5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

Pale straw color; fresh nose – first sensation is the sweet honey, followed by
peach and pear aromas - slight citrus also; full and pleasing on the palate, with lovely texture – full and round, nicely balanced with the acidity framing tree fruit flavors; mineral – chalk; round, flavorful, with a pleasing finish that cleanses the palate.; excellent finish – long and flavorful.

I really liked this wine - a fine bottle that rivals even some of the Grand Cru's from some producers.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

Medium dark ruby; wonderful spice laden berry fruits and slight tinge of oak on the nose; firm entry, showing the wine’s structure; round and full with a velvety texture; rich and lush black cherry fruit coats the mouth; moves well back on the palate – tannins well under the fruit; flavors swell into a nice finish with the fruit dominating. Extremely attractive, albeit a notch or two below the La Tache’s we tasted earlier. This wine appears to be ready now, but has the ingredients to last well for at least another decade.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

Some critics advocate holding the DRC wines a very long time prior to opening the bottles. That will be true of the better vintages, of course, but DRC’s track record with lesser vintages indicates that very good wines are made in those years. Put this into the mix of the La Tache wines to show what happens to these wines over a protracted time frame, even though the cellaring has bee very good. Cautioned those in attendance that this wine will in no way be as fruity a the previous wines, but an interesting wine nevertheless. Here asre my notes on this 40-year old wine :

High fill, just ¼” below the cork; cork was a struggle, but extracted in two pieces; short air time as a precaution; mahogany color; bouquet of dried petals – potpourri of spices – baked red fruits; easy on the entry, settling on the palate ; fruit beginning to ebb but holding well; acidity becoming more pronounced with the declining fruit; finishes quite long but more caramel, spiced coffee and baked cherry preserves carrying the aftertaste – quite mouth filling and elegant. Certainly this wine is not everybody’s preference, but it remains a sound and attractive wine for those who can appreciate older Burgundies.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

When choosing the order for tasting, this wine appeared to be the most backward of the group, according to the views of the published critics. In fact, I didn’t find it that way – seemed much more forward, although the wine still needs some considerable time to evolve.

Dark purple/ruby with a thin pink rim; floral aromas that also feature red berry fruits and kitchen spices – quite fresh and fruity; entry seemed very smooth; good texture; round ripe berry fruit on the nose – just an edge of spices and floral notes; harmonious – liked the acidity – tannins still showing a rough edge; nothing in that rough edge to be concerned about; opened up more fully in the glass with another half hour; attractive finish – excellent length – sporting cherry and raspberry fruit that carries on and features a sweet edge to this fruit. This should mature ahead of the 2009 and 2005.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

The youngest wine in this lineup.

Dark/purple color, running through the rim; exhibited a whiff of light violet in the aromas, together with the spice laden dark cherry fruit – some definite new oak in the back; big and powerful; vigorous entry; firm structure; rich and full, with huge concentration; mouth coating fruit – dark berries, but sufficient to hold above the tannins – nice clean acidity – quite fresh actually; shoots back on the palate and extends out to a very long finish, with waves of fruit. A massive wine at this juncture, but another 12 years should harness this wine sufficiently for drinking – believe Allen Meadows’ assessment of holding until 2034 is excessive……but he has drunk a lot more La Tache than I have.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

Wow ! This is some wine ! ! I wasn’t ready for what jumped out of my glass.
My initial reaction was that this wine is powerful – stylish – bundles of energy here, and the wine moves in a crescendo of power throughout – no where near ready, but the elements suggest this could be one of the best La Tache’s ever. Most difficult to separate “the orchestra” from its parts – powerful yet simple in its purity.

Dark purple/ruby with a razor thin rim; aromas seem to have it all – black cherry fruit, black currant liqueur – gentle lilac and plum blossom – roasted hazelnut and nutmeg spice – toast - new oak, all in a full and penetrating package of delights ushering forth from the glass; strength and power but at the same time elegance and subtle texture; mouth coating fruit – deep and concentrated – extending well back on the palate; round, rich berry fruit, with underlying solid acidity and tannins; finishes with such length that it remains for minutes on the palate; probably needs another 12 years but should last for several decades.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

An extremely attractive wine – probably the most ready to drink in this lineup.

