1/10/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Just as nice this time as I have written many times before. This is a truly nice acquaintance from a star producer. The nose reveals elegantly balanced fruit with the typical colza, minerals, orange and lemon zest. The palate follows through in a lovely way with intriguing balance and integration. Acidity is well behaved but this wine is more driven by acidity than fruit to be perfectly honest. Structure is present and will most likely make this effort last quite some time in the cellar, however it certainly provides a very nice experience tonight too.

1/10/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A wonderful Champagne served from Jéroboam tonight. At first sniff, the nose delivers a beautiful cascade of red and green mature apples, citrus zest, classy brioche and white toast. The palate adds to the overall experience with a pleasant structure and acidity. The latter is nicely integrated and accompanied by a vivid but not overly expressive mousse. A truly nice wine which is so much different, and I think better, from Jéroboam...

11/16/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Wow - this beauty is pure proof Sine Qua Nons are in it for the looooong haul. The 2005 17th Nail In My Head is massive, yet elegant and plays on so many strings it sounds like a full orchestra. The wine comes across as "youngish" but of course shows some sign of age too - after about 19 years in bottles. The nose offers up rich creamy fruit full of profound velvety berries - after almost 15 years! After that a crescendo of lovely cacao, sweet licorice, mint, flowers and saddle leather emerge. As usual with SQN, I personally think nothing over the top . Everything is just remarkably well balanced but still massive and dominantly elegant. As expected, there is not a hard edge to be found. Thick deep velvet is the best way to describe the the whole experience. Everything is in place and I see no reason this wine should not keep for many years to come. Perhaps needless to say, the length on the finish just goes on and on. No flaws found = perfect score! Bravo!

11/16/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

The 2005 Clos des Truffiers has turned into a mature beauty. At first sniff, the nose exhibits massive and elegant fruit, wet saddle leather, fresh herbs, sun dried violets, flowers and lovely citrus zest. The palate follows through nicely with balanced and integration. Age has certainly helped the latter. Acidity is balanced and not overwhelming or intrusive. Worth mentioning is the cool elegance expressed in this effort, despite a high alcohol level. A lovely effort well worth seeking out if given the chance!

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Absolutely stunning, the 2010 Flor de Pingus is truly a wonderful effort. It needs a lot of time in the decanter and then in the glass but after about an hour or two the wine opens up and provides brilliant red fruit, raspberry, thyme, sage, kirsch and subtle lavender. The palate follows through nicely. It is wonderfully integrated and provides a lot of intriguing complexity despite nine years of age. The tannins are present as is the acidity. The length on the finish just goes on and on. This wine will continue to develop for another (couple of?) decade or more. It is a total stunner tonight already. That's for sure.

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

The wines from Enzo Pontoni made under the Miani label is a mythical and very very hard to find producer. Just like most wines from Enzo Pontoni, the 2011 Miani Rosso provides an amazing nose, actually it is somewhat of masterpiece. Despite eight years in the bottle the wine is so full of flowers and fresh herbs I am amazed. After some time in the glass, a secondary layer full of red fruit, subtle leather, chocolate and citrus zest emerge. This is a nose to die for. The palate follows through in the same lovely. It is profoundly balanced and integrated, but still there is enough texture and structure to have this effort last for a number of years. As I have written many times before, all Mianis are good but the reds are always on a path to being great. This is another bottle proving just that. (score is 95+)

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

This lovely and almost brutally pleasant acquaintance is a blend of 82% Grenache, 14% Syrah and a tiny sprinkle of 4% equal amounts of Viognier and Roussanne. All fruit was sourced from Manfred Krankl's own vineyard "Eleven Confessions". The wine was fermented with 32% whole cluster and aged in 15% new French oak.

As you can tell, these hard facts make a lot of promise for what is to find once tasting... Perfection. Full stop.

As with most wines from this star produces, the 2008 The Duel Grenache will raise opinion and feelings no matter who tastes it.

It is extremely powerful.

It reveals a profound complexity after some time in the glass.

It has an elegance that is hard to compete with.

