7/16/2022 - fc1910 wrote:

One from Tuscany, I do have to admit that this one is not for me,

very full bodied, with red cassis and lots of sweet cherry fruit, the tannin very sweet, somehow firm structure, lacking balance still, for me to much weight of sweet Sangiovese fruit, overripe, lots of oak treatment,
will this ever be a balanced wine?
And as an accompaniment to food?

Overdone in my view,
or maybe changed my preferences completely?

6/30/2022 - El_Dougo Likes this wine:

Discover GG Rieslings, Germany’s Very Own Grand Crus (Hong Kong): From Nahe, Germany, a region that is warmer than Mosel and whose rock / soil type runs the entire range.
This particularly wine comes from red volcanic soil leading to lots of minerality. Vines 25-30 yrs old. Fermented in classic oak barrels.
Pale lemon in glass, warmer climate likely leading to the slightly more gold intensity than previous Mosel wine.
Nose more intense with flinty, petrol aroma attributed to volcanic igneous rock. Touch of toast from oak barrels (note: not vanilla, which would be from newer oak).
Palate: High acidity. Ripe Thai lemon, apricot, ripe peaches. More stone fruit because warmer climate.
Medium finish.

12/13/2021 - Rote Kappelle Likes this wine:

I am not normally a great fan of this wine, as I think there is better value elsewhere and if one is going to drink Keller, don't piss about with the entry level, go GG. Why drive an entry level BMW or Mercedes when there are better performers at the money - do it properly and get into the real levels. However, the combination of a fantastic vintage and Keller creates something special here. I think the ratings are too low from other reviewers. I'd agree for other years but not for this one. This is excellent by any definition let alone on bang for bucks. This is the BMW Z3 driving like it was a souped up MX-5.

I agree with reviewers noting a relative lack of complexity but there is something about the purity of wet stone, lemon sherbert and a hint of tropical fruit that gets me weak at the knees. There's no issues with length or intensity and I just can't put this down. At this level i would usually go Robert Weill every time, but this year has something special and it is a close race. Delicious. Svelte. Almost rude. Nyaw!

2/1/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

The problem what to pnp after the first 3 bottles increases,
Cathiard, Tondonia blanco, Hubacker,
again help is on the way from good old Germany!
If you want to outdo a Hubacker you need a jet of energy!
Easily choosing the right one!
what a smell, the spontaneous fermentation notes of younger S-F bottles beamed away by time,
a fresh winter mountain stream emerges, mineral ultra limy nose,
the palate shy in the beginning, but what to testify after one hour aeration?
Could recall some memories from my military time, two starfighters starting with all that noise, tremble one watching them starting,
this one is the pure, clean energy play,
never tried to put one of your fingers in the socket?
and, this one with even more energy than the 2009 Felseneck recently,
a great ultra long finish, and the best of all, ultra young Riesling appearance, **(***), an easy 100 for tonight imho!

Let me explain in some sentences why an 100 for me tonight?
Riesling for me is the best grape respectively for Whites, just IMHO,
and there are only some vine yards that come close to the leader of the pack,
KPK in my view is the most searched for producer for dry Riesling in Europe, here on ct I could recall that asian and american users are not really familiar with him,
in my view Rheinhessen do not have most of the best vine yards, a top producer could fill a really great Riesling, but there are better vineyards elsewhere,
first of all the MOSEl, but I do really prefer them for the classic Riesling style,
so there is Rheingau, Franken; Pfalz and Nahe
Rheingau really is not for me, too often voluptuous bottles drunk,
Franken yes too with pronounced mineral showing but I like them best for their Sylvaner GG s,
Pfalz, great vine yards, the Saumagen, Ungeheuer, Pechstein, Weilberg and so on, a mixture of fruit and mineral style,
finally the NAhe, for me the real play for mineral, ultradry, electric Riesling,
best vineyard without doubt Hermannshöhle, looking into the records of the tax files from Prussia! ;-)
and there are many others, Halenberg, Felsenberg, Krötenpfuhl, Bastei, Pittermännchen, Dellchen and so on,
but there is this small village some 10 Km abroad the Nahe, Bockenau, the father of the present chief from S-F bought most hectars of the Felseneck and Stromberg, evolved the treatment of the grapes, the owner now, Tim Fröhlich, a Riesling visionary,
my top producer for dry GG Riesling is Schäfer-Fröhlich without any doubt! AMEN!

Last fifth of this bottle today, 96 hours later:
very creamy, chalky predominantly now, no oxidation aromas, none!
Creamy limy flow with enormous persistence still!
What a WOW bottle!

