4/18/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Last note was in March 2016. I had a look at what I'd written eight years ago to refresh my memory. It's still pretty much in the same place with an inky dark red color in the glass with rich dark fruits on the palate and a texture like silk, but still some decent tannins left. The oak seems to have gone though. Over a couple of hours it evolved and became more complex. I guess that there must be at least another five years or longer left in this beauty from a fantastic vintage. This was the last bottle from a case of six. But I have the 2020 to look forward to in a few years time.

3/30/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Consumed two bottles over a spicy hotpot with friends, so no formal notes. But from memory, this is a very traditional Rioja, quite deep red and beautifully balanced. There are no signs of age, just gorgeous mellowness (if that's a word). This has everything I could want from a Rioja Gran Reserva. I would expect this to hold good for another 10 years.

3/31/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

No formal tasting notes. But from memory, the color is a very pleasing deep Burgundy Red with red fruits and black currant on the nose. This has been very well extracted, and it's quite full bodied with a nice balance of dark fruits, medium acidity and silky smooth tannins, which conspire to makes you want the bottle to last forever. There are no signs of aging, and I'd expect this to hold good for another 4 to 5 years. My kind of Burgundy.

3/23/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This 2019 Rheigau Riesling Trocken is top notch for a non-GG. Much the same as I remember from my previous bottle from about a year ago (no note posted though). This is a beautiful clear golden yellow in the glass. There are aromas of white fruit which are replicated on the palate with a touch of grapefruit and wet slate. Acidity is medium,.which balances a slight residual sweetness that becomes noticeable as it warms up in the glass. This is better cooled but not chilled right down. There is no gas, but it's just slightly effervescent on the tongue. It all makes for a fantastic dry Riesling, which is excellent QPR. It probably won't improve much from here, but no reason to think it will go downhill any time soon.

It went very well with spicey chicken. Half the bottle saved for tomorrow.

3/16/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is deeper golden yellow than I remembered it from 2 years ago. On the nose it's quite lemony with some wet flint, and on the palate there's a lot of grapefruit. Acidity is fresh with quite a zing plus a little effervescence. This is quality GG riesling from a very good year. No hurry to drink up. I expect another 5 to 8 years from this at least. My kind of Riesling!

PS: outstanding on day 2!

3/9/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Since last tried about 2 years ago, this has slightly improved. With virtually no breathing time, this was ready to go. In the glass this is a lovely Burgundy color with red fruits and a tinge of violet on the nose. The body is medium but succulent with red fruits and a touch of cherry. Acidity is medium and tannins are smooth. On the back there is some mouthwatering wet stone. It's got a couple more years left ahead of it, but I expect it will hold at this level without further evolution. 10 bottles remaining. Fantastic QPR for a Premier Cru.

PS: more cherry on the nose on Day 2, and more rounded on the mid-palate. Probably three good years ahead at this level.

3/7/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

At 10 years old, this Village level Cote de Nuits still has a lovely Burgundy Red color in the glass with aromas of red fruit and a touch of fragrant rose. There's plenty of lively acidity and red fruits on the palate but a tinge of slightly bitter, drying tannins at the end. This is still very drinkable but I wouldn't expect more than another one or two years out of this.

PS: next day, the red fruits showed up more and the slight bitter tinge at the end had just about gone

2/23/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Aromas have slightly faded since I last tried this a few years ago. However, the color remains a vibrant red. After about one hour of air, on the palate, this is now really nice mature Burgundy. The fruit, tannins and acidity are all in good balance, and the finish is quite long but with a slight drying quality which tells me that this won't be this good for much longer. Drink up.

2/14/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Opened one of the few remaining bottles from a case bought a number of years ago. The cork was perfect, and the color is still a deep red. It's a light expression of Bugundy with subtlety, yet depth. The palate displays red berries with just a background tinge of black currant. Tannins are now smooth as silk. I guess this is at its very peak but would hold good for a year or two longer. Class act from Nicolas Potel.

