4/18/2024 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Opened a bottle from my OWC6 for its 10-year anniversary and it was a good choice - perfect drinking window!
Smooth and silky tannins, nice acidity and the typical fruity notes in the nose as well as on the palate. Perfect get-together wine after a hard day of work. Pop your bottles and enjoy the Reserve de la Comtesse 2014 now and for the coming couple of years.

12/31/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Solid assemblage from the Piedmont by Gaja (obviously far from a pure Nebbiolo) mixing well with a Fondue Chinois. Drinking Window for at least another two or three years and we just PnP.

11/14/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Why just 91 points? because it sat at the adult table!

This grape juice is one of the best 2nd wines and 2009 was a great one. However, sitting at the adult table (Cos d'Estournel 1985-2009) it was difficult for this young gun to participate. Very close to its older brother though (2009 Cos d'Estournel).
harmonizing tannins and acidity, astonishingly long finish - ready to drink and enjoy, also down the road of time.
Compared to the first wine from the same estate, it is less complex.

11/14/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Unlike others in our round of the Cos d'Estournel vertical tasting (1985-2009), I was not really impressed by the 2009 vintage. A year in which every winemaker was able to "fabricate" its century wine this was far away to become an outstanding flagship of this Chateau. Dull compared to its older sibling from '96 or '03, is less balanced, tannins and acidity still looking for a common date to go to their prom, but questionable if both will dance together. I personally ask myself if both parties will have a life-long endeavor to find a common beat for their prom-dance.
The wine also did not improve in the course of the evening which I see as a strange sign. Definitely not worth the money at this stage. I rather suggest to look at the 2003 or the 1996 vintages.
PnP.

11/14/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

At 20 years of age, this 2003 vintage is far from being old or mature. Slowly but surely entering adulthood for the next 30++ years. Fantastic and youthful with lively tannins and acids dancing the tango on your tongue. Super long finish, filling your mouth for minutes - lovely.
A must-have for any Left-Bank fanatic. This one makes it for sure on my cellar-bucket list.

Double-decanting 1h before dance.

11/14/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Positive surprise - holding up very well in a Cos d'Estournel vertical tasting (1985-2009).
Very enjoyable on the palate, nose was rather on the dull side. Still fresh fruity notes, primarily black cherry. Tannins still present and well integrated giving this wine a very silky texture. This wine is too good to share with any food pairing, but perfect to impress your friends and beloved ones. Approx. 10 years + opportunity window to enjoy this baby.

Double-decanting, 1h before.

11/14/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Compared to the 85-sister, the 1986 vintage was a disappointment - no intensity, dull and very woody finish - primary notes at the low end. I had hoped that this one would shine at the Cos-vertical tasting y'day evening, which it didn't.
End of life surely reached (at least for this bottle batch) and not necessarily going to revisit it unless offered;-). Still a good wine but not worth the buck.

Double-decanting 3h before.

11/14/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

The 1985 vintage is the winner of the 5-step Cos d'Estournel vertical non-blind tasting. Mouthwatering dark berry notes on the nose as well as palate held over 2h - very long and intense finish. Tannins and acidity are well integrated but not dominant at all - very smooth and enjoyable. Reminded me rather of a big Pauillac than a St. Estephe. Fantastic. Don't spoil your palate with any food or side disturbances - enjoy it straight in a perfect wine glass.
Best of all: it still has enough power to survive a mere five years plus in your cellar: hats off to all the owners.

Double-decanting 3h before - slightly overpriced imho ($350+ vs. 1989 Pichon Baron for instance).

11/11/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

A classical Zweigelt at its peak with its typical green pepper in your mouth. A perfect companion to heavy food.
While our guests enjoyed this wine it was okayish to me - nothing much more to add.

10/13/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Admitting that after a few mediocre experiences with Californian Cabernets (Chappellet, Opus One, Silver Oak) and being a Bordeaux-Fan I was positively surprised by this 2013 Grgich. Primary fruity notes, with very silky (too silky?) tannins and medium acidity was a pleasure for a sundowner.
PnP clearly indicated that 1h decant would have been a better choice. Imho this vintage is in the middle of its drinking window and I definitely looking forward to learning more about this winery and tasting some other vintages. Finally, another solid American Cab besides Dominus and Spottswood which in my view shows the potential.
Absolutely eye-opening and made me curious - the price/performance is great!

