12/28/2020 - benhalton wrote:

08 Base. Burnished gold colour, a bit of honey / fudge on the nose. I'd left the last 6 of these to age and it has done so predictably and well, but for my taste I think I prefer them with a bit more vigour of youth. Still has years in it depending on your preference - I think I'll drink my last 5 up in the next year or so but plenty wouldn't. ***

12/28/2020 - benhalton wrote:

I knew I was gambling opening an 8 year old Lafarge premier but I'd hoped that the slightly weaker vintage here might work in my favour. Not a chance. Textbook example of a closed Burgundy. A vortex. Would be hard pushed to call it as Burgundy if tasted blind. Do not touch for a long time. N/R

12/27/2020 - benhalton wrote:

I've enjoyed these over the years, they've always been quite fat and round but with enough drive to keep it from being flabby. This last bottle of the case had tipped slightly over into tiredness and was slightly hard work. Possibly just bottle variation I guess but time to drink up on this evidence - glad I have. **

12/25/2020 - benhalton wrote:

An aristocrat. Softly spoken but such depth. Burnished gold colour, the first properly ready bottle of this I've had, right at the start of a long drinking window. Rich texture, pronounced note of red apple skins and blackcurrant leaf, the acidity is not obvious but despite the weight the wine is fresh. Superb now but I think 3 or so years will help. ****1/2

12/25/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Just stonking from first opening to last drop. Luxuriant texture, the alcohol is always just bubbling under the surface in this ripe vintage but just serves to enhance the texture and aromatics. Pure silk. This is ready - by no means mature but will it improve? It's an expensive wine and worth every penny. ****1/2

12/25/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Magnum. I drank all my bottles of this approx. a year ago - they were ready and were not going to improve for my palate. This is my first mag. Day 1, a bit tight, everything in place but not giving much. Day 2, opens up beautifully, plenty of breadth, old school Pol, something comforting about it, pipe and slippers. Such a shame the style has changed here - I still buy in mags but bottles are no longer safe to age. These mags need another 2-3 years but based on experience they will peak then so don't keep too long. ****

12/24/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Had been standing up for a month and the bottom inch was discarded for sediment. Other than that the bottle is clean. Cork wet through and broke apart on extraction. Colour shows some orange / brown at the rim, on the nose clean as a whistle, no mustiness. The palate could only be Rioja, still traces of american oak, church pews, old leather books and orange rind. Only lacking very slightly a bit of midpalate oomph to make this truly top class. Super and no rush at all. ****

12/24/2020 - benhalton wrote:

previous bottles a year or so ago were largely dilute and insipid. Decided that a year was enough time to try again. This was much better, a very broad and giving Comtes but lacking the midpalate concentration to be top bracket. Shows the classic creme patissiere and toastiness. Not in the same class as 02/04/06, perhaps 2000 is the nearest equivalent. Just about **** because I love Comtes, but less biased observers may knock it down half a star.

12/23/2020 - benhalton wrote:

A bit of a gamble - I've found 10s to be drinking well despite being in the "window of undrinkability". This was a close shave but is just about open for business. Deep bright purple in colour, nose is fairly explosive, first sip is voluptuous and very typically Morey fruit. Loads of density, persistent midpalate and finish, ripe rhubarb/plummy fruit. But with air it starts to tighten and whilst it remains delicious the promise of the first 5 minutes is not fulfilled. The remainder of my case will stay hidden for a few years now but I will be anticipating a treat. ***1/2 (*)

12/23/2020 - benhalton wrote:

This has been drinking well for a year or two but on day 1 this was totally closed, battery acid. Left overnight in the fridge and on day 2 we're back - good persistence, ripe yellow orchard fruits, chalky finish with still some dry extract on the finish suggesting positive development to come. Really good effort from a house that has historically underperformed. ***(*)

12/22/2020 - benhalton wrote:

This shows more density and concentration than the Mont Luisants of the same vintage but is by no means a powerful wine. More dilute than a recent (spectacular) bottle of the 10, but still in adolescence, elegant and easy to drink but not showing a huge amount of development. This is certainly ready to drink but will change and I think improve over a few years. *** 1/2

12/22/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Old-style PYCM with a slightly stinky, dirty sulphurous reduction somewhat masking concentrated and persistent citric fruit. Acidity is like a squeeze of lemon, almost painful. All the elements of a top wine are there but needs time to shake the winemaking. I much prefer new PYCM but have faith that this will come round in years to come. ***

12/20/2020 - benhalton wrote:

This is really starting to blossom based on this bottle. Quite soft, but broad and persistent, and somehow fresh despite being ripe and fairly low acid. I really love the "new style" PYCM from about 2016 where he seems to have eased off on the "house style" and let the wine speak more clearly. I'm not really sure this will improve from here, but no risk in holding on. *** 1/2

12/18/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Thought this might be in the drinking window, but nope, not really to my taste. Lanson always has that stern malic core and it takes time for the wine to show enough honeyed development to balance that. I would guess even more so in a vintage like 08. Not there yet. There's a nice chalkiness to the finish but a slightly lacking in matiere I fear for the long run. No point in drinking now, wait at least 5 years. **(*).