PS: holding up well on day 3, absolutely gorgeous still!

2/14/2024 - ChristP wrote:

I last tried this BdM about 5 years ago and wrote that I'd finish the remaining bottles over 24 months. Somehow, I found one bottle remaining in my wine cooler so decided to see how it was holding up.

The cork was in good condition and the aromas were intact. Color was a dark pleasing red, and the palate showed red fruits and faded tannins. There was virtually no mid-palate and the finish wasn't quite satisfying. I would suspect this won't have much life left ahead of it.

2/9/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

I hesitate to put a rating on this. The cork was very crumbly and fractured on opening. The aroma and color were still OK, but even after a half day of breathing, there was something missing from the fruit. I'm not sure whether this reflected the state of the cork or the age of the wine. Thankfully, I have one more bottle left from the case and will try to form a judgment next time. Having said all this, it was still a fairly decent wine.

2/3/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

I used two thirds of the bottle to make sauce for Lamb stew. The remainder I enjoyed with the stew after it had been opened for 24 hours. When first opened the bottle the day before, I tried a small glass and was under the impression that the wine had lost weight over the years. But the following day it was back to being like a baby Barolo again. How amazing is that? It must be a mark of the stellar 2013 vintage and the skill of the wine maker. I have a couple of bottles left,.and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here. Regardless, fantastic QPR!

1/22/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Similar to previous experience just over a year ago. Soft white fruits on the nose with a whiff of pineapple. These fruits are replicated on the palate together with some grapefruit that gives a zip of refreshing acidity to balance that slight residual sweetness. Overall, a very decent effort. Should have a few more years of enjoyable drinking ahead, but no reason to hold back either. Great Quaiity/Price.

On Day 2, a hint of Elderflower has emerged on the nose. Perhaps there's also a little further improvement with a day's breathing inside the bottle with screw cap on tight.

1/13/2024 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Last note was on 17 Jan 2016. Since then, much remains the same as my previous experience. The color is still an intense, dark red and there is no sign of sediment. However, the body has lost a little fat, making it more subtle than I remembered it. Somehow, it doesn't seem quite as sweet, or my taste buds have changed. The predominant fruit is dark cherry. Tannins are quite silky, and the finish is satisfyingly long.

I put half the bottle in the fridge and finished it one week later, and it is still holding good. No reason to think the 2007 will decline anytime soon.

2/10/2023 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is a light lemon color in the glass with flint and white fruits on the nose, which are replicated on the palate. The refreshing acidity balances the white fruits of which Grapefruit is quite pronounced. There's also a nice minerality and a tinge of stone fruit on the finish. This refreshing Rielsling Trocken is open for business now but will improve over the next 5 years.

2/5/2023 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is a beautiful, almost lemon yellow in the glass. On the nose it is fresh with citrus and a hint of wet flint. Acidity is nicely bracing and there are yellow fruitan grapefruit as well as a tinge of bitter fruit stone on the finish. This is a very elegant Village Level Chablis that borders on 1° Cru quality, making it fantastic QPR. This is in a good place now, and it should be good for another 3-4 years.

2/4/2023 - ChristP Likes this wine:

No detailed notes, but this is a great example of the fabulous 2010 vintage. The color in the glass is dark ruby red and the nose is enticing with red fruit and some mature Barolo aromas of old sock, which is a big positive. On the palate there's the red fruit, still quite firm tannins and medium acidity. This is in prime time now but should keep stable for another 3 to 5 years. Great QPR for entry level Barolo from a great producer in a stellar year! Can't wait to try their 2010 Barolo San Rocco!

12/10/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

On opening, there were immediately wafts of dark and red fruit. The color is a deep, inky red in the glass with no indications of age. On the palate the dark fruit is rich but balanced by tannins that are still quite robust and a medium acidity. There's also an underlying depth of crystal malt that fills out the middle and is present on the long, lingering finish. This is open for business from the start and seems to be in the middle of its prime drinking window. You could drink now or hold for around another 5 years. Amazing wine.