10/12/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

A high 95 because it is one of the best 2nd wines imho!
2009 vintage is perfect for PnP and a fantastic buddy on a fall sundowner. Problem: to tasty so that you will share it with your loved ones (tip: open two bottles at the same time;-)).
harmonizing tannins and acidity, astonishingly long finish - ready to drink and enjoy, also down the road of time.

10/12/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Still very early, but already enjoyable - drink in 10y+.
Don't decant, carafe it to get most of it now. Very approachable but tannins are still wild and the interaction between them and the acidity is somewhat dominant. Lovely berry and fruity notes - this will be a great one.
Price/Quality is very tempting and I am out for "bargain" hunting on this vintage as well.
95 is my rating today - upside potential towards 98 for sure in a decade or two.

10/12/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Love this one - very close to the near-to-perfect 1990 vintage, but still a runner-up;-).
2h decant to enter the pleasuredome of fruity notes, well integrated and harmonizing acids and tannins with a very long finish. Fantastic - just fantastic.
It is just shy the 99 points and I believe it is far from having reached its peak. Happy to have some additional bottles in my cellar and looking forward to enjoy these in the coming decade(s?).
We enjoyed this bottle alongside the 1989 Lynch Bages and there was a huge and noticeable gap between these two - and both are great. While LB is close to its end, I believe the 89 PB has still a theoretical long life span (but too delicious to wait too long).

10/12/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

What has changed from my previous note:
The second bottle of the lot confirmed my previous assessment: the drinking window is closing down. We had a beauty contest vs. the 1989 Pichon Baron and unisono, four of us, had the same winner: PB it is.
We also tasted the 2010 LB that y'day night and our verdict: 1989 LB should have been enjoyed five years ago, 2010 LB should be enjoyed in 10 years the earliest.
Ideally: decant for 2h at least.

9/29/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

A new gem in the Pauillac universe!
A complete wine, though young, with well integrated tannins and good acidity hinting at a long shelf life (theoretically as it was too delicious to just wait and wait and wait and then drink). Typical Pauillac primary notes around black and red cherries, blackberries, and some pepper notes at the end. The finish was just medium but sufficiently long.
A buddy of mine read about this very small winery on Mr. Lobenberg's site and we just had to try it - thanks Mr. Lobenberg, thanks, buddy. Going to order some cases just now - a new gem!
Rating has substantial upside potential of 3-5 points with age imho.

Just check who bought some parcels of land from the Chateau and where exactly it is located - fantastic neighbors, great soil, old vines with a good winemaker gives a perfect mix - what else?!

9/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

I love Lagrange - first and foremost the 2005 vintage. Trying to see how approachable the 2015 vintage is, PnP a bottle.
It is a Lagrange - but still on the very young side and in its beauty sleep.
Wait another mere 5-10 years before opening the next bottle.
Convinced that as a grown-up, I am going to love the 2015 vintage - very promising AND great value for the buck!

9/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

What the heck has Tesseron done at Pontet-Canet? In general, 2015 Bordeaux is too young for me, but this Pontet was a dream.
This 2015 beauty is ready and looks ahead a looong shelf life at the same time. Everything you expect from a very good Pontet can be found within this vintage. Congratulations, Monsieur Tesseron!!!
PnP and the wine was there dancing the tango in your mouth - erotic, fiery, proud, and emotional - what an experience.
Will go for some Pontet 2015 bargain hunting - but shhhh, let the price settle and others hunt for other vintages;-)

9/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Although 2007 was not a fantastic vintage for the Flaccianello, it was by far the winner at our small Sangiovese tasting (vs. 2006 and 2013 Fontalloro as well as Colina by Felsina).
This wine is fun. Although I had the impression that this vintage is at the end of its drinking window, I might add two, or three bottles for the upcoming wintertime.
Drink up over the next 12 months as we have the impression that this Sangiovese has a sharp falling drinking window cliff.

9/28/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Single vineyard Colonia 2013 by Felsina was a disappointment - especially as we had it next to the 2006 Fontalloro from the same wine house.
Flat tannins, dull acidity, no inspiration nor complexity among the primary, secondary, or tertiary notes on the palate. Nose promised more than what the wine showed in the mouth.
Opened the bottle 4h before tasting and the experience was degrading from minute to minute.