12/16/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Disgorged 06/20. Colour is very slightly onion skin. Broad fleshy palate, obviously pinot-dominated (90%). Peach skins and ripe gala melons. Bitter dry extract on the finish hints at development potential but this is fun if simple now. ** (1/2)

12/17/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Reductive on first pour, decanted and given the Fourrier shake. Bright ruby colour, very fresh, sapid. Youthful, vibrant, quite fleshy cherry fruit with a hint of rosewater. Not a lot of complexity here (yet) but extremely enjoyable. Not what I'd expect from Ilan (which I've generally found to be early developers) or the 11 vintage. So different from the 11 Mont Luisants. Hard to know whether to drink now on the fruit or hold for the development that feels likely to come. but this is a pleasure now. ****

12/16/2020 - benhalton wrote:

The standard St. Joseph has become a real favourite of mine, the 17 vintage is open and enjoyable right now. It is a no frills, yeoman's St. Jo. This is a "better" wine, more concentration and depth with some of the rougher edges smoothed off by the extra time in wood. Having said that I don't think I enjoyed it more - it's fairly closed right now although showing ripe red cherry/raspberry fruit with a prickly acidity that livens it up. This needs time and may improve, but I think I'd buy 2 bottles of the VV instead. ***

12/11/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Proper Pommard, just about broachable at 10 years old but in need of time to show what it's capable of. Soft black fruits envelope a rocky, earthy core and there is a tannic backbone to hang the package from. You can enjoy this now but will improve. ***1/2

12/14/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Very dark in colour, opaque. It's clear early on that this means business, old wood and old vines combining to make a dense, rocky wine with and abundance of black fruits. The warm vintage shows through in some roasted game flavours but otherwise shows poise and balance. It's not unenjoyable now but better in 5 years surely. ***

12/13/2020 - benhalton wrote:

This pours purple and frothing. First taste is like a barrel sample, vigorously fresh and alive fruit but no hint of being from the Northern Rhone. Over a couple of hours gradually settles and some acidity and tannin poke through the fruit and a more classic (if red rather than dark fruited) Cornas emerges but still with a soft caress of fruit. Far too young. Leave for a couple of years now.

12/9/2020 - benhalton wrote:

Ripe core of fruit with that classic Burlotto lifted freshness and florality to counteract. Just about balanced and totally delicious. Finish is salty tears of regret at not being able to buy this by the case any more and a rising taste of bile at the critic responsible. ***

12/10/2020 - benhalton wrote:

I have drunk 6 bottles of the 2010 vintage of this wine with enormous pleasure. This is a slightly herbaceous, slightly more dilute version of that. Very gentle extraction, no tannin at all, ready to drink now but no rush. The style is so gentle it will not be for everyone but I think the lack of "winemaking" accentuates the vintage variation in a desirable way. Slightly more persistent than a bottle a couple of years ago. Worth the approx 30 quid I paid for it. ***

4/7/2017 - benhalton wrote:

Floral, violetty nose. Slightly dilute on the palate but with great freshness. In many ways I prefer this to riper vintages. Needs a couple of years. ***

4/7/2017 - benhalton wrote:

Obviously young, almost too intense. Plenty of extract, ripe citrus fruit and a strong spine of acidity. A bit too young right now to be really enjoyable (whereas the Bourgogne is good to go) but due to the ripe fruit it won't be long. A proper step up from the BB and Aligote with an extra level of concentration and drive. *** 1/2

4/5/2017 - benhalton wrote:

More neutral and less obviously PYCM than the Aligote, but classy and drinkable. Broad and full with just enough acidity to keep it all together. ***

4/2/2017 - benhalton wrote:

a hint of ripeness from the vintage but balanced with plenty of acidity and a slightly saline/foxy streak. Slightly overwhelmed at the moment by the PYCM "signature" but still very good. This case will disappear fast. ***

4/4/2017 - benhalton wrote:

On first tasting a strong prickle of CO2 on the tongue. Following a vigorous shake it settled down. Plush and ripe but still red fruited and fresh. Lacks a bit of drive but very tasty, perhaps a bit obvious at the moment. Will drink the next bottle in a couple of years. ***(*)

11/23/2016 - benhalton wrote:

first bottle - corked - is there a pattern here?

6/11/2014 - benhalton wrote:

time to drink up on this showing

1/11/2014 - benhalton wrote:

this shows much promise on first opening but with air the fruit retreats and the wine goes into its shell, all structure, acid and tannin. One to leave for a few years.

