4/11/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

This last bottle showing slightly less of the oxidative element. Lovely balance of minerality and richness.

4/3/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Easy drinking southern Cotes de Rhone. Bright red fruits, medium tannins, alcohol at 14% well integrated, medium finish. Nothing complicated by good PQR (bought at the domaine). Drink now, unlikely to develop any great complexity.

4/1/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Good quality Côtes du Rhône - simple red fruits, hit of spice, acidity, fruit, tannins and alcohol all medium and in balance. Enjoyable for a mid-week wine.

3/31/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Dark garnet. Pronounced nose - plumb, cassis, liquorice, strawberry, liqueur cherry, chocolate, garrigue herbs, earth, cinnamon spice. Dry palate, medium acidity, med+ alcohol, chalky medium tannins, flavours not as pronounced as on the nose, med+ finish although I find the alcohol slightly sticks out. This is very good quality but not one for the long haul - based on these two bottles I’d suggest drinking by end of 2025. The fruit on the palate may be fading a little and it hasn’t taken on any more complexity recently. Enjoyable as always and, particularly if bought en primeur, relatively good value.

3/31/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Pale lemon. Light and fine mousse. Green apple, pear, lemon zest, white flowe, brioche. Off dry, high acidity that nicely balances the fruit and generous dosage, long finish. Easy drinking - not the most complex but fine and elegant.

Sadly unable to tell base vintage, but website says it is an equal blend of the classic champagne grape varieties, aged at least 3 years on lees, and then at least 3 months in bottle before release - up to 4 years in total. So this was probably a 2019 base wine.

3/29/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium sweet. Lacks balancing acidity. Didn't really find the classic gewurtztraminer nose and palate I would have expected. Not sure this is the right grape for the region.

3/18/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium gold. Pronounced nose - apricot, orange marmelade, ginger, saffron, vanilla, tobacco. Sweet palate (although not what you get from an. Aszu Tokaji), high acidity balancing the fruit and sugar. Long finish. This is very good quality and very good PQR. Would not recommend holding for much longer.

3/18/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Outstanding quality Riesling from Austria. Nose a complex mix of peach, clementine, petrol, white flowers, wet stones, smoke. High acidity balances out the fruit. Just a hint of RS. Long finish. This is drinking beautifully now although can certainly be held for a few more years.

3/18/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium garnet. Darker fruit spectrum or burgundy - cherry, even some cassis, dark plum. Oak is still quite evident - smoke, cinnamon, clove. Forest floor and mushroom tertiary notes. Medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins that are not yet completely integrated. Long finish.

This is very good quality but based on this first bottle of a case of 12, bought en primeur. I think it needs a little more time but it certainly can be approached now - worthwhile to decant in advance.

3/15/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium gold. Pronounced nose - lychee, rose, pineapple, apricot, ginger, honey comb, smoke. Sweet but not cloying, medium+ acidity that balances the fruit and sugar, full body, medium alcohol, long finish.

Outstanding quality wine. Drink now, not suitable for further aging. This may start to fade a bit after 20 years, but it’s still delicious.

3/15/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Little to add to my note of a year ago. Has perhaps softened a little but it still lovely. Great to see how an NZ SB can age 6 years without any issues.

3/15/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

First two bottles of 12, just removed from in-bins storage since bought en-primeur.

Medium garnet. Pronounced nose of red fruits - strawberries, cherries, alongside oak spice (cinnamon and cloves) and tertiary development of mushrooms and forest floor. The acidity is high, balancing the fruit, medium alcohol, and the medium- tannins are chalky. Long finish.

This is drinking beautifully now and will do so for a few more years but there really is no need to hold although it will be very interesting to see how it develops as it loses the primary fruits. Outstanding quality for a village Gevrey Chambertin.