9/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Runner-up at a blind Sangiovese tasting. Still powerful fruity - mainly cherries - surrounded by smooth leathery and earthy notes. Tannins are still present and nice acidity hints at some additional shelf life (~3-5 years?).
Last bottle but lucky to have some younger vintages of the Fontalloro in my cellar.
Opened the bottle c. 1 hour before we started the tasting. Given the development during the event, I suggest either decanting or opening the 2006 Fontalloro 2h+ before the wine pleasuredome.

9/23/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Wait, be patient - this vintage has great potential five years down the road (for a Serre Nuove).
Having said this, today, it is way too young.
Tannins are already smooth and silky with some chewy textures after a medium-length finish. Acidity was noticable and not disturbing.
Red fruits pop up in the nose as well as palate and most probably a double decanting would have helped massively.
Definitely going to pop a bottle again.

9/17/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Ready - Set - Go!
Imho, the 2014 vintage has just entered the ideal drinking window. Enjoyed two bottles for a small BBQ with beef and the wine was a perfect companion.
Still a lot of fruity notes with lively, but silky tannins and enjoyable acidity. Finish was a bit short for me Bordeaux-lover, but give this "Super Tuscan" a nice touch on your palate.
Popped it 60 minutes before pouring.
Very enjoyable now.

9/14/2023 - luHar1423 Does not like this wine:

Way too young and just another hyped Super Tuscan. For those who like these kinds of wines, you can definitely add a good vintage (2016?). Having said that, I stick to the original Bordeaux-blends.
The nose promises more than the palate returns. Yes, you can imagine what this possible disguised gem could bring in the future. Imho, there are many alternatives and it is just another brick in the fascinating and marketing-pushed Super Tuscan wine world.
Was an interesting experience, wine is solid, nothing else to write home about.

9/10/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

A very nice Pomerol-Merlot bomb (and 15% Cab Franc). Not my first L'Eglise and being a left-banky, very positively surprised. Think that the 2005 Clos l'Eglise is just entering the drinking window by waking up from its (first) Bordeaux Beauty Sleep and thus, still a relatively youthful on the palate. Astonishing fresh red fruity notes, an intense and long finish though the tannins were a bit on the weaker side imho.
Putting this one on my radar screen and willing to continue to top my toe in the right-bank wine.

9/10/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Clear winner vs the 2010 Pichon Comtesse in its cage fight. What a beauty! Close to perfection and aging will surely help on top of it - my challenge is more on my patience.
This is what I would call a real Pauillac. Lucky for all those like me having more bottles in their cellar - for the others: go out and hunt like there is no tomorrow. A must-have in your cellar!
Yummy - and one of potential beauty queens of the 2010 electoin.

9/10/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Still very young, but 2010 vintage is opening up nicely after having some deep breaths (~30 minutes). Fruity notes are fantastic, tannins and acidity nicely integrated and ready to blossom.
Advise to be patient and wait another 7-10 years to have a 96-98 beatuy imho - but for those who cannot wait, go for it and enjoy- cheers!

9/9/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Disappointing bottle from my 2004 lot. Flat throughout the evening, no development, disappointing medium finish. The only positive: very nicely balanced tannins and acidity with distant hints of blackberry notes. We had this side-by-side with its 6-year younger sibling.
Not sure if the 2004 - being a weak vintage in general - is giving up and needs to be drunk up or, if the Pichon Comtesse is going to its second beauty sleep.

9/3/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

I am not a right-bank fan - or put it this way - I am not experienced yet but this one was a beauty.
2014 Bordeaux from the left bank have this striking watery taste and feeling on your palate, which was not the case with the Pavie Macquin. Nice fruity notes with perfectly balanced tannins, dancing the tango with the acidity made this wine a perfect pleasure yesterday evening. Finish was long, but not extraordinary. Complexity was there but not outstanding, which made it an enjoyable wine for every palate imho.
Just entered the drinking window, had it popped 30 minutes before pouring it in our glasses - amazing. Definitely going to add some to my cellar.

9/3/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

A simple wine from Piemont, overrated in my view. Grape variety of Barbera is not "my cup of tea", missing the complexity, tannins, volume and length of finish with this wine.
2015 is beyond its peak (also if you look at the appearance). Tertiary notes and very noticable acidity are making this wine an okayish companian to hamburgers, steaks, but that's it.
As a Bordeaux lover, this wine is solid - but that's it.
Drink up your holdings - I will do so.

