4/4/2024 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

A beautiful introverted feminine wine from Aloxe Corton.
Appearance:
Clear meniscus changing to brown-red and then dark red at the centre of the oval shaped surface of the wine in the tilted glass. The centre is semi-transparent with the ability to clearly see the hand held below the glass through the wine. Viscous white legs are seen running back from the top of the glass when tilted vertically. These findings are consistent with a 7 year old pinot based wine with an alcohol content indicated as 13%.
Bouquet
Immediately accessible from opening. A confined cloud of complex aromas exuding delicacy, gentleness evoking images of a field of flowers on a spring day. There are prominent notes of strawberry and gooseberries. There is also blackberries red cherries blueberries white flowers lavender licorice coffee grounds and a dustiness.
Palate
The structure is medium to full bodied with firm acid , moderate tannins and good length. The flavours reflect the aromas with addition of dark plum, white pepper mint and roses.
Technical
Bought at Langton's auction in Australia. Only a 2mm circle of wine at bottom of cork suggesting good cellaring. Bottle temperature around 14 degrees. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Wine started to fade after 90 minutes post opening.

3/16/2024 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Extroverted confident masculine Moutonesque Pauillac. Showing increasing aged characteristics since previous tasting a few years ago. The earlier concerns of a soft structure due to low acid appear to have resolved in this tasting. True to the Pontet Canet line and aging beautifully. One of the great wines of the world.
Appearance: Opaque with mahogany edge.
Big open bouquet from opening. Mushroom. Black cherries. Blueberries. Blackberries. Pencil shavings. Hession bag. Nutmeg. Cinnamon. Charcoal. Pepper, Milk coffee.Floral.
Soft slippery mouthfeel. Loads of soft tannins. Blackcurrant. Blackberry. Dark cherries,blueberries. mushroom. Mint tomato vine lemon grass. liver pate. sea shells. Cinnamon. Dusty. Pencil shavings. Cigar box. Charcoal.
Technical: Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Drunk at 15 degrees, Best from opening till 80 minutes when finished, May continue to improve.

2/24/2024 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Dark core.
Bouquet of mushroom dark cherries blueberries olives cigar box cafe au lait flowers.Nutmeg.
Palate has moderate to high tannins slightly low acid. Good length. Flavours as for bouquet.
Personality: more introspective than other Pontets but still masculine and more like a Latour than a Mouton
Technical: Riedel Bordeaux. Drinking temp 15C. Best from 15 minutes post opening.May be aging faster than other vintages.

2/10/2024 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

This bottle is from a batch of several dozen bought 16 years ago from the winery and cellared commercially. This is 17th year of drinking this wine. There was a retreat at 5 years old scoring 86 and then it peaked with a score of 96 at 13 years old. Then, it retreated again scoring 88 when it was 16 but has gloriously re-emerged. As to what it will do from here -who knows? At this stage there are no signs of decrepitude. It's siblings 2008 and 2010 are far more boring having improved predictable with age a couple of points so far.
This wine has a rare quality of sense of deep silence in the bouquet, a very abstract but real phenomena. I have noticed the same in St Julien wines such as Leoville Barton and Leoville Las Cases and in a Rugiens from Pommard I had recently. I watched a movie called Back to Burgundy (2017) where the comment was made that their Rugiens was "peaceful".
Appearance: Deep garnet. Near opaque core. Red colored copious legs.
Bouquet: Aged predominantly. Black cherries. Chocolate coconut (Cherry Ripe) nutmeg. Cinnamon. mint tomato vine Olives. Dirty water. Tobacco. Hessian bag. Milk Coffee. Eucalyptus.
Palate
Full bodied. Integrated. Soft mouth feel. Balanced. Elegant. Opulent. Mod to high tannins. Good length. Flavors reflect aroma.
Personality: Feminine introverted with a sense of deep silence
Technical: Slight closed at opening. Best at 45 mins. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Drinking temperature on first pour 13 to 17 deg C. No signs of over age.

2/7/2024 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

A big complex changeable primary Corton.
Darker core with garnet edge and good legs.
Big bright open primary bouquet from the time of opening.
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries nutmeg spice caramel tomato vine. Mushroom after 15 minutes. Developed prominent dirty water, barnyard and manure aromas later.
Palate is well balance and elegant. Moderate to high tannins. soft mouth feel. Good length. Flavours reflect bouquet.
Extroverted big feminine personality.
Technical : 12 degrees. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Best 0-30 minutes.