Very good color – medium dark purple/ruby; aromas a mix of cooking spices and berry fruit – some tasty oak and a fresh floral edge; elegant and harmonious entry, with lush fruit over quite a firm structure; acidity and tannins in check but bode well for the wine’s longevity; round and full on the palate, running well back; a mouthful of fruit – dark cherry, cassis and some blueberry - that comes forth in bursts; concentrated; grips the palate but carries its balance nicely, with the components in line on the same harmonious target; vigorous but restrained at the same time - could be identified as finesse; a long and lasting finish where the fruit is the dominant element. One could easily sip this wine now with some soft cheese, or partner with a variety of dishes over dinner. Good future also - probably another 15 years.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

Medium dark ruby color with a very thin rim; nose fresh and expressive, with an assortment of berry fruits augmented with floral scents – some nutmeg; firm entry with the acids and tannins vying for command, but this is tempered by the dark cherry fruit that stretches moderately over the palate; nippy tang; fills the taste buds with delight, running out to an exceptionally long finish – bit of raspberry noted along with the cherry fruit; somewhat fuller bodied than the 2003, and moderately powerful; quite harmonious on the palate with the intensity showing in repeated fashion on the palate. I believe this wine will come around more quickly than some of the published critics have penned, and should reach a drinking maturity within six to eight years. It has the stuffing to hold much longer. Look forward to opening another bottle in a few years time.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

Following the 1999 is a tough act, but the 2003 was next in the order of tasting.

Medium ruby color; aromatics pungent at first, but swirling rounded this out and developed more freshness; spices initially but followed closely by the fruit – mostly cherry and cranberry, with some slight oak lurking there, too; firm entry, and running back into the palate; acidity seemed to be lower – at least it wasn’t as pronounced as with the two previous wines; this didn’t come across as a particularly powerful wine, but it did have some impressive credentials; lovely fruit that extended out to the finish; overall balanced with the harmony of the parts moving easily together; lengthy finish, with the fruit lingering – again for a very long time; compact and finessed the palate with a “come hither” notion – I have more to show you. More of this in the cellar, and am marking the next bottle to open in three or five years.

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

1999 La Tache (Monople)
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti

I knew this wine had some time to go before reaching a drinking window, but wanted to show a wine that is coming to that point in a few years. Also knew that the various components and attributes would be favorably demonstrated.

Deeper in color than the 2000; much more pronounced on the nose as well; penetrating and intense aromas of deep spicy fruit, with the floral components showing more demonstrably along with some toasty oak; these aromas became even more intense after another half hour in the glass; enters with some massive fruit coating the mouth and moving to the back of the palate – very deep; still elegant, harmonious, but quite powerful; sweet edged dark cherry, with a pleasing kind of tanginess; persistent fruit keeps coming in droves backed by soft tannins and a nice level of acidity; finish runs out and stays there a long time, boasting deep cherry fruit and spiciness; long, long, with my palate screaming for another mouthful once this eventually subsided. It is close to being ready, I think, but still needs more time to round out a few edges and become a complete wine. It is truly remarkable, with a full complement of extremely attractive attributes – such a powerhouse but with a subtlety on the palate that says delicate and seemingly in full harmony. I wrote down “How does a wine get that good?”

5/29/2013 - Hank Gillespie Likes this wine:

Pulled some La Tache bottles from my cellar to share with good friends on May 29th, 2013.

Those joining us were from Edmonton, Vancouver, Tucson and Adelaide, and we followed the tasting with dinner prepared by the Chef at my golf Club.

While virtually all of the wines were young, having yet to achieve a satisfactory point of maturity for drinking, it was nevertheless an informative exercise. I had only tasted a couple of the wines previously. Additionally I had the notes from the producer together with the impressions of a few published wine critics to review in selecting the order of tasting. This order of tasting might well have been different with each day passing, but didn’t make any changes after the initial selection.

