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Tasting Notes for AJ72

(744 notes on 691 wines)

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White
10/13/2023 - AJ72 wrote:
89 points
Highest pointed Chardonnay and swept all before it at the major wine awards. Yes it’s good but…. If I’m looking for a technically perfect wine then I have it right here but…. Where’s the character? The soul? I think it’s a bit like the Tin Man lacking in heart. Enjoyable for sure but It’s so clinical it’s almost bordering on being boring. This maybe unfair but it’s very much a plain Jane. Let me look at other Australian Chardonnay this may be the best we can do. According to the experts it is.
Red
2/18/2023 - AJ72 wrote:
86 points
Much hyped on the back of, no doubt, some Halliday back slapping this is just a fairly plain wine. Massively priced in a fancy heavy bottle but it’s the emperor’s new clothes..
White
2/11/2023 - AJ72 wrote:
91 points
Had this alongside the Macon Verze from the same vintage. First impression, very rich almost oily like viscosity with a drying phenolic like grip which I didn’t really like at first. As the wine opened up and my tastebuds adjusted the wine became fresher and less dense. Not much experience with Pouilly-Fuisse and by the end this bottle was really singing. Just had the edge over the Macon. Both are great and well….. I guess $150 isn’t cheap for Pouilly-Fuisse but from this producer I would say justifiable.
White
2/11/2023 - AJ72 wrote:
90 points
Great value from arguably the greatest Chardonnay producer in the world. Very enjoyable, not a wine to go crazy over but watching the sunset on the front deck? Perfect!
Red
12/19/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
95 points
This was very similar to the 08 from the same vineyard and Producer but it had that little bit more concentration, freshness and life to it. Both magical but the 05 was sublime. I think it drinks well now. No need to wait.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
12/19/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
94 points
Really lovely mature Burgundy. My go to producer now that all the other one's I really like have skyrocketed out of reach. Autumn leaf, sous bois, Iron, earth and a firm tannic grip wrapped in a sweet and savory red fruit palate. Lovely and I think in the drinking window. Not sure if I'd hold on to them much longer. The call by a previous taster of Nebbiolo like character is valid, as this was served blind and everyone guessed Nebbiolo. I think that the best of both areas sometimes imitate....
Red
12/19/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
79 points
Worst bottle of Rousseau I've ever had. So much Brett and very disappointing....
White
12/19/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
93 points
Very good but should have been better. Colour was a give away that this bottle was beginning to slide but we caught it before it was too late. Still had a depth to it which the Forest didn't but was lacking freshness. Definitely a bit of a bummer given the price. I can only imagine a sound bottle would be brilliant.
White
12/19/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
95 points
Absolutely brilliant! Textbook Chablis. Fantastic wine wished it was a magnum, very pure and detailed, this bottle was very fresh and drinking beautifully. Pity it's so expensive now....
3 people found this helpful Comment
Red
11/7/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
91 points
Really good, clean and bright. Got that lean/acidic profile these wines tend to have but is balanced by enough weight and flesh to make it very enjoyable. Definitely on the grippier side in terms of tannin but these don’t dominate the wine. A perfect example of a wine from Burgundy which won’t break the bank and is fantastic value. Not the complexity of the wines further North but demonstrates the value that is still to be had from the region. Highly recommend.