2/3/2024 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Another great wine experience from this tannic, primary, bottom of Corton Hill wine.
App: core is darker than expected for Burgundy. Ruby/garnet rim. Good legs.
Nose: Primary. Open from time of release of cork. Nutmeg. Aniseed. Hession bag. Tobacco. Raspberry. Blueberries. Blackberries. Spice. Cinnamon. Tomato vine. Roses.
Palate: well balanced. Tannic. Good length. Flavors reflects nose and dark cherries and milk coffee.
Drunk at 14 deg from Riedel Bordeaux glass. Good till 75 minutes when finished.

1/28/2024 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

The first wine I have tried from Rugiens and I am intrigued with its personality and eager to try more from the climat to see if this arises from the geological terroir.
Appearance: Pale core. Mahogany edge. Good legs.
Nose: Open at opening. Nutmeg. Hession bag. Minerals. Spice including cloves and cinnamon. Roses. Caramel.
Palate: Elegant balanced soft mouthfeel. Moderate to high tannins. Dark plum. Raspberry. Dark cherries. Nutmeg. Blackberry. Mint. Mushroom appears after 1/2 hour.
Personality: Feminine. Introverted. Sense of deep silence I have noted in certain St Julien wines such as Leoville Las Cases.
Technical: Riedel Bordeaux glasses (must get a Burgundy one). About 14 deg C. Best after 30 minutes to 90 minutes when finished. Young but starting to develop aged characteristics.

1/19/2024 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Pale with mauve edge.
Bouquet- dark cherries, blueberries,gooseberries,dark plum, mint, roses, charcoal, tobacco, hession bag, manure.
Palate- full bodied balanced flavour reflects bouquet, great length.mild to moderate tannin.
Personality : fiesty, feminine extroverted
Technical: best at 12 degrees first pour in glass, Riedel Bourdeaux. Best at 20 minutes and onwards.

1/14/2024 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

A wine that will move you. Inspiring.
Appearance: Mahogany edge with pale centre.
Bouquet: Still young. Flowers,hession bag,strawberries dark plum tobacco,dried apple mushroom and manure.
Palate: Dark cherries. Dark plum. Strawberry. Mint. Flowers, Gooseberries blackberry tobacco. Well balance. Medium to full body. Mild to moderate tannin. Well balanced Changeable.
Personality: Introspective. Feminine.
Technical: Temp when first poured 8-14 degrees. Best at 10 degrees. Best half to one and half hours after opening. Riedel Pinot glasses. Drunk at Tetsuya Sydney.

1/10/2024 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Mahogany edge
Minimal bouquet. Raisins. Plum.
Opulent feel to palate. Well balanced. Dark cherries. Black plum. Blackberries. Short length. Low taniins.

Coravin pour. Drunk at China Lane Sydney. Single glass. Riedel pinot glass. Temp too high 23 degs.

12/24/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Appearance: Light ruby
Bouquet: Gooseberries. Strawberries. coffee grounds. Milk coffee. Manure.
Palate: Elegant. Balanced. Mild tannins. Flavours mirror aromas. Good length
Personality; Feminine extrovert
Technical; Riedel Bordeaux glass. 15 deg C. Best 40 minutes to 60 minutes post opening.

12/23/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

A difficult vintage but I enjoyed the austerity and firmness of this wine.
Appearance: Mahogany Semi-opaque
Bouquet: Plum. Dark cherries. Blueberry. Floral. Perfumed. Minerals. Hession bag. nutmeg. Mushroom
Palate: Balanced. Elegant. Flavours as for bouquet, Mouth coating tannins. Good length.
Personality: Feminine extroverted.
Technical: Riedel Bordeaux glass. 15 deg C. Best 20 minutes after opening.to about 45 minutes, Burghound says 2025+ NS

12/8/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

This vintage was the birth year of my eldest son. I bought several dozen bottles when the wine was 2 years old and they have been cellared perfectly in a commercial cellar. I have written several notes on the wine on Cellar Tracker over the years. It his 16th birthday and he is sampling 1/2 a glass with me. He is also writing notes.
The wine has improved with time. It retains it's introspective feminine nature and although it is from Australia's Margaret River region it most closely resembles the St Julien subregion of the left bank in Bourdeaux.
A beautiful wine that has gracefully evolved over 16 years.

