11/7/2021 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

In a very good place now. Decanted in glass for an hour. Colour not fading at the edge, nose well defined. Cabernet dominant in the nose with cassis leading the way. Some floral, soil and darker notes in the mix. Balanced and very enjoyable. Paired perfectly with the steak and delivered. Tannins are fully resolved and it drinks very nicely. This is well done. A fine example of Bordeaux that pairs well with food and is well made.

2/14/2021 - CheninFiend wrote:

Positively delicious. Fine balance and drinking perfectly, on its own or with food.
This is, for the price, a great example of why most new world chardonnay is one dimensional and manipulated.

2/14/2021 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

In a very nice spot at this time.
Well balanced, tannins though softened are still framing lively fruit that is supported by classic sangiovese acids. Fine complexity on the nose and palate leads to a beautiful finish. Bought only one on release and this was the first time trying this bottling - not disappointed at all.
Should last a few more years but I might suggest drinking this now, it is in a perfect place.

2/14/2021 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Drinking very well right now and probably for a few more years.
Some nice secondary notes coming through with the bottle age. Tannins are all rounded and settled, fruit has softened but has life and the wine has excellent balance, overall. This is well done and in a very good spot.

10/5/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

Beautiful wine, the balance is perfect. It`s drinking quite well right now, which is a little surprising, though very welcome. Great classic nose without any noticeable oak influence and showing fine complexity. The palate is refined, balanced and layered. This is outstanding and should age well. From the finest section of the Montosoli vineyard.

10/5/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

Not terribly refined or complex. This is straightforward and for the most, one dimensional. The tannins are receding and thus the balance is tending towards softer fruit, leaving the alcohol a touch out of balance. I would say drink up because I don't see the structure or balance getting any better.

3/8/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

This was very advanced, not mature, advanced.
While there was no leakage on the cork, air had obviously got in.
Disappointing they used such a short cork, it was not up to the task.
Deep orange/yellow, similiar to a very old Sauterne.
Other than a bit of baked apple the primary fruit was gone.
Decent acidity still, but the flavours and aromas are all advanced.
Perfect situation to study bottle variation, but this was the only bottle left.
If they bottled the entire vintage with the same cork I encountered I would suggest drinking this up.

3/7/2020 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

A light, bright yellow gold with a transparent core.
Well integrated oak, ripe yellow and white fruits with underlying minerality combine for a full, rich nose.
This has good focus, body and the acidity and mineralty keeps it fresh.
Should drink well in the mid term. Nicely done.

3/3/2020 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Drinking beautifully now.
The nose is a fine combination of blue, black and red fruits.
The palate is seamless and well integrated with acidity and ripe, subtle tannins. A textbook Savigny village. Should last a few more years.

3/1/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

Purchased on release, well cellared and in fine shape but not my cup of tea. There is a darkness to the nose and palate that overwhelms any brightness, red or cherry fruit, cancelling lift and freshness. A full bodied and overtly powerful nose accompanied by notable acidity and an overall broodingly dark tone is repeated on the palate. And then there is the barrique influence that further distorts typicity. Picked overripe is the impression. (Were they trying to make a modern Brunello?)

Question:
What happened to Chianti?
First they open the presses to Cabernet and Merlot, overuse new french oak and then create the singularly unnecessary Gran Selezione tier.
And this has yielded what?
They have killed Chianti twice so far. Maybe the rooster should be replaced by a cat since they need a few more lives.
No wonder the move to change Brunello met a righteous death.

2/23/2020 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Solid, fullish nose of very well integrated oak and acacia with a mineral note.
The well settled palate has integrated nicely at this point.
Quietly mature fruit, minerals, tasty oak balanced by still juicy acidity, this is at peak I would say, with focus and some grip still present.
Well done for what it is. Blind, this could be mistaken for a Cote de Beaune.