There was a great deal of similarity in the wines from La Tache, with the differences attributable to the climatic conditions of each vintage year. There might have been slight modifications with the application of winemaking practices, but these would have been minor.

Probably the most difficult part of the exercise was in differentiating a preference for any single wine, since the tasting comprised such a lofty echelon to begin with. They were all great in their own right.

As I read through some of the critics’ expectations of maturity, I had to wonder whether these estimated maturity dates were even valid. True, these wise critics had more experience with La Tache than I have, but an anticipated drinking window for the 2008 La Tache at 2034 and beyond ??? Well to each his own, but my own expectations fall short of those estimates, especially after tasting this lineup.

Because many at the tasting had no experience with older DRC wines, I tossed in a 40-year old Romanee-Conti at the end of the La Tache’s, so that people could see what happens to an older Burgundy over time. While it wasn’t perhaps the best vintage, the wine rested in my cellar for most of its life – excellent conditions and a high fill helped, with DRC also being able to produce a quality wine in a less than favorable vintage.

We were a little late getting underway and wanted to be finished at a particular time, to allow the Club to set up the room for dinner. Consequently we might have wished a bit more time to evaluate the wines. While slow to get started with comments, the group became more vocal in describing their sensations, no doubt having their chords lubricated sufficiently with some of the wine.

I didn’t see anyone spitting.

2000 La Tache (Monopole)
Domaine de la Romanee-Cont

Medium ruby color; aromas needed some coaxing to bring out a bevy of spices, berry fruit and some floral notes; supple and easy on the entry; rich texture; moves through layers of flavors – ripe cherry, strawberry darting in and out; some definite sweetness; balanced – elegantly styled, with a firm structure – acidity and tannins exist but are covered to a large degree by the fruit; the tannins especially are not aggressive; finishes with lingering fruit – almost lilt like on the palate; holds exceptionally well, although not a powerful wine; possesses charm and consistency throughout. This was a good wine to begin the tasting; it warmed up the palate for the next wines without being overly aggressive. I believe this wine is ready now, but has some considerable life ahead given the level of fruit and structure.

10/24/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

I sometimes post a note on a 2004 Burgundy that seems to go against the grain of those who automatically tie the 2004's to unrepentant grapes, ladybug taint, etc.

Opened a 2004 Clos de la Roche - Dujac a couple of nights ago to accompany a chicken breast dish with a red wine sauce. Only medium ruby in colour, which I find common to many Dujac wines;
exceptional aromas that penetrated the nostrils and featured sweet cherry and spice, along with an element of oak; round and full on the palate with a lot of sweet cherry and raspberry - some red plum also -
fine balance and structure framed by soft underlying tannins, acidity and some vanillan oak; lasted well in the aftertaste that extended out with the attractive flavours with absolutely no green characteristics
some feel as part of the 2004's. This was a truly fine Burgundy.

I think that my supply here in the cellar is unfortunately exhausted, but I still have some in my cache at the golf club.

10/13/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

I selected a 2005 Pegasos Soldera ITG to accompany lamb shanks - dinner with friends.
First tasted this wine at lunch when we visited Gianfranco Soldera four years ago at his Case Basse estate near Montalcino.
Opened the wine and double decanted it about 3 or 4 hours prior to serving.

By way of some background on this wine, this is just the second time Gianfranco issued Pegasos. He deemed that the
entire production from his Case Basse vineyard was not up to his normal standard for aging potential; that it would mature more rapidly.
Consequently he decided that the production from this vineyard would be released as Pegasos IGT. The adjacent vineyard, Inistieti,
the smaller of the two vineyards, was subsequently released as the 2005 Riserva.

