1/28/2016 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

From the first pour through to the last drop this wine kept evolving. Initially fresh and flowery nose developed an herbaceous, leafy quality. Rich in colour and mouthfeel with ample mineral and solid acidity. Grassy, peach and melon. Chestnut, cologne, long finish. A well balanced white at a surprising 14% abv! Would do well to keep it in the cellar for a few years yet, but if the temptation or the perfect dish - think cod or grilled squid, arises... It's drinking wonderfully. Feels like summer tonight.

1/31/2015 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

This was a risky one. The cork barely intact, was pushed right into the bottle. No matter, however. A small sample poured revealed a beautiful translucent bricked colour and a strong bouquet of dry petals, potpourri and rich sweet Sherry. In the mouth it was very delicate and slight. As it opened it revealed a complex of light spice and a very smokey edge. Poured prior to a meal of lamb so we could all get a straight taste but it did remarkably well cutting through the food and paired excellently.

1/31/2015 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

I really dig this wine and it always elicits curiosity when I serve it. Deep golden colour, oxidative nose, nutty, Sauternes-like nose. Bone dry and cutting straight to the point acidity. Sadly my last bottle of this vintage. Would like to try one that has aged a good deal longer. Something tells me this wine has great potential for medium term cellaring.

5/9/2015 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Fruit was muted but striking acidity made it a good dinner companion. Nice earthy nose and secondary flavours.

3/11/2015 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine. Double decant really helps to coax the best out of this wine. Lovely bouquet, flowery, hints of bees wax. Full rich flavour. Reminiscent of Priorat but for a fraction of the cost. Drinking well now and may do well for a couple of more years.

2/7/2015 - Svengali_Luddite wrote:

Needs some time, maybe a decant. Very closed on the nose. No fruit to speak of. Some herbal and spicy notes. Eventually opened up, but offered little depth. Some vegetal flavours, tomato stem, gasoline, empyreumatic, but with little fruit the result feels unbalanced. Finally offered hints of dark fruit and, again, cherry tomato. Too little to late, I feel, considering the cost.

12/30/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Beautiful rich colour, lovely nose with all the hallmarks of a vin jaune. A tad meagre on the palette with a curt finish.

9/26/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

This bottle exceeded expectations provoked some good old wine talk. Went oh so well with lamb roast. Well balanced with lots of depth. Solid wine at great price.

7/10/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Thick and rich, full bodied but very smooth tannins, almost creamy, with hints of coffee, and olive in the mouth. Plays well with red meat. Overall, very enjoyable.

6/14/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Beautiful, if you like this style - which I do very much. Highly oxidized and yeasty, almost like a dry Jerez. Savagnin is a lovely and complex grape and the wines from Arbois made from this cepage are just so unique. Incredibly nutty and floral with a rich color and great acidity.
A real show stopper. Enjoy with cream sauces, casoulet d'escargot, cheeses from the region, charcouterie, and of course, nuts. Drinking superbly now, but could very well go another 8 years.

6/14/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Well done! If I can use one word to describe this wine right know it would be 'exuberant'. At its peak I think, but if you want more complexity and tertiary characteristics keep for another 3-4 years.

6/14/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Slightly oxidized, notes of pear and melon. I like this style but was underwhelmed by this bottle. Might have drunk it too soon.

5/27/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

A great Argentinian wine for the price. One of the few that won't disappoint. Great with grilled meats and can stand up to a bit of spice.

5/27/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Beautiful colour. Brick red with orange rim. Intoxicating nose. Caramel, spice, stewed prune. Less complex taste and a touch quick on the finish but an easy yet rewarding Barbaresco. Tannins, acid, and fruit are well balanced.

4/26/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

The nose is still very evocative with rich earthy notes, menthol, fading spicy black fruit and tobacco. Beautifully bricked in colour, on the palate very delicate and ephemeral. An aging beauty performing her swan song; get your tickets now because this show isn't going to last much longer, but still has that show-stopping quality. Bring it out for a special occasion or make it a special occasion by bringing it out. Either way, it is time for this 32 year old tempranillo to be drunk.