Appearance: Mahogany edge. Semi-opaque.
Bouquet: Integrated. Primary aromas of dark cherries, blueberries, lemon grass. Black pepper. Spice.
Palate: Integrated. Dark cherries, blackcurrant syrup, blueberry, gooseberry, raspberry, blackberry ,green olives. Roses. Wet earth.Mint. Milk coffee. Aged characteristics of mushroom. Well balanced. Great length.
Technical: Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Drinking temperature 15 deg C. Best between 45 minutes to 90 minutes after opening. NS

12/5/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

App: Ruby, Mauve froth.
Nose: Dynamic. Young. Polished. Strawberry. Opens up after one hour.
Palate: Gooseberry. Strawberry. Dark cherries. Blueberries. Dark plum. Honeysuckle. Dark chocolate. Dirty water. Roses. mint. Milk coffee. Moderate tannin. Good acid. Good length
Technical: Drunk at 15 deg C. Riedel Bourdeaux glasses. Drink By 75 minutes after opening. NS

12/2/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

A delicious wine from 0.61 Ha portion of vines greater than 60 years old. Three tastings over three months all scoring a 96 and with consistent characteristics. Burghound says drink 2030+. Perhaps re-taste in 5 years.
Appearance: ruby semi opaque clear
Nose: Charcoal. Roses. blueberries. Dark cherries. Strawberries.
Palate:Nutmeg. Charcoal. Blueberries. Dark cherries. Strawberries. Plum. Mint. Menthol. Elegant. Tannic. Great length. Well balanced.
Personality: Feminine introverted
Technical: Drunk at 15 deg C. Riedel Bourdeaux glass. NS

11/25/2023 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Nice bouquet of dark plum, wood, spice. Palate is a little hollow.

11/18/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Delicious pinot from Central Otago. Mostly young with hints of aged characters developing.
Appearance: Ruby
Nose: Earthy. Rose petals. Butterscotch.
Palate: Gooseberries. Strawberries. Raspberries. Dark plum. Dark cherries, Tomato vine. Wood. Mushrooms. Rose petals. Moderate tannin. Firm acid. Good length.
Personality: Feminine extroverted
Technical: Half bottle. Riedel Bordeaux glass. Temp 14-16 deg C. Best at 45 mins. NS

11/15/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

A brilliant, delicious young elegant but powerful wine.
Appearance: Ruby. mauve bubbles, Semi-opaque core. Copious legs.
Nose: Closed when initially open. Nutmeg. Dark cherries. Rose petals. Dirty water. Tomato vine.
Palate: Well balanced. Elegant. Nutmeg. Dark cherries. Rose petals.Blueberries.Gooseberries. Strawberries. Raspberry. Blackberry. lemon grass. Milk coffee.Dark c.hocolate. licorice. mint. green bean. tomato vine Good length. Firm acid. Moderate tannin.
Personaility: Introverted feminine.
Technical: Imported by Wine Quarters Surry Hills Sydney. Bought from Langtons. Drinking temperature 14-17 deg C. Riedel Bordeaux glass. NS

11/5/2023 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Red brown rim. Nutmeg, blackcurrant, dark red cherries, blackberry and some aged characteristics like mushroom and soy sauce. Seems prematurely aged compared to the bottle I had last year which was young and scored 96. Maybe just bottle variation. NS

11/5/2023 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Though it shares many of the flavours,aromas, structure and personality of the ‘18 (see recent entry) it is not as good

10/27/2023 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Ruby appearance. Blueberries raspberries cherries floral notes moderate mouth coating tannins. Firm acid. Viscous. Elegant. Great length. Introspective. Feminine. Young. Brilliant. NS

10/21/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Brown red rim. Still young bouquet of sweet blackcurrant, blackberry, cherries, blueberries, mint, black olives, tomato leaf. Satisfying tannins coat the mouth increasing by glass. Firm acid. Good length. St Julien like in character. Silent and feminine. Best from 0-75mins. Drunk at 16degs C. Riedel bordeaux glasses. Needs a few more years to allow more aged characteristics and possible improvement.NS

10/20/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Ruby appearance. Butterscotch coffee ground manure raspberry strawberry blackberry rose petals honeysuckle green leaf firm acid and tannin. Great length. NS

9/24/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

L2212404
Pale gold fine bubbles
Pleasant bouquet/palate - lemon lime bitter orange grapefruit mandarin wet stones
Balanced. Firm structure. NS

9/22/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Plump dark cherries. Blackcurrant, blueberries,blackberries, milk coffee, lemon grass,olives rose petals earth and iodine,mushroom. Soft and integrated. Pauillac like. Drink now. NS

7/5/2023 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Rose petals strawberry cranberries plum cinnamon mushrooms manure clove milk coffee. Elegant and well balanced.

6/5/2023 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Primary young wine with blueberries dark cherries. Large tannins. Background dry rice I associate with the region.