3/13/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

First bottle of 12. This is drinking beautifully and there is certainly no need to hold. Enjoy now whilst it has that lovely balance of primary red fruit and classic tertiary notes that only pinot noir delivers. Not a great wine but you couldn’t ask for more at this level of burgundy. Very good quality.

3/10/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium ruby. Still very youthful in look and on the nose. Ripe bramble and cassis, vanilla, caramel, black pepper. Full bodied and high alcohol although this is quite well integrated. Tannins are fine but quite drying on the gums. Medium+ finish. This is very good quality and drinking well now, but would benefit from a few more years ageing.

3/10/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Deep garnet. Pronounced aromas of ripe and dried bramble, cassis, vanilla, clove, earth, smoke. Developing.
Dry, medium acidity, high alcohol (14.5%), full body, medium (+) ripe tannins, pronounced flavours similar to the nose. Long finish. Since my last tasting 7 years ago, this has come together beautifully. The alcohol is now well integrated, the tannins have softened and tertiary flavours are much more to the fore. Outstanding. No need to hold any longer although there is no hurry to drink up.

3/2/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Delicious and a classic example of the style. Lime, lemon, lanolin. Nice acid spine to the wine. Refreshingly low alcohol (11.5%). Long grassy finish. Outstanding. No need to age further but certainly no hurry to drink up.

3/8/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Don’t really know what to make of this. Medium orange amber colour, quite cloudy. Nose and palate have the classic lychee and rose petal you’d expect for Gewurtztraminer but the others flavours were muddled. 17% (!) alcohol was surprisingly well integrated but it lacked freshness. Not a particularly long finish. No added sulphur so it probably could be defined as a natural wine. I wonder if it is past its best/defective. Certainly not recommended on this showing.

2/25/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Little to add to note from September. This is drinking beautifully now and with great finesse. Enjoy.

2/26/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Lots of finesse. Blackberries, red plum, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, smoke, hint of olives and game. Tannins quite soft and well integrated. Acidity brings freshness. Good length finish.

2/14/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Not as good as I was expecting for a 9-year old Gevrey Chambertin. Fruit a bit tart and the acidity was somewhat out of balance. Finishes a bit short.

2/4/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Lovely balanced wine - stone fruit, white flowers, alongside vanilla and smoke from the oak, which is well integrated. Has a buttery richness on the palate but acidity keeps it fresh and long.

2/2/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium garnet. Pronounced intensity on the nose - dried dark fruit, bacon, leather, liquorice, herbs - thyme, lavender, earth, smoke, hint of honey. Dry palate, medium acidity, med+ fine tannins, med+ body, med alcohol, palate similar to the nose. Long finish. Outstanding. With 14+ years this is fully mature and drinking beautifully. The back label says “en maturité de 10-15 ans, en majesté de 15-25 ans”. I will enjoy following the evolution over the next 10 years although to me this is fully developed now.

1/19/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

No detailed notes taken but a very well made southern red, lots of fruit, well integrated tannins and alcohol, acidity to help hold it all together and carry through to a medium+ finish. Very enjoyable Friday evening bottle after a long drive to get to Uzès.

1/22/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Floral nose, stone peach fruit, and some red apples too. Nice acidity on the palate keeps it fresh. Easy drinking.

1/27/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Similar to previous note although this bottle was definitely more evolved and had a more oxidised nutty note. On this tasting definitely not one to hold for long.

1/21/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Truffle weekend in Uzès. This went brilliantly with a pasta and creamy truffle sauce - the old adage that you should drink local wines with local specialities definitely applies. Amazing value at c. €8 a bottle from the domaine.

1/29/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Drinking beautifully tonight. It’s still young and more primary than tertiary but it’s so moreish, it’s hard to say don’t drink yet. Note similar to last one;

Medium garnet, but only just - still looks young. Ripe red fruits, but clear tertiary aromas too - sous-bois, mushroom, a little smokey. Some tea spice. High acidity, very velvety palate, medium fine tannins, it coats the mouth. Long finish. VG+ - Outstanding.