4/26/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

A bit closed up at first. Opened up with some time revealing some nice fruit on the nose and decent depth and acidity to accompany a rich meal. Certainly the weakest offering from Vietti though.

4/7/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

It has all the elements and interesting quirks of a Jura Chardonnay but unfortunately lacks both the depth and intensity of previous vintages. Still, worth having and pairs nicely with a variety of foods.

4/7/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Delicate and elegant. Not the usual descriptors for Cahors wine but the fourteen years between picking and drinking have softened the tannins and colour of this predominantly Malbec wine.
Earthy nose, dank forest and mushroom, with glimpses of herb. On the mouth, muted dark fruit, plum, cinnamon and cream, gives way quickly to umami and wood and, after more air, herbs and slight menthol finish. Very round buttery feel. In short complex but subtle. It won't knock you off your chair, but rather, keep you sitting in it a little longer. Drinking well now, but probably past it's peak by a year or two; I wouldn't wait any longer.

3/11/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

A real steal for the price. Don't know if it can go the distance in the cellar, maybe two more years, but nonetheless, it's a joy right now. A rich nose with plenty of spice, charred wood, and dark fruit. On the mouth, it exhibits a tight structure, a good balance, broad texture though somewhat curt finish. Nice integration of wood with heavy notes of balsamic and black pepper. Great effort, certainly punching above it's weight.

2/8/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Drink up. This little beauty is in a nice place right now, but it's window is closing.
Pour it if you got it!

2/8/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Full bodied with grippy tannins but balanced with rich fruit and mineral. Charming nose with red fruit and floral notes of lavender. Holding up well after seven years.

1/31/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Every now and then a wine comes along that is so pleasant to drink it makes one want to build a time machine; Why did I not get a couple of cases of this when it was abundant... Sigh.

1/27/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

This bottle surprised. Still had lots of nice fruit and a good, complex earthy nose with prominent olive scent. Supple tannins made for good drinking with or without food. I imagine it could do another two or three years in the bottle.

1/27/2014 - Svengali_Luddite wrote:

Disappointed given the quality of previous vintages. I would pass on this one and hope for a better 2013 offering.

1/3/2014 - Svengali_Luddite wrote:

I was expecting more from this bottle. Offered little of interest other than good acidity. It won't ruin a seafood or light fish dish but brings little to the party.

1/3/2014 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

An elegant wine and great value. Great structure and balance. Smokey, earth and mineral, blackberry and current. Fruit is not exuberant but Nebbiolo nontheless. Accompanies food so well. It will only get better with time.

12/28/2013 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Fresh, easy drinking Gamay done in the Loire style. Long maceration adds structure with nice spice and a pepper. Character laden and challenging, this is not Beaujolais. A joy to drink.

12/21/2013 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

A real stunner and a great value! A can't miss pick for matching with stews or roast. Smoked paprika make for an interesting nose.

12/6/2013 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Didn't show well following a 2003 Pegau, but went back to it the next day and could appreciate it's charm. Could use some more time in the cellar to gain complexity but offered a good earthy nose and ample cherry and fruit.

11/29/2013 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Orange wine from Sicily. Maceration lends colour and character to otherwise ordinary Catarratto grapes. Pleasant nose. Bright yet curt finish.
Muted flowers, fruit, spice. Nice and nutty. An interesting wine in a lesser known style that has recently come back into vogue. Played well as an aperitif and/or with charcuterie.

11/1/2013 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Chardonnay in an oxidized Jura style. Nutty, deep and rich.

10/20/2013 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Surprising depth. An excellent value.

9/5/2013 - Svengali_Luddite Likes this wine:

Still young perhaps but drank better on the second day. Not this chateau's best offering but perhaps a few more years in the bottle will give a more balanced result.