7/16/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

This Chateau nearly never fails,
you can buy some elder vintages on the secondary market for some €/$ more than at release, an easy going 20/30 years maturation in good vintages, so as a conclusion:
Poujeaux long!
Great nose of dark fruit, some mineral spicy hints,
still good grip right from the start, mid bodied, some harsh tannin, forest floor, spice and violets, maybe a little lean, very elegant, long finish, a claret for sure!

7/7/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine:

Retail $28. 100% Chardonnay. It has been a few years since I have tried a Ferrari, but as I mentioned in the last note, the wine is incredibly consistent. Bright citrus fruit both on the nose and the palate with a fine sparkle, great tartness, and just the right amount of yeastiness. I have been a fan of the sparklers from Trentino for a while now, and there is a reason that Ferrari sits atop that heap. Excellent.

www.thedrunkencyclist.com

7/2/2022 - fc1910 wrote:

Big Bottle Outdoor Party 3.0 or so (Northern Lüneburg Heath): From D-MAG:
very fruit driven, juicy tropical fruit showing, I do have to admit, had some hmmmmm..... how to say......, inconstant bottles of this vintage,
but 2012 only, enormous density here, quite young showing from big bottle that helps this time, but again:
this vintage of Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle GG is not really convincing me!

6/17/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Back to Riesling Country 2.0; 6/17/2022-6/21/2022 (Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Bad Kreuznach, Niederhausen, Oberhausen, Bad Sobernheim , Bockenau): One sip, brief note:
as nearly always this is my fav vintage,
not only from KPK,
stunning freshness here still, acidic bite is ruling the palate, a Baby Hubacker, animating, saline, very long aftertaste,
**(***), 94, 95(+) potential

5/17/2022 - rieslinghoarder Likes this wine:

Glassware: Zalto Universal
Prep: Pop n' pour

Blood orange, peach, quince, and mint. Lovely perfumed nose with a touch of spice, leading into the palate with silky texture and elegance. A bit hollow on the mid-palate but fills in with some air. Good wine, but at the price point there is better value to be found.

6/3/2022 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

As is traditional already, bottle open fourteen hours before lunch. Consider decanting a method too aggressive for a Bordeaux with twenty years on. Cork in perfect shape. Initially horse stable odor that will dissipate overnight to offer a classic claret, fleshy notes flood the room with black tea, light touch of marzipan, smoked fireplace, dried herbs, sweet spices, black pepper or camphor aromas. Pure complexity, precision and elegance from St. Julien. On the palate it is shown with a silky texture, wine of sufficient sourness and a moderate length. I find it very short for what it is. Without depth but plenty of flavour. Compared to the previous bottle, it has aged as expected according to this lesser vintage. Much better on the nose.

Como es tradicional, botella abierta catorce horas antes del almuerzo. Considerar la decantación un método demasiado agresivo para burdeos con veinte años es lo que tiene. Corcho en perfecta forma. Inicialmente aromas a establo de caballos que se disiparán durante la noche para ofrecer un clarete clásico, notas de carne fresca inundan la habitación con otras de té negro, liviano toque de mazapán, ahumados de chimenea, hierbas secas, especias dulces, pimienta negra o aromas de alcanfor. Pura complejidad, precisión y elegancia de St. Julien. Al paladar se muestra con una textura sedosa, vino de una suficiente acidez y una moderada longitud. Me parece muy corto para lo que es. Sin profundidad pero con sabor. Comparada con la botella previa, ha envejecido como se esperaba conforme a esta añada menor. Mucho mejor en nariz.

6/4/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

One of my dry favs,
A fine light "Möselchen" in german, this is the childish form for Mosel,
the first Haag brother who brought dry GG Mosel to us,
always a treat, this vineyard is not as viewed as Wehlener Sonnenuhr or so....., but for me one of the very best from Mosel in the dry version,

liked to swim in the Baltic Sea this afternoon, great to sip thereafter on this one, waiting for the charcoal to glow,

very delicate, mineral core, salty, light for a GG, but that young with enormous tension and firm, white peach, very silky swallowing, long+,
**(**), around 91-93

4/7/2022 - vindictive wrote:

not a very objective note given the circumstances- traveling in spectacular Patagonia, we were having a traditional lamb barbecue lunch at a remote Estancia and a lovely Argentinian couple pulled this out and shared it with us. Far better than the Patagonian red we were drinking, it is like a Bordeaux blend. Big wine, somewhat modern, but extremely satisfying with the food and company.

5/6/2022 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Who was Right, S#ckers? Wuhan Restrictions Ending in Great Britain; 5/5/2022-5/7/2022 (Londres - GB): Raspberry perfume. Stony rather than meaty. That mineral character leads you to a softie texture. This is totally ready. Soft acidity and quite long permanence for what it is. Happy I have one bottle sleeping in my cellar (Longeroies).

