12/2/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Tried the 2000 Pape Clement , in a masked tasting of classed wines from Pauillac and Graves. Bouquet , nearly explosive , so much happening. Was superb. Layers of complexity. Very intense long palate. Clearly the Merlot and Cabernet franc played a big part. Still in its drinking window, and will definitely stay here for some time.

11/18/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Does not like this wine:

Significant " band aid" brett , and sulphides as well. Not scored

10/3/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Right in its drinking window now, with lovely spice/dark cherry fruit, and some sous bois, pot pouri on bouquet . Palate generous and ripe, and harmonious , as tannins integrating . Was perfect with duck. Should keep for another 5-8 years.

10/3/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Showing secondary/tertiary maturity now with tannins fully resolved, and fruit fading. Very mellow, and soft. Pleasant , but was hoping for more impact on the palate.

9/29/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Guiraud's can get very dark in colour, at young age, and exhibit marmalade and burnt toffee character , too early for my liking . The 86 , however was drinking signifcantly younger than its age would suggest. Some Cumquat, just a hint of marmalade, ripe quince, stone fruit good acidity, and botrytis , but not overtly sweet, but to me a positive. The freshness was really appealing , considering its age . Ticking lots of boxes .

9/29/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

not unlike a left bank Bordeaux of similar age. Colour showing some age, orange rim, nose , very complex, leather, mocha, rich, complex, and tannins still gripping. Balance is great, even tannins are still assertive . Lovely wine

9/29/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

level very high shoulder, and cork was soft , and black under capsule. Surprisingly bright,very complex bouquet , still hints of primary cassis, with leather, cigar box, fine tannins, and acidity holding. Typical 1985 vintage, not stunning but holding remarkably well. Low PH Vintages will always age gracefully

9/13/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Rutherglen Durif, certainly develops subtle complexity with considerable bottle age. When young can be tannic, and singular on the palate. This wine at 24 years of age , is remarkable . Its only 13.5% alc, and this certainly helps its cause. Mellow, secondary, leather, soft, balanced. The colour is fading brick red, and its now far more complex and desirable , than when young. Long live Rutherglen Durif, with some bottle age.

7/5/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

This wine really surprised me. It didnt have the hot alcohol,{ only 14%} or the soupy tannins. Indeed the tannins were resolving, but lovely soft and persistent. The colour was showing age , with orange brown rim, as expected for a 26 yr old southern Rhone. Marvelous palate with mocha/leather/and still some sweet red fruits. The best Gigondas I have ever tasted, without a doubt.

6/10/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

paid a bit for this , and was looking forward to it. so disappointing , full of brettanomyces, and the worst kind, "smelly band aid and antiseptic. an unacceptable fault. Pity as the underlying structure was good , and alcohol only 13.5 , another plus

5/6/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Found this recently when moving my cellar. Drinking beautifully, with complex nose, exhibiting secondary complexity, and rich black fruit, and softening tannins. Lovely balance, just at its drinking pinnacle now, but no issue for a few more years

1/18/2023 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

huge wow factor here. complex , layered , quality oak, spice, supple, just magnificent

11/30/2022 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

really like this wine. Still youthful, vibrant, great tannin, acidity, red fruit, complex, just ticks all the boxes for drinking now , or 5-8 years cellaring.

10/22/2022 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Does not like this wine:

Put a wine in the heaviest bottle you can find, and wax seal it, and consumers will assume something special. Never assume !!! Its so high in alcohol, it doesnt even vaguely resemble Cabernet Sauvignon. With maritime influence, the Region can make good varietal Cabernet. Not here, just a huge hedonistic monster.

10/7/2022 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

brick red, tinging orange rim. Quite mellow, now with leather, and capsicum, cassis, sandalwood' Palate is softer than i would have expected, but balanced, and impressive. Double decanted 2 hours before serving, and needed as some sediment .

