5/19/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

3rd time in the glass. Inky/purple color. It has enormous volume as well as incredible glycerin, richness and fat. A huge bouquet of pure blue and black berries and black currant fruit intermixed with charcoal, incense, truffles and spring flowers is followed by a prodigious, full-bodied wine. What a stunner!

6/22/2018 - Connaître Likes this wine:

This sexy blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 5% each Carignan and Mourvèdre offers smoke, garrigue, olives and black-cherry scents on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is spicy, offers bacon fat and black fruit, and is rich and concentrated. There is plenty of substance to chew on and adding hints of licorice on the long finish. What a beauty! I will come back in a year or two.

Jeb Dunnuck: 95 Points
Parker: 93 Points

10/23/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Puech Haut`s Tête de Bélier is a real powerhouse from the Languedoc. It presents itself right after opening with a bouquet of cherries, black olives, tapenade, provençal herbs, spices and black liquor. On the palate, the wine is powerful and smooth with an incredibly opulent aroma density. Silky, close-knit tannin structure and a long, intense finish.

Jeb Dunnuck: 95 points
Parker: 93 points

5/6/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

I don’t get the hype! This is a nice, but rather normal, good value Bordeaux. Give it at least 3-4 years in the cellar for 90+ potential

5/6/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Drinks like Pinot Noir from warm terroir. Light but very expressive. Sweet strawberry cake with cinnamon, spices and a very long finish. Remember to rebuy!

5/8/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Last time in January. Similar impression. Starting to drink beautifully. A classic with no extra drama.

5/8/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

A beautiful wine with loads of vanilla, cinnamon and spices. Remember to rebuy and drink with Zalto glasses

4/24/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Might be one of the best German Rieslings! This is a stunner; the top Riesling from the Hohen-Sülzer Kirchenstück, a VDP since 2007. Lowest yields of old vines, classified plots of the first locations, strictest hand selection of fully ripe grapes and careful expansion.

Petrol nose with some minerals, very fragrant, fresh, melty. Ripe scent of apricots, herbs, stone fruit, and honey (without any sweetness). On the palate exotic fruits, honey and just never ending. Extremely elegant fullness. Very, very long. Don’t let them fool you: try one of these right now and the rest of it over the next 10-15 years.

3/27/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Sutro, based in the Alexander Valley, lies in the immediate vicinity of Verité Wines. The wine block on which the 45-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines grow allows deep roots that give the fruit a remarkable concentration.

Deep dark ruby ​​red with black reflections. Attractive aromas of black cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, liquorice, sandalwood, and a little vanilla. The acidity as wells as the tannins are perfectly integrated. The mouth is filled with deep black fruit, blackberry, chocolate and crushed blackberry. It’s beautifully rich and supple, nearly massive, without being overloaded. Chocolate covered plums stay endlessly in the finish.

Rating: 95

12/26/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Gave it to Jose in April 2016, drunk it together in December 2019. Just wonderful! Still a youngster.. acidity, tannins and oak are still very pronounced. Will open another bottle in 2021.

Rating: 95 Points

1/14/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Had it several times and my favorite CDP of the vintage.

Rating: 95 Points

1/13/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No formal notes.

Rating: 90 Points

1/12/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Complex aromas of spice, leather and plum. Appealing flavors of red and black fruits. A rich, supple texture. A long, velvety finish that echoes with spice and citrus zest.

Rating: 92 Points

1/11/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No formal notes. Just remember this as very delightful.

Rating: 92 Points

1/10/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No formal notes.

Rating: 91 Points

1/10/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No formal notes.

Rating: 90 Points

1/8/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No formal notes.

Rating: 91 Points

1/7/2020 - Connaître Does not like this wine:

No formal notes

1/8/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No formal notes

1/22/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

The name of the wine is more than appropriate: the wine carries this spiciness of the garrigue in a very fine expression. This in combination with the great red fruit aroma is simply sensational!

"Les Garrigues" is a cuvée from 55% Syrah, 25% Carignan and 20% Grenache. It contains 14% alcohol. Deep dark ruby ​​red. Already on the nose a dense variety of aromas, which is characterized above all by blueberries, boiled strawberries and cinnamon plums. Some marzipan in the background and the impression of sour raspberries. Then on the palate extremely rich, meaty with a distinctive umami note. Plentiful herbal and spice notes mix in and are optimally buffered by sufficient acid.

This is a stunner for less than EUR 10.

