4/17/2024 - wino_tim wrote:

Deep ruby. On the nose this is genial and expressive, leaping from the glass with notes of fresh huckleberries, blackberry jam, fresh cranberries, crème de fraise and wood smoke. On the palate this is full bodied with medium+ acidity, attractively fresh and decidedly red fruited flavors... but also an assertive and unmistakable astringency coming from alcohol. This is par for the course with Zinfandel, of course, but I find the alcohol jolting here as it disrupts the silky texture and fresh fruit notes.

4/17/2024 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale garnet. Returning to this 11 months later, it is certainly more forward and open - even without decanting - offering a nose full of dried red cherries, dried raspberries, fresh strawberries, blood orange, dried lilies, earth and cedar. Almost full bodied on the palate with medium+ acidity, this is more energetic and seemingly fresher than it was last May. And that freshness, combined with the assertive fruit flavors, push the tannic texture towards the background. While this surely could go for quite a few more years, I love where it is at right now.

4/17/2024 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium garnet fading to a slight amber rim with only a tiny amount of sediment. On the nose this is somewhat quiet, though elegant and perhaps a touch somber, with aromas of dried red fruits, dried roses, worn leather, loamy earth and a touch of oak spice. Medium to full bodied on the palate, with medium+ acidity, a somewhat tight and compact texture for the vintage, and straightforward dried fruit and spice flavors. There's nothing wrong here, but there's also not much to get excited about.

12/27/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium gold. Electric and riveting, this shows how good "basic" Riesling can age, particularly under screwcap. On the nose this offers hints of maturity in its dried peach and dried papaya aromas, and middle-aged petrol and tennis ball notes, but really has plenty of gas in the tank and loads of citrus, white flower, and reductive mineral aromas too. On the palate this is light to medium bodied with high acidity and a touch of dry extract. It is dry and lean but not angular or aggressive and offers a ton of complexity for a wine at this level. I only wish I had more.

11/23/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

No formal note as I had this for Thanksgiving dinner, and while not showing any unexpected oxidative character, the wine seemed tired and with very little junk left in its trunk. This was my only bottle so I can't say if this was just off, or if the wine's best days are behind it.

11/18/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Deep ruby. A strange showing for this wine, it is cacophonous and seemingly out of sorts with aggressively savory aromas of tar and scorched earth sitting on top of the ripe black fruit notes. Better on the palate where it is at once juicy and poised but still kind of odd. Perhaps an off bottle, but no signs of any flaws.

11/18/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

A pour from the bottom of the bottle yields a murky ruby color with just the tiniest bit of fading at the rim. On the nose this is appealing if slightly stoic, offering aromas of dried black plums, blackberries, cassis, savory herbs, chopped chanterelle mushrooms, tobacco, loamy earth and toast. Medium to full bodied on the palate with medium+ acidity, a medium amount of still slightly grippy tannins, a fresh, crisp sort of texture, and, again, somewhat stoic black fruit and earth flavors. This is tasty and texturally it is quite appealing, but I wonder if the depth and complexity one expects from Kirwan in a monumental vintage like 2010 will ever emerge. Only time will tell.

11/18/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale yellow. An attractive and easy-going, if not particularly intriguing Chassagne. On the nose this offers slightly riper yellow apple and melon aromas that compliment the more classic green apple, crème fraîche, unbuttered popcorn, toast, and crushed rock notes. On the palate this is medium bodied with medium to medium+ acicidity and an appealing, silky texture that is at once crisp and ever so slightly curvy. Bright, sweet fruit flavors emphasize a lush sort of character but this is still quite obviously white Burgundy.

11/4/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale straw. Very distinctive, and quite convincing, this remains coiled on the nose but offers complex aromas of green apple, salty preserved lemon, caraway, toast and lots of crushed slate. Medium to full bodied with medium+ acidity, this is stately and masculine in texture, with the bright acids and dry extract framing just ripe orchard fruit, blanched almond, spice and mineral flavors. Excellent.

10/27/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale red with significant reflections of tawny. A strikingly delicate, pretty and feminine nose offers aromas dried strawberries, hard cherry candies, dried lilies, salted licorice, and walnuts. On the palate, this is much more forceful and uproarious than the nose suggests, blasting its ways across the mouth with boozy flavors of red fruits, chocolate and roasted nuts. This is tasty and clearly has plenty of gas left in the tank, but I'd recommend drinking it no warmer than cellar temp.