1/25/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium garnet colour. Bramble fruit, black pepper and spice dominate the nose, with some leather, earth and olive tertiary elements starting to develop. Very elegant on the palate with a long finish. Tannins are ripe and well integrated - medium and perhaps a bit chalky. Nice acidity helps keep it fresh and carries the elegance through to the finish. Outstanding. Can be drunk now but will certainly age well for several years.

Tasted before Penfolds St Henri Shiraz from 2007. Both wines were lovely in different ways - this one with elegance, the other with outright exuberance. Loved them both although the French guests tonight definitely preferred the St Joseph!!

1/25/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Deep garnet. Very pronounced nose - dark berry fruits, black pepper, leather, earth, some game hints too. Rich on the palate but with a nice balancing acidity that keeps it fresh. The tannins are evident but ripe and support the texture very well. Long finish.

Interesting to try this after a very good 2015 St Joseph from Domaine du Tunnel. This was much the bigger wine but the the St Joseph was more elegant and classical. Both lovely in different ways.

1/26/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Nothing to add to previous note - reproduced below, although my wife thought it had more fruit than previously. This is drinking beautifully. You can hold but why wait?

Dark garnet. Pronounced nose. Dried cassis, dark cherry, blackcurrant leaf, earth, cedar, tobacco, smoke. Dry, medium fine tannins, a little drying on the gums, palate similar to the nose, medium+ finish. Everything in balance.

1/18/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Crisp red fruit, cinnamon spice and violets. Nice balancing acidity. Good quality red Burgundy providing lovely drinking now. Not worth holding a long time.

1/20/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium yellow. Complex nose of pear, white peach, cooked lemon, petrol, curry, almonds. Medium+ acidity ensures a mineral and fresh palate that leads to a long finish.

62% marsanne, 25% roussanne , 13% grenache blanc. Likely to be the model for a future Gigondas Blanc AOP, but for now Côtes du Rhône - a lot more complexity than one might normally expect. Freshness and acidity come from the high altitude - 500m

1/8/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Now fully mature and drinking beautifully. Very good quality. Pronounced nose - cooked and dried forest fruit, smoke, thyme, savoury, earth, some game. Acidity balances the alcohol and helps keep it fresh, tannins and softened and well integrated into the whole. Long finish.
Went beautifully with a Beef Tokány.

1/14/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Very good quality Rioja Reserva, albeit still young. Bright medium ruby colour. Red cherries, truffle, coffee, vanilla and clove, smoke. Chalky tannins, 14% alcohol well integrated, medium+ finish. Enjoy now or hold to allow development of tertiary flavours. Good PQR at retail price, and also in the restaurant (“only” 100% markup).

1/11/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Still quite ruby - little sign of aging. Cherries dominate the nose with some cinnamon spice and earth. Palate similar. Powdery tannins. Fresh acidity balances the fruit and the alcohol, which is well integrated (doesn’t feel like 14.5%). Medium+ finish. Drinking well now but has the structure to age for a few years. Very good quality.

1/4/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

This bottle was a lot fresher than the last - more blackcurrant and less plum/prune. Overall a better balance with a nice mix of primary and tertiary characteristics. I’d still recommend drinking by end of 2024 but certainly very enjoyable today. Gets an extra point.

1/4/2024 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Pale lemon colour. Apple and lemon dominate the nose, light brioche and grilled almonds added on the palate. Dry and high acidity, fine, persistent mousse. Long finish. Not especially complex but a very good quality aperitif champagne. Has the structure and fruit to age further and perhaps develop some more complexity. I expected more given the provenance, the long ageing (4 years min) and 40% reserve wine share. But still very enjoyable.

12/25/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Great pairing with our alternative Christmas Day lunch of Indian vegetarian dishes (all lightly spiced). I always enjoy this cuvee, which has rich stone and exotic fruits and white flowers alongside an interesting saline note that helps to prolong the finish. Great PQR.