12/9/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

From memory, notes of white fruits on the nose, which are replicated on the palate. The color is a fresh lemmony-yellow in the glass. There's a refreshing acidity that balances the white fruit character plus there's a touch of minerality and a hint of stone fruit on the finish. This is delightful Rielsling Trocken that's ready now but which should keep and improve over the next 5 to 8 years. Excellent QPR.

12/3/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

No formal notes, but this is eally excellent for an entry level Riesling Trocken. Not exactly bone dry, but has refreshing acidity coupled with a mouthwatering minerality. Great QPR.

11/15/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This Riesling is a beautiful, almost golden yellow in the glass. There are white fruits like pear and apple both on the nose and palate. The attack has a tinge of wet stone, but the middle is all soft white fruit with little is the way of acidity or minerality. On the whole, it's quite well put together but could do with a little more zing. Seems more of a crowd pleaser than a serious jewel of Pfaltz. On the 2nd and 3rd day there was remarkably little change in character. Probably OK to hold a while, but I wouldn't expect any improvement from here.

10/15/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This Riesling is a light golden yellow in the glass with notes of citrus. It is very grapefruit forward when first opened. With more air, the mixture of white fruits becomes quite rich and complex with slight undertones of honey in the middle which is well balanced against the refreshing zing of acidity. Towards the finish is a hint of stone of peach, which gives a slight bitter edge. Overall, this is extremely well put together and is in prime drinking window. Will probably hold good for 8-10 years. Amazing quality/price ratio.

PS: extremely good on day 3

9/25/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

The bottle is with screw cap. On opening, this Riesling has lots of citrus zest with hints of tropical fruits in the background. In the glass, the color is a clear, lemon yellow. The palate has grapefruit to the fore with a touch of minerality, refreshing acidity, slight effervescence (without visible gas bubbles) and a lingering bitter (but pleasant) finish. Alcohol is 12.5%.

9/10/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Deep red in the glass, this is a velvety smooth Rioja Reserva in its prime. There are no signs of age at 12 years with only a medium-light sediment at the bottom of the bottle. The nose is dominated by cherry and some dark fruits. Body is medium-full with bitter cherry, decent acidity and smooth, silky tannins, all in the right proportions. At this stage, I'd expect this Rioja Reserva to hold good for another 5-8 years. Brilliant value!

8/12/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Pretty much the same as in Sept 2021 in most respects, but opened up in the glass with less breathing time. This should really be a Barolo, and blindfolded it would be. Great insight into the 2016 Barolo vintage. It will be interesting to open a bottle every year from here on to see how it evolves. I expect it will be good to 2030, but I have only 4 bottles left from a 6-pack. Would buy 2016 again if I see it.

8/7/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Like this so much, I bought another 6 bottles. If anything, this Marsannay is only getting better, hence the higher score. It's subtle and elegant, on the lighter side of Burgundy, which just makes it utterly drinkable. No signs of aging, and I still give this another 5 years of drinking life ahead.

7/10/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

The Ermitage Blanc Ex-Voto is a rich golden yellow in the glass and has a nose of wet stone, white fruits and Night-scented Stock. On the palate the white fruits are replicated with some sips showing pear and others hinting at peach; and a while later it switches back to pear again. At the back there is a slight bitter tinge that adds some bite. The texture is quite soft and acidity is fairly low, but this wine is in total balance and shows great elegance. Whilst open for business now, it has upside as witnessed by the fact that on the 2nd day it was a step up from the day before.