10/27/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Bright, nearly deep ruby fading to a moderate garnet rim. On the nose this is quite savory and a bit muddled with dried black fruit aromas accented by notes of earth, spice and oak. Medium to full bodied on the palate with medium+ acidity, chewy tannins, and slightly juicier flavors of black cherry, dried herbs, mushrooms, and toast. The tannins really dry out the finish and I wish there was more effusive fruit to balance them out.

10/27/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

A pour from the bottom of the bottle shows a murky ruby fading to a garnet rim. A very forward, almost rowdy, but very complex nose offers aromas of dried black currants, fresh black cherries, cassis, licorice, chopped parsley, pipe tobacco, wood smoke, loamy soil, spice and toast. On the palate this is full bodied with medium+ acidity. The alcohol here is notably assertive and combined with the acidity gives this a sharp, angular, slightly raucous texture. Honestly, there are things to like here, but this bottle wasn't much fun to drink.

10/21/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium, hazy straw. The times seems to be changing - at least when it comes to Chardonnay - at Paul Hobbs. This is a wine I have always associated with the classic style, but this seems fresher than the 2019 which itself was a step in a different direction. On the nose this offers sumptuous aromas of ripe yellow apples, green pears, underipe pineapple, lemon, wildflower honey, beer lees, toast and and a touch of reductive minerality. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with medium+ acidity and and a very textured, phenolic sort of feel framing very bright citrus, apple and toast flavors. This is really quite good for an appellation wine and has just enough of the classic style in the background to not turn off the Paul Hobbs customer.

10/12/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale red with reflections of ruby. Compellingly good New World Pinot Noir. This opens a bit sooner than previous bottles, and while there is still obvious reduction on the nose, it can't cover up the exceptionally pretty aromas of cranberry, redcurrant, red cherry, red flowers, sage, loamy soil, popcorn and nutty oak. On the palate this is light to medium bodied with medium+ acidity. This elegant and graceful but never feels thin or insipid, the texture here is expansive and the flavors of just ripe red fruit, tea and soil are persistent, precise and delicious. It'll be fun to revisit this five to seven years down the road.

9/14/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale red with reflections of ruby and slight fading towards the rim. An appealing, if somewhat somber red from one of the Côte de Beaune's outer boroughs, this offers aromas of dried red cherries, fresh black cherries, autumn leaves, topsoil and toast. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with medium acidity, and a nice balance of ever so slightly coarse tannins and sweet, dried red and black fruit flavors. Tasty, but not cerebral like the whites made at this address.

8/19/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

From magnum. Medium straw. Almost perfectly crystalline, this tastes like some beautiful maniac planted Riesling in Les Folatieres. On the nose this remains youthfully clenched but hints at aromas of just ripe apple and quince, green papaya, all manner of citrus, fresh flowers, clover, fromage blanc and a dumptruck's worth of crushed rock minerality. On the palate this is full bodied and dry with high but not shrill acidity and a palpable level of dry extract which gives this an exceptionally serene, invigorating feel akin to a sunrise swim in a cool mountain lake. I don't know, I don't swim in mountain lakes either, but this is a wine that belongs with the world's greats.

8/5/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium straw with reflections of yellow. A very Côte de Beaune-style Rully, this leans more on classic lees and mineral notes more than it does sunny fruit. On the nose this is contemplative and serious, offering aromas of ripe green and sweet yellow apples, lemon peel, fromage blanc, parmesan rind, crushed stones and a whiff of oak spice. Medium bodied but round and mouthfilling in texture with a touch of dry extract setting off very crisp orchard fruit, parmesan and mineral flavors. This is quite good and could pinch hit for many village Puligny wines, though certainly not Leflaive's.

7/29/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale ruby. Perhaps even more visceral and thrilling than a bottle of 2021 Memorious opened a few days ago. The nose here is heady and complex with aromas redolent of fresh black cherries, fresh black plums, roses, black tea, stemmy spice and damp earth. Light to medium bodied on the palate but incredibly bright and lively in texture with fine, lightly gripping tannins and strikingly pretty flavors of black fruit, tea and earth. Like Memorious this will unquestionably be better with time, but it is glorious at the present moment too.