2/23/2020 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Full Gamay nose accented by high floral tones.
Excellent depth on the palate which is weightless at the same time.
This has elegance and balance and should last some time. Better in a couple of years. Feminine but not too delicate.

4/21/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Very interesting. Extremely light on its feet yet has real depth. Deep core of dark red fruit with high floral notes and a long firm minerality that has serious impact. Needs food and some time.

2/19/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

A very fine example of why Chanrion's wines are among the best of the region.
Superior grace and elegance at work here.
Seriously good juice. Can't find fault with this.

2/19/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

I like this.
Good deep nose with pleasant earthy elements and some richness too.
Fullish on the palate as the acidity balances the weight.
The mousse is a little delicate, perhaps it could be more assertive, but all in all this is a very nice Meunier that is true to the grape.
Clean, bright and fresh.

2/19/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

A Langhe that definitely needs decanting.
After three hours this started to show some stuffing, before that the mid-palate fruit was tight.
Nicely aromatic with a beautiful core of deep red nebbiolo fruit that has real texture and presence.
From younger vines in their Rabaja holdings and vines next door in Trifolera.
Excellent Langhe Nebbiolo, certainly worth trying and a great example of its type.

2/15/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

A fine effort for what it is.
Good richness on the nose and palate with a mineral tinged finish that keeps things in check. Oak is well judged and integrated, this is very enjoyable.

2/14/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

Tasted from magnum.
Wonderfully elegant, harmonious Barbaresco.
The tannins are nicely refined and perfectly support the fruit and acid, one can't find fault really. This is well worth buying and should last for many years to come.
Tasted alongside their Dolcetto, Barbera, Langhe Nebbiolo, Barolo Vendemmia. Barale's wines are, across the board, a picture of elegance and distinctly well crafted.

1/5/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

Showing a bit past it's prime, unfortunately.
Nose has tailed off somewhat to become a quiet version of its former self.
It has some complexity but is subdued.
The palate has softened to the point where it now lacks grip and cut.
Acidity has softened as well but is still mostly there.
Some nice minerality, though this too has lost some focus.
For a '14 from Montmains this should be more engaging.

1/5/2020 - CheninFiend wrote:

Time has run out on this, I should think.
The interesting part is the wine shows little evolution, it has simply turned one dimensional. The colour was fresh and bright deep red, no fading at the edge, in fact clear at the edge from the alcohol. Tannins still there and they are fine ones. Acidity in place, but the alcohol is hot on the nose and a touch on the finish. The palate has turned into straight fruit with little else.
And that fruit is one dimensional. Not falling apart, but it is going mute.
Blind you would likely guess younger than 12 years.

I have noticed this same odd arc of evolution on Bordeaux's these days.
Bottles aged 15 years show almost no signs of development, with fruit that is still primary.

12/30/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

First taste of this bottling.
A bit tight but showing well, with obviously many years ahead.
Beautiful expression in a drier style. Fine expressive nose of citrus, apple, mineral notes.
Juicy palate that has excellent balance, energy and persistence.
The minerality and acids meld perfectly on the finish.
Fourth of his bottlings tried now and not a single disappointment.

12/22/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Yet another excellent vintage from Chanrion.
This needs time, it is drinking well but a bit young.
Nicely detailed in it's balance, the fruit is beautifully ripe and poised.
High floral tones and mineral grip add the complexity.
Excellent now but will be so much better in years to come, so keeping a few bottles to age.

12/26/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Outstanding Muscadet.
Expressive, complex nose and palate with a lingering finish that has grip and minerality. Still fresh and lively - this could easily go a few more years.
Fine quality here.

12/26/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

This was excellent, wine of the night for me.
Losing a little colour at the edge now but still full and deep.
A powerful, masculine nose with floral notes that sings. Fullish, ripe and focused fruit that has excellent volume and firmer typicity.
Nicely balanced and integrated, this is drinking beautifully right now. Well done.