White
11/5/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
91 points
The jump to hyperspace is effectively what you need to do to try the best from this area of Burgundy. Raveneau and Dauvissat are now effectively no longer worth buying for the every day consumer. Great as they are it’s just no longer worth it, they’re pricing is beyond reality of what the wine is worth as a drink. Yes they were always expensive and beyond what it should be worth but occasionally, as Clive Coates would say, when you “felt like pushing out the boat” you would stump up the extra to see what the fuss was all about. It’s gone beyond that now for even the crazy joe (I know because I was crazy joe). So the next step is to identify the next best thing. I have tried many and it’s clear that the divide is significant. I’ve tried a lot of Fevre, Dampt, Billaud-Simon, Defaix (all of them) and many others which failed miserably. Droin has been the closest I have come to realising the greatness of the other two masters. I would say at the premier cru level they’re closer than at the Grand cru level. Being able to buy very good Droin premier cru Chablis for around $100 is acceptable. They aren’t hitting the heights of the 2 benchmark producers but they do a fine job and aren’t light years away. When considering $100 for Droin vs $500+ for Raveneau and similar for Dauvissat 1er cru’s they’re over delivering. At the Grand cru level the gap is more pronounced. That being said I wouldn’t pay the more than $1000 for 2020 Grand Cru’s from either Raveneau or Dauvissat on offer. These wines have exponentionally increased over the last decade and like many great producers further South are no longer worth drinking unless you’re a Billionaire and can afford to indulge. Yes, this is a eulogy for the future common man and woman who weren’t as lucky as I was to be able to experience the best that Burgundy had to offer and I make no apologies for it. Wine is a drink and is meant to be consumed. This is no longer the case with many producers in Burgundy.
5 people found this helpful Comment
Red
11/1/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
93 points
As I sit here right now..... surely there isn’t a better producer pound for pound than Robert Chevillon. The only reason these wines haven’t gone to the stratosphere is the appellation of which there are no Grand Cru’s. This is the last bastion of Burgundy for as I write this the masses will come, eventually,as they realise the Rousseau’s, Roumier’s and even Raveneau’s are all out of reach. All the while the master of Nuits and Burgundy has gone under the radar.... for this Domaine is the equal or better of the aforementioned.
3 people found this helpful Comments (1)
White
9/27/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
90 points
Even the great Raveneau can’t hide the warm vintage here. A nice wine but doesn’t have the precision and cut of the better vintages. Acidity seems very low.
White
9/9/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
91 points
Really good considering the vintage. I mourn the day this Domaine broke up because the wines don’t capture the brilliance anymore as they once did. Considering the warmer year this barely showed any resemblance to that. This was tight almost a bit lean, none of the flab that comes with this vintage for all but the best producers and this is one of the best. This doesn’t mean that Louis Carillon gets off Scott free though. I think they’ve picked a bit earlier to try and minimise the phenolic character so the flavours are very subtle but in a way this is a stroke of brilliance. The drinkability is key as whilst it’s not the most complex Perrieres it’s a great effort. I’d love to know if they were one of the first Domaines to harvest in this vintage as I suspect they were and usually are. This is one of the all time greats of Burgundy and the last vintage as Louis Carillon. Highly recommend seeking out anything with bottle age from this Domaine as they age like great Chablis.
Red
9/9/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
87 points
Liked this wine initially but became very oaky? Didn’t notice this in previous bottles so a bit confused? Has been a warm day in Melbourne today so maybe just how I’m feeling today. SECOND WINE I’ve encountered and similar experience although this wasn’t as bad as the Violet Pommard.
Red
9/9/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
70 points
Oh my what an abomination. The most oaky wine I have ever seen. A disgrace to the terroir. Might be some decent fruit there but it’s swamped by heavily toasted probably new oak. I just don’t get this? Horrible beyond comprehension. The label was a dead give away. No idea.
Red
9/3/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
92 points
This was like the old comfortable leather couch, giving pleasure without being an incredible or overwhelming experience. Very harmonious, lovely floral notes with no lack of complexity. Bright red fruit and great tannin. A step up from a village wine for sure and very enjoyable. A great example of Volnay done well.
Red
8/3/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
94 points
Had this a few times now and doesn’t disappoint. Very complex, cinnamon, spice and great tannin which keeps the whole thing together. A really great example of tannin in Pinot being powerful but without dominating everything. Fantastic again.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
8/3/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
93 points
Lovely cinnamon and spice similar to the chevillon les St. George’s we had from the same year but slightly less complexity. Not really a negative though as this was just singing. Two great wines and shows you can still get great Burgundy for less than $200.
Red
6/6/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
75 points
First wine I've had from this producer which was showing poorly. Full of Brett and undrinkable.