12/25/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Slightly disappointed with this having very much enjoyed tasting it at the Domaine. Crunchy red and dark fruit, limited complexity. Mixture of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. Made for early drinking. Their other more traditional local wines are much better.

12/31/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

5th bottle of 6 from same case bought in 2019 so now has 6 years or so since disgorgement. Has not evolved significantly since last tasted.

Medium yellow. Medium (+) intensity aromas of baked apple, honey, brioche, hint of red fruit, citrus. Fully developed. Creamy mouse, off dry, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, medium (+) intensity flavours similar to the nose. Long finish.
Very good champagne, drinking very well now, great complexity from the extended time on lees (4 years).

12/31/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Last two bottles - couldn’t wait any longer. I would say at its peak now although there is no hurry to drink. Interestingly, what was left in the decanter didn’t last so well into a second day.
Medium garnet colour. Complex nose - ripe and dried dark and red fruits, cherry particularly standing out, liquorice, violet, mushroom, forest floor, almost a blood orange edge too. High acidity, fine tannins, long finish.

12/31/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

So much going on with this wine - not just the nose and palate - pear, lemon, herbs, wet stones, cedar - but also the texture, which makes it a fantastic food white wine - paired beautifully with antipasti selection. I’m not convinced about the PQR but there again, given how hard it is to grow grapes in this location, I’m not surprised. Can certainly age further - I’ll leave my other bottle for a few years and see what happens.

12/31/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Very much enjoyed by all as an excellent wine to go with our luxury fish pie for NYE. Medium lemon colour. Lovely orchard fruits - quince, yellow apple, pear alongside candied lemon. Hint of lanolin (wet wool) and wet stone. A slight nutty, oxidative element to the wine too, but exactly what I’d expect for an 8-year old Savennières. High acidity nicely balances the fruit on the palate. Long finish. Outstanding. Can drink now or hold for further development, although personally I’d drink now.

12/31/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium copper. Beautiful pronounced and developed nose - dried apricot, orange marmelade, ginger, saffron, tobacco, caramel, vanilla, smoke. Sweet palate, medium+ acidity that helps retain freshness, palate very similar to the nose, long finish. Final bottle of three that have given much pleasure. There’s no hurry to drink this but it is fully developed and unlikely to develop significantly further. Personally I’d say drink now whilst it still retains its freshness.

12/29/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Medium garnet/brick - ripe summer fruit pudding, spices, prunes, dried figues, smoke, game, leather. Med+ acidity, med- ripe tannins, med+ alcohol, full body, long finish. Outstanding quality, this is drinking beautifully now with lovely mix of primary and tertiary elements. No doubt it will continue to develop - but really up to you depending on how you like your Musar.

12/29/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Similar to previous tasting note - drinking very nicely now. Has definitely mature edge to it. Suggest drinking by end of 2025.

12/25/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

I love this rosé. Real sense of place - the salinity is really evident and it has just enough acidity to balance the lovely fruit - red berries, melon, peach. Long finish.

12/28/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

White peach, pear, melon, vanilla, smoke, slight herbal element. Medium acidity, medium+ alcohol, long finish. Buttery richness. I love the ripe fruit and balance of this wine.

12/25/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Slightly disappointing compared to previous bottles. Less rich, very dry, the acidity was dominant, and it had lost a bit of the autolytic character, which is surprising. Same case - I wonder if I’ve cellared it too long (bought 2 years ago).

12/25/2023 - Andrewbdc wrote:

Final bottle of twelve and still drinking beautifully. Similar to the last one, this bottle was less evolved than the last - citrus and stone fruit to the fore, less nuttiness and kerosene. But all the other elements of previous tasting notes remain relevant. The sweetness is perhaps less evident and certainly well balanced by the acidity. Outstanding quality. It’s still holding up well - there is absolutely no hurry to drink up.