Friday 15 March 2024

2015 Pernard-Vergeless Clos de la Croix de Pierre, Louis Jadot


2015 Pernard-Vergeless Clos de la Croix de Pierre, Louis Jadot
A cool, refined nose with notes of cranberries, ripening raspberries, forest floor, smoke and violet pastilles. Very, very good.
The taste is structured and dry with fine lingonberry, raspberry fruit, a very good acidity and a long, fresh finish. 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2024/03)

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Tasting A Fine Range From Paolo Scavino


I had the opportunity, courtsey of Tryffelsvinet, to taste through a range of Paolo Scavino wines. 

2022 Langhe Bianco Sorriso
A cool, gravelly nose with notes of oranges, white pepper and ripe flowers. Very good.
The taste is dry ans spicy with notes of lemons, grass and flowers. A tad low on the acidity. 40% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Viognier.
86p   (tasted 2024/03)

2022 Dolcetto d´Alba
A young, upfront nose with notes of juniper berries, licorice and asphalt. 
The taste is juicy and fine with perky tannins and a very good blueberry fruit. 
87p   (tasted 2024/03)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo
A laid back, elegant nose with notes of cherries, ceder, rosehips and forest floor. Very, very good.
The taste is medium bodied and nicely structured with notes of cherries, licorice and undergrowth. 
90p   (tasted 2024/03)

2019 Barolo
A clean, handsome nose with notes of red cherries, sand, rosehips and gravel. Pure and fine.
The taste is tight and refined with silky tannins, lovely cherry fruit and a long balanced finish. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2024/03)

2019 Barolo Monvigliero
A delicate, spicy nose with notes of red currants, road dust, dried flowers and leather. A bit subdued.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of wet cement, red cherries, gravel and dry licorice. 8+ years.
90p   (tasted 2024/03)

2019 Barolo Ravera
A tigth, focused nose with notes of Langhe earth, asphalt and ripe cherries. High and fine.
The taste is young and taut with notes of licorice, damsons and rosehips. Gorgeous, stern tannins. One for the ages, 10+ years.
95p   (tasted 2024/03)

2019 Barolo Prapo
A deep, Serralunga rich nose with notes of black cherries, gravel, almond paste and tobacco. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with intensity, balance and a aristocratic height. 8+ years.
94p   (tasted 2024/03)

2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc
As usual, the Bric del Fiasc is a stunner. The nose is deep and handsome with notes of sandelwood. ripe cherries, tobacco and dried flowers. Gorgeous.
The taste is structured and intense with lovely cherry, polished tannins and a long, long, delicate finish. Great wine. 7+ years.
97p   (tasted 2024/03)


Sunday 10 March 2024

2000 Château Landonnet


2000 Château Landonnet
This 24 year old Bordeaux offers up a shy, mature nose with notes of dried red and black currants, cold coffee and worn leather. 
The taste is of a fine luncheon claret with soft tannins, nice fruit and a medium long, dry finish. A nice warmth in the finish.
86p   (tasted 2024/02)

Friday 8 March 2024

1997 Barbera d´Alba, Aldo Conterno


1997 Barbera d´Alba, Aldo Conterno
A large scaled, lively nose with notes of dried strawberries, Finnish licorice, fir smoke and freshly polished mahogany. Very, very good.
The taste is big and bold with notes of plums, smoke, earth and sugared coffee. A long, warm, dry finish. Drinking beautifully at age 27.
90p   (tasted 2024/02)

Wednesday 6 March 2024

2004 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion


2004 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion
A delicate, somewhat mature nose with notes of black currants, coffee powder, ceder and undergrowth. Very, very good.
The taste is medium bodied and nicely structured with fine black currant fruit, silky tannins and a long, dry finish.
90p   (tasted 2024/02)

Monday 4 March 2024

1995 Eileen Hardy Shiraz, Hardys


1995 Eileen Hardy Shiraz, Hardys
A large scaled, open nose with a lovely maturity and notes of plums, blackberries, mint chocolate and Finnish licorice. In your face yummy.
The taste is rich and warm with notes of plum sauce, toothpaste, hot asphalt and licorice. Very long and juicy. Old school and delicious.
92p   (tasted 2024/02)

Saturday 2 March 2024

2103 Barolo Perno, Sordo


2013 Barolo Perno, Sordo
A fine, cool nose with notes of red cherries, pomegranate, violets and asphalt. Very, very good.
The taste is young and seedy with notes of cherries, licorice, graphite and Langhe earth. A fine lenght. 6+ years.
90p   (tasted 2024/02)

Friday 1 March 2024

Tasting Dinner With Vintages Ending With A "7"


My third tasting dinner with this slightly odd theme - all bottles with a vintage ending with a "7". The previous tastings are listed below.