6/4/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is again an excellent value wine from Grafe Lecocq, which is a Belgian Negociant and Eleveur with a long history of specializing in sourcing the finest fermented juices from regions all over France through their network and on the ground local knowledge. From thereon, the wine is matured in their own cellars in oak barrels for 12-24 months before bottling. I must say that they did a beautiful job with this Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravrieres. Although the nose is modest, it's still attractive with floral aromas and red fruits. It's a medium dark ruby red in the glass and medium bodied to match. There are red fruits on the palate to match the nose and some red cherry in the middle too. Tannins are still fairly robust and acidity is lithe and refersting, making this an elegant wine. I would say that this has the potential to improve over the next 5 years. For now, I think I just slightly prefer the 2014 Grafe Lecocq Marsannay. But this could well change as the Santenay ages. Tremendous QPR.

6/7/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Upon pulling the cork, this Sancerre is immediately open for business with citrus zest and minerality on the nose. There is grapefruit melded with pineapple on the platate with light acidity, which is balanced out by the slight residual sweetness and high alcohol at 14% making it extremely drinkable yet worth savoring with each and every sip. This makes the wine dangerous as it leaves just you wanting more. The best temperature for serving this wine seems to be around 12°C. Not sure where it will head from here, but I would expect drinking enjoyment over the next 5 years with some modest upside. Reasonable QPR on the quality side of the ratio.

5/2/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Pretty much the same as when last tasted 11 April 2021, except a year on it seems to have rounded out. The Elderflower nose has receded somewhat and has given way more to wet stone and Flint. On the palate, I still detected Pineapple, but this time with a tinge of Grapefruit. Acidity is quite lively, and in the middle there is stone fruit with a finish that is medium long and quite dry. Overall, this is more balanced than it was a year ago. No reason why this won't go on giving pleasure up to its 10th birthday or perhaps slightly beyond. Great QPR.

2/2/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is pretty much as I remember it from 15 Dec 2020 but with perhaps slight improvement over the 13 months. This time I pulled the cork 2 hours before tasting. Immediately, from the bottle, it's very fruity on the nose. In the glass this is replicated, and the color is a very deep red. Gone was the forward oak; dark fruit was quite opulent; acidity was medium; and tannins were silky soft. The balance is quite beautiful; mid-palate is satisfying and the finish is endless. This will probably still keep nicely for another 5 years.

1/14/2022 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This Riesling from Markus Molitor is just simply gorgeous. This time, it seemed a slightly deeper golden color vs my memory of the previous bottles - it positively glows in the glass. The nose is endlessly facinating with a mixture of tropical white fruits and hints of citrus. As on 23 October last year, the balance is so perfect that you can't say what is particularly coming to the fore, which makes it dangerous as it slinks effortless down. There's not a lot more that I could want from a dry Riesling. I'm just so glad now that I bagged an additional 6-pack of this vintage, which is now in storage for the longer term. Molitor's nickname of "Herr 300 Punkte" is very well deserved.

12/31/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Utterly sublime, this almost 18 year old Barolo Riserva is ready to go 30 minutes after pulling the cork and pouring a little out to create breathing space. The color is deep ruby and shows no bricking, and the sediment is only very light. As yet there are no notes of old Barolo (unlike the bottleI tried 3 years ago), rather there's a meld of dark and red fruits, which are fully replicated on the palate. Fruit, acidity, tannins and alcohol (13.5%) are in perfect balance as no one element comes to the fore. The middle is full and the finish is almost endless. Even better than 3 years ago, this the best 2004 Barolo Riserva that I've ever tasted as far as I can recall. There must be another 10 years of life ahead in this.

12/27/2021 - ChristP wrote:

This bottle out of a case of 12 was the best thus far. It's now woken up from its slumbers. There's quite a heavy sediment, but not as much as slightly spoiled my experience of last few bottles (previously, it was almost coming out in chunks!). All 12 bottles have been in the same wine cooler since delivery, so I can only put this down to small bottle-bottle variations of what, afterall, is a natural product. The nose is now very much alive with floral notes and red fruits. In the glass it's a very pleasing dark ruby with no signs of aging. The body is medium with red berries and some lingering cherry; acidity is medium; and tannins are still pronounced. With a bit of a swirl around the mouth the tannins pack the cheeks nicely. Everything is in wonderful balance, and it looks like this wine will easily reach its 20th birthday and still be spritely. 2006 is an outstanding vintage, and the Produttori did a fabulous job with the Grand Cru juices to make a terific Normale (if I can use that term).