Extremely dark ruby in color; the aromas literally jump from the glass – full and penetrating – a bevy of spices surrounding
the hazelnut coffee and dark berry fruit, together with a roasted almond element; entry is quite smooth and elegant;
wonderful texture; firmly structured frame, with huge amounts of concentration and extract in evidence; runs through the mid palate;
superb balance; the blackberry and sweet dried cherry and cranberry fruit carries through to the end; some soft tannins
still prevailing; extremely long finish just doesn’t want to quit. This is not a heavy wine by any stretch – it dances lightly
in the mouth and gives full measure of the structure, balance and flavors, and seemed to show remarkable nuances with
each sip. While it doesn’t carry the Brunello di Montalcino label, this wine surpasses many top wines carrying that designation.
For all intents and purposes, except Gianfranco Soldera’s, this is every much a wine that could be proud to be called
Brunello di Montalcino. It should age nicely, too, probably another 15 years.

Our first course, crab cakes, was admirably partnered with the 2005 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay.

8/18/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

We overnighted at our friends' lake cottage overlooking Lake Wabamun - about 45 minuts West of the City. Four couples joined in the fun.
In the afternoon we had a blind wine tasting of four California Pinot Noirs - 2008 Rochioli Estate Russian River Valley,
2008 Kosta-Browne Sonoma County, 2008 Rivers-Marie Summa Old Vines, and 2009 Failla Sonoma County.
I only managed to identify one of the wines - the KB - although I have tasted all of them in prior settings.
Sat on the screened deck overlooking some sailing and water skiing on the lake. Terrific weather -calm, clear and sunny 86F.

Each of the Pinot Noirs was most attractive and gained additional nuances and complexity as they sat open. Group favorite turned out
to be the Failla wine. The group liked its balance and elegance on the palate. But this posting is not about the Pinot Noirs. At dinner
our host offered up a Magnum of the 1986 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild to accompany some grilled venison tenderloin.
This venison was from a deer our host shot last Fall. Turned out to be an exceptional matchup.

High fill level - two inch cork removed intact and in excellent condition; decanted a few hours prior to dinner; deep black color,
opaque with a thin edge of purple; the aromas were incredible, with massive sweet black currant fruit, some spices and a slight
smoky element; a cedar note struggling to get by the fruit; the fruit carries, however, and continued to shoot well into the nostrils -
almost breath taking in its depth; layer upon layer of fruit on the palate that extended well into the back and just wouldn't stop;
with all of that fruit it took a bit of time to bring out the peppery nuances; acidity frames a solid structure, and there remain some
soft tannins to resolve over more time; the finish would not quit as the fruit remained for what seemed an exceptionally long time.
I suspect this wine had more years to reach its peak of maturity, whenever that might be, but it was a great experience to drink it now.

Many thanks to Bob, our host on this occasion.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 54% CS, 27% M, 16% CF, 3% PV. Approx. 75% new oak.
Extremely dark with hardly any rim - black purple; slight hint of dried herbs on the nose, but predominantly berry fruit; round and supple on the palate; high concentration of black currant fruit; licorice and coffee; some tannins; good acidity; extremely long finish.
A big wine - great structure and texture. Highly attractive.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 55% M, 45% CS.
Similar dark purple; herbal aromas but the sweet black currants surface and hold; black currants dominate the flavors; flavors carry out to a long and pleasing finish.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 56% CS, 27% M, 12% CF, 5% PV.
Dark black purple - full to the rim; aromas mellow bark berry fruit - no herbaceous character; pleasing entry - sweet black currants, some spice; exceptional concentration - intense and persistent; extends out to a long finish - harmony. Very very good!