This effort has spent a long time on oak. Inspired by the "LaLaLa wines" from Guigal, Manfred Krankl produces these exquisite wines only from fruit out of his own Eleven Confessions vineyard. The nose offers up a rich creamy fruit full of deep burgundy velvet boysenberry, strawberry and strawberry. Actually the world's all berries are found in this nose. After about an hour or more in the glass, a complex layer of cacao, sweet licorice, mint, a whiff of Eucalyptus, flowers and saddle leather emerges. After several hours in the glass, the wine is still alive. It never shuts down or become "simple"...

But do not be mistaken - there is a ton of elegance added to this wine as well. The whole effort is just astonishingly well balanced. There is not a hard edge to be found. Thick deep velvet is the best way to describe the nose.

The palate actually fits pretty well to this description too. It is massive, but extremely well balanced and integrated. Everything is in place and there are no "oak related" tannins to speak of. There is enough texture and structure to make this effort last for another couple of deacades is a guesstimate based on tasting SQN wines on 59 different occasions since 2009. Perhaps needless to say, the length on the finish just goes on and on with a seamless integration.

It is very hard for me to find anything that is "better" compared to this wine - from a more objective than subjective point of view. I honestly cannot find one single flaw here. Hence, a perfect score it is.

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Flirting with perfection is one of those phrases which sounds a bit dull, but in this it is actually quite true. The 2010 Grand Veneur VV is an astonishin wine. It is still rather young but the nose is amazing tonight. It delivers a virtual cascade of rich summer flowers, sweet soft velvety licorice, rich cacao and of course the classy dark Grenache fruit. The region typical tones of thyme and sage emerges after a while, still the nose is clean and razor sharp. The palate is perfectly integratred and meticulously balanced. Tannins are integrated, very silky but they are still there and makes a rather vocal impression. An absolutely brilliant wine which will continue to develop nicely for years to come. (score is 99+)

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Wow, wow and then some more wow! This is one of those wines that explains it all to me. What can wine be like? - Like this. The 2001 l'Ermite is very close to perfection with its cool first impressions. I cannot describe it in any other way. Let me briefly explain why. The wine is the very essence of integration. All components are in place and they fit together like a well-built Bentley. Then there is elegance. This is actually a rather elegant and subtle effort. After almost 20 years the nose still reveals flowers, lavender, lovely oak and of course dark fruits - all epxressed with elegance and finesse. The palate follows through in exactly the same way. The oak and acidity are perfectly combined. This wine is best described as an impressive, cool and sublime effort. Totally world class. No other words describe it better.

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A wonderful and very hard to guess wine, the 2009 Bernhard Ott Rhein Riesling at first delivers a bit of a Mosel nose with its rich creamy sensation and polished edges. But then a razor sharp citrus zest emerges and totally destroys that first sensation - actually a very nice secondary layer. With some time in the glass there is minerality, oysters and of course the varietal typical summer meadow flowers. The palate is punchy, yet there is also an elegant part to it which is truly lovely. I am not sure about further cellaring, but I honestly see no reason to hold off on any bottles - this wine is a lovely companion! (score is 93+)

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

I keep getting tired of myself praising the wines from Klaus-Peter Keller, yet I believe I am only telling the simple truth. The 2012 Kirchspiel GG is yet a stunning example from this star producer. Just all other GGs from Keller, this effort reveals elegance accompanied by fruit. At first sniff the wine exhibits an intense tone of minerality, oysters and freshly boilt lobster. After a few minutes in the glass a secondary and more mature layer of summer meadow flowers and citrus zest emerges. This is just to die for. The palate is massive, yet elgeant and refined. All the expected components are in place. This wine is coming around very nicely and age certainly does it justice. With a length on the finish lasting some 50+ seconds, I cannot help but keep praising this wine. It is truly wonderful!

4/20/2019 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A true wow experience! The 2006 Comtes reveals a close to perfect elegance a lovely balance and a superb integration. The 2006 is certainly evolving into a wonderful wine with a striking balance and I guess it will be remembered as truly good. Comtes is all about balance and elegance, yet this is no a shy wine. Tonight the nose reveals classy mature green apple, lemon zest, white honey glaced toast and also that beautiful tone of sweet brioche. The palate adds a velvet and a silk, balance and of course that elegant classy structure. This vintage will most likely continue to deliver a pleasant experience for a decade or more.

