3/22/2013 - gpowell1978 Does not like this wine:

Awful wine. No points for subtly. Confirmed everything that is wrong with this style of wine making. Tasted next to a 59 Calon Segur which offered everything you could want in a wine. A sad statement about trophy wines that offer no QPR yet seem to attract such strangely positive reviewed. I wonder if it were served blind whether anyone would rate this so highly.

5/3/2011 - gpowell1978 wrote:

lovely nose of sweet cherries, cloves, earthy and a little leather. On the palate it is slightly drying out, but with lovely hints of fruit and a full long finish. Very good really and a surprise given its age.

1/24/2011 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Wonderful. Plenty of vibrant fruit and lots of acidity to keep it fresh. Mushroom, herbs, cherry and forest floor with silky smooth tannins and fragrant perfumed long supple finish.

1/24/2011 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Excellent. Still quite fresh with vibrant acidity and plenty of waxy lemon and hazelnut toasty oak.

3/30/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

The nose is a lovely bouquet of flowers, fresh lemons, a little pear, cedar and soft perfume muddled together in a very complex and evolving fashion. Very evocative of a summer afternoon in a flower and fruit garden. The palate starts off with cedar, moves onto lemons with a slight nuttiness before moving back to cedar and then develops an incredible finish with creaminess that just keeps on changing, after which comes toffee and a little more cedary, waxy, wood and yet more development - quite wonderful.

3/26/2010 - gpowell1978 Likes this wine:

Really starting to come together now, beginning to show some classic aged Bordeaux signs. Tobacco leaf, cigar, black fruit, earthy, even a little dusty with some cassis as well and cedar all encased in a lovely perfume. The palate is not quite as rich as the nose, but the tannins are there but supple and dusty, the fruit comes in first then followed by some cedar and earthiness. Nice medium length finish, but fairly one dimensional. Overall I'm still very impressed by this wine.

3/26/2010 - gpowell1978 Likes this wine:

Needed about 3 hours sat open in the bottle to really open up. Chocolate, truffle and lots of dark fruit on the nose, with some real earthiness coming through too. Really a lovely nose. On the palate it was very well integrated with pretty tannins that were supple and lots of fruit, with a nice, if rather plain finish. Probably at the top of its game now.

3/21/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Fantastic QPR on this wine - probably the best in my cellar for that. Lovely apple filled nose, with hints of petrol and some floral notes too. Plenty of acid on the palate suggests this will last at least another 15 years, good full mouth feel with some green fruit and nice sweetness, medium finish. Overall well made and great everyday summer drinking wine.

3/12/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Needed time to open up, but once it did had an impressive amount of perfume on the nose, and a good structure on the palate - certainly offering very good QPR at under £5 per bottle, makes a good everyday drinking wine.

3/9/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely bouquet; flowers, perfume, red and black berries, mocha and earthy notes. Soft, supple, well integrated tannins and a reasonable finish. Well made, not classic Bordeaux by any means, but a well produced wine in this non-classic vintage.

2/22/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Very much approaching its peak, will be lovely drinking over the next 4-5 years. Lovely cigar, cedar and tobacco on the nose, with a hint of darker fruits and some pleasant perfume as well. Very integrated on the palate with smooth supple dusty tannins and a lovely medium finish that evolves from cedar, to some fruit and back to savoury again. I'll be more than happy to work my way through the rest of this case.

1/18/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely nose of leather, earthiness, blackcurrants with some perfume and some tobacco. Smooth silky tannins and a lovely berry mouth filling feel. This is well made and showing well now, but like its better sibling, will clearly last for many more years. Good QPR.

1/11/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

After the last flawed bottle I was a little nervous opening this. Fortunately I wasn't disappointed. Wonderful cedary, mocha and fruity nose, with a richly perfumed palate full of fruit and soft supple tannins, with a hint of chocolate and coffee. Nice long finish. Very well made shiraz that is probably at the top of its game.

1/9/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Unfortunately, and rather embarrassingly this had turned for the worse - pretty undrinkable more like a port.

1/8/2010 - gpowell1978 wrote:

This was showing very well after an hour or so of opening and decanting. Wonderful meaty, toffee and red fruits nose that was very perfumed and luxurious. On the palate it was incredibly smooth and classy, with wholly integrated tannins and acids and sugars, it really filled the mouth and had a sensationally long finish, even after a walk home of 20 minutes it was still developing!

12/27/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Wonderful. This is probably my favourite Champagne maker and this does not dissapoint. Lovely biscuity, savoury nose, with a hint of lemon and perhaps even some spice. Full on the palate with nutty, slightly tart flavours emerging first of all, then developing into a rather complex mixture of dried fruits, aromatic spices and earthy oakiness. I do wish I had more.

