4/6/2024 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Sublime & crispy fresh at this stage !

3/25/2024 - Mathijs81 Does not like this wine:

Extremely disappointed !

1/27/2024 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Stunning wine ... 100% Bobal

Dark in color, smelled like black ink to me.
Very smooth and sexy in mouth, 14% alcohol which is low I assume for this region.
Good long finish ... for a wine under 23€, this is great value.

Drink or hold for me ... however believe its at peak for enjoyment right now.

Mathijs

1/19/2024 - Mathijs81 wrote:

First bottle of 1/2 case. Its really good at this stage, but I was expecting more.

I'm missing that round velvet feeling which good vintage Pomerol always provides me.

Mathijs

1/1/2024 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Upon feedback, gave this two hours in decanter.
It immediately filled the kitchen with spicy aromatics.

A tad shy in nose, full on soft and velvet in mouth.
Even developed during the evening and survived 2nd day.

High alcohol, but it’s tempered by the smooth silky feeling in mouth.

Stunning wine … easy 98 for me !

Mathijs

10/17/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

No previous encounters … just knew the name and fame this Domaine has.

Boy, what a surprise for an “entry level” of this producer … worth every penny.

It got me confused the first hour, but pairing with food it all pieced together.

Fantastic wine … this 2014 is still going strong. Buy !

Mathijs

10/18/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Purchased out of interest, without any knowledge about it.

Turned out extremely well … remained exciting throughout the evening.
Quite fresh, fruit driven, with a lovely balance with the fruit and acidity.

A discovery for sure … and so very much affordable. Buy !

Mathijs

9/16/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Fun, interesting encounter, but not memorable for me ... unless I'm missing something here.

8/17/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

This one came just after a Beaucastel VV 2009 white. Recent release ex Chateau.

Whilst this Oree is showing its age, it didn't suffer for oxidation as some have experienced.
Had this wine once before, it left a lasting impression then and it has rekindled my love for Ermitage.

Stunning ... easily 96 point, in its youth would have scored higher. Did benefit from some time in the glass and slightly higher temperature.

No need to hold, drink up !

Mathijs

8/17/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Second time I've tasted this one, last bottle was 2017.

Was served blind, no specific theme in tasting, so anything goes these evenings.
From the start till the end ... this exceeds any expectation of what wine can bring you.
And whilst it does start showing some age ( hence the 99 and not 100 ), it remains fully enjoyable.
A nose one could keep smelling ... full bodied in mouth, so succulent and sexy, smooth and round.

A minor debate around the table if this bottle was "over the top" was quickly silenced in pouring them a second glass.

Love it ... want it ... need it ... buy it .... taste it !

Mathijs

8/4/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Second label, star vintage 2010 ... this has way more life ahead of it.

Very deep and intense, long finish. DB scores again !

Mathijs

8/11/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Paired with BBQ meat ... my first encounter with this producer.

No formal notes, just remember it being very toasted and spicy.

At this price point, won't be buying again though.

I had other labels ex Chile which interest me more than this.

Mathijs

8/9/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Just to avoid me being wrong scoring this a perfect 100 last time.

I gave this blind to my friends sommelier across the table. They all went quiet ...

For me as well, it still confirms my initial tasting notes - this is really out of this world.

From now on, it's on my yearly to buy vintage !

Mathijs

8/9/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

First encounter with this wine ... surprisingly very high in acidity.

But liked it very much at this price point ... will buy again.

8/9/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Already very approachable in this very early stage of its long life.
It got a group of sommeliers around the table suddenly very quiet.

Surprisingly quite light in color, great sniffy nose, full bodied, nice bitter touch to it. Long finish.

Drink or hold, but buy more !

Mathijs

7/29/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Brought as a blind bottle for a friends birthday.
Scratched my head seeing the negative vibes on this vintage.

But damn, this surprised me so much ... to me, firing in all cylinders.
Not a frequent Angelus drinker, so no much to compare against.

But I really loved the nose and taste, even though the finish was a bit short.

This is à point for me ! Solid 94 as well.

Mathijs

7/21/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Wow … this is indeed next level white Bordeaux wine.

Used to drinking white Pessac, but this is quite different ( imo ).

But good … extremely good !

Mathijs

6/30/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Remains stunning at this stage !

6/1/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Very well made wine ... fresh, lovely acidity, slightly salty.

4/7/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Much better than tasted back in 2016 ... has matured well in bottle.
Best features are the nose and finish, both are intense and stunning.

No need to hold further - pop the cork and enjoy !

