Not without interest but it’s either too old or the vintage did not deliver. Medium dark gold. I decanted it for several hours as Neil Martin recommends but that was not helpful because it was most fragrant and lifted immediately upon opening. Full. Typical burnt pineapple fruit, decent acidity. But it lacks complexity and any hint of freshness. Old Laville is unpredictable. In the best cases it’s amazing but obviously not this time.
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Purchased for a vertical tasting of HB Laville from JJ Buckley recently ... bottle was in pristine condition - perfect fill - cork was in great condition as well. On open the aroma of oxidized white burgundy emanated from the bottle. On pour color was in line with what one would expect from an over-aged white - caramel colored. Sadly this bottle was well past prime. Debated whether age or flaw ...
Second bottle I have had. This one took a while to open but it was complex and multiple layered. Beeswax and lanolin. So interesting , complex and just kept going
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Elegant bouquet. Firm dose of oak, but there is a lot more to taste. Pineapple, papaya, spices. A bit drying in the finish. Special and still very much alive.
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Dreamtasting #2 (Restaurant de Watermolen, Kasterlee): (*) Brought this to our second "Dreamtasting". Lots of discussion around the table. I found this wine to be in a beautiful place in its lifespan. Powerful, but fresh and energetic. Strange, spirity but fascinating notes of slivovic and pickled sultanas (like chipolata- or Xmas-pudding) in the bouquet. Spicy oak (cinnamon, cloves, caramel) creates extra complexity. This is lovely, aristocratic white Bordeaux. Either you love it, or you don't... and I do! 18/20
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Les Blancs de Pessac-Léognan @ my place (Netherlands): Very expressive, creamy, juicy candied fruit (melon, peach, pear, pine apple, tangerine). Wonderful savoury hints of sea shells, salted caramel, roasted nuts, hot buttered anise rolls, cinnamon. What a delightful and complex glass of wine... 18/20
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Thick honey-golden color. The nose has some oak and hints of cloves with a fruit compote sort of nose. On the palate the Semillon character seems to predominate and this concentrated, viscous wine has a nice but light pear compote taste with a bit of bitterness on the finish. Not a great bordeaux but an enjoyable one neverthless.
50+5+11+14+8=88
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1/15/2023 - DaleW wrote:
Apple, tropical fruits (pineapple, mango, coconut), almonds, drinking well but the nutty notes say drink up to me, B+/B
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2/27/2021 - sdr wrote: 89 Points
Not without interest but it’s either too old or the vintage did not deliver. Medium dark gold. I decanted it for several hours as Neil Martin recommends but that was not helpful because it was most fragrant and lifted immediately upon opening. Full. Typical burnt pineapple fruit, decent acidity. But it lacks complexity and any hint of freshness. Old Laville is unpredictable. In the best cases it’s amazing but obviously not this time.
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2/17/2016 - FinnMcCool Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Purchased for a vertical tasting of HB Laville from JJ Buckley recently ... bottle was in pristine condition - perfect fill - cork was in great condition as well. On open the aroma of oxidized white burgundy emanated from the bottle. On pour color was in line with what one would expect from an over-aged white - caramel colored. Sadly this bottle was well past prime. Debated whether age or flaw ...
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12/19/2012 - Bistrobro1 wrote: flawed
all oxed or premoxed actually
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3/9/2012 - mwanasheria wrote: 92 Points
La Mission Haut Brion; 3/9/2012-3/10/2012 (Burg Staufeneck): Quite soft and round, with lemon, grapefruit, nice acidity and minerality. Great.
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7/28/2011 - reichken wrote: 93 Points
Second bottle I have had. This one took a while to open but it was complex and multiple layered. Beeswax and lanolin. So interesting , complex and just kept going
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3/12/2011 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Elegant bouquet. Firm dose of oak, but there is a lot more to taste. Pineapple, papaya, spices. A bit drying in the finish. Special and still very much alive.
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3/12/2011 - jkoenen wrote: 92 Points
Dreamtasting #2 (Restaurant de Watermolen, Kasterlee): (*) Brought this to our second "Dreamtasting". Lots of discussion around the table.
I found this wine to be in a beautiful place in its lifespan. Powerful, but fresh and energetic. Strange, spirity but fascinating notes of slivovic and pickled sultanas (like chipolata- or Xmas-pudding) in the bouquet. Spicy oak (cinnamon, cloves, caramel) creates extra complexity. This is lovely, aristocratic white Bordeaux. Either you love it, or you don't... and I do! 18/20
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12/30/2010 - Vini Ciclismo wrote: flawed
level excellent but cork very dry. very dark colour. oxidative, honey rancio nose. heavy, burny orange flavours . . . gone!
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7/10/2009 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Bird cage sand in the bouquet. Anis. Same on the palate plus butter, citrus and pineapple. Very tasteful wine.
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5/31/2009 - jkoenen wrote: 92 Points
Les Blancs de Pessac-Léognan @ my place (Netherlands): Very expressive, creamy, juicy candied fruit (melon, peach, pear, pine apple, tangerine). Wonderful savoury hints of sea shells, salted caramel, roasted nuts, hot buttered anise rolls, cinnamon. What a delightful and complex glass of wine... 18/20
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5/10/2007 - Tad GW wrote: 88 Points
Thick honey-golden color. The nose has some oak and hints of cloves with a fruit compote sort of nose. On the palate the Semillon character seems to predominate and this concentrated, viscous wine has a nice but light pear compote taste with a bit of bitterness on the finish. Not a great bordeaux but an enjoyable one neverthless.
50+5+11+14+8=88
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