Perfume de frambuesa. Pedregoso más que carnoso. Ese carácter mineral te lleva a una textura suave. Esto está totalmente listo. Acidez suave y un bastante larga permanencia para lo que es. Feliz tengo una botella durmiendo en mi bodega.

5/6/2022 - WetRock wrote:

Sulfury reduction. That along with the middle, balanced expression give this that classic big house style. There are details in the notes below about the makeup of this wine. I'm hoping the keep the perpetual part going and extend that age delta so it gets longer. That will certainly help pickup the complexity in the future. At least in a way I like my Champagnes. This is pretty good already. The palate shows berry tinged apples with a citrus kick. Some Asian pear on the nose. A bit chalky and grippy. Plenty of acid but not really driven. Doesn't show the high dosage. Very classic. There is some chance for improvement if that reduction wood note integrates more and the fruit gets less nervy. I'm happy at the $44 per I was able to pick this up for. I've seen it closer to $60 which I'm not quite sure its good enough for yet. Definitely looking forward to trying future renditions from this program.

3/26/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

I am ONE of these lucky guys, that´s kind of obvious
Got still a full stock of this wine in my cellar,
this time from Magnum!
this smell which emerges the glasses, fine, no ultra fine, cedar and tobacco, some red fruit underlaying,
what a lively acid grip, mouthwatering, paired this one with spanish tapas, albodigas, croquetas de queso y o serrano, tortilla, patata con mojo rojo y verde, chipirones fritos, conejo con ajo....... hmmmmm,
this wine is PERFECT to pair food, the acid gives structure to the food ans brings out the finer points,
without food somehow wasted, nothing more to say, stunning long+ finish, enjoy after an decent decant or hold for some more decades!
***(**), this MAG is close to perfection

3/18/2022 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Back to your Roots (Baeza & Rufete); 3/18/2022-3/20/2022 (Alicante - España): Newly bottle. Smoked plums on Christmas cake. Good fruity intensity on the palate with acidity and a decent finish. More elegant than rustic.

Botella nueva. Ahumado de ciruelas sobre pastel navideño. Buena intensidad frutal al paladar con acidez y un decente final. Más elegante que rústico.

2/13/2022 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

By the glass. Beautiful combination between a complex nose with floral and fruity notes and another freshness tempered by a light but always present structure on the palate. Recommended.

Por copas. Bonita combinación entre una nariz compleja con notas florales y frutales y de otra un frescura atemperada por una estructura ligera pero siempre presente. Recomendada.

2/10/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Plopp, next one please!
After an exhausting day there is nothing better heeling all annoyances than one, two , three glasses of champagne,
again choose one of my NV reference, never fails in my honest view, delivering a bright, really complex, little yeasty core in a young bottle like this one,
long, satisfying finish, again recommended!

2/1/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Second try of this remarkable wine evening,
this one is originally from the peninsula, one of my CT wine friends from the peninsula send it to me,
beside Riesling there are only some white wines that can impress me really,
Tondonia blanco, Musar or Bourgogne Cru,
having said that pnp,
again nothing but a fragrance, all this nuts, apricot, white bread crest, herbs I could recall from some holidays in the south, and so on,
in one word: complexity rules, also on the palate !
Still firm on the start, needs some aeration to come more together, very nutty in my view, could recall almonds, choosed this one to pair food,
some pasta with ham from tuscany, later some cheese, nothing special but perfect for this occasion,
increasing fine structure with the air in bottle and glas,
a stunning experience though, great aftertaste,
thank you VERY much mi querido Los 12 Glotones!
A wine for I do think some more decades?!?
an easy 93 for today with upside!

1/28/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Visited one of my cellars outside of my hometown recently,
a lot of fine La Rioja Magnums are waiting for their determination, either pnp by me or auction,
grabbed one of the normal ones to revisit the current evaluation,
one of these bottles from the last classic vintage in the history of the 904, 12,5% ABV, food friendly,
now they are 14,5% ABV fruit bombs, real crowd pleasers, and how are these smoothies going to mature, during decades?

So pnp,
what a fragrance, slightly red fruit, tobacco, herbs, spices, cedar,
on the palate a fine mineral core, structure and a decent grip, the backbone juicy but fresh red fruit,MEATY,
mouth filling, still with demanding livley acidity for perfect firm clean swallowing,
this bottle is a poem in itself, great persistence, but all this packed in fine elegant finesse, stunning long+ finish,
will EASILY live for two decades more, but with a decent decant already a real pleasure! AMEN!
***(**), around 97,98?