Mathijs

3/9/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Still great acidity at this stage ... but lacking a bit of body due to low volume of Semilion.

But amazed this is still going strong and tasting so well after all these years.

Drink or hold, I guess.

Mathijs

2/11/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

At this stage, wine has softened down.

It remains very powerful, but the harshness has gone.
Then refined parts are coming in, much more depth.

Mathijs

2/5/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Still going strong ... guess it needs a bit more time, tannin were bit harsh though.

But remains powerful & luscious. Velvety Pomerol with plenty of oak.

Mathijs

2/4/2023 - Mathijs81 Does not like this wine:

Pretty disappointing for me … not bad, but not as outstanding as I hoped for.

1/28/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Stunning bottle of wine ... watch out for the sediment though.

Amazing diverse nose, very powerful still, Bordeaux at its best.
Don't see any improvement, at the right spot for me right now.

Drink & enjoy !

Mathijs

1/12/2023 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Still going strong ... never assume this would age as it's doing !

12/10/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Very smooth, sexy and refined. Vintage helping out fantastically here.

Stunning wine - starting to peak through, booming if you add O2.

Drink or hold ... no rush.

Mathijs

12/4/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Brought this to high-end tasting, where it was served blind. It scored 95-97 around the table.

Very low quantities made, but damn is this a jammy, sexy, but at same time aristocratic wine !

Within it's drinking window now, but would benefit from more bottle time or some decanting.

Drink ( & enjoy ) or hold !

Mathijs

12/4/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Stunning wine - lots of grip & power, yet very layered as well.

Way too young at this stage, needs more bottle time or plenty of O2.

Mathijs

11/12/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Very refined and feminine ... guessed Margaux at first. It's indeed a light version of the Grand Vin.

Just under-performing for me personally, or perhaps my expectation were too high, who known.

Not sure on the P/Q ratio here.

Mathijs

11/6/2022 - Mathijs81 Does not like this wine:

Not sure what happened ... couple years back this shined so bright.
Now ... very one dimensional, nearly dead, full option on wood.
Shame ... had better popped the cork five years ago.

10/29/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Pleasantly surprised with this 2011 vintage.

Already very much agreeable in mouth ( soft / smooth ), plenty of fruit still.
Finish shows it still have some more ageing potential, might even soften down.

Drink or hold !

Mathijs

9/18/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Stunning quality for entry level !

9/10/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Drinking very well at this stage, plenty of gas left in the tank though.

8/30/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Stunning wine ... drinking really well now.
Great balance between Sauv Blanc and Semilion.
Even improved on 2nd day !

8/15/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

I’m impressed … purchased for 8€. Bargain.
Very well made wine. Drinking very easily.

Nice and dry finish. Marzipan. Fruits confits.

8/13/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Worth every penny. Stunning champagne. No need to hold any further.

8/12/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

From magnum. Simply stunning wine. Enjoyed throughput the evening.

Very young, fresh, approachable. Great on the nose. Similar finish.

Drink or hold.

Mathijs

7/31/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

This wine fires on all cylinders ... not a dull moment.

Knew it was going to be a good night upon uncorking.
An abundance of black fruits dancing through your glass.
The Merlot is already quite approachable, whilst the Cab Franc spices things up.
Another hole in one for Trotte Vieille ... with plenty of gas left in the tank.

Great wine, great vintage = buy buy buy !!!

Mathijs

7/30/2022 - Mathijs81 wrote:

Oxidation. Tried to drink as color looked ok, but to far gone.

7/30/2022 - Mathijs81 wrote:

Sadly largely oxidation … dead and buried.

7/22/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

First contact with this Mercury Head label ... very well made.
Good balance, very approachable in its youth, sturdy finish.
Build to last quite some time, the finish should smooth out.

7/25/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Very flint like. Very light in color. Smooth, bit woody.
Could be wrong, but its on its way down ( imho ).

7/10/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Basic white Burgundy ... crowd pleaser, not memorable.

7/13/2022 - Mathijs81 Does not like this wine:

Not my cup of tea ....

7/3/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Despite its young age, already very much approachable.
Very mellow, though shows plenty of teeth and future.

7/3/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Very hard at this stage - definitely needs food paired with it.
Quite smokey, herbal, deep and dark. Hope it mellows down a bit.

7/1/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

First bottle of six, so pop and pour.

High on alcohol, but didn't notice nor bother me.
Still too young at this stage, shows promise for the future.

Mathijs

6/26/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Already sublime at this stage … should only improve !

6/26/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine:

Too shy on the nose, excellent in finish !