11/16/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A lovely and completely balanced effort. The 2014 Viognier from Alban reveals the steroid like and utterly massive attack of white flowers and savory fruit like lychee, sugar dried lime zest, pineapple and tangerine. This is massive and full-throttle wine but still there is an elegance to it - mostly thanks to a lovely overall balance. The palate is integrated and perfectly open for business tonight. This effort is a true pleasure to drink tonight. Do not miss out on this if given the chance to taste...

11/16/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Wow - here we go again! This sublime and totally adorable effort from star producer Luc Morlet is a total stunner. Elegant, refined and still very expressive, the 2014 Ma Princesse Chardonnay reveals a powerful purity and a fruit component best described as a true revelation. There are rich minerals, flowers, classy colza, butterscotch, citrus zest and a brilliant overall complexity in layer after layer. The palate is just as good with stunningly elegant integration and all components speaking with one clear voice. The acidity is there and moves forward alongside the other components with air and even more so when served to an elegant elegant dish like lobster bisque . A minute or so length on the finish puts the dot over the i for me. This is world class.

11/16/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A strikinlgy elegant and beautiful wine. This effort at first sniff exhibits profound stony minerals and lovely fruit - with an overall expression of sublime elegance. The oak treatment is perfectly integrated. A lovely nose to say the least. The palate adds very nicely to the overall impression with a balance and integration aiming at perfection. Fruit, acidity and oak all play along in perfect harmony with very little else to wish for. This certainly is Meursault at its best. (score is 94+)

11/16/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

A totally wonderful wine, the NV Celebris delivers an amazing experience tonight. The nose reveals tons of lime zest, baked red apples and sun dried sweet almonds. The palate is full and expressive with an intrinsic creaminess. But there is plenty of texture adding to the brilliant acidity and a close to perfect length on the finish. The classical Gosset "absolutely-no-compromise-approach" to integration and overall experience is certainly present in this bottle too. It is simply adorable. (not sure when this was disgorged but a guesstimate is around 5-8 years ago)

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A very Bordeaux typical and totally approachable effort, the 2006
Ch Montrose reveals classical subdued fruit, red currant, stony minerals, led pencil and last but not least in a secondary layer Cigar box wood. This is very typical and exactly what to expect - perhaps even a bit boring. The palate adds aa fresh and rather vocal acidity, but balance and integration are definitely the keywords here. Tannins are not very present. The wine drinks very well tonight, but it will cellar well for many years to come. (score is 92+)

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A lovely and absolutely adorable wine with brilliant balance, integration and overall proportions. This wine is drinking superbly right now but will most likely continue to evolve for another decade or more. The 2012 White Hawk exhibits an elegant combination of power, elegance and fruit. The fruit is totally on par with all the other components, yet it speaks up a bit more loudly thanks to the youthfullness of this effort. Power is expressed by a marvelous 50+ second length on the finish! Despite almost ten years rest there is plenty of both texture and a stunning structure. A lovely wine!

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A very nice experience. Totally balanced and moving towards perfect integration, this 2006 Poggio al Vento at first sniff shows lovely fruit, rich abundant flowers, wet saddle leather and touch of wet saddle leather. The beautiful nose is accompanied by an intriguing palate with elegant and subdued tannins. Acidity, fruit and tannins all speak with one harmonious voice. A lovely effort well worth tasting if given the chance. (score is 94+)

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A total stunner. The 2007 Migliare has developed into a true beauty. The nose reveals the typical perfectly clean and rich dark fruit and wet saddle leather. Crushed stone, wet granite, spice and ground black pepper adds to the overall experience. All components speaks with one voice. Everything is in place tonight and the wine is simply magnificent! Tannins are perfectly integrated as any oak. Texture and structure tell me this effort is in it for the longer haul. An outstanding wine. (score is 96+)

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

A bit on the young side right now - the 2005 Ch d'Ampuis is most likely in need of another couple of years beauty sleep to show its even better side. Still, tonight the nose is somewhat amazing exploding in mature floral tones after some time in the glass. There is abundant violets, red cherries and subtle soft tones of oak. The lovely nose shows classy crème de cassis and an adorable spiciness. Tannins are elegantly subdued, fully integrated and very well-behaved. The wine is showing no hard edges at all. Finish lasts some 45+ seconds. A true pleasure!