12/26/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

First tasting of this wine. Had previously tried their Blanc de Blanc Brut Nature and was very impressed.
The wine is as deep red as any rose can be, surprisingly so. Huge red fruit on the nose which dominates. The palate repeats and is a little less complex than the fruit needs to be balanced. Good, interesting but not compelling.
Well made, just not my cup of tea.

12/26/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

Last tasted Aug. 2011. Decidedly different and rather evolved since then. Fully mature and has moved onto the secondary. Plummy/stewed fruit with some earth and leather. Tannins are there but fading though acid levels are still fine. Time to drink up.
No funk, no brett, no barnyard, the bottle was in excellent shape (the cork was perfect and barely stained above the end) so I can only assume it is indicative of the wine's current state.

11/10/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Simply delicious, this has all its varietal elements in balance.
Fine grip with the minerality and acidity providing backbone to the fairly rich though dry fruit.
Detailed and balanced, great with food but also a pleasure on it's own.
Many years of drinking to come surely.
This is the fourth wine of Chidaine's that I have tasted and all have been spot on.
An outstanding producer.

11/10/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

Purchased one bottle only upon release so have not followed this through it's evolution.
Time to drink this up if you have more, it won't likely improve.
Somewhat port-like on the nose, with plummy darker fruit and no freshness.
Elegant, medium bodied and soft in a mature fashion. The tannins are completely resolved and in the background now. Not very exciting at this stage, though interesting. Not quite one dimensional but not terribly complex either.

9/29/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

A serious Albarino with a fullish nose that has distinct saline minerality and a touch of earthiness. Good grip and focus as the minerality balances the full mid-palate provided by the extended aging on the lees. Nice stuff.

12/31/2019 - CheninFiend Likes this wine:

Very much a wine of texture.
A very clean mineral nose leads to nice tension on the palate.
Then the texture takes over. Stone fruit, citrus notes buffered by perfect juicy acidity end in a mineral finish bearing excellent grip.
Well focused, Should have some years ahead.

6/8/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

Bottle disgorged April 2018. Highly recommended. First time tasting this bottling and it did not disappoint. Lovely freshness and tension here with citrus, mineral and ginger notes. Drinks alone but paired well with food. Looking forward to seeing what a little age will do to the other two bottles.

6/5/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

An extracted Morgon, with a very full nose of gamay fruit and for me too much oak now.
A rich wine that certainly has appeal and will not disappoint those that like intense Beaujolais cru. Best with food. We'll see what time does, so a bottle goes in the back of the cellar. Has the fruit to go years.

6/5/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

Oak, though quality oak, is the dominant factor here on the nose. Full, rather ripe red fruit that is gently jammy is the flip side. Tannins are virtually absent to speak of so the palate, which repeats the bouquet, is overly soft and one dimensional.
Lacks grip and focus.

6/5/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

Great village wine. Straightforward in it's bouquet and in the mouth, balanced, fullish - which is not to say that it lacks complexity.
What is not to like at $28?

1/5/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

Simply put, this is excellent. Drinking well now, it will certainly improve. Great balance and tannic structure. Best paired with food as I find nebbiolo always is, this will not disappoint. Should keep for a quite a while.

2/24/2019 - CheninFiend wrote:

Yet again the Produtorri comes through with a fine village wine. Has plenty of life ahead and will improve from here. Relatively powerful, it has refined tannins and a good solid fruit structure that builds. For a commune wine this is definitely recommended.

8/11/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Light gold with hints of green.
Medium bodied nose of seashell, lemon and stone that has a touch of earth.
Medium palate with, again, seashell and stone.
Good finish, fairly persistent, where a lemon tinged minerality brings focus and some tension.
I like this, compared to most Chablis' these days it is not a rich wine. I find (IMO) too much soft white/yellow fruit and weight that obscures the wines.
Not the best J.M. Brocard has to offer but it is a good wine.

7/22/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

First bottle was fully enveloped in brett, it didn't blow off or recede even a little.
Underneath it all is a decent, uncomplicated Cru Beaujolais.
Not that much to get excited about.