7/27/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very deep opaque ruby. I don't have enough experience with these wines even with moderate amounts of age to draw any conclusions, but this shows... well, somewhat awkwardly. On the nose it offers muddled and not particularly distinct aromas of ripe blackberry, crème de cerise, purple roses, vanilla and burnt wood. On the palate it is full bodied with medium+ acidity, loads of sweet, liqueurish fruit and a bit of astringency that comes more from alcohol than from the soft and ripe tannins. When I think of Isosceles I think of ripe fruit - which this shows an abundance of - and velvety textures - which this really doesn't have. This bottle was stored perfectly, so perhaps these wines are just best on release. Again, that is just speculation; I'm no expert or even an experienced taster when it comes to Paso Cabernet or Justin.

7/27/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale red with very slight reflections of ruby. This might sound stupid, but this tastes like EXACTLY what it is: the Mongeard house style applied to Pernand. On the nose it is fresh and unquestionably Burgundian but with assertive oak-influence, offering aromas of just ripe red cherries and strawberries complicated by those of red flowers, turned earth, toasted nuts, vanilla, and spice. On the palate this is light to medium bodied with medium+ acidity and a medium level of fine, tight tannins that support the very bright red fruit and oak flavors. Sometimes people will talk down about Mongeard and imply the wines see too much oak, but I think the freshness of fruit helps harmonize some of the wood, and in the context of house style, this is very well done.

7/27/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale yellow. This is super appealing at its price point, seeming almost like a curvier Côte Chalonnaise white. On the nose it brims with aromas of green and yellow apples, lemon peel, dried white flowers, hay, crushed rocks, vanilla and tiny touch of burnt sugar. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with medium+ acidity and a round but not opulent or lush texture. The flavors here - orchard fruit, citrus, minerals and a kiss of oak - are straightforward and uncomplicated but decidedly sunny, and at the end of the day, this is a pretty crushable Chardonnay.

7/26/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale red. Tasting this for the first time in three years and it hasn't changed much; while the aromatics have perhaps developed a bit, the texture, though elegant, remains tight and unready. On the nose this smells very classic and almost old-school with aromas of dried red cherry, kirsch, dried red flowers, cigar box, sous bois and spice. On the palate it is medium bodied but expansive with medium+ acidity and very fine, regal tannins that coat every inch of the mouth. There's pretty flavors of red fruit and autumnal leaves that peak around the corners of the tannins, but I'd think this would benefit from at least another two to three years of rest.

7/25/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale ruby. Double decanted and tasted three hours later. Simply put, this is exceptional stuff. On the nose this is very fresh and kaleidoscopic in its complexity, leaping from the glass with aromas of fresh black cherry, red raspberry and lightly cook strawberry complicated by those of seaweed, salt cured olives, spice - more from stems than from oak - and toast. On the palate this is medium bodied with medium+ acidity and ripe, fine tannins providing both a slightly burly feel and an ample frame for seemingly riper flavors of black cherry, crème de framboise, olives and spice. While this would surely benefit from time in the cellar, it is in no way closed or unapproachable now; in fact its youthful vivacity is very appealing.

7/24/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium ruby fading to a thin garnet rim. On the nose this is pretty and classic but seems quite subtle, even with hours of air, and lacks a bit of definition. There's aromas of dried black fruit, dried red cherries, warm blackcurrant jam, cigar box, loamy earth and oak spice. On the palate this is medium bodied with medium+ acidity, round but still slightly drying tannins and pretty straightforward dried fruit, cassis and earth flavors. This works on a certain level but I'd like a little more freshness and energy. Perhaps this was just a tired bottle?

7/22/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

A pour from the end of the bottle shows a murky ruby color with slight fading towards the rim. On the nose, this smells exactly like what it is supposed to smell like: like if Saint-Émilion somehow crashed into Healdsburg. The aromas here are developed but not excessively so and lean towards ripe and dried black fruit, graphite, fresh tobacco, damp earth, and oak spice. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with medium+ acidity, still firm but notably ripe tannins and a touch of alcoholic heat which clips the black fruit and earth notes.