11/10/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Left open for a day before drinking. Had settled down a lot after that - lots of sediment at the bottom, but was showing nicely. Lovely fragrant nose of blackberries, perfume and maybe violets, savoury notes of leather and earth and even a bit of greeness! Very, very smooth on the palate with silky soft tannins and a medium finish. This is right at the top of its drinking window now.

11/9/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely full aroma - blackberries, leather and other savoury and vegetal notes. Took a few hours to open up fully. On the palate the tannins were smooth if a little chalky (I may have needed to give the bottles more than two days rest upon arrival), a lovely fruity full flavour and a nice medium length finish that evolves ending with leathery and cigar notes.

11/3/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

A lovely wine, just a few years past its peak but still tasting fabulous. Aromas of strawberries and blackberries at first, with plenty of earthy woody tones and tar and some cigar textures as well. Silky as you like on the palate with lovely mouth filling feel. Shame I have drunk all these.

11/3/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Very good well made smooth as you like Pinot Noir. Lovely perfumed nose of violets, and rich red fruit with some more earthy tones coming through nicely. Lovely and smooth on the palate with silky tannins. Overall a good well made wine that reflects it terroir nicely whilst also nodding to well made Burgundys at several times this price.

11/3/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Not a classic Gamay, but has a hint of strawberry fruit on the nose, and a slight amount of bubblegum. Quite a full finish - fuller than you would expect. Not as easy drinking in style as it should be.

10/9/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Was very green, with some burnt sulphur upon opening but after 3 hours opened up into a wonderfully fragrant nose, full of ripe strawberries and some black fruit, as well as being heavily perfumed. Very easy on the palette with well rounded tannins. A good, typical, and decadent Pomerol which was just about worth the £25 I paid for it.

8/24/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Another fabulous bottle of the best Pinot Noir I have had from NZ. Lushes soft red fruits on the nose, with some hints of vanilla and some slight greeness. Very smooth tannins and a big long complex finish. Very, very good, might have to but another case of these.

5/30/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Took to the Cambridge Blind Wine Society annul dinner. Was a nice success. Opened a few hours before the dinner to allow it to breathe. Lovely nose - it is so fruity and slightly woody with a bit of earthiness going on to. Again very smooth on the palate, tannins are pretty silky and the fruit certainly comes through. A very good wine.

5/30/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely brick rim with ruby red centre. Strawberries on the nose, very fragrant. Silky smooth to drink, though the finish was not that long. A good bottle.

5/3/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely fruity nose, very open and fruit forward (but this is a 2005 so no suprise). Lovely smooth tannins and dark fruit on the palate, with a rather short but nevertheless enjoyable finish. Very good value at £8 a pop. A good everyday very drinkable wine that will improve over the next 3-4 years.

4/28/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Fabulous nose - cherries, red berries, a hint of almond all came to the fore after an hours decanting. Very nice on the palate too, smooth silky tannins and a medium length finish that started fruity and ended up quite woody. This will improve over the next 5-10 years so will wait a while before opening another.

4/25/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely bright perfumed nose - plenty of dark fruit going on, with some oak and herbaceous notes as well. Very smooth on the palate, lovely rounded tannins. This is a well made wine and thoroughly enjoyable - though it still has plenty of aging left as well.

4/23/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Decanted an hour before drinking. A lovely dark and deep reddy purple colour, with some slight aging signs at the rim. Instant dark fruits on the nose, opening up a little to reveal some oaky and earthy tones - very pleasant indeed. Tasted wonderful - fruity and slightly woody, very rounded tannins. A very good bottle that is showing well.

3/28/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely well balanced wine - soft supple tannins and some good ripe fruit showing through on the nose as well as some lovely herbacious notes. Very drinkable, a well rounded and well made wine. Wish I had some more.

3/24/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Decanted 2 hours before drinking. Well balanced wine - with good dark fruits, a dose of herbaciousness and the usual barnyard smells all combining for a classis bordeaux nose. On the palate its very easy drinking, finessed tannins and fairly ripe fruits. Good value I'd say and will drink well for the next 5 years.

3/13/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely colour - showing some brick red at the rim. Decanted for 2 hours prior to drinking. Berry and jammy as well as some green vegetables and vanilla on the nose. Lovely supple tannins and cherry on the palette. Beautiful wine - drinking very well now.