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Dark black purple; mix of herbs and fruit aromas; round, full and sweet entry, followed by herbaceous then berry fruit; more acidity; flavors carry through in a long finish.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 60% CS, 35% M, 5% PV. Another black purple color - very small rim; soft harmonious aromas, primarily fruit, but short sniffs brought out the herbaceous notes and the earthy character; round mix of black currants and dark berries; good balance and harmony; maybe lacking a bit in concentration, but a long finish where the fruit carries on and on.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 45%M, 35%CS, 15% CF, 3%PV, 2% Malbec.
Purple back - dense; good weight on swirling; dry herbs more integrated in the fruit aromas; full mouthful of black currant flavors; more harmony and elegance; nice harmonious finish - long with the sweet fruit lingering.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 65% CS, 30% M, 5% PV. Similar color; soft fruit driven aromas; on the palate some weakness in concentration; sweet currant fruit - quite fresh; nice weight, velvety texture; finishes long - harmonious.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 55% of total production. Very dark, pink rim; tidal dried herbs, with berry fruit; fresh entry - sweet; herbal to begin with, then dark berry fruit; moderate finish - no unattractive elements.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Similar color, but perhaps a shade darker; herbal laced spicy dark fruit in the aromas; round, full entry with upfront fruit - sweet black currant; flavor and texture package quite pleasing; finish is fruit driven - moderate length.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Very dark, pink rim; aromas subdued - brought out some currant fruit with coaxing; harsh entry; a lot of tannins which ride over the modest berry fruit; longer finish but the tannins outlast everything else.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 80/20 blend of CS and CF. Dark purple ruby; aromas feature dark fruits and some spice; sweet black currant flavors, but has some awkward vegetal as well; modest finish.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): This is the second wine to the cuvée Ornellaia.
1998 was a cooler than normal year.
Saturated dark garnet - amber rim; slightly vegetal aroma, but then comes through with currant fruit; well delineated on the palate - currant fruit - soft tannins; medium finish.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Bright purple toned ruby; penetrating aromas mainly berry fruit; round, full entry; massive fruit - dark cherry and spicy raspberry; nice structure; acids, tannins, fruit in harmony; everything extends out to a medium length finish. Attractive. From 30 year vines.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 5 sites over 3 hectares. Medium garnet color - clear rim; nose somewhat subdued - spices, light berry fruit; full fruit laden mouthful of cherry and raspberry; tannins remain active; fruit holding well; finishes long with fruit and tannins. Quite pleasing but not outstanding.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Vines 40 years - +/- 80 % destemmed. Clean, medium ruby, wide rim; smoky oak - penetrating; elegant on the palate - mellow; seems to have good acidity; fresh, red cherry flavors; balanced; medium finish.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Vines 20 to 25 years of age. Darker than the Beaune - medium ruby, clear; full and penetrating aromas - smoky, cherry fruit; clean entry - nice texture; typical Pommard black cherry flavors; round and elegant; harmonious finish - quite long.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Light ruby with a white rim; subdued on the nose - spice edged cherry aromas - some smoky influence; clean entry, with the tannins and acidity still present over the fruit; cherry stone flavors; finishes very long. Given the vintage I expected something more.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): From 1 of 6 sites on the estate - each cuvee handled separately. Dark purple in color - pink rim; scented aromas - raspberry; acids and tannins showing beneath blackberry flavors; attractive finish - medium length, with a snappy ending. This wine is probably 4 years away from maturity. I may be partial to quality Cru de Beaujolais but I felt this was a strong effort.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 50% new oak; pale yellow; swirling suggest weight; full nose - spice, more oak influences; round and full on the palate - big styled wine; good acidity; pear and apple flavors - some citrus; everything comes together in the extremely long finish. Enjoyed this wine.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Light yellow; full nose fills the nostrils with floral aromas; ripe pear and apple flavors on a solid frame; good acidity - dry, clean texture; tangy peach and apple flavors; long finish with fruit carrying through.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Slightly deeper yellow; aromas of freshly cut peaches - spice; round, full, with excellent acidity; flavors are ripe tree fruits; harmonious finish - quite long and fruity.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): From 7 or 8 growers - purchased fruit - blended at MAISON JADOT. 6000-7000 cases.
Pale, lightly tinted green; more scented on the nose - spices and fresh peach; acids frame the fruit on the palate - light apple and peach; harmonious style, but I don't detect the chalky element that I find in most Meursaults; finishes fresh and long. Pleasing.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Maison Louis Jadot (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Light straw; attractive floral, spicy aromas - penetrating; tree fruits - apple and peach flavors; very good acidity; lasting finish - fruit stone and fresh acidity.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Cask sample. Very pale, yellow tinted in color; full, penetrating fresh floral/honey accents; surprisingly rich entry - seems to have less mineralogy, but good fresh acidity; tropical fruit flavors; medium long finish featuring the rich fruit, but the wine at this point is somewhat angular - not yet together.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Small harvest. Long cold Winter. RS at 13.4 %.
Pale, but maybe a shade darker than the 2009; more typical nose - floral quite delineated, spicy, tropical fruit; tart entry moves on to sweet citrus flavors, then back to the acidity; nice harmonious finish - fruit, acidity and quite long; will likely take time for the sweetness to show.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Cold, dry Winter - rains in April. Hot Autumn - late harvest.
Pale yellow - green tint; penetrating fresh floral aromas, edged in honey; sweet mango fruit, with a burst of fresh acidity; delicate; nicely balanced and harmonious on the palate; finishes well with the fruit persisting. A lighter styled wine but quite attractive.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Golden straw; soft, honey laden aromas, even some tropical fruit; ripe, rich orange and peach flavors; acid sufficient but on the lower scale; seemingly high RS; richness carries through on the finish; long but not as fresh. This wine seems to have the necessary elements for living long. My notes indicated ?? 8 to 10 years away from becoming a complete wine.