1/1/2022 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Second of six. The previous bottle was shared in Bilbao almost six years ago. This one was uncorked two hours before New Year’s lunch. Long cork in a perfect condition. Crystal ruby colour with a darker core.
In my modest opinion time still treats this wine very well. From the first moment it offers refined aromas of sweet spices (cinnamon or cloves) and red berries, within the seriousness and sobriety marked by this terroir. Fleshy with notes of red licorice and a mineral background. Also a touch of eucalyptus. A real perfume that could be smelling all day long. This endless complexity permeates the entire dining room. In the mouth it has a silky texture, great balance, tastily aristocratic wrapped in an acidity that is felt on the middle palate. Long finish with a delicious aftertaste. Impressive depth dimensions. No feeling of warmth neither astringency, just little tannism. It deserves to be a GC by its own merits. Succulent experience. What a great time to drink these bottles. Adult's candy. Detractors of wines like that, either by the vintage or because they're coming from a négociant, please get under the bed. To the rest, I wish you a Happy New Year!

Segunda de seis. La botella precedente fue compartida en Bilbao hace ahora ya casi seis años. Esta se descorchó dos horas antes del almuerzo de año nuevo. Largo corcho en una condición perfecta. Color rubí transparente con un corazón más oscuro.
En mi modesta opinión el tiempo sigue tratando muy bien a este vino. Desde el primer momento ofrece refinados aromas a especias dulces (canela o clavo) y a bayas rojas, dentro de la seriedad y sobriedad marcadas por el terruño. Carnoso y con notas de regaliz rojo y un fondo mineral. Tambien un toque de eucalipto. Un verdadero perfume que podría estar oliendo todo el día. Esta complejidad sin fin impregna a todo el comedor. En boca es de textura sedosa, gran equilibrio, sabrosamente aristocrático envuelto en una acidez que se hace sentir en el paladar medio. Largo final con un retrogusto delicioso. Cotas de profundidad impresionantes. Ninguna sensación de calor ni de astringencia, apenas de tanicidad. Merece ser un GC por méritos propios. Suculenta experiencia. Qué gran momento para beber estas botellas. Una golosina para adultos. Los detractores de vinos así, ya sea por la añada, ya porque proceden de un négociant, que se metan debajo de la cama. A los demás, ¡os deseo un Próspero Año Nuevo!

1/1/2022 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Second last bottle of champagne from my stock today,
very different showing from the before enjoyed Krug, a very "warm" nose with lots of aromas from baked fruit, nuts, bread, white flowers,
The palate, full of grip from yeasty aromas, peach and likely sweeter apple pie, warm brioche, nuts, persistent and fully mature, mid to full bodied, creamy flow over the midpalate, limy finish, the lively acid is supporting still,
recommend to serve this at about 12 degrees celsius with an one hour decant, very good showing from one of the best recent vintages of this decade, will approximately live for another decade easily, ***(*+?), today an easy 94

12/28/2021 - Harley1199 wrote:

Four years and a half since I visited Lebanon, good time to review some bottles brought at Gaston's cellars. Bottle taking a two hours breath before lunch. Bland cork as usual. Crystal ruby colour. Aromas of marzipan, gooseberries, aniseed, meaty, mineral, lactic and herby. Nice complexity. A bit one-way Musar anyway. On the palate showed a watery texture, sharp acidity (as a young rioja-like) and a warm, astringent finish produced by high alcohol. Damned bottle variation.
Where is that traditional softness? Where those oriental spices? My view is easy to explain: this is not an outstanding Musar. Have to age more in order to settle a little. As simple as that. If not traded, next bottle in eight years or so. Not the best mature wine to celebrate Spanish Fool's day.

Cuatro años y medio desde que visité Líbano, buen momento para revisar algunas botellas traídas de las bodegas de Gaston. La botella estuvo tomando un respiro de dos horas antes del almuerzo. Corcho blando como de costumbre. Cristalino color rubí. Aromas a mazapán, grosellas, anís, carnoso, mineral, láctico y herbáceo. Agradable complejidad. Un Musar un poco unidireccional de todos modos. En boca presenta una textura acuosa, acidez punzante (al modo de un Rioja joven) y un final cálido y astringente producido por un alto grado alcohólico. Maldita variación entre botellas. ¿Dónde está esa suavidad tradicional? ¿Dónde esas especias orientales? Desde mi punto de vista es fácil de explicar: este no es un Musar excepcional. Hay que esperar bastante más tiempo. Tan simple como eso. Si no lo vendo, la siguiente en unos ocho años. Necesita asentarse un poco. No es el vino maduro más adecuado para celebrar el Día de los Santos Inocentes.