10/7/2022 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

another example of the greatness of 82, with ripeness /generosity and longevity . Great complex secondary, seemless, as tannons silky, but still extend the palate. very good wine, and will go for a few more years

1/19/2022 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

This wine is " hanging in there" , fully mature, very evolved tannins ,
showing mocca. cassis , leather, and heck its 40 years old. A tribute to the vintage, and producer. As time passes we will, alas have reduced opportunity to try 82 Bordeaux. I am a huge fan, but beware , as old corks are a challenge, now .

10/23/2021 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

really enjoying with roast lamb , a perfect match. Surprising youthful colour with black/hint purple hue. Nose great , some cigar box, cassis , iron filings, plum pudding,{merlot for sure} , very endearing , indeed. Palate, balanced, no hard acid , or green unripe character. beautiful construction, absolutely surprised me. Sometimes you like the tough character of Bordeaux reds, because they are strong powerful wines, that make you admire the longevity , and appreciate their slow evolvement, but hey this is just a smashing wine, right on its drinking plateau , yipee

10/7/2021 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

wow , wow , and more wow. An extraordinary wine, incredible richness, fresh coffee, cassis, elegance, fruit retains sweetness, really defying logic, for a right bank wine, with 42 years age. A masterful wine, indeed

9/16/2021 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

A lock down covid bottle from my cellar. How robust are old left bank reds , with pedigree. Now very soft , with powder tannins, leather, and hints of St Estephe greenness still showing. still complex, and breathing definitely assisted. Very good

10/4/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

mid straw colour, hint of struck match on nose. Palate just great. Ehtereal palate, so complex, but so even . Rich roasted hazelnut/peach/complex stonefruits. Oak supportive, adding more richness. Acid quite soft, and rounded. Really good , right now.

10/4/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Rausan Segla can be inconsistent, but a very good wine here. Real black olive, and tight grip on palate, still. Mineral/iron/ tobacco/cedar. Will easily cellar for 10 + more years. big tick

10/4/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

old school bordeaux , quite funky on nose. sweet cassis, some cedar, and powerful thick tannins. Will continue to age well, but lacks finesse.

10/4/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Colour, browning. Now in tertiary stage. Mocha/coffee/forest/tobacco. cocoa. right bank sweet merlot fruit holding. very fine soft tannins.
Maybe at best 3-5 years ago

10/4/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

really drinking beautifully now. Hint baby poo on nose. Tannins are divine, soft and ripe, but persistent. Structurally is outstanding. long complex, cassis, black olive, sandalwood, and rounded even, seamless palate.

10/4/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

this vintage of Las Cases is fully evolved, and showing tertiary characteristics. It is still holding , but is now gently on the downward slide. Interestingly the 79 , in my opinion is a better wine, despite 78 being a better vintage. drink up

8/22/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

very good indeed, with sous bois, and complex depth on nose normally attributed to higher end wines. Red/black cherry, and mineral graphite, fine evolving tannins, and just great persistent finish. A big tick here.

8/22/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Quite strong struck match, reductive character. Its a style you like or you dont. Palate quite rich and complex, and now in its drinking plateau, but I would decant well before serving to reduce the whoofiness.

8/2/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Bottle was in perfect condition, with little ullage, considering its age. Had distinctive merlot earthiness, on the nose, and late secondary to tertiary character. Fully evolved now. Probably better about 5 years ago. Soft , with cinnamon, and mocha, and soft drying tannin. Maybe lacks a little complexity at this later drinking stage.

8/2/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Barolo can certainly come in so many different guises. It can be trickier than solving a rubiks cube blindfolded. This to me was a very feminine style, with perfume, and dried dandelion on the nose , with additional red fruit florals. The palate had a viscous feel, from alcohol, and defined sweet fruit, with dried herb, and spice. Surprisingly, the tannic structure was very soft and maybe a little atypical . I dont know that I would keep for long, just going on the tannin softness. Nevertheless a very intriguing and enjoyable wine.

8/2/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Absolutely ready now, with milk chocolate oak now integrating completely, after this much bottle age. Lovely ripe cherry, and complex beguiling palate, that is now in a sexy place. The tannin structure is now very fine and silky, just right.

8/2/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Surprisingly youthful, with intense dark cherry, and developing earthy character, but still needs more time , as tannins quite firm and significant. Will get much better with 5-6 more years . A real keeper!!

