3/25/2024 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

On pop 'n pour this was a one note. It happened to be a good note, but is wasn't complex...all ripe pink lady apple on the nose and the palate. 1.5 hours later and on to the 2nd day, this is smelling and tasting like some very herbaceous amaro, with bruised apple and coffee grounds. By this time the flavors on the palate are more mineral, white mushroom and dirty apple skin. This is definitely more complex than on pop 'n pour, and its fairly yummy/complex as far as natural Champagnes go. However, in the full spectrum of great Champagne, this was more interesting than pleasurable, yet still pleasurable. There is definitely an delicious oxidized note on day 2.

3/24/2024 - Kakpoo222 wrote:

Night 1. Pop n pour into a burgundy bowl shaped glass. Took about 15 min to open up. Cherry nibs, chocolate, some other less ripe dark berries and truffle. Definitely drink this from a burgundy glass because I also tried some of this from a small Grassl universal shaped glass and it smelled like a musty floor with steamy fruit. The Grassl also makes the wine hit the palate in an unpleasant way where as the burgundy glass allows the aromas of cherry and truffle to continue on the palate. Finish is medium length. I’ll check in with this wine tomorrow or the day after and post an update if anything changes.

3/21/2024 - Kakpoo222 Does not like this wine:

Its not just acid that this wine is missing...its also missing an entire level of richness, intensity and complexity that would make it suitable for aging. About the only positive I have for this wine is it's low, 9% alcohol, but that level of alcohol could be found on many younger, more balanced examples of Riesling.

2/23/2024 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

Perhaps a little past peak...still as light and elegant as it was on release, still has plenty of fruit and now has a slight balsamic note...which in my opinion add another layer of complexity to this entry level wine.

2/23/2024 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

this was excellent...and less overtly fruity and sweet. Much more earthy and balanced for Russian River....must be the bottle age.

1/22/2024 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

Nose of dusty blueberry and dried blackberry, with some unripe peach skin, raisin, bramble, faint mint or menthol, prune, and currants.
On the palate the flavor is chalky blueberry/blackberry, lacks some tension on the attack but nonetheless smooth, round and fruity without feeling thick. Swishing brings out some pleasant acidity and ticklish tannins that further add to the enjoyment. As the wine warms up, it becomes more red fruited. The Port finished with a quick blast of spice then a touch of heat, followed by pleasant fruitiness. This is a hard Port to restrain from glugging right on pop 'n pour....no need to decant or open ahead of time for this to show well. It's raring to go....unlike many other LBV's with less age. Smith Woodhouse is on to something here with this ultra late release LBV.

1/4/2024 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

This was a very pleasant, polished Barolo. Very nice on pop 'n pour, but best on day 3. No rush to drink these, but I'm not sure how much more improvement can be expected with continued aging. I wonder if the polished style of this wine has clipped some aspects of aroma and flavor from reaching more complexity and intensity? I think so, but still very enjoyable.

11/13/2023 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

From 375ml. I agree with Duchamp's tasting note on 9/14/23. I wanted to add that while this is my first experience with L'Arlot in a warm vintage, I thought this wine was both delicious and versatile. The typical NSG rustic, scratchy tannins do not plague this young NSG. The tannins that are present are polished, while the rich body and fruit shove those tannins into the backseat. It has a sweet, earthiness that is very compelling. This is not what I'd call an elegant burgundy at this young stage...and it might never become elegant. But, that big, rich body and deep black/blue fruit give this wine a versatility that will allow it to please both new world drinkers and Gevrey-Chambertin drinkers and possibly even Clos Rougeard drinkers. I wouldn't want much of my Burgundy to have this profile, but its nice to have something like this in my cellar. I couldn't put it down and I'm going to buy a few additioinal bottles.

9/24/2023 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

This wine has many qualities I like such as a complex array of tart to candied red berry fruit that can generally only be achieved with age. The body has a lighter body combined with a feel of milk chocolate flavored dairy like ice cream, milk, candy and cake. It also has several things I do not like such as: a slightly earthy character to the nose, some overly sweet prune flavors on the palate and a hot, disjointed finish.

9/24/2023 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

Had this open over 3 days. It definitely needs a 6-hr decant to relax. I Blackberry, Blueberry, violets and charcoal on the aroma. On the attack the body is silky and sensual, being both oily and chalky/dusty. This wine is always a joy to drink. This bottle hits at 93 points tonight for me.

9/24/2023 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

Red and Black Raspberry, bramble, baking spices. Juicy and plump on the attack, but sort of develops a slight undercurrent of bitter salad greens and a sour (yet uplifting) acid at the end. I'm vacillating between a 91 or 92 score here. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and finish with 92.

9/23/2023 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

The first sip on pop 'n pour had a ton of sour, tart fruit so much as to be off-putting. But no matter, this is a wine that we all should know needs a decant. With time in the glass and/or decanter, this wine put on deeper, riper, fruit aromas and flavors. There is also black truffle on the nose and the finish has a great core of minerality. The wine is even better on day 2. This is surprisingly well held together for an entry-level 2012 Barolo. Can be enjoyed now with a 4-6 hour decant or can be cellared further.

12/27/2022 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

Sublime for this producer and in the perfect spot. You can wait longer but this bottle of Emilien seemed to show nice development while still having a good representation of fruit.

8/25/2023 - Kakpoo222 Likes this wine:

Nose: Lemon, biscuit, smoke. In the mouth, this Champagne is lemon/lime, but lest tart then you would expect based on the aroma. This is a 08/2019 disgorgement from Lot: L9/S7585.03 which I'm guessing is 2014 base, but not entirely sure.

Conclusion, this Lanson has flavors that are not as complex and delineated as the earlier disgorgements I purchased the year prior. It seems a little disjointed, some aromas stand out too much (smoke & lemon) while other notes are too muddled and faint. The acid is also a bit flabby compared to what I remember from the earlier disgorgements I tasted previously. This 08/2019 disgorgement either needs more time to integrate or perhaps just won't ever achieve the heights of some previous releases, but on the whole it is not bad. On a more positive note, some people will likely appreciate the fact that the 08/2019 disgorgement has a milder acidity and thus more early approachability. I'm going to wait until at least Fall 2024 before trying another bottle from this lot.