11/20/2021 - fc1910 wrote:

After a long time bought one bottle of this entry level Rioja Reserva to refresh my knowledge of their change of style,
honestly I really was amazed, no rather horrified to find 14,5% ABV on its label, wtf?
A very fruit driven nose, basket full of red and black berries, some slightly tobacco and this young barrel aromas,
on the palate a good underlaying freshness, but too much of overwhelming fruit here.
Where is the decent elegant play of this Reserva style gone?
Making really tired and sated, too much of a superficial aroma powerhouse!
Better with aeration on day two, but really not made for me
This is nothing but an international red crowd pleaser, no real Rioja for me,
will be better in about 5+ years, *(*-?), around, 86,87 today

12/24/2021 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

2021 Family Xmas; 12/23/2021-12/26/2021 (Alicante - España): In my particular case always a risky business serving riesling at Xmas even but no pain no gain you know.
P&P. Long quality cork. Brilliant gold colour. Intoxicating aromas of lemon curd mixed with hawthorn flower in a very elegant way. Also notes of rhubarb and cereals. Lovely complexity in absence of hydrocarbons.
On the palate intensity comes first, in the shape of creamy texture perfectly balanced by a soft acidity giving length and a tasty finish. Deep yet suave. Excellent grip. Superior class here. A conclusion? Best trocken riesling ever. Biodynamic still works. Until the last drop. Thanks Christian. Merry Christmas!

En mi caso particular siempre es un riesgo servir riesling en Nochebuena, pero sin dolor no hay ganancia, ya sabes.
Descorchada y escanciada. Largo corcho de calidad. Brillante color dorado. Aromas embriagadores de cuajada de limón mezclado con flor de espino, en una manera muy elegante. También notas de ruibarbo y cereales. Encantadora complejidad en ausencia de hidrocarburos.
En boca la intensidad viene primero, en forma de textura cremosa perfectamente equilibrada por una suave acidez dando longitud y un final sabroso. Profundo pero suave. Excelente agarre. De una clase superior.
¿La conclusión? El mejor riesling seco de la historia. La biodinámica todavía funciona. Hasta la última gota. Gracias Christian. ¡Feliz Navidad!

12/23/2021 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

What a beautiful intense fruit driven nose, mouthwatering in anticipation of drinking, ail this smelled sweet fruit aromas indicating real ripeness,
the palate is hit by a full load of ripe, juicy black fruit,
mid bodied bottle, but with real energy and persistence rolling over the palate, buffered by ripe acid, peppery flow, convincing long finish,
again I am enamored by one of these bottles from E. Reynaud, and this one is "only" the basic level, but no way for beginners only,
just easy to enjoy right now, but will hold with certainty another decade+,
**(*+), around 90-92

5/21/2021 - Bob H wrote:

After reading all the notes on this wine, I'm convinced I must have something different in my glass. I just had a glass of the 2018, and at least IMO, this is cut from the same cloth. So pleasant enough on the nose, but unfocused on the palate - the kind of wine you can toss back on the deck as an aperitif without giving it a 2nd thought - and at the end of the evening, you probably won't even remember you drank it.

Different strokes, I guess.

12/28/2020 - benhalton wrote:

I knew I was gambling opening an 8 year old Lafarge premier but I'd hoped that the slightly weaker vintage here might work in my favour. Not a chance. Textbook example of a closed Burgundy. A vortex. Would be hard pushed to call it as Burgundy if tasted blind. Do not touch for a long time. N/R

3/13/2021 - N.Bonaparte wrote:

4 hour decant- certainly in prime and very pleasant and enjoyable before dinner. This should be drank without food. Nice balance and light on its feet. Should be consumed within next 5 years.

1/9/2021 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

WoW, this is a benchmark bottle,
with some aeration in the glass fully blossoms, a basket full of chalk, orchard fruit, and warm Brioche smell,
this one is a real mouthful of Champagne, great mousse, blows all memories of prior tasted wines of this evening away, really delicious and with enormous deepness, orchard fruit, nutty, lime floor, floral hints though, increasing complexity after at least two hours,
somehow made as an every bodys darling sparkler, but the quality of grapes, vintage, vineyard and estate shown by this liquid is on the other hand mind blowing, hope will find some more bottles of this somewhere......, with decent aeration on top now, in well stored bottles will easily hold over the next decade, ***(*-*****), around 95-97

10/16/2020 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

My first try of Ygay Gr Re Esp since the 2001 vintage,
this is somehow cause the price of this liquid has increased considerably, my last 2001 purchased around 30€, this vintage you will have to pay around 90€,
compared with Bourgogne, Barolo or the better Bordeaux nothing to be upset about, it is a question of habit I do guess.......,
the nose shows great freshness, red juicy fruit, spice, herbs, complexity,
initially with a short decant again this stunning fresh appearance, very good grip, young pronounced acidity, deep but "only" mid bodied, this is all about finesse, a very mineral refreshing showing, clearly made for the very long haul, long+ convincing aftertaste, recommended, **(**-*****), around 93- 95(+) potential
24 hours later: all components are coming better together today, a very strong acid still, but the fruit, delicious and animating today, again finesse, elegance, no way a sweet fruit blockbuster, will become a wine beauty in about a decade+, so this is a vintage to be recommended, still 95, 96 potential in the future!
Day 3, last third of this bottle: No fridge for 48 hours, no vacuum sealing, just let it breathe and improve by aeration,
so I find an intense balsamic nose here now,
a polished mouthful of rich, delicate black fruit, still going very strong, the pure deep Rioja elegance, great structure, integrated barrel treatment, so there are great hopes for the future, HOLD!