3/12/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely ruby colour in the glass, really opened up after an hour of opening. Woody, earthy, strawberry and rich cherry flavours on the nose, maybe with some cinnamon spice as well - but all very well integrated and very, very rich, not Burgundian but more Californian in style. On the palette the acid is high and fairly crisp, the tannins are smooth and luxurious and the fruit wanders round the mouth. Overall a very well made wine, well worth the price and some more time in the cellar for the other 5 I think.

3/11/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Tasted at Cambridge University Wine Society annual dinner, which was hosted by Chateau Haut-Brion. Gorgeous golden colour, very dark and rich for a white wine. On the nose it was like nothing I have ever smelled before - rich aromatic, an amazing depth and concentration, almost exotic. Spices, rich buttercream, even coconut, with ripe lemons and dried apples and pears. Very, very strange but beautiful at the same time. On the palette again it was like nothing I had tasted before - rich, very, very rich, and velvety, coating the whole mouth, almost like syrup. Very sweet, perhaps too much so. But with a good acidity that balances this out. And an amazing length which develops and changes from sweet, to crispy dry, to dried fruits and ends with a lovely earthy note. Very enjoyable, though not sure I could get through a whole bottle. But it set up the evening very well.

3/11/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Tasted at the Cambridge University Wine Society annual dinner, hosted by Chateau Haut-Brion. Decanted at least 2-3 hours beforeghand. Lovely depth of colour. Very perfumed on the nose, lovely red fruits as well as the usual herbaceous and leathery aromas. On the palette it was rich and heavenly - very, very well balanced and smooth. Tannins and fruit perfectly marred - though I imagine with more cellar time this wine would also develop a little more depth and length, which although good and varied was not overly long. Wish I had a case of this.

3/10/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Firstly, let me admit I am not a huge fan of massive Australian shiraz's. However, I think this wine was overdone. It's nose explodes with sweet jammy, plummy dark fruit then recessing and allowing some vanilla and perhaps liquorice as well. On the palette its huge coating the whole mouth with dark sugary plummy damsons and blackberries. The tannins are well intergrated and not too harsh, the acid is high but due to the sugar and alcohol and overall taste are not noticeable. I must admit we could not finish the bottle it was too rich. Perhaps with some char grilled steak and only half a glass it would be pretty good, but I much prefer Gemtree's less expensive shiraz's as they don't seem so over the top.

3/10/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Sampled at Cambridge University Wine Society dinner which was hosted by Ch Haut Brion. The wine had been decanted for about 1-2 hours beforehand. Had a lovely dark ruby colour. A floral nose with plenty of red cherry fruit as well as some musky, earthy tones and a healthy dose of tobacco. On the palette it was not quite as rich as the nose but well integrated with supple but firm tannins and less obvious but still present red fruit. Overall I'm impressed as I think this wine will age very well, the tannins should soften out and it will be even more drinkable.

3/9/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Tasted at Cambridge University Wine Society showing. Lovely inky colour with a pinky/purple rim. Very fruity off the bat - plum and blackberry and quite jammy. Crisp high acid, and some notable alcohol in the back of the throat. Coats the mouth with some dark fruits and has a medium length finish. Overall a decent effort that is priced competitively.

3/6/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Opened and decanted 1 hour before drinking, and the cork pretty much disintegrated at the top. Showing signs of age with a burnt orange rim - but still a lovely dark colour. Lovely on the nose - red fruits and quite herbaceous as well. Then after an hour or so darker fruits emerged and the herbaceous smell dissipated somewhat. Lovely and well balanced - smooth tannins and a long developing finish that goes from sweet fruity and chocolaty and ends up being quite woody. Overall a lovely wine - looking forward to finishing off the case over the next year as I think this will not age much beyond the present.

3/4/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely colour. Cassis, berry and vanilla all very much in evidence on the nose. A good hour of decanting and the taste is very smooth, lovely fruit, with soft tannins and medium body. This is a very well made wine at a very good price. I think it will improve over the next 2-3 years. It has a good finish - not overly long but pleasant and one that develops.

3/4/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Very well produced wine at an amazing price point. Good cherry and berry aromas on the nose with some spice. Decanted for an hour before drinking. Good fruit, fairly well balanced though a bit tannic - though still not as open as it will be in a year or two. Tannins were firm but still pleasent. Drinkable now - but in a few years this will be beautiful.

3/4/2009 - gpowell1978 wrote:

Lovely colour, fruit forward with a lovely dose of raspberry evident on the nose. Very smooth across the palate with a good balance of tannins, sugar and acid - though it is still slightly tannic. Could do with a year or two laying down then I imagine the fruit would become more evident on the palate. Overall a fine easy drinking Beaujolais from a good producer very suitable for spring and summer evenings.