Red
6/1/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
90 points
A bit like an Arthur Boyd painting (if you’re Australian you’ll know what I mean) very dark and brooding. If you look deeply into the image you can see a beauty but it’s buried, a bit too deep, beneath tannin and earthy scents. Just doesn’t have the generosity I’d like to see at 10 years of age. Those tannins not softening any time soon and the youthful exuberance is fading fast.
Red
5/23/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
91 points
Followed a spectacular Henri Gouges from the same vintage so may have been a bit unfair. Had some similar characteristics to the 17 Gouges Vaucrains but that was dialled up to 11, this wine only dialled about a 6. Good wine but nothing exceptional.
Red
5/23/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
95 points
This was flat out great. Really rich fruit but not heavy or cloying just glides effortlessly across the palate. Amazing satin like texture which goes on and on. Brilliant wine.
Red
5/15/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
92 points
This was very good but not quite as good as the last bottle I had. Showing a bit more maturity and slightly more rustic than I remember. Even though that's the Nuits signature it was less evident in my previous experiences with this wine. Might be time to drink up.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
3/6/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
94 points
Brilliant again. Followed a very underwhelming Chablis from Thierry Lafay 1er cru with this. Really highlights the void between the best and the not so good that Chablis has to offer. Wonderful complexity, very mineral driven theme just a delight to drink from the first sip to the last. Wouldn't hold as I think it's just right now.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
2/13/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
88 points
Started off a bit bland and I thought I'd wasted my money. After a couple of glasses this becomes quite a pleasant wine for the level especially and left me wishing I had another to open.
Red
1/22/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
94 points
So long since I’ve drunk Rousseau! Wow this was excellent. Deep dark and brooding but oh so magnificent. The tannins on this wine are the difference they just are so fine and powdery which then carries everything else effortlessly. Classic Rousseau even with a slightly darker profile. No Brett if that’s something that worries you with expensive French wine (especially Burgundy.
2 people found this helpful Comment
White
1/22/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
93 points
Knockout nose! The aroma just placed me right back in the village listening to the church bells ringing. I reckon that’s as much terroir as anything. Sure it’s a bit Oakier than other producers and definitely more showy than the old mans wines but hey this is contemporary Jobard and I really like it.
White
1/22/2022 - AJ72 wrote:
flawed
First bottle sherry second bottle not far off it. Shame
Red
12/27/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
90 points
A very good village wine but not anywhere near the 1er cru's of the same year which are mindblowing. Well worth seeking out all the same.
Red
12/27/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
95 points
Incredibly pure again just like the Corbeaux but with a fraction more complexity. A significant step up and will only get better with time. This is a WOW wine and very good value. A great premier cru Burgundy.
White
12/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
88 points
This followed a wonderful 08 Raveneau Forets so review may be a bit harsh. Very oaky and rich still holding up quite well but really was a tough act to follow the previous wine We only had a few sips and it was going down sideways. Showed a lot more toast and oak than I normally like but given it's age this probably isn't a surprise. I do prefer Chablis stylistically so Cote de Beaune wines don't appeal to me as much unless the have some restraint. Only solution was to stop or......open another Raveneau.
White
12/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
93 points
No sign of hot vintage here. Very fine and detailed, restrained, very elegant, classy. Classic Raveneau we had this following an incredible 08 Forest from the same producer. Raveneau is a genius.
White
12/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
94 points
Great bottle. Looked like it was going to be great as the colour was very bright and vibrant light gold. A Great start. The wine was rich but at the same time light on it’s feet as only the best wines are. Started off nutty but then transformed into beeswax and minerality. I would say it was the perfect drinking window not showing any sign of tiredness. I loved the balance and beguiling scent of this wine which changed regularly as it sat in the glass bordering on Creme brûlée to taste but without the heaviness associated with such a dish. I remember the 08’s being quite tight and steely when they were young especially the Grand cru’s. The benefit of ageing clearly on display here. Wonderful.
