Comments on my notes

Red

2014 Château des Fougères Clos Montesquieu Graves Red Bordeaux Blend

11/11/2022 - John Nezlek wrote:

87 points

Note: I use a scale on which 85 represents a very good wine.

A bit from memory. Decent entry level Bordeaux. Unfortunately, I cannot recall too many specifics. Did seem to take a little time to open up. Will try to do better on next bottle.

John Nezlek commented:

11/16/22, 6:03 PM - I am a bit confused.

At the bottom of the textbox into which we enter TNs following text appears:

THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE
(Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail)
Extraordinary (96-100 points)
Outstanding (90-95)
Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
Good (80-84)
Average (75-79)
Below average (70-74)
Avoid (50-70)i

Does this not mean that 85 is appropriate for a very good wine?

Please advise.
John Nezlek commented:

11/17/22, 9:27 AM - My opening comment is simply a way to refresh people's memories that 85 is a very good wine. I see people complain about a bottle and assign scores in the high 80s.

Frankly speaking (why not), I think scores are inflated by both CTers and professionals. if we are going to use the scale as posted, we should use it. I do not think people do. I think that 90 is the default for a very good wine for many/most people, similar to 90 being an A for a paper. Keep in mind that according to the posted scale, 90 is an outstanding wine. Outstanding can be defined as "exceptionally good."

For this specific wine, 87 is somewhere between very good and excellent, which I thought it was.

In the past I have prefaced my TNs with something like:
Note: I use the recommended scale, so 85 represents a very good wine.

Perhaps I should return to this to highlight the fact that I am not using my own personal scale but the scale that is posted. I thought this was obvious. Apparently, it was not.
John Nezlek commented:

11/17/22, 10:07 AM - Hi Jeff,

It seems that things are good all around. Thanks for the follow-up.
Most important, accept my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Surgery is never fun.

Happy T-day (a day that presents its own challenges in terms of wine).
John

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White

2018 El Enemigo Chardonnay Mendoza

2/8/2022 - John Nezlek wrote:

88 points

Note: I use the recommended scale, so 85 represents a very good wine.

Lots of hype about this bottle. I expected mine to open and pour itself. Putting this aside, it was a decent bottle, reminiscent of a Calif chard. Good balance of sharpness and richness.

John Nezlek commented:

2/14/22, 7:34 AM - SRH:

Thanks for the feedback.

John

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White

2005 Château Thieuley Bordeaux Blanc Sec Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend

2/12/2015 - John Nezlek wrote:

89 points

Smoother and more integrated than the last bottle I had two years ago. This is holding up and dare I say, improving, over time.

John Nezlek commented:

1/8/21, 2:52 AM - Hi PSP,

Thank you for the note. Appreciate it. I have three left, and I will knock them out as soon as I can. Right now, I am COVID stranded in Warsaw, PL, but once the smoke clears, I will be headed back to the US (and to my cellar), and I will be certain to revisit this bottle.

Happy New Year,
John

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Red

2010 Feudo Croce Primitivo di Manduria Imperio LXXIV

11/14/2017 - John Nezlek wrote:

87 points

Please note: I use a rating system in which 85 is a very good wine.

In contrast to the bottle I had just shy of a year ago, this bottle was true to form. Rich in the mouth with a small hint of chocolate that I associate with wines from Puglia. I suspect another year or so will serve this bottle well.

John Nezlek commented:

1/1/21, 7:08 AM - Actually, I use the rating system that appears on the "Enter a tasting note page." I have inserted the verbatim text below.

I simply add the note to emphasize that I use the scale. I do this in part in response to the numerous tasting notes I have read in which people have criticized a wine and then rated it as 90+.

Happy New Year.
John

THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE
(Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail)
Extraordinary (96-100 points)
Outstanding (90-95)
Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
Good (80-84)
Average (75-79)
Below average (70-74)
Avoid (50-70)

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White

2006 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte Bouguerots Chardonnay

12/5/2019 - John Nezlek wrote:

90 points

Note: I use a scale on which 85 represents a very good wine.

Can't believe it's been five years since the last one, particularly as good as that one was.
This was no different. No decant, not certain if it was needed.
Great breadth of flavors all in balance. Postcard Chablis.
The Grand Cru is well deserved.

John Nezlek commented:

1/6/20, 11:41 AM - Because that is the scale that is stipulated when you post a TN.
No more, no less

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White

2007 Domaine de Beudon Fendant Valais

10/26/2019 - John Nezlek wrote:

87 points

Note: I use a scale on which 85 represents a very good wine.

I drink wine for a few reasons. One is pleasure. I like the taste of wine (okay, most/many wines). Another second reason is more cognitive and less emotional. I am curious about wines made from grapes that are new to me or wines that are from areas that are new to me.

I bought this wine primarily to meet need #2. Swiss and made from Fendant. Both new for me. Thanks to Pavel P for clarifying this.

I do not regret this choice. The wine tasted fine, although the palate of flavors was unfamiliar to me. The bottle is probably at the end of its life (no need to panic, but no need to wait), and as noted by vanpe003 a few years ago, it was sort of funky. It took a little while for the bottle to open up, but it was nicely balanced. A unique experience -- goal #2 met.

John Nezlek commented:

10/30/19, 7:48 AM - Hi Pavel,

Thanks for the clarification. As you can see I was a little confused.

John

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Red

1995 Château Sociando-Mallet Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend

12/27/2017 - JohnTelford wrote:

91 points

Served with filet mignon at Christmas dinner. Decanted 1 hr. Deep red, dark fruits, leather, soft coffee, creme cassis. From the decanter that lovely mature nose had filled the room. Before i announced the wine selection....I heard wow 3 times. It was a beautiful bottle of wine. I really hate rating mature Bordeaux, not sure the value. Perhaps 91. But again very lovely. Only negative might have been the finish (med length at best).

John Nezlek commented:

9/10/18, 2:34 AM - Hi John,

Coincidentally, I served my bottle with a filet also. Also coincidentally, as I was falling asleep I thought about updating my TN to include something about decanting -- I did not, although as I mentioned in the update, I might try for the next one.

Thanks for your interest.

Cheers,
John

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