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A rather brillianteffort from Maison Jaboulet but still perhaps a bit on the youngish side, the 2009 Domaine Thalabert reveals a classy Crozes-perfume of summer flowers accompanied by elegant dark fruit and white pepper. The palate is full, however still elegant and flirting with perfection when it comes to integration. This effort certainly is brilliant right now, but will most likely contiune to evolve on a path to greatness. The length on the finish is about 50+ seconds. As written before, the only other Crozes I think would match this wine is the 2006 Chapoutier Les Varonniers - also a beautiful wine.

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Massive, elegant and truly lovely - are the three words I wrote down when tasting this effort. The 2010 Souteyrades is a totally stunning wine. The nose exhibits classical rich dark Grenache fruit, classy and balanced garrigue, rich deep kirsch and the most adorable sun dried strawberries. This is a nose to die for - found in a Gigondas(!) The palate adds to the overall impression with balance and integration. Tannins are velvety and silky. A brilliant but very elegant acidity puts the final dot over the "i" for me. There certainly is enough texture and structure to have this effort age nicely for many more years, but it drinks superbly tonight too.

10/26/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A rather particular effort, this Cabernet blend with Merlot and Aglianico is mainly driven by acidity and now with about twelve years of age this is even more evident. The nose still reveals that rich red currant as well as cherries, and fresh spice like thyme, sage. Adding to this is a sublime minerality with a lot of crushed wet rock. The palate follow through nicely with all components in place and a very nice balance. Tannins are still pretty expressive and the acidity speaks up very loudly. On the other hand the wine drinks superbly to food. Certainly a stunning wine. Probably it will continue to develip for many years to come.

10/6/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

The first impression is rather massive and full of dark cherry, strawberry, garrigue, dark chocolate, orange zest and the classical Asian spice box. This certainly is a very nice CndP... The complexity is actually quite marvellous. There is no brett at all and there is enough structure and texture to have this effort age for another decade and more. Palate reveals the producer typical freshness and rather high acidity, which indeed makes this wine a lovely food companion. With a 50+ second length on the finish this is certainly one of those lovely efforts from this appellation.

10/6/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A true powerhouse with a touch of silky elegance, the 2010 Domaine la Barroche Cuvée Pure is indeed a delightful acquaintance. The nose has certainly started to come around on its path evolving into great complexity. All components are in place and they are starting to get balanced and integrated. Still the nose is dense but still gives a clean, "pure" impression. There are tons of garrigue, Grenache kirsch, black pepper, oven roasted leather and classy Asian spice. The palate at first reveals wild flowers and is truly balanced and integrated. It adds to the silky impression. Tannins are elegant, as is the acidity. The superb length on the finish (60+ seconds) pushed this wine from good to great in my book. A brilliant wine! (score is 98+)

10/6/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

I have written it before, but this certainly is one of those brilliant efforts from a pristine vintage. The nose offers up deep mature, ripe fruit, classy spice box and tones of leather and garrigue. Everything is in place and nothing is over the top. The palate adds integration and balance to the first impressions. Tannins have started to integrated and behaves rather nicely tonight. A true pleasure but will last for many years to come.

8/30/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A beautiful effort starting to calm down and certainly gaining more and more complexity, the 2009 Boislauzon reveals the classical dark fruits, profound morellos and sun warm plum compote. Adding to this is a slight hint of warm beeswax. The palate is starting to come around quite nicely. It is perhaps still a bit darkish but certainly more integrated and inviting compared to my last tasting. Tannins as well as the acidity are perfectly integrated and speak with one harmonious voice. This effort will continue down its so far very successful path, but I highly recomend enjoying it now too. A brilliant effort!

8/30/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

As beautiful as during my last tasting. This wine reveals a fresh and very nice acidity combined with a strong minerality. There is red currant and a slight whiff of green tones - perhaps due to its youth? A secondary layer of mineral and the very typical lava tones march forward with some time in the glass. The palate adds to the overall experience with a striking freshness and rather stringent acidity. A very nice wine - sadly this was my last bottle.

8/30/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A total stunner... Every time Idrink this I am amaxed by the balance between acidity, fruit and elegance. This is a wine which should be bought by the case if given the chance.

9/13/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Absolutely adorable and an utterly compelling, the 2014 La Pèira comes across as slight light bodied and more elegant compared to previous vintages. The wine exhibits a wonderful perfumed sense of dark fruit combined with wild summer meadow flowers, crushed rock and a soft elegant tone of garrigue which I love. The palate is balanced and completely integrated, but acidity is present and most likely makes the wine a lovely food companion. The length on the finish lasts about a minute or more. It certainly adds the "dot over the i" for me.