Rating: 90 Points

2/3/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

The 2015 La Gargone from Domaine du Bouscaut is blended with 60% Merlot, 20% Malbec, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a very intense bouquet with opulent kirsch, crème de cassis and vanilla aromas. It feels slightly heated. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannin, very ripe, but the high acidity maintains adequate balance.

Rating: 88 Points

1/30/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

As an advocate of spontaneous fermentation and an uncompromising terroir fetishist, Hannes Schuster succeeds in wines of absolute unmistakable character. Spicy and incredibly complex.

The Blaufränkisch Burgenland from the Rosi Schuster winery is dark garnet red, velvety elegant with a precise spice and freshness. Ripe berries and cherries, some leather and tobacco, clean and spicy with a pleasant acidity and a long finish.

Rating: 92 Points

1/30/2020 - Connaître wrote:

Transparent green-gold colour. Fragrance of elegant flowers and racy fruits. In the mouth, the bouzeron is fresh and fruity, but somehow one-dimensional. This is for my taste too light and one-dimensional. Cannot confirm the excitement for this wine (despite its famous producer).

Rating: 87 Points

2/1/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

We could not resist to order the last bottle from Murmeli`s cellar. Identical to yesterday! A beauty...

Rating: 96 Points

1/31/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Cuvée from 95% Blaufränkisch and 5% St. Laurent. The grapes come from old vines that are up to 80 years old. The traditional maceration and subsequent maceration takes 50 days in barriques. The wine then matures in small oak barrels for 40 months!

Dark ruby ​​garnet, opaque core, fine noble wood spice in the nose, vanilla, herbs, dark berry fruit, blackberry jam and tobacco nuances. A beautiful sweetness in the nose! Multi-layered and powerful on the palate, extract-sweet dark fruit texture, perfectly integrated tannins, Cassis in the aftertaste, remains for a long time. This is an absolut stunner!

Try to get the 2012 and other vintages soon again! Awesome!

Rating: 96 Points

2/10/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Dark ruby ​​garnet with delicate brightening on the edges, ripe fruit in the bouquet, fine nuances of dried fruit. Substantial with present tannins that are well embedded. Little bit to greenish for my taste.

Rating: 89 Points

2/8/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

This winery is in the immediate vicinity of the famous Chateau Figeac, on the border with Pomerol. The estate has only 5 hectares and 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon stand on calcareous sand and clay. The average age of the vines is a remarkable 40 years. The expansion takes place in barriques, whereby 55% of the barrels are new.

Medium ruby ​​red with an intense nose of black tea, dark berries, liquorice, herbs, some tobacco and dark chocolate. Pleasant palate with a very earthy character, silky texture and vibrant acidity. Unfortunately there is a shortage of sweetness in the fruit and a general lack of heavier, darker, blue fruits. For a 90+ score this needs to become less greenish in the taste.

Rating: 89 Points

2/8/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Floral notes with lychee, a hint of rosemary and sandalwood. Sweet and fruity taste with candied orange peel, white chocolate and honey. Long-lasting finish with soft notes of Japanese oak.

Note: 92 Points

1/22/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Limestone rubble is found in the subsoil, in some places a high concentration of volcanic basalt and colored sandstone. Sandy clay with lime and sandy loam lies above it.

Generous, exotic nose with enormously rich, intense fruit, fleshy fullness and fine citrus aromas in the top note. Liqueur-sweet, exotic fruits in the core aroma, such as pineapple, mango and kiwi, delicately woven by fine wood and subtle reduction. Rich and intense in the mouth, broad on the palate with a large structure and quivering acidity. Forever long, with a fine, polished wood aroma, grandiose tension and differentiated depth graduation.

With only one barrel, the Jesuitengarten is one of the very rare and special Rieslings. 50 year old vines lead to loose grapes with small berries. A complete Riesling with great length and high standards!

Points: 95

1/24/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Chateau L'Hetre is in the Cotes de Castillon area and is owned by Jacques Thienpont, who also owns Chateau Le Pin in Pomerol and Chateau L'If in St. Emilion. But don't make the mistake of undervaluing this wine due to its location! The 2016 is the first release of this wine from the organically farmed estate perched at 100 m on the end of the St-Philippe d'Aiguilhe limestone plateau, the highest point in Bordeaux.