5/13/2023 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

I last tasted this wine in 2016 when it was 7 years old and an impressive wine with primary aromas and flavors. At 14 years it has started developing the aged mushroom characters and the mouthfeel has softened. It is still opaque and dark at the core with a ruby/mahogany rim. It takes 1/2 hour for the bouquet to emerge fully. It has milk coffee, dusty, charcoal, nutmeg, cinnamon, blueberry, blackberry, dark cherries, blackcurrant and liver pate notes. The structure is firmly tannic, balanced and elegant. It has lost the characteristic earthiness/roses I associate with young St Estephe wines. It does retain the extroverted masculine personality. A shining example of what St Estephe can produce. I would be drinking this wine now and for the next 20 years. Drunk from Riedel Bordeaux glasses at 15 deg C. Starts deteriorating at 1hr and 15 minutes.NS

12/24/2022 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Alcohol is a high 14.5% Ripe Xmas cake cherries blueberry. Packed. Tannic. All primary. Typical St Estephe masculine extroverted but lacking a little in elegance. NS

5/13/2022 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Ink black in the glass with ruby rim consistent with a 7 yr old classed growth left bank Bordeaux red. The nose is closed until after 25 minutes breathing in the decanter. All primary and secondary aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry, dark cherries, charcoal, camphor, hints of olives and pencil shavings. No aged aromas. The palate is full bodied with firm acid and mouth coating tannins. Elegant and balanced. Like the 2009 Pontet. Same personality as neighbour Mouton-extroverted and masculine. This bottle is similarly open as another Pontet 2015 I tasted last year. However, I tasted one a few months ago that seemed shut down. The wine fades after 1 hour and 20 mins in the decanter. Drunk at 16 deg C. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Estimated drinking window 2030-2075. NS

5/7/2022 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Opaque core with brick red rim. The bouquet is predominantly primary and secondary with blackcurrant,blueberries,cherries,plum,olives,dark chocolate,coffee grounds,charcoal,frankincense,camphor and tobacco. There are hints of age with mushroom and iodine aromas. The palate is full bodied with thick thin viscosity. There are satisfying firm tannins. Although you sense low levels of acid the total experience is balanced unlike the 1995 and 2003 vintage. The wine is true to the character of Latour with a confident, masculine and introspective nature. It is vital to drink the wine between 45 mins and 1.5 hours after decanting. You will miss the best if you leave it too late. Riedel Bordeaux Sommelier Grand Cru glasses. Drinking temp 18 degs C. Tetsuyas in Sydney. Drinking window 2022-2060. NS

4/7/2022 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Mahogany edged dark cored wine. The bouquet is transitioning from primary and secondary aromas such as blueberries, dark cherries, blackcurrant charcoal and cafe au lait to aged mushroom and iodine scents. I tasted this one year ago and there were no aged characteristics then.It has an extroverted masculine nature which it shares with its neighbour Mouton Rothschild and has Pauillac pencil shavings. Slightly flabby, lacking in acid, but full bodied, balanced and almost soup like in consistency. Very firm tannins that linger in the mouth. Drunk at 15 deg C. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Best after 1/2 hour. Estimated drinking window 2022-2070. A solid Pauillac. NS

2/5/2022 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Still young without significant aged characteristics. Character like St Julien with elegance femininity and introspection. Blackcurrant blackberry olives NS

1/1/2022 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Green gold. Backbone of hay green grass with lemon lime mandarin white flowers and hint of honey. Beautifully balanced. Best drunk at 13-14 deg C.NS

12/31/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

L2114005 Green gold. Gunpowder stones lime lemon grapefruit bitter orange. Elegant and tight at 8 deg C in the glass.

12/31/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Corked. Subdued aromas and flavours. Unbalanced. Wet cardboard.

12/29/2021 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

If you drink this wine less than half an hour in the decanter you are missing out on most of it. A dynamic changeable wine. It has blackcurrant black plum blackberry juxtaposed with earth dirty water and nutmeg cinnamon and mint and tobacco and cafe au lait with a hint of mushroom. Soft mouth feel. Well balanced medium to full body with good length. Riedel Bordeaux glass at 16 degrees. Estimated window of maturity 2027-2040. NS

12/28/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Ruby mauve. Gooseberry,red cherries, blackcurrant, hint of prunes and spices. Potpourri. Soft mouthfeel. Full bodied. Feminine and extroverted. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. 16 deg C. Best after 1/2 hour post opening. NS

12/28/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Mauve edge. Black plum cherries blackcurrant. Extroverted and feminine. NS

12/28/2021 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Still has hints of purple. Mostly primary nose of blackcurrant blackberry blueberries cherries dark olives with charcoal minerals earth wood mint lemon grass. Some minimal early aged mushroom. Firm structure with firm mouth coating tannins. It is full bodied has a soft mouthfeel with intense fruit flavours and good length. Extroverted and feminine. Riedel Bordeaux glasses 16 deg C. Best after 15 minutes post opening. Estimated drinking window 2025 to 2035

12/24/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Mahogany and opaque. Open bouquet with early aged aromas of mushroom. Primary aromas of plum blackcurrant blueberries blackberry,liquorice and black jelly bean with graphite gravel and flowers. Margaux like with a feminine extroverted nature. Beautifully balanced with good length. Should drink well for another 20 years. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. 16 degrees C. Good from opening. Stunning wine.