9/13/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

As written before, I have never opened a bad bottle and never been disappointed by this wine. This bottle just confirms that rule. The 2012 Carnasciale is full of deep dark fruit, vivid and balanced tannins and a lovely well behaved but still forward acidity. The wine is both powerful and elegant. The texture as well as the structure is amazing. The length on the finish lasts about a minute or more and is the final proof this effort deserves all the merit can get. Bravo! (score is 94+)

9/13/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

Tunnelling with very high acidity and an austere backwards impression. The normal deep fruit and Sandy tannins seems to be totally gone. Not sure if this bottle is off, but a guesstimate is tunnelling.

8/18/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A lovely wine, the 2013 Kupfergrube delivers a full throttle impression but also elegance and refinement. The nose offers up the classical notes of citrus zest, freshly cut white flowers and subtle lilac. The palate follows through in the same excellent way expected with everything in place and a lovely balance. Of course acidity is pretty forward as in all young dru Rieslings, but not to an overwhelming extent. On the contrary, this wine keeps circling around the elegant paying field in a very compelling way. Texture and structure tell me this wine is certainly in it for the longer haul. Give it a decade of beauty sleep and see for yourself. Overall impression is very positive - certainly a very nice effort!

8/18/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

What a wine, the 2011 Felseneck delivers an amazing experience tonight. There is balance, profound minerals, intriguing tones of petroleum and adding to all this is a length on the finish which seems to never end. Perhaps this is the best Felseneck I have ever tasted. The experience is razor sharp - to say the least. The nose reveals deep minerals and citrus zest, peach, soft exotic fruits and lime. The complexity is simply amazing with several layers of impressions passing by. The palate is of course balanced and integrated, although it has a structure and texture telling me the wine will last for a long time in the cellar. Length on the finish lasts some 50+ seconds. Certainly a wine which is moving from good to great. This is a true gem which should be enjoyed if given the chance. Lovely!

8/18/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

As wonderful as during all previous tastings. Starting to settle down a bit with more integrated acidity - still in its youth and a totally adorable effort! - For further details, please refer to my previous tasting notes on this wine.

8/4/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A lovely Champagne which balances on the verges of elegance and power, structure and integration. Theses types of wines I very often find more interesting and rather intriguing compared to more straigthforward wines. The nose reveals the classical components of sweet brioche, medium dark toast, roasted almonds and a delicately baked apples. There is a secondary layer of minerals and fresh oysters marching forward with some time in the glass. The palate is balanced and elegantly integrated, but still offers a lot of structure to the effort - mousse is fine tuned but still vivid. The length on the finish lasts about a minute or more. Overall impression is very positive. This certainly is a lovely effort which deserves all the merit it can get. Bravo! (score is 94+)

8/4/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

A lovely wine which exhibits all the aspects you could possible expect from it. The first sniff reveals green sun warm and lightly baked apples, medium dark toast, sweet brioche and a whiff of roasted walnuts. The palate adds to this classical and lovely first impression with balance, integration and all components in place. The mousse is elegantly and finely tuned which adds nicely to the rather rich texture and structure. A lovely wine which should not be missed! (score is 94+)

8/4/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

Super high acidity - not drinkable. Please refer to my previous tasting notes for more information on this problem. I have written quite extensively about it.

8/4/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

A wonderful wine exhibiting all the classical components one expects from a good Chardonnay. The nose offers up rich colza accompanied by flowers, minerals and wonderful exotic fruits. Oak treatment is present but still gentle and on the more elegant side. The palate adds very nicely to the overall impression with both balance and integration exactly at the place you expect. Length on the finish lasts some 45 seconds or so. All in all a lovely wine! (score is 92+)

8/4/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A beautiful effort with a nose revealing plenty of green fresh apple, white toast and classy sweet brioche. The palate adds with a nice integration and a rather vivid mousse. Length on finish lasting some 45 seconds. A very nice acquaintance well worth trying if given the chance.

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

Very high acidity - not ok. Please see my previous TNs on the Chardonnays from this producer to get more thoughts.

