10/26/2012 - pmarsland wrote:

Decanted an hour before starting to drink, and drinking slowly over the next couple of hours. Mature, browning on the rim, but still so dark, slightly restrained nose but hinting at smoky bacon aromas, mid weight with pleasant tea flavours. Best feature was lovely long, lingering finish.

1/15/2012 - pmarsland wrote:

Mature well-made Burgundy, with a browning rim, but still some fruit. Pleasant, but not outstanding. Finsh moderate at best, and slightly bitter - more cherry stone than flesh. Better with food (lamb) than on it's own.

1/7/2012 - pmarsland wrote:

Classic Sauternes. Didn't disappoint at the end of what had already been a special evening.

1/7/2012 - pmarsland wrote:

Still very nice, with plenty of cherry flesh on the palate and some length, but this bottle was a notch or two down on others from the same case. Tasting fully mature, despite no browning on the rim, just the slightest hints of Madeira coming through. Not enough to describe as faulty, but not nearly as fresh or sweet as previous bottles.

1/7/2012 - pmarsland wrote:

Good, balanced sweet wine. Very honeyed. Not over-powering, not cloy. Very enjoyable.

12/6/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Nice wine - classic Burgundian Pinot Noir - brick red, lots of red fruit flavours. Relatively light weight, and not long, but classic. Perhaps slightly closer to sucking on slightly bitter red cherry stones rather than munching into sweet cherry fleshy fruit, but still admirable and enjoyable. Saved a little in the bottle, under vacuum, for the next couple of nights. Still fruity after one night, but in decline after that, so perhaps a medium-term keeper at best now?

11/19/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Again an amazing experience. The seamless transitions, particularly from palate to finish, bring a smile to my face on every gulp. Honeyed to the eye, aroma and palate. Hard to fault. If pushed, the only reason not to score even higher was perhaps just a touch monodimensional, but what a lovely singe dimension! Tremendous.

11/19/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Lovely matrure Pomerol. Still red, with no visible browning yet on the rim. Perhaps slightly muted nose. Good palate, quite sweet. Tannins very fine. Some length in the finish. Decanted 4 hours before serving. Went well with lamb shanks braised in red wine.

11/7/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Very interesting bottle. Still garnet on the rim, with no brown hints as of yet. I can't recall a wine with an aroma that changed so much after half an hour in the glass. Relatively tight initially, but, after reading previous comments here (thanks, Karel!), we largely waited to see if it would open out, and it didn't let us down. An enticing, plummy nose emerged, with other notes that spoke of well-made claret. The palate was ok, but lacking a little stuffing, but, after that, the unexpectedly long finish more than made up for that. So overall, very enjoyable, and well worth the wait. Kept a little in the glass overnight and it mellowed but didn't exactly explode with flavours. Will keep the rest of the case a few more years, I think, though I'd predict that it'll probably not get more than a point or at most two higher, for me.

10/8/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Very enjoyable. Nice end to a very pleasant evening. Cork moist but crumbly. Nose smoky, a little muted. Hints of alcohol but nothing off-putting. Palate quite sweet. Finsh not especially long but satisfying.

10/8/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

High hopes, following a strong showing at Robersons' Old Wine Night, plus level still in the neck. Didn't disappoint. Cork crumbled somewhat but still moist. Colour still red, with very little orange or brown at the rim. Nose enticing, all secondary Bordeaux. On the palate medium weight (at best), lovely integrated smooth taste, fruit still there, tannin long mellowed. Finish quite short, but nevertheless so nice to appreciate fully mature Bordeaux still drinking well. Went well with moist roast lamb, and enjoyed the last bits off the sediment with a snitch of mature cheddar. Rare experience, and well worth the punt.

10/8/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Lovely. Outshone the'70 batailley thanks to concentration of flavours at every stage.

8/4/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Very dark stain at end of cork. Dark purple rim. Decanted and served 3 hours later. Very primary. Lots of fruit. Good concentration. Reasonable length. Kept a little back for 24 hours. Fruit softened a little, very mellow, not especially complex. Nice wine, impressive in many ways, yet I suspect it might get better with age.

7/30/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Brown-rimmed. Secondary aromas of liquorice. Medium weight, oh so smooth. Surprisingly still a little persistence (30 secs?) on the finish. Pleasant surprise - bottle was v top shoulder, previous similar bottle was corked, so expectations were low and comfortably exceeded.

7/28/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Cork a little dry but came out as one big and three little pieces from the moist end. Colour dark, surprisingy little evidence of brown on the rim. Initial bouquet very enticing - lots of red fruits, complex - but this was gone within five minutes. Palate pleasant, velvety, lightish weight. Finish not desperately long. All secondary flavours, mellow, integrated. Easy drinking. Partnered with top quality beef, turned out that the beef overwhelmed it a little, and it didn't need a partner to be at it's best. Previous reviewers have got this about right - a little like watching Masters Football. Famous names who once wowed and can still show undoubted class, great to say you've enjoyed first hand, but best years far behind, and younger less renowned players can easily outperform these days. If you have any left, drink up ASAP, pop the cork and pour, and if you want to eat with it I'd recommend simply grilled lamb, nothing stronger.