8/29/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Overlooked and underrated wine at good price - the little sis' of Clos Erasmus.
Loved it - nice fruity notes, long finish, perfect just like that or with a good Mediterranean meal.
An honest and delicious piece of Spanish artisan work - well done. Will pop my bottles in the course of the coming 5 years as this has not peaked yet but are in the perfect drinking window.
PnP is just fine - have fun.

8/21/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Age helps, but not too much. Drinking window clearly open and to close down with this "super tuscan" within the next five years.
A bit disappointed - hoped for more pleasure and fun. It is just another brick in the Tuscan wine marketing world: solid artisan work, good wine (especially as a food companion) - that's it.
Good alternative though - one of the first full biodynamic wineries in italy apparently.

8/21/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

still young and still tasty. Nice acidity, tannins a bit on the weaker side though - medium length finish.
A perfect companion for any steak 'n wine evening as a precursor!
Believe it is an interesting alternative to all the Aaltos, Mauros and Haciendas from Spain.

8/14/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Wow- a very young and fresh beauty. If you like the typical Poyferre-Cherry taste - this one is for you.
10-year+ drinking window is open!

8/14/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Much written about this beauty and it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to taste this fine piece of art! (Thanks, ThePlayer for your recommendation).
The cork was saturated and broke in half while unpopping, but my worries that the wine was compromised were wrong.
Still a lot of fruity notes, nice acidity but tannins a bit weak in combination. Curious to taste soon another one.
Definitely a must-have - but still favor the 1990 Pichon Baron over this one (for now).
Not sure if drinking window is closing down to the bad. Definitely going to PnP another bottle soon to get a better taste for this.

8/8/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

ready-to-drink-Window is fully reached. It is not as complex as in its youth, finish somewhat disappointing and uneventful (but still tasty), however, tannins and acidity are well balanced.
PnP - great to steak!
Finishing off my holdings in the course of the next 12 months.

7/31/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Had my last bottle of the 2000 vintage - fantastic Sangiovese by Giacomo Neri in its perfect drinking window and not at the end of its life.
Very smooth, silky tannins balance the acidity very well - delicious fruity notes with some dark chocolate at the long finish.
Unfortunately, very hard to get.
Stocked up my cellar with 2013 and 2016 vintages - both in their infancy.

5/29/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Admittly, the Solaia 2010 was the dinner companion and we had the "pleasure" to enjoy a magnum bottle. Nevertheless, having heard from this Super Tuscan Antinori breed, I was disappointed and it was by far the weakest wine of the evening (well, the others were all classy Bordeaux wines).
Relatively short finish, reasonably good fruity notes but weak tannins and a lots of acidity (which I find in many Super Tuscans). Miss any balance and not sure if the peak of this vintage has already been achieved?
Not my cup of tea and happy for everybody liking this wine.

4/4/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Very early and very young - wait for another 7+ years.
Shows elegancy and complexity already now, finish quite long, but tannins too present for my taste. However, the typical fruity notes are making it on the palate and this could turn out to be a superb gem, once it has become an adult! Buy - hold - and enjoy in 10+ years.
High likelihood of rating upgrades by two notches at least.

4/4/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Despite being on the very young side, it was approachable and performed very well during our Poyferre vertical tasting.
Definitely a typical Poyferre (did I mention the Cherry-taste yet?) with huge potential (as the 2016) and looking very much forward to 2030+ to enjoy this vintage.
Long finish, tannins and acidity still a bit wild but after a four hour of air, it shows what we can expect - a dream to look out for.
Wait and let it in your cellar for at least a decade!

4/4/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

In my view - too early to draw a conclusion. Our 2014 tastings resulted in our conclusion that this vintage has some water-filling elements - for both sides of the Gironnes. It is not necessary the acidity which is still very high, in our view, the vintage itself was weaker and we would not classify it as an insider vintage.
Finish was rather on the medium to short side (~30sec) and as mentioned, water-filling in the mouth/on the palate. We tried double decanting, airing etc. and none of the measures changed our initial results.
Give it a next try in two/three years down the road.