2/27/2021 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Coravin- fun, so poured a full Bourgogne glass, choose this vintage cause found some other bottles in a very good condition right now, and the 2009 vintage is more open than others,
the nose is full of herbs and meaty aromas, flowered, earthy, in the background some dark fruit,
the palate shows nearly the same, not much fruit today, a lot of steak meat and forest floor, good spicy flow, all on the very elegant side, not much weight but deepness of flavors here, think, needs some more time in the bottle to reveal more, very long intense finish, not sure how to rate this, **(*-****), around 91, 92(+) potential, for today

1/23/2021 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Pnp this one right away, I am enamored by Champagne this weekend, so need a high class sparkler in the end,
very nutty nose, some bread crest, chalk,
very balanced full of flavoured deepness showing, no fruit here, all kind of nuts in the foreground, elegant flow, persistent and lively still, some Brioche, but more aromas of fresh bread crest, maybe some slightly pears in the far background, very well structured over all, still good freshness, mouthfilling, with a convincing+ long finish, would like to have some more bottles of these, but unfortunately there is only one more bottle left, highly recommended, enjoy! ****(+), around 93, 94+

1/4/2021 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Here we are again!
Just pnp this too young wine beauty cause I have been thinking about smoky minerals and need a strong mineral driven white for food!
Great smell of gun powder , spice and a little zesty yellow fruit,
austere showing on the palate, needs some more air to reveal some aromas, but with this more aeration here we are again in the crushed stone-ligue of dry young Riesling, a barrel full of gun powder, some spice of crushed stones from a mountain stream in winter, really no fruit there, maybe some citrus zest, but all in the background, this bottle is no way for acid or mineral snowflakes, every sip drags the lips painfully, but hey........ this is Riesling, from one of the very best estates!
Take it or leave it, no compromise available!
Hold!
This will open in about 3-5 years imho, think this is one of the best vintages from Dönnhoffs Felsenberg so far!
*(***- +?), around 92,93(+) potential
U P D A T E from 1/6/2021: last quarter of this bottle 48 hours later, only stayed in a fridge, no sealing or pumped out air,
nothing has changed significantly, a monolithic showing still!
maybe 93-95 potential!

10/18/2020 - Purple Tooth wrote:

The best thing about this champagne were the tiny bubbles...Very well made, but the wine underneath lacked substance. Light bodied and fresh, nothing memorable at all. So much more out there for just a few bucks more. Not a re-buy

* I know people throw their noses up at big name NV Champagne, but the more I explore the NV space I realize that the big names put allot of love into their NV and produce excellent wines at this price with conistenacy and reliability. Good examples are Roederer, Piper Heidsick, Tattinger, and Pol Roger.

12/26/2020 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Paired a self made Pizza tonight, just to finish the christmas gluttony,
very intense smell, layered dark and red fruit, some tobacco, slightly mineral showing,
lively appearance on the palate with a fresh mouthfeel, more elegant than full bodied, mineral whiffs of graphite, really deep flavours, long+ finish, my girl always wanted more........, entering its prime very slowly, so this needs only some short aeration, will easily hold another decade++, for me the best Gruaud Larose vintage ever enjoyed, ***(*-*****?), 92- 95 potential

12/24/2020 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

In good old Germany we start Christmas this evening, awaiting some family crowd so what is best for a good start?
Right! Serve a well cooled crowd pleasing sparkler at first!
For me there are always two choices from the "main" Champagne producers,
if I do chose a Brut I choose Pol Roger mostly, when I comes to Rose this one,
so pnp this about 3- 4 years old bottle from my cellar,
showing very fine mousse, chalky fresh nose with raspberry,
good weight, flow and Structure here, all components well balanced, light- to mid bodied, delicate raspberry fruit, silky limy flow, layers, good length, recommended!
Would recommend to let your NV bottles sleep for some years in your cellars, will gain more harmony!