7/22/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale ruby with reflections of red. Tasting this again about ten weeks after my first encounter and, of course, it hasn't changed much; it is still very primary - though not raw - but at the same time very vernal and exceptionally pretty. On the nose it offers very fresh aromas of just ripe red cherries, redcurrants, cranberries, peonies, oolong tea and oak spice. On the palate it is medium to full bodied and expansive in texture with bright, almost electric acidity and tight, fine tannins that make this at once compelling and gulpable.

7/20/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale ruby. Compared to Southing, this seems fresher, brighter and more energetic. On the nose it offers aromas of fresh red raspberry and red cherry which serve as a counterpoint to the deeper, riper notes of raisined blackberries, crème de cerise, damp earth and oak spice. On the palate this is medium to full bodied, more compact and almost lithe compared to Southing, with relatively bright acidity that frames dried black fruit and oak flavors. This is not a wine for me, but I think it is well done for the style.

7/20/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium straw with reflections of yellow. On the nose this is pretty if somewhat quiet and subdued, offering fresh, citrusy aromas of lemon and lime peel, green apple, Greek yogurt, cracker-like lees, and crushed stones. On the palate this is medium bodied with medium+ acidity but expansive with a really appealing texture that seems creamy at first but tightens up on the crisp, minerally finish. This isn't the last word in complexity, but it feel authentically Chalonnaise, and is unquestionably gulpable.

7/13/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Slightly murky ruby, fading towards garnet at the rim. This is old school Bordeaux, but in a ripe vintage, and in that sense it has something to offer a range of different people. On the nose it is at once mature without being overtly mature; its savory roasted mushroom and cigar box aromas are neatly balanced by plenty of ripe black fruit, fresh tobacco and Fresno pepper notes. There is a touch of leathery, hircine brettanomyces here but, again, it isn't obtrusive. On the palate this is medium bodied with medium+ acidity, ripe tannins which still provide structure and quite savory flavors redolent of graphite, burnt thyme and dried earth. This will certainly hold for five or ten more years but I don't see any reason to wait that long.

7/13/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium ruby. Tasting this for the first time in about ten months, two bottles opened tonight were more expressive and engaging than they were at the end of last summer. On the nose this is forward and almost feminine, offering quite pretty aromas of ripe blackberry, lush black cherry and cassis that are harmonized by savory notes of grilled rosemary, smoke, topsoil and oak spice. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with medium+ acidity, tight and chewy but ripe tannins and a juicy, but not soft or seamless texture. The flavors here seem a little muddled compared to the precision found on the nose, but that is a small critique; this is very good and surely has room to grow.

7/13/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Strikingly bright, medium ruby. I'm not sure what this has to say about Morey but it is unquestionably crowd-pleasing juice. On the nose it is incredibly forward and downright vivacious, wafting from the glass with almost exotic aromas of red and purple plums, blackberries, red apple, black tea, sage, earth and spice. Nearly full bodied on the palate with medium+ acidity and ripe, mouthfilling tannins that provide some contrast to the overt fruit flavors. This isn't my thing but I can see why people like it so much.

7/12/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale red. Certainly on the elegant side of the Brunello spectrum, this retains a sense of freshness not often found in Montalcino's wines, particularly ones that spent this much time in barrel. On the nose this is exceptionally pretty without being vivacious, opening with aromas of dried red cherries, fresh strawberries, thyme, fresh roses, baked clay and spice. On the palate it is nearly full bodied with medium+ acidity and fine, racy tannins that seem to cover every inch of the palate. The flavors here are fresh to the point they seem almost Burgundian, but they seem to lack just a touch of concentration; I wish there was just a little bit more oomph in that department to stand up to this wine's textural elements. Perhaps that will come in time as the tannins integrate; if so, my score will look very conservative.

7/12/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale straw. Perhaps in a weird place, this is at once brash and still somewhat inconspicuous. On the nose this opens quietly with little foreshadowing of what is to come, showing very airy aromas of fresh green apple, fresh lemon, fromage blanc, trampled white flowers, oak spice and crushed rocks. On the palate this is a surprise; it is much bigger, richer and more dramatic than the nose suggests with quite concentrated yellow apple, citrus confit, lees and mineral flavors. There's not much wrong here, and the showy texture is sure to impress, but I'd like more nuance and complexity at this level - and this price point. Perhaps I just need to wait.