12/24/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

It's about 4 years since my last notes on this wine. This time it seems that the 2006 Vietti Barolo Castiglione has reached its peak. In the glass, it's a fairly deep ruby color, and on the nose was red fruits, rose and a little old sock, the sign of a good old Barolo. There's a medium acidity, good depth of red fruit and cherry and still relatively first tannins that pack the cheeks. It was gorgeous on day one, but lost both some fruit and aroma on the second day. It should be ok for a few years, but now is probably the time to see it at its best.

12/18/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

The 2006 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino has only got better and better over the last year or two. It now needs almost no breathing time. It's a dark red with a mix of red and dark fruits on the palate, medium acidity and still quite firm tannins. Although ready to drink on first pulling the cork, it did evolve nicely over the next hour, becoming smooth and velvety. Two days later it was utterly glorious, Lisini Brunello di Montalcino at its best. Top class maker in a golden vintage. No hurry to drink up.

12/18/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Fantastic dark fruits on the nose on first opening, the Le Diable is a deep ruby red in the glass. It's now ready almost straight from the bottle to glass. The body is quite full, and the dark fruits are rich and perfectly balance the enjoyable Mourvedre tannins and mid-acidity to make an utterly enjoyable mouth-feel, satisfying middle and longish finish. The highly enjoyable now with an anticipated 8-9 years left in the tank. Great example of what is almost 100% Mourvedre, fantastic QPR!

12/9/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Open for business as soon as the cork is pulled, this is a deep, velvety red in the glass with powerful dark fruit aromatics on the nose. There is lovely balance of dark fruits, mild acidity and soft tannins with a satisfying mid-palate of chocolate and a long finish. This seems in its prime with possibly another 5 years enjoyable life ahead. No rush.

11/28/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is a seriously good effort for a village level Côte de Nuits. Again, as per previous notes, it's a lovely ruby red in the glass with no signs of aging and no sediment. Medium bodied, it tastes fresh, lively and refreshing with no harsh edges and a degree of sophistication that would compete with many Premier Cru. The red fruit, acidity, silky tannins and 13% alcohol are in beautiful balance, and there is nothing lacking in the middle or on the finish. I would expect that this Marsannay still has 4-5 years enjoyable drinking life ahead of it. Amazing QPR.

It was slightly better on Day 2 and was still delicious on Day 3.

11/26/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is in a similar place to where it was on 2/11/2020 when last tried. It's dark, sumptuous and perhaps just slightly better than I remembered, hence the extra point. This is on the fuller side of Burgundy. There's perfect harmony of fruit, acidity and tannins, and there isn't a lot more that I could ask from a Premier Cru from a class producer. It still has some years of life ahead, but it's hard to see how it could dramatically improve from what is now a great place!

11/23/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

The 2010 has a lovely waft of red fruits on pulling the cork. In the glass it's a medium red, and on the palate there are red fruits and cherry, but cherry is not quite so pronounced as with the 2009. The body is only medium, but it's elegant with a light, fresh acidity and silky smooth tannins that balance with the delicate fruits. It should hold good for another 4-5 years. Better on Day 2. However, there's quite a sediment at the bottomof the bottle, which might account for the lighter body vs the previous vintage.

11/20/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

This is still very young, probably needing another 2 years. My guess is that this thin showing will open up and fill out into a lovely Langhe Nebbiolo, so I'm giving it 90 for now in
anticipation of things to come.

PS, improved on 2nd day and was in a much better place on day 3 by which time it was starting to come together albeit still a tad young.

11/20/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

There's still no sediment and no signs of aging. It opens up very quickly and is ready for business. Rather than needing to wait until the next day (as in March 2020), this is already entry level Barolo on day one. Half went into my Barolo Beef, and the other half was savored over the evening. My guess is this will hold good for another 5 years.