4/4/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

In our little Bordeaux tasting group, we believe strongly that 2012 is an insider tip on the vintage. Known for good right bank wines, the left bank was often overlooked.
2012 Poyferre is one of these gems in our view. Having said this, besides the 2022, this is the only Poyferre which lacks the typical black cherry taste - and the only Poyferre vintage, which has no Cab Franc in its variety. Just a coincidence?
Long finish, very appraochable acidity and tannins - silky and pronounced at once. Given the great price-quality relationship, adding to my cellar for causal wine evenings.Accessible now and in the coming years.

4/4/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Surprisingly accessible and delicious with roughly 1h of popping the cork before tasting.
Classical cherry notes in the nose and on the palate which is for me the signature of any Poyferre (except the 2022, which I was able to taste already). Tannins are already very silky and acidity is not too dominant - so wondering if this will last two or three decades or if it becomes too dull and too casual? Finish was a bit short vs. my expectation and untypical "normal".
Definitely keeping mine in the cellar and going to pop a bottle on special occassion.

7/29/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

If you love powerful tannins, then I got you a good choice. The 1996 Montrose is still young, will need a decade or two in your cellar to tame the fantastic acidity-tannins battle, with still reasonably fresh fruity notes. Missed secondary and tertiary notes on the palate and finish was not too long in my opinion, given other contestants in our blind "Summer of 96 Tasting Events", which surpassed the minute mark by far.
I guess you need to be very patient with this wine in your cellar and as I am not really known for this, but still prefer well aged wines, I am giving a pass on this one too.

7/29/2023 - luHar1423 wrote:

Another contestant to our blind "Summer of 96 Tasting Event". This one was neither a surprise nor a disappointment. Solid, with still astonishingly chewy (and wild) tannins, young acidity but slowly vanishing/blurring fruity notes on the palate.
This Cos will definitely age in grace, but is definitely not in my top three of best Cos vintages - thus, I will pass on this

7/29/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

A real beauty and gem having its price. Another positive surprise at the blind "Summer of 1996 Tasting Event". This Pichon Lalande de Comtesse surprised with a never-ending and tasty finish, silky tannins, and its powerness, as this wine still would be in its infancy.
Will I add it to my cellar? Not sure yet, but it is definitely making it to my "Repeat and Threepeat wine Bucket list".

7/29/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Yes, please - I want another sip.
What a big surprise this Cheval Blanc 1996 showed in our blind "Summer of 96 Tasting event". Unlike many critics, who suggest to "dump" this wine asap, I believe it is just entering its second life. It was fresh, full of tasty fruity primary notes, balanced tertiary and yummy secondary notes with tannins and acidity tip the scales in perfection. I am not a Cab Franc and thus, a right bank fan (with some exceptions though;-)) but this one is surely making it to my bucket list.
Continue to join and need to persuade my buddy to uncork his last White Horse 1996.

7/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

All four of us immediately recognized this wine during our blind "Summer of 96 Tasting event" - a classical and definitely a "once you must try this Margaux" vintage.
Finds its spot on my "Repeat to Threepeat Wine Bucket List" and was the clear runner-up.
Still youthful in your mouth hints to me a decade or two of longevity. No hurry to rush into this one though - love it.

7/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

A good and solid wine - but expected more from one of the big five from Bordeaux - especially during our Blind "Summer of 96 Tasting".
Lenght was average, tannins well integrated and very shy, acidity was close to inexisting, but the fruity notes were active as this wine was only 15 years old. Not sure, if this makes another reviival. Glad to have tasted it, but not one of my "Repeat to Threepeat Bucket Wine List".

7/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

Close to perfection and a must-have for every left-bank lover. Was obviously part of our Summer of 96 Blind Tasting event and scored easily first place!
Huge value for the buck - and I am definitely going to look out for some bargains on this vintage in due time.
This is for sure a wine, which you can drink during the next decade.
On my overall rating as of today: new number 3 (behind the perfect 1982 Mouton and the close to perfect 1990 Pichon Baron).

7/28/2023 - luHar1423 Likes this wine:

The summer of 96 -
We made a blind tasting of THE five 800 pound gorillas in Bordeaux - among them this little beauty, which is definitely a very good wine, but I personally don't understand the pricing of it.
Still youthful in your mouth, it needs at least 4 hours of air before it unfolds its complex and joyful firework of primary and tertiary notes (missed the secondaries though). Tannins and acidity rather on the weak side, but an unusal long length of 60 sec+++.
Definitely worth a visit, not sure if I will re-visit though - there are some other wines in my top ten "Repeat to Threepeat bucket wine list".