7/11/2011 - pmarsland wrote:

Lovely sweet cherry flavours. Medium weight. Very more-ish. Fruit gone by the second day so drink in one sitting!

8/13/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Dark colour. Encouragingly, no signs of browning a the rim. Enticing dark fruit nose. Plenty of fruit in the mouth, and lots of tannin. Great ingredients, but somehow not quite perfectly balanced for me; yet still a very enjoyable wine.

8/8/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Floral notes on the nose. Palate not quite as refined, for me at least.

8/8/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Pleasant, balanced, creamy partner for crab starters at mum's birthday luncheon.

8/8/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Selected to accompany roast beef for mum's birthday luncheon. Dark red colour, not yet showing any brown tinges. Classic cassis left-bank nose, medium-weight palate. Slightly more tannin than fruit. Medium length, slight hint of alcohol (but not bad for a 2003). Would have loved a little more fruit and a little more complexity. Much better with the beef than on its own afterwards.

8/8/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

A second bottle on succsesive nights, this ordered with crab and sea bass. Arrived a little too close to room temperature and, whereas some fine chardonnays have more chance to express themselves warmer, this I felt wasn't quite as spectacular as it had been on the previous night until it had been chilled a little more. Still lovely, but ever so slightly less citrus for me this time.

8/7/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Enjoyed with scallops and turbot on the Saturday dinner (before the 1992 Rousseau Clos de Beze, against which it managed to hold its own). Fantastic light, citrus (grapefruity, perhaps a hint of lime) nose and palate. Good length. A touch of oak but complementary, and far from overpowering.

8/9/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Again, absolutely lovely. Perhaps ever so slightly volatile nose, but lovely, lovely fruit, consistent through the nose, the mouth and in aftertaste with good length. Cannot help but smiling after every sip. Looking forward to more excuses to enjoy again in the future.

8/1/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Unmistakable Yquem aroma well before the glass is even close to the lips. Colour showing more golden hints than when purchased 8-9 years ago. Mouthfilling, wonderful Yquem balance, good length. Always a treat.

7/5/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Really interesting - somehow seemed to taste more different than one might expect when first opened vs. when opened an hour vs. when open 24 hours. All were pleasant experiences, yet for me the intensity (and some complexity) of red and black cherry fruit peaked with the 1-hour experience. Well balanced, but plenty of tannin. Will improve, I expect, and no need to hurry to drink up.

7/1/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Crisp, flinty, with apple flavours and perhaps a hint of lemon. Went well with moist roast pork with apple sauce.

7/1/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Enjoyable, if perhaps a touch monodimensional, without being possibly mistaken for a new world wine. Drinking well with steak, good fruit, but without the concentration or length of the great Canon vintages, such as the (far superior) '82.

6/5/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Pale color. Lots of enticing fruit flavours on the nose. They don't mislead - medium bodied-fruit in the mouth, balanced with some minerality and acidity. Very smooth, reasonable finish. Fantastic for lunch oudoors on a sunny day. Very good value.

5/23/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Impressive! A $20 Haut Medoc, a Chateau of which I had never heard, from a somewhat indifferent year. Bought on the back of a recommendation from the highly reliable George Ledger at Premier Vintners, it nevertheless still exceeded my expectations. Medium bodied, fresh, lots of red fruit. Tasted over a couple of hours and, if anything, got just a little even smoother. Very more-ish. Reminiscent of why I started liking Bordeaux 15 years ago (sadly these days I have begun to accept that I usually have to pay a lot more for that level of enjoyment!). I guess the secret that makes this possible is that the winemakers are Jacques and Eric Boissenot, who I understand consult to just about all the First Growths. Great with plain (but excellent quality) beef steak. Am now wondering just how good the Tronquera (appellation Margaux) I bought from the same Chateau in the same vintage will turn out to be...

5/13/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Another 'Ronseal' wine - living up to a powerful, fruity, alcoholic reputation. Lots of dark fruit flavour. Went well with duck, enlivening a long wait for a plane home from Atlanta airport.

5/13/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Considering it was a second wine from an indifferent year, and that the bottle may not have been properly stored (found at the bottom of a cupboard in my parents' house), it actually drank pretty well. Dark appearance, with little evidence of any browning around the edges, classic Pauillac nose, just missing a little fruit, a little concentration, and a longer finish. To my tastes, borrowing a phrase from a rather well-known reviewer, a wine to admire rather than one to enjoy perhaps, yet went well with cottage pie and still quite drinkable 24 hours later.