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Absolutely lovely, the 1990 Laufaurie-Peyraguey delivers a first impression full of honeysuckle, white flowers, Acacia honey and sun warm beeswax. There is multiple layers and complexity to be found with some time in the glass - after about ten minutes a spiciness and soft tones of sugar dried orange peel appear. The palate adds nicely to the overall impression with balance and integration as keywords. This is a wonderful wine which will last for many more years given the chance to rest. Absolutely adorable and well worth having a sip if given the chance. (score is 94+)

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Quite lovely and very nice wine, the 2001 Spottswoode Estate is totally open and accessible with a nose expressing massive ballpoint pen, vioelts, cigar box and a whiff of stony minerals. The palate is a bit edgy and tonight the mid-palate comes across as a bit thin. The palate adds nicely to the overall impression with integration and balance - perhaps it is a bit on the 'sweetish' side compared to many other Spottswoodes I have tasted over the years. Still, this wine is truly elegant, yet massive and powerful. A very nice acquaintance to say the least.

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A stunningly beautiful wine which is slowly hitting its prime drinking window. This 2007 exhibits a cascade of dark mature fruit, raspberry, boysenberry and sun warm strawberry. There is also the classical Asian spice box, sweet licorice and soft garrigue to be found. The palate is elegant and totally seamless with a silky and totally integrated appearance. Balance certainly is the keyword here. Tannins are rather mellow and better integrated compared to earlier tastings. The overall impression is super positive. This is a gem which will provide immense pleasure over the coming decade. Lovely! (score is 97+)

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

Wow - a true masterpiece and a wonderful wine. The 2005 Cariad is quite open for business tonight although it is rather evident it will continue to develop given further rest in the cellar. The first impressions offers up the classical licorice, saddle leather, violets, led pencil, ballpoint pen and of course the old dear cigar box. The palate comes across as perhaps less balanced than expected and also reveals signs of age - as the hard edges are polished and not very noticeable anymore. The latter is of course relative and the wine still has plenty of time to go - but it is drinkable tonight without any signs of 'brooding backawardsness'. With a length on the finish lasting well above than one minute - this is a true gem, a wine that needs to be tasted if given the chance. Quite lovely indeed! (score is 98+)

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A beautiful effort drawing on the signs of age, the 1999 Arietta Red Wine exhibits a very typical nose full of violets, licorice, saddle leather, led pencil, ballpoint pen and a tad of old cigar box. There is also a subtle scent of wet salty minerals. There is also rather persistant tone of brett, not overwhelming but once noticed totally unavoidable. The palate follows through quite nicely with balance and integration as keywords. All components are in place and I can tell any rough edges have now been polished off to substantial extent. I am confident this effort will last many more years, but it offers an excellent experience tonight too - especially if you do not mind the brett. (score is 93+)

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 wrote:

Surprisingly enough still going - but perhaps not 'strong', the 1970 Beaulieu Pinot displays old mature fruit, a whiff of wet forest floor, cigar box and old dried saddle leather. The palate adds to the overall impression with perfect integration and no hard edges whatsoever. The real surprise was that the wine lasted for quite some time in the glass. After about 20 minutes there was still a nose and a palate to talk about - that is quite impressive! Still, if you have any bottles lurking in the cellar, it is high time to drink up! (score is 89+)

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

The 2013 Miani Saurint Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful wine. Like most efforts from star producer Enzon Pontoni it delivers an elegant yet intriguing and powerful experience. The wine opens up with rich gooseberry, white flowers and a strong tone of white flowers - but in a complex way with an intriguing spiciness as the dot over the i. There is also lychee, tangerine and subtle tones of basil and mint. This nose is stunning! The palate is perfectly integrated and the length on the finish lasts some 50+ seconds. This is for sure a masterpiece and a wine that certainly deserves all the credit it can get. Bravo! (score is 95+)

8/3/2018 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine:

A lovely and actually quite brilliant Sancerre, the 2014 Ultimus delivers a clean, fresh fruit with stony minerals, rich gooseberry and white flowers. There is no signs of over-extraction and/or 'cat pee' sometimes found in the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. The palate adds nicely to the first impresion with a lovely, but still integrated and well-behaved acidity. All components are in place and they speak up with one harmonious voice tonight. Texture and structure tell me this effort is most likely in it for the medium haul and it will remain nice for a number of years - but why wait? - It certainly provides prime drinking tonight too.