12/23/2020 - Harley1199 wrote:

2020 Family Xmas; 12/23/2020-12/27/2020 (Alicante - España): From half bottle. Once again the eagle has landed, this time plenty of ripe apples and hints of honey. Weak hawthorn flower, beer foam reminiscences. On the palate more apples, good acid and quite short, abrupt finish. Lightly corked because seal was soaked (pictured). Riesling from Mosel, I don't give up even at Xmas time with family but how much Tokaji was missed if compared. Thanks you Herr Ch.O. for your immense generosity anyway. Merry Christmas!

De una media botella. Una vez más el águila se ha posado, esta vez sobre un montón de manzanas maduras con toques de miel. Debiles recuerdos a flor de espino y a espuma cerveza. En boca más manzanas, bien de acidez y un final bastante corto, abrupto. Ligeramente a corcho porque el sello estaba empapado (en la foto). Riesling de la Mosela, no me rindo ni siquiera en Navidad con la familia pero lo mucho que añoro un Tokaji por comparación. ¡Feliz Navidad!

12/12/2020 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Sorry for this endless TN. Nowadays I write like PaulS :-). Bottle open just over an hour before lunch. Startong with a bit of philosophy ... It is very funny to see how every year there are comments from people who, by not decanting their tempranillo bottles, mainly from Rioja, find that the last glass is the best and yet they complain and give you reasons that it would have been better to decant ... they are crazy: they get the better and think they can overcome it. In Spain we only decant bottles due to problems such as sediment, cork, and we like the last glass to be the best, never the first. However, it is easy to see how there are people who prefer that their wine gradually worsens during the meal ... I do not leave my amazement but I respect that each one does what they want. It came well covered with a dark crimson colour. These years in the bottle have transformed it, making it less expressive, more reserved and narrow. Even with everything, it retains hints of ripe red berries and a faint spicy notes that evolve towards aniseed touches. Better on the palate where the density of years ago has been transformed into a silky texture, while preserving a good acidity and fruity flavour although it falls short, probably because it reduces its alcoholic load. Here we have a more than decent RdD in spite it was more interesting when younger.

Lo siento por la interminable nota de cata. Botella abierta poco mas deuna hora antes del almuerzo. Un poco de filosofia para comenzar ... Es divertido comprobar cómo todos los años hay comentarios de gente que al no decantar sus botellas de tempranillo, principalmente de rioja, encuentran que la última copa es la mejor y aun así se quejan y razonan con que hubiera sido mejor decantar ... están locos: obtienen lo máximo y creen que pueden superarlo. En España sólo decantamos botellas por problemas tipo sedimentos, corcho, y es que nos gusta que sea la última copa la mejor, nunca la primera. Sin embargo es fácil comprobar cómo hay gente que prefiere que su vino empeore paulatinamente durante la comida ... no salgo de mi asombro pero respeto que cada uno haga lo que quiera.
Vino bien cubierto con un color carmesí obscuro. Los años en botella lo han transformado, haciéndolo menos expresivo, más reservado y estrecho. Aun con todo, conserva recuerdos a bayas rojas maduras y una débil notas a especias que evoluciona hacia toques anisados. Mejor en boca donde la densidad de hace años se ha transformado en una textura sedosa, conservando a su vez una buena acidez y sabor afrutado aunque se queda corto, seguramente por reducir su carga alcohólica. Aquí tenemos un más que decente RdD à pesar de que era más interesante de joven.

11/14/2020 - pkbowen Likes this wine:

A little flabby tonight, but tasty. The little acid this had is dropping, drink now. 86

10/23/2020 - amateur62 Likes this wine:

Decanted 2 hours before dinner and it still improved in the glass. Red berries with earthy notes and ethereal in the background, fresh and elegant with long finish, the oak is well balanced and will support further development, but does not dominate.
It's not the first vintage of this wine I am tasting, but it's very different to the others, less primary fruit and less expressive than usually in this stage but there is an elegance and balance that is very promising, while already very good, I think that this wine will honour the one having enough patience, should be great in 5 to 10 years. Superb price to quality relation.

11/25/2020 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

After this great annoyance some days ago being curious about the next bottle......., pnp,
what a difference, no vegetable soup here, a stunning red Pessac in its very youth!
Great fragrance of cassis, crisp aromas,
on the palate initially very austere showing, improves with more aeration, delicate fruit, dark cassis in the foreground, some sour cherry, this is in a way like stone licking, somehow like a Riesling, it is the Pessac floor I do guess, mid bodied, deep but a little unbalanced still, great fresh flow over the mid palate, long, very convincing finish, can be enjoyed with a decent decant or served to pair a a rib eye from now on, but will benefit from a lot more cellar time!
**(**-*****), around 92-95(+) potential
Last Third of this bottle 24 hours later,
had an exhausting day with my company and laborers, real work always offers some challenges,
so this one in its high quality and nearly balanced showing helps a lot now, I bring out the main stick out points of this wine and bottle: freshness and longevity!
Haut Bailly 2005 long!