7/12/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale straw with slight reflections of silver and yellow. Effusive and gregarious but only to a point, this jumps from glass with aromas of figs and tropical fruit countered by those of lemon curd, bitter grapefruit peel, chalk and cloves. On the palate this is medium to full bodied, round but not lush in texture with medium+ acidity and a touch of phenolic grip providing tension. This isn't the last word in complexity, but it is well-balanced and attractive.

7/10/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very deep ruby, nearly opaque purple at its core. Easy and fruit driven, this is quite straightforward but friendly on the nose offering aromas of ripe blackberries, crème de cerise, black fruit jam, violets and toasted oak. On the palate this is full bodied with medium acidity and a touch of chewy tannin providing some textural contrast to the flashy black fruit and French toast flavors. This isn't exactly fascinating stuff but, for what it is worth, it tastes more expensive than it is.

7/10/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very deep purple, opaque at the core. Potent and virile, this decidedly masculine even for Cabernet Sauvignon, leaping from the glass with aromas of fresh blackberry, crème de framboise and underbrush shaded by notes of charcoal, smoke and damp gravel. On the palate it is full bodied, thick and chewy with diminished acidity and a texture defined by palate-coating but decidedly ripe and fleshy tannins. Despite its density there are pretty flavors here of ripe black fruits and violets and perhaps this big fella just needs more time to settle. Even so, this is is an interesting style for what is surely supposed to be an introductory wine.

7/10/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium garnet with slight reflections of red. On the nose this dense and seemingly thickset with aromas of dried red cherries, dried blackberries, prunes, mulberry pie, red beets and cured tobacco complicated by a searing note of balsamic vinegar. On the palate this is full bodied with diminished acidity, a touch of chewy tannin and a literal inferno of alcohol. Yet despite all the textural cacophony, there is still a core of tasty dried red fruit and cigar box flavors that peaks through. I can't claim to be much of an Amarone drinker, but this strikes me as classic and well done.

7/8/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Just medium straw with slight reflections of yellow and strikingly few signs of oxidation. On the nose this is almost eerily quiet and only in the vaguest way speaks to Viognier or the Rhône, offering aromas of underripe peach, fino Sherry-like blanched almonds, dried orange peel and perhaps the tiniest hint of dried iris blossoms. On the palate it is just light to medium bodied with medium acidity, a narrow, almost compact sort of texture, but surprisingly lively flavors of dried citrus, trampled flowers and almonds. I wonder if this ever had the vivacity and sex appeal that draws people to these wines.

7/7/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Very pale yellow. A youthfully tight but still detailed and seemingly immaculate nose offers aromas of just ripe, super crisp green apple, riper and softer Anjour pear, salty preserved lemon, dried white flowers, toast, and wet gravel. On the palate this is just a bit more than medium bodied with medium+ acidity, a touch of phenolic grip, and a deceptively airy texture that dissolves into a finish full of fleshy orchard fruits and minerals. This is archetypal white Burgundy and incredibly good; is it worth the almost 150% price increase this wine has taken in the last four or five years? That's tough to say, but in a world of just okay Grand Cru whites, this could possibly be thought of as a relative value.

7/6/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Deep ruby fading just a bit towards the rim. On the nose this is striking - I can't say I have always been a believer in Opus One, but the '13 is enthralling and almost Pauillac-like with its aromas of dried black cherries, blackcurrants, cassis, worn leather, grilled thyme, graphite, loamy earth, vanilla and clove. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with medium acidity, ripe tannins, lavish black fruit flavors and a touch of alcoholic heat that reminds us that we are in sunny California. Personally, I'd like this a touch skinnier, but the quality here is sky high.

5/6/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

From double magnum. Deep ruby with minimal fading at the rim. On the nose this is exceptionally pretty if just a bit stoic from this big bottle, offering aromas of just ripe black cherries, red cherries, crème de cassis, lavender, perfumed violets, turned earth, vanilla and toast. On the palate this is full bodied and super rich in texture but well-balanced by bright acidity and ripe, plush tannins. Delicious.