Red
12/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
94 points
This was an incredible wine. So pure, if you wanted to show the absolute essence of what the Pinot variety from Gevrey looks like this is the template. Sure there are grander versions of it but this is the reference point. Such wonderful complexity and a thrilling wine at a very modest price. This producer is an absolute star and right up there perhaps even exceeding those in Burgundy with much better vineyard holdings. Unlike some of the other star producers there isn’t any Brett present and this Corbeaux is the most pure and detailed I have ever seen from this cru by a long way. Must be a great vintage as this is the first wine I’ve had from it. Buy as much as you can while this producer remains under the radar.
White
9/26/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
93 points
This is the reason why Dauvissat and Raveneau are just that much better than the rest in Chablis. They are able to create wines with another dimension when the other producers seem linear and flat in comparison. Given the now exorbitant prices these producers command I've tried to find other avenues into one of my favourite regions for less. So far there isn't another to rival the two greats of this sleepy hollow. This wine takes you on a rollercoaster ride through beeswax and minerality at times seeming a little dilute but ultimately providing a very satisfying dry, savoury finish with a great texture and length of flavour which is a hallmark of this wonderful producer. A fantastic Chablis premier cru. The colour suggests maybe not one that will last forever on the strength of this bottle though.
White
9/18/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
92 points
Okay after a couple of misfires with a Bougros and Vaudesir from this producer they get it right here. Light years better than the aforementioned wines and the real deal. No edges from the start, great mineral theme, tight as a drum, great texture. Out of magnum but this is drinking beautifully now no need to wait. I can’t believe how much better this is to the other Grand cru’s in the stable from the same year. Not worth buying those in my opinion but this is right up there. Dry extract is something I see in tasting notes but never really understood what that meant? This has it though in spades it has power,finesse and a healthy dose of minerality. An excellent Chablis that should be even better with at least a few more years.

Edit: After having a few wines from this producer that I liked I put this 2017 Les Clos, a 2017 Fevre Vaillons and 2017 Dauvissat Vaillons together just to see if I was really liking the Fevre's that much. It cost a lot to get the Dauvissat but it still was the better wine out of all three. The Dauvissat was a much more engaging, thought provoking wine, the Fevre's seem to be very straight down the line, a lot less flamboyant and a bit boring in comparison.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2010 Domaine Bart Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru Pinot Noir (view label images)
9/17/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
82 points
It’s not bad but it just isn’t a great example of this vineyard. Has some Brett which doesn’t help but let me put my technical hat aside…. Yes there are some nice elements to this iron/metallic velvet like texture but…. It’s more rustic than it should be, costs more than it should, but that’s Burgundy isn’t it? Not anywhere near the quality it should be for the price ($250). Ultimately it’s a disappointment and another representation of a great Burgundy vineyard which falls well short. It’s hard though isn’t it? Do you spend $3000 on the best Rousseau? Well even that is now ridiculous the law of diminishing returns on investment makes even Rousseau, now, not worth it. Especially given that the cork means you’re playing Russian roulette. Name one luxury purchase where you’re not given any compensation when it’s completely rooted…..Imagine buying a Versace clutch bag that didn’t close properly or a Tiffany diamond ring that was damaged in transit and all they could say was bad luck. Paints a pretty bleak picture but the reality is, for the purist, these wines are unobtainable now. Should it be this way? Supply and demand drives it so I guess it must be accepted? When Rousseau Clos de Beze was $250 back in the late 90’s for a good year that was damn expensive but at least you could lash out and see what all the fuss was about. Now Henri Jayer, DRC, Leroy, Rousseau, Roumier, Raveneau, Coche Dury, etc have become museum pieces. If this appears like some sort of Eulogy for fine wine well…. It probably is.
