening. It was followed by a 2009 Sassicaia and a 2016 HDE Enfer de Passion PN.

This was good, but a little off compared to the freshness of previous bottles. Had to wonder if the cork might have had some issues. That being said, it was still pleasant, but a little let down by the aromas that were a little off. Not old, just off. Still a pleasant 90. Will drink my next and final bottle in the next 6 months.

12/25/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not a formal note. Double decanted two hours before. Tasted with V, K and S for Christmas with a Marc Colin Encégnières with the appetisers and this one was followed by and HDE Enfer de Passion 2016.

This Sassicaia was still very fresh and young. Resolved tannin and a beautiful raspberry and cherry profiled fruit. Vanilla and spices also present. This was very nice with a very good persistance. 93-94

No rush to drink the next one, good for at least another 10 years, but already drinking nicely.

12/23/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Nice medium-medium-pale yellow straw. On the nose upon opening, floral aromas, citrus, minerals and some nuts. On the palate, the attack is frank, concentrated, lively with lots of energy, fruity, nutty with the aromas as found on the nose. There is also some unresolved oak. An impressive intensity and length in all cases, this is really nice. Very nice fruit. My only question is on the amount of oak and whether it will integrate before this gets too old. I'd say this is certainly good for another 5 to 7 years and possibly longer, but it is certainly ready to go today with sufficient air. 92-93

On day two, added apple, popcorn and vanilla. Still a beauty - the oak seems to have integrated a bit. In comparison to the Morgeot, this is more ethereal, but you certainly also recognise the Ramonet style.

this was my last one, but if I had others, I would certainly shoulder it 3-4 hours before serving it - it gains with some air.

12/21/2023 - ChristopherB wrote:

Same comment as before but with less VA.

12/9/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Brief note, nice fruit and minerality with a touch of oak. Good concentration and tastes of the Alpilles... I really like it 90-91

12/3/2023 - ChristopherB wrote:

Brief note. Overly extracted and overly tannic for its fruit, which are of the blackberry/blueberry/grape variety. Ok, but I have tasted several less ambitious vintages that were way better several years back. 88-89 or so. Don’t think it will ever fully ripen, but rather will dry out.

11/14/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

From a half-bottle. Nice medium dark ruby with "fire red" reflexions. Upon opening, the nose is discrete with notes of blackcurrant, menthol, tobacco and blackberry. On the palate, the attack is frank, tannic, with moderate fruit as found on the nose - lots of tobacco and admittedly quite a bit of oak with a touch of graphite and black olive. Good density and a good length as well as a good complexity. There is a bitterness here which I feel comes more from oak tannin than fruit tannin, but it may just be an impression at this point. I feel this is closed still, but not surprising given its young age. I'd give this till 2027 ideally. 91-92 today, mostly from the complexity and less from the pleasure aspect. Did open up a bit by the three hour mark, but needs a few more years to by to my taste.

11/12/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not a formal note, but this was one of the better 12 Dezaley I tasted. Nice pale colour, aromas around mangoes and other white fruit, but with a nice minerality. A good concentration and length, but mostly a good balance. This was still quite young and not yet at peak. Definitely a buy again from a good vintage. 90-91

11/7/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

From a half bottle. Very dark black-ruby with purple reflections. Upon opening, on the nose, timid aromas of blue/black fruit, menthol, smoke, touch of vanilla and flowers. On the palate, the attack is frank, concentrated of dark fruit wound tightly in a ball (blueberries, cherries, blackberries, blackcurrants, touch of sour cherry), cinnamon, violets, nuts surrounded by lots of fine powdery tannins and with a very good lift. A very good length as well. This is really fine. Personally, though this can be approached today, it is still entirely primary with lots of tannin. If drinking today, lots and lots of air, but better yet, give this at least 2 years and preferably 4 for each to reach the start of its maturity. After that, this will be good for a couple of decades. Really really fine. 94

Still super firm on day 2 after 24 hours of a third of the bottle in the fridge. I am upping my recommendation for another four years of storage as a minimum and recommending 6 as ideal. Beautiful fruit behind the very firm tannin.

11/4/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Coravin sample from a new bottle. Immediate aromas of reduction. faint touch of sulphur, nuts, butter. On the palate, the attack is frank, fruity, lively, with aromas of peaches, citrus, rather discrete nuts and butter aromas. A really good length of the fruit aromas carried by a good acidity. This has quite a bit of muscle that you can feel flexing. In my book, this is now ready to go after six years, but on a plateau that should last for several more. Probably my best Montceau to date (comparing to 2012, 2014 and 2015). Delicious!
91

10/17/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Cork in top shape. Nice medium ruby red for a pinot-noir. Barely detectable bricking at the rim under optimal visual conditions. Upon opening, the nose is very very timid. I can barely smell anything (but then I have cold which is probably the problem). On the palate, the attack is frank, with lots of beautiful fruit (cherry, red currant, raspberry and strawberry), and lots of aged "angular" tannins. Touch of rose too. This is very nice. Good length on the fruit and it still "pinotes" to a certain extent.