1/3/2014 - benhalton wrote:

Ripe wild strawberries on the nose, on the palate good acidity but showing the vintage character somewhat with some blackcurrant/cassis ripeness. Perhaps just a little heat. Tannins seem soft but acidity gives it freshness. Will not touch another for at least 3 years or so.

11/18/2012 - benhalton wrote:

my first 05 red Burgundy. Tastes of mildly oaky anti-matter. Completely closed. N/R

11/18/2012 - benhalton wrote:

Really delicious, light on its feet, enough acidity. Not showing any development yet, bit lacking in body and persistence. Better on the second day suggesting it may need a bit more time. Great aperitif. ***

11/17/2012 - benhalton wrote:

About a year's age on this. Starts out tart and hard work. Opens a bit with air to reveal some decent strawberry fruit. Acceptable, not exciting. At £20 just about OK, but wouldn't buy again **

11/18/2012 - benhalton wrote:

Bottle opened 1/2 hour before drinking. Very pure, dense fruit, primary and almost lush but a good lick of acidity keeps everything in balance. Will be difficult not to drink more of these now but some patience will be rewarded I think. *** 1/2

9/16/2012 - benhalton wrote:

Slightly gamey on the nose with a hint of violet flowers. Starts out red-fruited on the palate but over time develops a black fruit (dark cherry and blackcurrant) character. Some savoury feral and soy notes. Fresh acidity and firm structure, pretty grippy on the finish. Very enjoyable. ***

9/15/2012 - benhalton wrote:

A bit fat but enough structure to hold it all together. Very full in the mouth, almost oily texture. Classic buttery, nutty Meursault palate. A bit soft, ready to drink now I think. ***

9/15/2012 - benhalton wrote:

This feels a bit tired at first but blooms with a bit of time in the glass. Nice notes of decay on the palate, dried fruits, a green herbal streak but not at all offputting. Not elegant but plenty of interest. Would never have pegged this as Californian if tasted blind. ***1/2

9/15/2012 - benhalton wrote:

pretty, elegant, tickle of raspberry acidity. Quite light in body, just showing the first signs of interesting development. Slight lack focus in the fruit. Fun to drink now but if I owned a few bottles I would wait as I think this will get better. ***

9/7/2012 - benhalton wrote:

this was hugely disappointing, dilute, flabby and oaky. Could have been a Bourgogne Blanc. Apparently made by PYCM but bears no relation to the other wines I have had from him. *1/2

9/8/2012 - benhalton wrote:

From magnum. I had been a bit concerned that this would be a bit backward, but it was great fun. Deep, dark fruit, aromatic, no great development but just really tasty. ***1/2

9/6/2012 - benhalton wrote:

Opened and poured immediately this was singing from the start. Cool, fresh, dense fruit, some spice and earth, young of course but no shame at all to drink this now. It occurred to me while drinking this (admittedly after a lot of wine) that if there really is an infinite number of universes out there, in one of them I am drinking this every day, a happy thought indeed. ****1/2

9/6/2012 - benhalton wrote:

Lanolin, lemon, minerality but with a hint of honeysuckle. With time notes of mint and iodine/violets come through. Very classy. Ready to drink now but no rush. ****

9/6/2012 - benhalton wrote:

Deep golden colour, concentrated and tightly wound but more accessible than some other 96 champagnes. Lots of fun to drink now but my last bottle will wait 10 years if I can keep my hands off it. ****1/2

9/6/2012 - benhalton wrote:

Apple fruit, slightly floral, very light on its feet but a bit lacking in the mid-palate. I wouldn't hold onto this much longer. Delicious but completely outclassed by the 96 that followed. ***1/2

8/24/2012 - benhalton wrote:

I remember tasting this a few years back and loving it, leading me to buy a few bottles. This is my first of them, and unfortunately it was completely dominated by oak. There is a hint of slightly green fruit underneath but really this was like drinking a bad milkshake. I'm no rioja expert so maybe this is in a dumb phase. Remaining bottles will be left for a few years in the hope that the oak resolves. *1/2

8/27/2012 - benhalton wrote:

this has been consistently excellent although there has been some bottle variation within the case with some seeming more advanced. This is one of the fresher bottles, red apple fruit, pronounced chalkiness, not as thrilling as the rose from this producer but still completely delicious. ***

8/20/2012 - benhalton wrote:

this does not really suffer at all in comparison to the Coudoulet, which is about twice the price. Never going to excite but nothing wrong with it at all, exactly what I want from a Cotes du Rhone. **1/2

8/21/2012 - benhalton wrote:

unexpectedly sweet, a bit flabby without the acidity to balance it. On the downward slope I think - a hint of apple juice about this. Not bad having said all that. **

8/26/2012 - benhalton wrote:

disgorged 09/11. The extra year of age has added a soft creaminess to this which makes it much more enjoyable. Really tasty now if not very exciting. Ready to drink for my taste. **1/2