2 people found this helpful Comments (1)
White
9/17/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
84 points
Ummm…. This is showing a little bortrytis and the nose isn’t what I like to see in Grand cru Chablis, or any Chablis for that matter…oak. Not my cup of tea, disappointing actually. Lost a lot of freshness and zip, lacks tension. This wine reminds me why Raveneau/Dauvissat are light years ahead of the rest. Won’t resolve with time either, just doesn’t have the magic for me.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
9/17/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
90 points
Electric mineral nose of sea shells and that hard to describe element that is unique to Chablis. Very tight like a coiled spring to begin with, all acid and brine. After about 30 minutes the wine is more accessible but still doesn’t want to fully release at this stage. Too young? Maybe but I'm more inclined to think too lean as the 2017 Les Clos is magic right now. I would recommend spending that little bit more to get the thrilling Les Clos from the same vintage as it is right up there with the best. This wine is Grand Cru in name only. Preferred the Montmains and Vaillons from the same vintage over this.
White
9/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
89 points
Very good Village Chablis. Lovely mineral aroma, slight wet rock a bit of beeswax, classic Chablis. Palate equally as good and provides enough texture to make this really enjoyable for this level. Very good.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
9/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
88 points
Pretty good if a bit bland. Nothing exceptional even for this level. Well made but the 18 version is better at this stage.
Red
2019 Yarra Yering Dry Red N°2 Yarra Valley Shiraz Blend, Syrah (view label images)
9/4/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
80 points
Very big wraps on this but I found it borderline undrinkable. Huge oak, very rich must have quite a bit of alcohol not much in common with the Yarra Valley. Lacks elegance and refinement, not my cup of tea.
White
9/4/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
92 points
Wow! Just found my new house wine. At $45 a bargain. Very clean and tight as a drum classic Chablis. With time it opens up nicely, healthy dose of stony minerality. Has plenty of upside too, nice bit of reduction with that steely texture and length of flavour that premier cru Chablis should have. No edges whatsoever and a steal compared to Raveneau and Dauvissat which are now nearly 10 times the cost. This was great value and an authentic premier cru Chablis. No oak as other have stated.
2 people found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
2017 Mount Mary Quintet Yarra Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
8/28/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
85 points
I found the overbearing acid too much in this wine and spoilt the experience. I also think that whilst 2017 was a very good year for Pinot in the valley it may have been a bit too cool for Cabernet. Not lean but does have a greenish sour edge, this could be due to the acid though. If that’s the case then it may be an error of judgement in the winery. Would be interesting to find out. Wouldn’t be buying this vintage but if you’re looking for the best Mount Mary Quintet of recent years then I would seek out the 2015 which in my opinion is much better.
White
7/18/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
95 points
Just as spectacular as the Vaudesir from the same year and a huge step up from the Butteaux, Brilliant tension and scale, great refinement. Fresh Sea breeze and calcare to burn. Great wine.
1 person found this helpful Comments (1)
White
7/18/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
86 points
Well at least under screwcap you can judge this wine without wondering whether the closure might have been the reason you didn't really like it. This started off great but it quickly became apparent there was some phenolic grip on the finish which detracted from the enjoyment of the wine. A little bit simple too for this premier cru and the better producers have better examples of this vineyard. Was still okay but a long way off the spectacular 2017 Grand cru's from this producer in the same year. Louis Michel has produced some Clos and Vaudesir from this vintage which I would recommend getting over this.
1 person found this helpful Comments (1)
White
7/18/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
95 points
Absolutely thrilling bottle of Chablis. Spectacular in every sense of the word. Why pay nearly $1000 for Raveneau Grand cru when the same experience can be had for a lot less with this wine and the Clos from the same vintage. This was an incredible wine, tension, salty, briny all the elements that make great Chablis great were on display here. Raveneau's are way too expensive now and you can still find just as good results with wines like this from other producers for a lot less. This was like drinking diamonds from a glass. The only problem I had was two out of four bottles weren't quite right which altered the quality of the wine without really seeming corked.
4 people found this helpful Comment
White
7/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
89 points
Excellent value and strikes a nice flinty profile. More than I would have expected at this level.
White
7/12/2021 - AJ72 wrote:
88 points
Not a bad wine but didn't seem to be as good as a bottle I had recently. Colour was good but just seemed a bit bland for Grand cru level especially for the vintage. It's possible that this one was slightly off (got to love cork).
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