** I have a couple of bottles of this wine in my cellar. **

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Medium straw; rich, botrytis on the nose; on the palate this wine is forward fruit, with mine reality and acidity in the background; acidity does come through to balance the richness; cinnamon, citrus and some honey on the edge; quite a mouthful on the finish. Barbara indicated this wine is 11 % RS.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Extremely hot growing conditions. Deeper golden straw; ripe fruit - smoky, spicy aromas; this wine is also very rich on the palate, but the acidity is better balanced; more weight here; rich citrus orange fruit; elegant finish where the elements of acidity and fruit linger on and on.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Hot Summer. Lighter pale yellow; soft, predominantly floral aromas; rich fruit on the palate - tropical; unctuous and sweet; noticeably lower acidity; finishes very long - ripe fruit - even a hint of apricot. 10.5 % RS.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Mild Winter and early Spring - low yield.
Medium straw color; bouquet features honey, meal and floral; rich flavors - ripe orange; minerality shines; wonderful fresh acidity; quite lively; finish is very long - balanced- acidity continues to refresh. Really liked this wine.

5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Muller-Burgraef (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): This was a superb vintage. Native yeasts; picked when the seeds were brown.
Vines - 80 to 100 years - original root stalks; bottles recorded. I believe Barbara said the recording was done in 1970, but that covered only a short time; might have been later.

Light straw color - remarkable for a wine of this age; typical "petrol-like" in the initial nose - kind of a smoky edge, followed by honey and floral notes in the bouquet; mineral and acidity comes through on the palate; spicy fruit; remarkably fresh; harmonious and balanced - full of elegance on the finish, which is lasting.

5/25/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Michele Chiarlo Azienda Vitivinicola (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Medium brown/garnet color; full, penetrating aromas with spices and a sweet note; some complexity; round and full on the palate- expansive; ripe baked fruit flavors coupled with roasted meat - really quite delicious; very fine balance; attractive warm and long finish where the flavors linger.

5/25/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Michele Chiarlo Azienda Vitivinicola (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Garnet color - very wide amber rim; tar aromas, but a slight sour note at the end; more focused to the mid palate; acids and tannins in evidence; flavors are more baked fruit and some licorice; strong finish but there remains a bitter edge throughout. Preferred the '99.

5/25/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Michele Chiarlo Azienda Vitivinicola (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Brown/garnet in color; penetrating aromas - mellow and attractive spice, nutty; full bodied; ripe fruit notes - baked rather than fresh; nice texture on the palate; longest finish of these wines so far; fruit carries through the finish. Quite an attractive wine.

5/25/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:

Michele Chiarlo Azienda Vitivinicola (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): Lighter ruby/ garnet; obviously a lighter wine evidenced from swirling; anise and smoked beef aromas - more delineated than the previous wine; smooth entry - flavors of roasted meats framed by the tannins; finishes less easy than the 2003 - some fruit coming through.