I find this better than the last tasting and would say this is finally ready to go and can certainly be enjoyed another 4 years at least.

90-91

10/15/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Quick note - Needs a few hours of air, so popped the corked at lunch, took a glass which was so-so, and put back in fridge. At supper time, this shined.

Sure, a touch riper and rounder/sweeter than the 2014 or 2017 with less intensity and persistence, but this is excellent and ready to go today.

Orange rind, potent minerals and floral aromas. My type of Chablis. Wish I had more of this for the next year or so, but my 2014s and 2017 should soon start to be ripe.

91 or so

8/29/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Dark purple-ruby with purple core. On the nose, generous aromas of blackberries, flowers, faint liquorice, faint metal. On the palate, the attack is frank, fruity and round due to lots fo black fruit. There are lots of fine tannin, but the fruit dominates and this has not closed down yet. A good lift and length with the aromas as found on the nose and a certain minerality. Quite pleasant today, actually. This was tasted at the same time as La Dauphine fronsac. This Fonroque was finer than la Dauphine, but as they were tasted too warm, I won't post a score. If I were to, it would be in the 90 or so range today. This is open today, not sure it will close down due to voluptuous nature, but it might. A 12-15 year wine which will be ready to drink quite young.

8/29/2023 - ChristopherB wrote:

Dark purple-ruby with purple core. On the nose, aromas of dark fruit, plums, cream, menthol. On the palate, the attack is frank, luscious and round with an almost port like feeling to it. There is quite a bit of alcohol (15.0) and it is perceptible at this point. Lots of generous fruit round-out the offering with a good finish and adequate lift. My only concern at this point is the alcohol content, but then this was served too warm which likely didn’t help. Not as complex or as fine as the Fonroque tasted alongside. I’ll make a point of serving this at 17-18 next time and see if it reduces the perception of alcohol. Fonroque is clearly ahead, doesn’t show its alcohol at 14.5 and is more complex, but they don’t play in the same league anyway. This one hasn’t closed down either and I’m not even entirely sure it will due to its voluptuous nature and generosity, but who knows, Probably good till age about 12 (2032), but I’ll have to retaste at age 6-8 to get a better idea. 88-89 or so? No formal score due to tasting temperature

9/19/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Same as previous comment. From a half-bottle not well stored during heatwave. This was served with appropriate food and as such was simply brilliant for its category. Red fruit, touch of black and stem imparted floral aromas. A beauty. 91 or so.

9/18/2023 - ChristopherB wrote:

Not a formal note. All of the characteristic of a Chassagne (faint nut, butter, minerals), but timidly hidden behind what I consider to be excessive citrus and acidity. Perhaps too young? Regardless, today, I'd give this a 90 or so. Was a touch better on day 2. Have yet to drink I Thomas Morey that hits in the same ballpark as Ramonet or Colin. That being said, still pleasant - will try to keep the second one another 3 years to see if it improves.

9/13/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

From a half-bottle not well stored during heatwave. This was served with appropriate food and as such was simply brilliant for its category. Red fruit, touch of black and stem imparted floral aromas. A beauty. 91 or so.

9/12/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not ideal circumstances to taste this as served with tomato/olive pasta as well as popped and poured. Drank with E.

In brief, very refined but quite present tannin. Aromas of sandalwood, plums, plum skins and vanilla. Very polished.

Give it till 2025 before tasting the next one.

As tasted (with so-so food accord), a 90 or so.

9/10/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Drank with E. with pasta. This requires a meat or poultry dish to really shine, but it remained true to itself and remains quite good. 90-91

9/5/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Not ideal circumstances for proper tasting. As indicated by the property, this closes down between years 4 and 6 and I fell it was closing down. The beautiful floral and fruit aromas appeared 2 hours after opening and E. and I were on the last glasses. If you drink this now, give it air and time. Should have popped and shouldered sooner. As such, only reached 91 or so, but with more air/time would have expected 92 or so. Still my favourite southern Rhone wine. Will have to get more some day.

8/16/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

Tasted with E. during tail end of covid so my taste buds were off. She enjoyed it, but I think ultimately preferred the Domaine de Burignon 2022.

8/25/2023 - ChristopherB wrote:

Tasted some time in 2021 or 2022. Was not remotely as stellar as the 2015. Lack precision and specific aromas.

8/23/2023 - ChristopherB wrote:

Shockingly, this was converted to a mind-blowing sangria. I had been disappointed by the lack of aroma precision in this compared to the 2015 which was stellar. Ended up being a better sangria, though I know this may shock some.

8/23/2023 - ChristopherB Likes this wine:

No formal note - drank with Erika and we both really enjoyed it despite my tonsillitis. I'd say this is starting its peak phase. 90