The second bottle was relatively clean.
But the wine is, again, one dimensional.
Third bottle: one dimensional for sure. A big ripe core of slightly earthy Gamay fruit, easy tannins and not much else.

To put this in perspective (as an example) any bottling from Nicole Chanrion
would, and has, blown this away.

8/5/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Here is a fine example of Cru Beaujolais that delivers defined terroir.
Classic Gamay on the nose along with distinct minerality and very well judged balance.
If you don't like this, you don't like Beaujolais.
A wine with grace and subtle depth. Could easily go a few years and will, no doubt, continue to evolve.

8/6/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Not as much stuffing as I expected having tasted several prior vintages.
That said, this is on the delicate side but still possessing some depth.
Bright, fresh, very clean and showing classic Riesling elements.
After time in the glass it opens and the finish shows to be more complete.

8/6/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Have tried this 3 times in the last year.
Very much like this wine, it's price/quality ratio is excellent.
Well judged and balanced overall.
A wine that relates it's terroir in a clear fashion.
Beautiful ripe red/blue fruit that is well supported by distinctly fine tannins. This has some class.
A fine example of how the '13's are so much better that the critics claimed.
Drinking perfectly right now and will certainly last at least a few more years.

8/6/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

First time tasting this bottling.
Overall not my cup of tea when it comes to Soave.
Would think this was left on the vine a little longer.
Deep rich colour, nose and palate, but for me it lacks freshness.
Simply a matter of style and preference, if you enjoy a denser, sappier style of Soave, then this will not disappoint.

8/6/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

First time tasting this bottling.
Beautiful deep colour reveals the later harvest.
Expansive nose that screams chenin blanc with apples, citrus notes, minerality all leaping from the glass.
Acidity keeps everything in check, the minerality relates the terroir and adds freshness to a finish that is nicely sustained.
A very fine example of why no new world chenin can touch the Loire.
And this was only $35 bucks at the SAQ.
Best after it has breathed and is cellar temperature, when all the elements can be appreciated.
Excellent.

8/6/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Deep full colour in the glass.
The nose is very rich with a solid deep core of red fruit and well integrated oak. At this point there is not much complexity to be had and I'm not sure that will change much going forward.
A good, solid wine that pairs well with food.

7/1/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

From a bottle disgorged Jan 2017. Showing really well. Full, rich nose with a nice touch of ginger. Excellent balance and measurable persistence, there is quality vino here. A fine beaded mousse gives lift adding to the minerality. Apples, chalk, a subtle dry extract, there is excellent balance throughout this wine. Very enjoyable.

4/22/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Highly floral nose, almost Gamay like. Ripe, fresh young fruit which needs a little time. Has some tannin but may not be a long term wine. Feminine and medium bodied. I liked this, certainly well made from a thoughtful producer.

4/22/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Outstanding wine. This is drinking beautifully right now. Has real character - it's balanced, nicely ripe fruit that is restrained, has complexity, finishing with an element of minerality. For me this was the first wine from Stephane Aladame and I am impressed. A great example of Montagny.

4/22/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

The 2013 vintage once again punches above it weight. Well done, ripe fruit, good balance. This is on the masculine side as you would expect from this vineyard. Has the structure to last a few more years, needs food right now. Well worth trying.

3/9/2018 - CheninFiend wrote:

Once again their Roncaglie punched above its weight. Good typicity, balanced, well defined and starting to drink. The fruit is ripe and classically medium bodied. This will certainly hold well for years to come.

12/17/2017 - CheninFiend wrote:

Classic Chablis nose of sea shell, white/yellow fruits and stone. Good medium bodied palate with balanced acidity. The minerality coming through on the finish coupled with dry extract adds a nice touch to the finish which is fairly sustained. Not heavy on the yellow fruits as I am finding with many Chablis these days. Well done - should only improve.