8/2/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Rich nose , with complex yeast/toast/toffee apple/lemon, and hints of gamey notes. Palate still has good fine acidity, and oatmeal derived from oak. Very much a food style now, but I dont think I would go chasing another bottle

8/2/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Double decant and opened up well. Some violet on bouquet, with green tobacco, and cedar.with hints of leather, all typical left bank characteristics. Hints of green olive, and black/red fruit and the tannins evolving well now.. No hurry to drink, as in a happy place , for some time I believe.

3/15/2019 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

Just great, really drinking beautifully. Spice, sugar plum, black fruits, wonderful evolved tannins, understated oak, and no alcohol heat. Recommend decant and filter, as fair bit of sediment. Will continue for a few more years

2/27/2018 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

really liked this CNDP for its purity. It had lovely soft but persistent raspberry/spicy fruit, and soft tannins. Oak influence was minimal, and not the slightest sign of Brett. After some breathing, I believe it opened up even more. Lovely balance, structure and seamless palate. Very enjoyable.

12/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed this mature Riesling in the Zind Humbrecht style. very complex secondary characters and the residual sugar is not as significant as you would anticipate. { over 15 gms/PL, I believe. } On the palate , the fruit.acid sugar balance works beautifully.

12/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Has reached its perfect drinking plateau, with some fragrant cassis, and leather overtones, while tannins have softened out beautifully. I dont think it will change a lot in the next 5 -10 years, or even longer.

12/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

very old tertiary character now evident, with roasted mocha, dried prune, as well as hints of white pepper, and seamless palate, with fully evolved tannins. Didnt fall apart after some time in glass, a testimony to how good this old Rhone is. Past its very best, but a fascinating wine still.

12/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Remarkably fresh, despite colour development. Wonderful, as not completely tertiary, with fresh stonefruit still evident on bouquet and lovely layers of complex flavours, with creamy soft acidity. Just a WOW wine.

12/13/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

some pineapple , kumquat, surprisingly soft acidity, maybe showing ripe, but not a lot of botrytis, even so eminently drinkable, with lovely custard apple, and balance.

12/13/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Bottle opened very well. Classic leather, cigar box, lovely ethereal palate, tannins , and acid suggest further ageing will not in any way harm.

12/13/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

A little disappointed . Bottle had been stored perfectly, given time to breathe after decant. Just lacked any wow factor. Mellow, lacked the structure of a really good 82.

11/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Hasnt yet shown any evolvement. Maybe some fruit was picked early and some later, as showed some unripe and some ripe flavours. green apple, citrus, acid, and hints of riper apricot. Slightly perplexing, for a Chablis, but understated, and has austerity to have with oysters. maybe 2-3 more years, and it will display more.

11/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

loved this wine. Struck match on bouquet, and complex palate, with delicate white nectarine, some brine, and soft but persistent acidity, with understated oak.

11/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Consumed after 3 Bordeaux's and was very Australian with lots of obvious new oak, still dominating. blackberry fruit , with added spice, and lots of vanilla and chocolate coming from 'new oak. Not very complex, but good drinking.

11/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

For a fairly big year, this wine showed some pleasing restraint, not too hot{alcohol}, lovely harmony between fruit and oak, with dark fruits and vanilla/coconut, and evolving tannins, very enjoyable. Will continue to cellar, for a number of years.

11/29/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

lovely old St Julien. Was at base of neck. Double decanted,and 3 hours breathing. and still in beautiful order , leather, savoury,black olive, cedar, holding very well indeed

10/6/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote:

marvelous , fully evolved, complex, just a great St Estephe, with ethereal palate, acid still lively, and tannins wonderful. Will not be falling over for a number of years. Sad I have no more left.

9/2/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au Likes this wine:

Double decant and left in jug for 3 hours, prior to returning to bottle and serving. Power, exceptional depth and starting to show some secondary character. tar red/black fruits, and wonderful grip from tannins. No sign of fully reaching drinking plateau , so should go another 10 years ++ if well cellared.