Dark and opaque in color. The nose sense just picked cassis, licorice, flowers and a savoury dark glow of blackberry. This wine displays an incredible level of density. The mouthfeel is packed with black and blue fruit, flowers, spice, rocks and stones and it has a 60 second impact. The cashmere tannins, freshness on the palate, density, length and purity are remarkable. As the alcohol is perfectly integrated its beautiful to have a sip right now, however, this will only get better in the next 5 years. The wine is made from a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Carbernet Franc, reaching 14.5% alcohol and is aging in 30% new, French oak for 15 months.

Points: 93-95

1/16/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Selection of old Syrah vines, complemented by Grenache and Carignan. Low yield of 25-30 hectolitres per hectare followed by a long and particular ageing. The ageing, which is done in casks for one year and then one year in vats, gives this intensely fruity wine sweet vanilla and grilled aromas at the same time. No fining or filtration.

Appearance
Black and bright, with flashes of violet.

Bouquet
Powerful aromas of black berry compote (crème de cassis), violets, black pepper and mild spices.

Palate
Beautifully ample with the scent of the surrounding garrigue, black berries, violet, dark chocolate and liquorice. The harmonious oak mixes with the fruit without dominating it. A northern Rhône appearance with southern markers. Beautiful! 91 Points

1/16/2020 - Connaître Does not like this wine:

Erzeuger: Damilano
Land: Italien
Region: Piemont
Rebsorte: 100% Barbera
Reifung: 12 Monate Barrique, 50% in Tonneaux, 50% in gebrauchten Barriques
Alkohol in % vol.: 14,5

Notiz: Säure überschattet die süßliche Barbera Note. Wein wirkt unbalanciert und springt wie ein Tischtennisball im Glas umher. 80 Punkte

1/9/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Parker (92): “The 2014 Saint-Pierre 2014 was one of the surprises of the Saint Julien appellation...”

Dinner Cologne with cheese plate.

Deep red and clear. Leather, coffee, toasted wood, red and dark forest berries and flower. Some cedar and spices. Balanced mouth feel with a palate wonderfully smooth with refined tannins. Notes of cacoa, dark cherry and dark mocha. The finish is long and the tannins keep everything in check. This is drinking beautifully.

Points: 92

1/2/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Together with Gauby one of the top cuvées of Roussillon. In fact, oenologist Thomas Teiber met Gauby at a trade fair and was so enthusiastic about his wines that he wanted to follow in his footsteps. He founded his domain with 17 hectares of vineyards and his first year 2007 received top ratings.

Purple with a dark core. A wonderful concentration in the bouquet. Blackberry, cassis, dried plum, smoky, seductive, complex. It takes a lot of air to tame the dried plum. On the palate, the horizon is extremely dense with the finest extract. This finesse in the form of sour cherry, cassis, graphite and some eucalyptus is unmatched. Reminds of Gauby in the best manner. A great wine!

93 Points.

1/2/2020 - Connaître Likes this wine:

The nose is characterized by black cherry, fresh plum, ripe prune and spices. Cherry, sloe and a lot of elder, violet, rose petals, mint, eucalyptus, black olive paste, the nose is multi-complex, but ultra-fine. Nothing bothers, nothing is green, nothing is aggressive. The mouth picks up the nose; velvety-dense mouthfeel, lush and yet straightforward. Big for little money.

92 points

12/31/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

All about precision, messerscharf, gute Balance mit griffiger Säure. Alkohol ist integriert. Etwas mehr Spektrum hätte ich mir gewünscht. Wie ein Fernseher, der nur mit zwei Sendern daher kommt, bewegt sich der Calcinaires immer zwischen mitteldunklen Beeren und grünem Marzipan (ohne Süße). Ein sehr netter Wegbegleiter. Ich würde mich aber für Jahrgänge ab 2015 mit etwas mehr verbliebener Kraft entscheiden.

90 Punkte

12/24/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Die Domaine de Montcalmès von Frédéric Pourtalié gehört zu den allerbesten Adressen im Languedoc. Beheimatet ist die Domain in einem Top-Terroir, den Terrasses du Larzac, in den Vorbergen der Cevennen. Bevor er in den elterlichen Betrieb wechselte, arbeitete er auf der Domaine de la Grange des Pères. Sein erster Jahrgang war 1999.

Die Arbeitsprinzipien der Domaine: sehr niedrige Erträge, konzentrierter, aber sehr feiner Wein. Der Syrah spielt die Hauptrolle, aber wird mit Grenache und Mourvèdre verschnitten. Der 2-jährige Ausbau erfolgt in Fässern der Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

Note: 92

12/24/2019 - Connaître wrote:

Corked!