4/27/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Very dark red in colour. Fruity rather than the more traditional vanilla-oak rioja nose. Palate is packed with dark fruits. Most enticingly, the fruit is matched with sweet tannins. The wine opens out in the glass (ours was decanted and seemed to benefit with airing), and the finish was medium length, saitsfying and moreish. Enjoyed with tapas lunch in good company - an excellent combination all round.

4/23/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Lovely forward, fruity pinot noir. Nice mouthfeel, not especially long or complex, but clearly a very well made wine, and very enjoyable.

4/20/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Pleasant, balanced, quite robust. Reasonable value, bought at dinner in Hochgurgl.

4/20/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

'Ronseal' cabernet sauvignon (meaning it does exactly what it says on the tin, if you're not familiar with the UK TV adverts). Dark red colour, enticing fruity nose, solid, mouthfilling palate. For me, only missing perhaps a little complexity and a longer finish from being a 90+ point wine. Good value. Three bottles enjoyed with similar results with meaty dinners on different nights during a ski vacation in Hochgurgl.

4/16/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Very enjoyable. Very well-balanced - not one of those overly robust and often tannic barolos that one might expect. Lovely fruit, and well-integrated - no hints of age on the rim and would have thought it would keep some time yet, but already giving lots of pleasure. Enjoyed with veal at dinner in Hochgurgl.

2/19/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

A firm favourite for when an off-dry riesling is the best partner - thai foods especially. Sweet without being cloy.

2/16/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Tasted at Taylor's cellars after lunch there. Very pleasant - clearly several notches up on the LBV with which we finished lunch - but by the same measure little of the complexity of the 40 year old tasted afterwards and alongside.

2/16/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Tasted at Taylors cellars after an enjoyable lunch at their restaurant overlooking Porto. Complex, lots going on, raisin fruit coming through, with an almost brandy-like aroma on top.

2/12/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Very enjoyable surprise - very good value for money. Medium weight, reasonable fruit and length. Versatile food wine. Still tasting quite well a day later (without vacuuming).

2/9/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Pleasant, if perhaps not a show-stopper for me on this occasion. Medium-weight, perhaps light for a Grand Cru and perhaps for a Bonnes Mares especially(?). Enoyable red cherry flavours, but for me still just a little more like sucking on the stones than munching on the fleshy fruit. Reasonable length.

2/1/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Very concentrated. Quite long. Perfect partner for chicken and veg risotto. Best when chilled below fridge temperature. Will buy some more.

1/1/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Perth and Margaret River Dec 2009; 11/12/2009-2/1/2010: Lovely way to end the trip - creamy, buttery, well-balanced classic chardonnay, served with fresh shrimps. It was a privilege to have been able to spend some time earlier on the trip with winemaker Clive Otto, and to be able to observe and admire the attention to detail he demonstrates in every step of the winemaking process. The end product doesn't disappoint!

11/20/2009 - pmarsland wrote:

Still enjoyable, but more sherry-like now than sauterns.

1/3/2009 - pmarsland wrote:

Tasted at Robersons burgundy night. Stood out against some serious competition. When we got to this wine, we stopped noting what we were tasting and starting noting how we were feeling. The powerful yet simultaneously elegant, concentrated, deightful wine left us feeling as though we were curling up on a fireside sofa, with an intensely pleasant feeling coming from within. Highly addictive, I suspect. Looking forward to a very special occasion to pull the cork at home...

12/23/2009 - pmarsland wrote:

Perth and Margaret River Dec 2009; 11/12/2009-2/1/2010: Enjoyable. well-made, solid wine. Perhaps lacked a wow factor, but this dark, fruity blend with slightly spicy nose, hints of mulberry and good concentration on the palate didn't disappoint. Went really well with steak.

1/1/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Perth and Margaret River Dec 2009; 11/12/2009-2/1/2010: Pleasantly surprised by this Margaret River shiraz. Not perhaps a blockbuster in the style of most Aussie shiraz that reach UK shores, but actually very enjoyable, medium-weight, and with some life ahead of it, getting better in the brief time it took us to quaff it!

12/17/2009 - pmarsland wrote:

Perth and Margaret River Dec 2009; 11/12/2009-2/1/2010: Very enjoyable wine - very fruity, good length.

12/26/2009 - pmarsland wrote:

Perth and Margaret River Dec 2009; 11/12/2009-2/1/2010: Very good value wine. Lots of fruit, well balanced, good length.

1/1/2010 - pmarsland wrote:

Perth and Margaret River Dec 2009; 11/12/2009-2/1/2010: Nice wine, but for me a touch below the other excellent Margaret River chardonnays tasted on this trip (Pierro and esepcially Leeuwin). Golden in colour, quite mouthfilling, OK length, but not especially complex.