10/10/2020 - fc1910 wrote:

If you have to join some family business, most of them wine-analphabets, you have to manage a whole evening, food is fine, so what to do? There is only one solution: BYO! Best from Mag!
So pnp this bottle, accidentally thought I took a 2001, but now it is this bottle,
very intense fragrance, ripe, delicious fruit, some balsamic tones,
very good grip right from the start, as always Rioja is great to pair food, the supporting acid, the spice, needs some time to blossom in the open bottle, delicate fruit flow, elegance all the way, lingering finish, and the best for me, so young appearance still, fine wine and Mag(+) bottle size is always the very best choice!
Enjoy from now on with a decent decant, but can easily be hold another decade+, **(*-****), around 91,92(+) potential

11/3/2020 - fc1910 wrote:

Next peninsula-gift-bottle! :)
A fine Rioja like smell, some slightly red fruit, some balsamic reminiscences, all this not very intense,
on the palate light and elegant flow, very good pairing with minced beef meat in a slightly sharp vegetable compote,
Rioja is made for food pairing (like the former Bordeaux "claret"), in our days sometimes overdone- and extracted, long lively acid driven finish, very good bottle.

10/20/2020 - fc1910 wrote:

As I stick to Bordeaux more often again, purchased this for the very first time, due to my bad experiences of second wines from all producers......, pnp
fresh, silky nose of plums and black fruit,
If would have been opened on its own, or first......., but now, Haut Bailly 14 in my other glass, this is clearly a big step backwards,
very silky flow over the mid palate, so tasty, ripe integrated tannin, but lacking some punch that young, elegance is here, but the endurance and WOW factor is missing, increasing depth with more aeration, good+ Bordeaux, but for experienced connoisseurs a bit too uninspiring, and..... to pricey for what it delivers, could be a good QPR at about 30€, but more than 50? no way, will not buy again!
smooth clean, but calm finish, enjoy from now on, **(-***), around 87-89(+?)

10/20/2020 - Harley1199 wrote:

Fruit has gained ground compared to wood, although it is still recognized in the glass as a wine from Rioja. Aromas of red berries predominate with spicy notes on the nose. Everything is presented simply and without complexity. On the palate it has little depth, a medium body and a too tight persistence. The best thing, perhaps its value for money.

La fruta ha ganado terreno frente a la madera aunque todavía se reconoce en la copa como una botella de rioja. Predominan los aromas a bayas rojas con notas especiadas en nariz. Todo se presenta de forma sencilla y sin complejidad. En boca tiene una escasa profundidad, un cuerpo medio y una persistencia demasiado ajustada. Lo mejor, quizás su relación calidad-precio.

10/17/2020 - fc1910 wrote:

First try of this producer since a decade+,
found a lonely bottle at a retailer, pnp,
fresh nose, cassis, spicy minerals,
very lively start on the palate, delicate black cassis, graphite, unbalanced without aeration, grainy a little drying tannin, but good grip, elegance pure, somehow the style of the "lost" nineties, a claret in a very good way, needs food at the moment, we pair this one with self made Pizza, perfect, long, long life ahead, one of the better Bordeaux from this again "problematical" vintage,
needs time, would recommend at least 5(+) years, **(*-****-?), around 90-92(+) potential
24 hours later last third of this bottle: really balanced now, refreshing cherry and cassis fruit, minerals, spicy finish, no way tired or oxidized!

10/6/2020 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Pnp in a big Bordeaux glass,
very much fragrance here, balsamic notes in the foreground, delicious black fruit, leather horse saddle, tobacco leafs,
the start on the palate is tremendous, rich delicate black fruit cocktail, herbs from Asia, really fresh mouthfeel, deep without too much body, this young wine beauty is supported by a very lively acid which is the strong backbone,
this said would recommend to aerate bottles of this one at least 5 hours, better put a case and or some Mags in your cellar and hold it, for a minimum of a decade,
but if you pair this one with solid food this works today too, **(**-*****), 92- 94(+) potential, this young today 92

5/29/2020 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

After all of this Rheinhessen stuff need some reference bottle!
Hey it is a Dönnhoff!
Mega acidity, tension, energy like a 747 take off up in the sky, all the way mineralic driven, maybe, I mean really maybe, some citrus cest and white grapefruit in the background, HOLD!
*(****), 95-98 potential

9/11/2019 - fc1910 wrote:

First retailer tasting of the topical GG vintage (Mövenpick winestore, Hamburg, Germany): The same showing with this one, if you try this outstanding Saar vineyard from EM you really know what is missing here........, **(*-?)