5/20/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium to deep ruby. An incredibly elegant and equanimous Cos; surely one of the all time great vintages at this address. On the nose it offers very graceful aromas of just ripe black cherries, just ripe blackberries, cassis, leather, gravel, graphite, fresh tobacco and a touch of oak spice. On the palate this is full bodied with medium+ acidity, and while the tannins coat the palate, they are ultra fine, seemingly well-mannered and playing in almost perfect harmony with the savory black fruit, herb and mineral flavors. This is classy, intricate, and polished without feeling manipulated, and might be a step above almost any other 2010 Bordeaux outside of Lafite.

5/20/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

From magnum. Very pale yellow. This is poised, serene and downright ethereal white Burgundy. On the nose this beams like sunshine on a summer morning, offering aromas of green and yellow apples, underripe peach, fromage blanc, and limestone minerality which is just framed by hints of vanilla and oak spice. On the palate this is medium to full bodied, it is super clean and crisp with very bright, lively acidity and a touch of dry extract showcasing polished orchard and citrus fruit flavors. Delicious.

5/5/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Pale garnet. On the nose this is fully mature but certainly not over the hill, with an obvious - and I guess one would say 'classic' - note of volatile acidity shading the aromas of dried sweet red cherries, sundried tomatoes, grilled herbs, tobacco, baked earth and spice. On the palate this is medium bodied but expansive with medium+ acidity, mostly resolved tannin, and a texture that is at once grippy and light. This has the feel of some hypothetical mix of Brunello, Burgundy and CdP, but it is tasty and certainly very Musar.

5/13/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium ruby. On the nose this is very classic and unmistakably Heitz, offering aromas of just ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, red cherry, cassis, eucalyptus, dried red flowers, spearmint, loamy earth and spice. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with bright acidity and ripe though grippy tannins giving this an ever so slightly lithe and graceful texture. This might lack the depth of the best vintages of Martha's, but it drinks well at the moment, especially when accompanied by a steak.

6/8/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium ruby. Very classy and certainly archetypal Bordeaux - at least in a post 1990 sense - but this is still clenched and perhaps five to seven years away from approachability; full maturity might require a decade or two. On the nose this offers classic aromas of black and red cherries, blackcurrant, tobacco, leather, grilled rosemary, loamy earth, black walnut and oak spice. On the palate it is medium to full bodied with a high level of fine, but quite assertive tannins that still shade some of the black fruit, leather and cigar box flavors. This is unquestionably a regal wine, but there are surely many other vintages that are currently drinking better. Time will tell here.

6/6/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

From magnum. Pale straw. On the nose this is fresh, floral and vernal, very pristine and spring meadow-like with aromas of green apple, lime peel, kiwi and honeydew melon complicated by those of basil, verbena, sour cream and crushed rock minerality. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with medium+ acidity; it has a chewy and dense texture supported by phenolic grip and dry extract. This is bright and delicious and approachable now but really seems built to age.

7/1/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium straw. April 2022 disgorgement. A somewhat quiet but still quite pretty nose offers aromas of dried apples and pears, Christmas fruitcake, preserved cherries, cured lemon, vanilla, saltine crackers and a touch of chalky minerality. On the palate this is medium to full bodied, it enters with soft edges and a gentle, caressing sort of mousse but its bright acidity tightens up the finish. Perhaps not the most complex wine at Chez Chiquet, but it is very, very easy to to drink.

6/29/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium garnet with reflections of red. My first time tasting this wine in almost five years and doing so makes me think of 2005 Bordeaux in that a few of the best wines are starting to drink well but most seem decades away. Here five years - and several hours of air - have done little to encourage this to come out and play. On the nose it still has its back turned, just hinting at dried red fruits and amaro notes. On the palate it offers a better glimpse of the future with bright red fruits, clay and rosemary flavors showing against a wall of ripe but still dominant tannins. Perhaps another three to five years is in order.

6/29/2023 - wino_tim wrote:

Medium garnet. This bottle seems just slightly more mature than others recently tasted and though it still has years to go it is quite complex and surely enjoyable at this time. On the nose it is quite savory mixing notes of dried red fruits and fresh roses with those of roasted mushrooms, black truffles, black walnuts, tilled earth and exotic spice. On the palate it is full bodied with nearly high acidity, a high level of very regal but still quite present tannins, and bright red fruit and earth flavors. I'd like wait for this to soften just a little bit more before opening another bottle.