Die Domaine Olivier Pithon liegt in Calce, östliche Pyrenäen. Sie wurde von Olivier Pithon 2001 gegründet und umfasst heute ca. 15 Hektar Rebfläche. Nach seiner Ausbildung in Bordeaux, verbrachte er über 5 Jahre in St. Emilion und lernte bei Stéphane Derenencourt die Liebe zum Wein, der Natur und zur Arbeit.

Ende 2000 entdeckte er den Ort Calce. Ein Telefongespräch und ein Treffen mit Gérard Gauby und er war von dem Dorf der Giganten und den Dort entstehenden Weinen magisch angezogen.

12/24/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Named for Didier's grandfather, Domaine Leon Barral is a beacon of revolutionary winegrowing and Didier is one of the champions of the biodynamic movement in France. Shortly after founding the domaine, Didier decided that biodynamic practices were the best choice for farming his thirty hectares of vineyards. He has pioneered numerous innovative agronomic techniques with the goal of establishing his vineyards as a self-sustaining ecosystem.

His cuvée “Jadis” is made from 50% Carignan, 30% Syrah and 20% Grenache from 30 to 60 year old vines growing on 10ha of schist. The Syrah in this cuvée comes from a south-facing parcel. Maceration takes place for 3 to 4 weeks with regular, manual punch-downs in cement tanks. The wine is aged for 24 to 26 months in barrel (10% new oak).

Tasting note:

Aromas of varnish mixed into the candied fruit and hints of cabbage suggest that VA and oxidization take over the wine. However, it remains fascinating and complex with good length, velvet texture and lots of notes of fruit cake. A very funky and special tasting experience, but I do not recommend buying it, instead considering a younger vintage such as 2014 upwards in order to understand Didier`s wine making skills. Would have loved trying it 2-3 years ago.

4/3/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No notes, neither any memories that this was special

4/3/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No notes, neither any memories that this was special

4/3/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No notes, neither any memories that this was special

4/3/2019 - Connaître Likes this wine:

No notes, neither any memories that this was special

12/24/2018 - Connaître wrote:

Flawed.

12/24/2018 - Connaître Likes this wine:

From the cellar. Opened up 2 1/2 hours before.

Dark plum/garnet color. Sweet oak- spiced fruit and lots of licorice. Still a little toasty and with its black cherry and blackcurrant fruit still fresh. It is ripe, round, generous and seductive.

At peak - 91 points.

12/24/2018 - Connaître wrote:

Bought online for 15€ at wine-in-black. Opened up 2 hours before.

Parker describes it as “thrilling stuff”... we had been disappointed. Made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah and aged in barrel, it offered a light texture, easy-drinking style with lots of alcohol. Lacking structure and precision. In comparison with a 2005 Dassault this was rather flat. No recommendation!

10/13/2018 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Bought at auction for 53€. The wine is deep ruby coloured. The nose is promising, but the first sip quickly shows that the wine is in decline. It’s still a pleasant aged pinot, but lacking fruit, spice and adventure. Therefore no rating and no recommendation.

11/25/2015 - Connaître Likes this wine:

25/11/2015

12/28/2016 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Location: Uzes, South of France. Opened 4 hours before. Bought at auction. Nearly black coloured. On the nose very alcoholic, heavy and sluggish. I do not get a lot here. Tastes as bouquet suggested. Reminds me most of the wines from the South of France. Difficult to tame in their youth, but some may become gems in their best age. However, compare this to Peira or a Muntada and there are worlds in between them. The Clos de Fees tries to emulate them, but does it work? Currently not, later?

12/25/2016 - Connaître Likes this wine:

Drunk together with Balik Filet Tsar Nikolaj No. 1 "Black Edition". The Weedenbornhof Sauvignon Blanc "Fumé" comes into the glass with a clear golden-green color. The nose is dominated by lush very elegant aromas such as fresh grass, limes, brioche, tangerine, gooseberries and noble smoke notes. In the mouth, the Sauvignon Blanc Fumé is elegant and delivers exotic tropical fruits such as papaya, mango, again tangerine, maracuja and physalis. This is followed by a mineral concentration which is complex but always elegant. The Fumé by Gesine and Markus Roll is dry but gorgeous and elegant at the same time. 91+