12/19/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Purple and opaque. Extroverted feminine primary nose. Potpourri,roses,blackcurrant,blackberry,blueberry,cherries,milk coffee,nutmeg,mint and lemon grass. Elegant well balanced palate with velvet mouthfeel.Good length. Equally as good as ‘16 much better than’17.

12/10/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

39 years old. The glacial ageing of Leoville Barton. Mahogany and semi opaque. Exquisite aged bouquet of mushroom, bandaids with blackcurrant mint olives lemon grass manure nuts and coffee grounds. Soft mouthfeel with satisfying tannins coating the mouth. Feminine and introspective in keeping with St Julien. Beautiful. Drunk at 16 deg. Best after 15 minutes in decanter and good at least 90 minutes after opening. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. Should drink well for another 10 years.

11/30/2021 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Semi opaque and ruby in appearance. At 7 years old it has only a hint of ageing amidst the ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherries,gooseberries,blueberries,olives,chocolate and mint.Growing firm tannins coat the mouth with each glass. Good length. Like a ripe St Julien. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. 16 deg C. Best after 45 mins in decanter.

11/27/2021 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Intense purple and inky core. Primary nose of blackcurrant, black plum, black cherries,blackberry,gooseberry,olives,mint and a hint of green bean. Cigar box condensed milk and coffee. Full bodied,unctious but not heavy even after several glasses. Soft mouth feel. Growing tannins coating the mouth with each glass. Good length. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. 16 deg C. Best after 45 mins in decanter.

11/25/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Deep purple near opaque core. Closed nose. Blackcurrant,blackberry,black plum,rice pudding,hints of mushroom,vanilla and oak. Outstanding structure, unctious but not heavy,growing firm tannins coat the mouth. Great length. Pauillac nose. St Julien palate. Better than the Budworth. Yesterday, I tried the Jack Mann and said it was the best Frankland River cabernet , a day later this is! Best after 1 hour in the decanter. Riedel Bordeaux glasses. 16 deg C. A potential 100 point wine. ( 2 further tastings over few weeks similar notes scores 98)

11/24/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

Without doubt the best Frankland River cabernet based wine I have tasted. Mahogany/ruby. Early maturity mushroom with primary blackcurrant,blackberry,dark cherries,raspberry, prunes,chocolate,mint,salty olives. Satisfying growing tannins that coat the mouth. Balanced. Despite the 14% alcohol it is not heavy. I drank the whole bottle. Riedel glasses. 16 deg C. Best after 1hour in decanter.

11/20/2021 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Mahogany but hints of mauve. Minimal stain on cork suggests good provenance. Aged aromas (mushroom) appear after 1/2 hour. Blackcurrant, blueberries,dark cherries, minerals.lemon grass and mint. Slightly too tart. Tannins slightly bitter and harsh. Riedel glasses. 16 deg C. Estimated window maturity 2025-2045.

11/18/2021 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine:

Masculine introspective and confident as Latour should be. Mahogany appearance with a predominantly aged bouquet (mushroom) and primary characteristics in the background. Blackcurrant, black cherries, plum, blueberries, smoke, crushed rocks,mint,chocolate and cigar box. Great length. Low acid and as the glass count goes up it gets a little heavy. Drunk at Tetsuyas Sydney. 17 C. Good from opening. Riedel glasses. Window of maturity 2015 to 2035.NS

11/16/2021 - Indran Rajendra wrote:

An impressive opening act when poured into the decanter. Intense dark purple with a semi opaque black core. The aromas are obvious even an arms length away. This wine is more of a broth than a drink. Heavy with sweet fruit. Viscous with a thick/thin texture.Intense fruit. Great length. Mouthful after mouthful leaves a satisfying firmness of tannin in the mouth. Blackcurrant,blueberry,black and red cherries,dark plum,black olives aniseed and lemon grass and mint.Rice pudding may be a regional character.Hession bag.Some unpleasant medicinal cherry flavours. Too sweet, lacking elegance. Hard to drink more than a couple of glasses.