11/11/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Immediately open for business, this is a top Rioja Gran Reserva. On the nose are red fruits and sweet wafts of roses. Color is deep ruby, and on the palate it's full bodied with red fruits, cherry, firm tannins and enough acidity to bring perfect balance. In the middle is a satisfying bitter cherry and fruit stone, and on the finish is a lingering bitter tannic tang. There is a lot to pack the cheeks to boot. Whilst still youthful, this Gran Reserva is already in a lovely zone, and it should only improve from here over the next 5+ years.

11/9/2021 - ChristP wrote:

This is some Crianza! Instantly this is very rustic Spanish on the nose with toasty notes and dark fruits to the fore. Color in the glass is a deep red, and the palate replicates the aromas with some acidic zing, dark cherry bitterness in the middle and finish plus some nicely softened tannins to caress the cheeks. It also had a dangerously refreshing, drinkable side, making it slink right down with no resistance. All is in beautiful harmony, and with eyes closed this could easily pass for a Reserva in prime drinking window. There are no signs that this would go downhill any time soon, but it's hard to imagine how it could become any more perfect from here. This is my kind of Rioja - enjoy for another 5-8 years if you can keep it that long.

10/23/2021 - ChristP wrote:

This was even better than the last bottle! The medium golden yellow color in the glass was very pleasing on the eye as were the tropical fruits on the nose - this time I caught wafts of grapefruit, which was replicated on the palate. The acidity seemed slightly up on the previous bottle, and that lingering sweetness was hidden but not at the expense of concentration of fruits. If possible, the balance was even more harmonious, hence the higher rating, up one point from before. For me, this was everything I could want from a dry Riesling. No rush to drink up.

10/16/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Immediately on opening the aromatic nose delivered a preview of what was to come. We gave a little breathing space by pouring a quarter of a glass from the bottle and then carried it to the restaurant. After one hour of slow breathing this fine Barolo Cerequio was on song with powerful floral and red fruit aromas. The color was still a vibrant, deep red with no signs of age, and by the time we reached the bottom of the bottle, there was only a small precipitation of fine white crystals. It started out medium bodied, but over 2 hours it put on serious weight and complexity. Tannins were still quite firm with gorgeous red berries and medium acidity to balance everything out harmoniously. My estimation is that this beutiful Barolo from a traditional maker has reached its peak of perfection with no reason to suspect it will go downhill anytime soon. No rush to try the 5 remaining bottles, self-restraint permitting.

7/9/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Wow, this is fragrant with red berries, violets and hints of tar from first popping the cork. In the glass it's a luxurious, dark red. It took about 30 minutes to reveal itself on the palate. Then it continued to evolve into what for many good producers would be an entry level Barolo. At first, it's quite tannic, but as time goes on these begin to soften but remain firm even on the 2nd day, which was cheek- packing and enjoyable. On the mid-palate is bitter cherry and a drying impact of stone of the fruit, which then lingers with a tinge of bitterness on the finish. Overall, this is balanced with great extraction of fruits, medium acidity, great tannic structure and 13.5% alcohol. This seems like the start of its drinking window with even better things to come.

6/9/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

Last tasting note was posted on 2 April 2021. I've enjoyed 3 or 4 bottles from a case of 12 since then, and it's just been so consistently good, in fact dangerously good! If you're simply looking for an everyday wine for the table, then this is the one! At its peak, and has at least 5 good years ahead.

5/18/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine:

The color in the glass is a medium golden yellow. On the nose are tropical yellow fruits with distinct pineapple on the palate, which bumps up the acidity, nicely balancing the slight intrinsic, lingering sweetness and concentration of fruit. With a bit of a swirl around the cheeks the mineral side and acidity spring out. Overall, this is a beautifully made wine with power but also exquisite balance. This Mosel Riesling should develop over the next 3-5 years and, at a guess, hold good for another 10 years.