Flight I
2017 Special Club Brut, Marc Hebrart
A young, stony nose with notes of lemon peel, smoke and chalk. Very elegant.
The taste is pure and crisp with notes of lemon licorice, smoke and chrushed rocks. A very good acidity. 100% Chardonnay.
91p   (tasted 2024/02)




2017 Special Club Les Fortet Terres, Moussé & Fils
This Pinot Meunier offers up a deep, cool nose with notes of white currants, smoke and a hint of tobacco. Very fine.
The taste is deep and fine with sun warm red fruit, a fine acidity and a long, juicy finish. 
92p   (tasted 2024/02)

Flight II
1987 Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett, Georg Breuer
A mature, dry nose with notes of red apple skin, dried grass and dry biscuits. Good.
The taste is dry and a tad foursquare with notes of candle grease, dried lemons and old oranges.
87p   (tasted 2024/02)

1997 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese, Dr. Loosen
A pure, fine nose with notes of rubber boots, rain wet asphalt, dades and apriocts. Very, very good.
The taste is somewhat mature, semi dry, with notes of apricots, wet gravel and candied lemons.
90p   (tasted 2024/02)



2007 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Goldcap, Willi Schaefer
A cool, elegant nose with notes of chalk, ripe lemons, chives and smoke. Very fine.
The taste is young and structured with a very fine acidity, lots of gravel and lemons, and a long, lovely finish. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2024/02)

Flight III
1967 Barolo, Giovani Altare
A deep, sweet, mature nose with notes of dark cherries, Finnish licorice, Langhe earth and some animal scents. Very fine.
The taste is tight and dry with notes of dried mushrooms, licorice, dark cherries and tobacco. Very long. Mature of course but very much alive.
93p   (tasted 2024/02)

1967 Barolo, Luigi Moscone
A handsome, elegant nose with notes of rosehips, earth, dry tobacco and asphalt. A fine energy.
The taste is dry and mature with notes of dark tobacco, cold coffee and herbs. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2024/02)

1967 Barolo, E. Pira
The majority guessed this 20 years younger. The nose is high, deep and multi layered with notes of violets, leather, rosehips and earth. Very fine.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of violets, iron, leather and scorched earth. Very long and intense.
93p   (tasted 2024/02)



1967 Barolo Rocche, Vietti
A deep, soft, lovely nose with notes of dried strawberries, red apples, earth and candle grease. Very, very good.
The taste is large scaled and focuse with notes of red apples, coffee powder, earth and dry licorice. A fine intensity.
92p   (tasted 2024/02)

Flight IV
1997 La Ricolma, San Giusti A Rentennano
A fat, deep nose with notes of plums, dark chocolate, warm earth and sugared coffee. A very fine depth.
The taste is rich and concentrated with fine plummy fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish. Fully mature.
91p   (tasted 2024/02)



1997 Château La Bon Pasteur
A fine, classic Merlot dominated nose with notes of plums, fresh stables, cold coffee and tobacco, Very fine.
The taste is medium bodied, intense and gorgeous with polished tannins, notes of greem peppers, old leather and stables. 
93p   (tasted 2024/02)

1997 Three Palm Vineyard Merlot, Duckhorn
Unfortunately corked.
No rating   (tasted 2024/02)

Flight V
1997 Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio,  Barone Ricasoli
From magnum. A mature, forest filled nose with notes of dried cherries, old leather and nougat. Somewhat dusty.
The taste is dry and tight with notes of cold coffee, dried cherries, earth and herbs. 
87p   (tasted 2024/02)


1997 Barolo Sori´ Ginestra, Conterno-Fantino
From magnum. A deep, dark nose with notes of black cherries, undergrowth, mushrooms and a hint of mint. 
The taste is forward and warm with notes of cherry chocolate, forest floor, rosehips and some wood notes in the finish.
90p   (tasted 2024/02)

Flight VI
1997 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldcap, Markus Molitor
A high, pure nose with notes of apricots, petrol station, candied lemons and warm grass. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of dried apricots, vanilla ice cream, petrol and asphalt. A very fine acidity. Almost fully mature.
92p   (tasted 2024/02)

1947 Louipac, ?
Fron an unknown producer. A deep, mature nose with notes of shoe polish, ginger, salmiak and orange peel. Very, very good.
The taste is round and mature with notes of glue, dried tangerines, dry biscuits and salmiak. Long and semi dry.
91p   (tasted 2024/02)


Previous dinners;

Wednesday 28 February 2024

2018 Barolo Bussia, Viglione


2018 Barolo Bussia, Viglione
Got sligthly better with air, but it didn´t reach even nice in any way, shape or form. 
The first sniff is volatil and barnyardy, with dog fur and unclean cellars. After a couple of hours in a decanter, it displays notes of red currants, wet earth, licorice and more dog fur. On day two, even worse (contrary to most Baroli...), with notes of linoleum, dry glue and avoid of fruit.
The taste is dry and foursquare with dried mixed red fruits, band aid, cheap licorice and earth. The next day its dry, astringent and foursquare. Again - Barolista: 2017 Barolo Bussia, Viglione - less than good winemaking.
77p   (tasted 2024/02)

Monday 26 February 2024

2010 Dolcetto d´Alba Boschi di Berri, Marcarini


2010 Dolcetto d´Alba Boschi di Berri, Marcarini
Boschi di Berri is made from grapes from ungrafted vines, maybe as old as the cottage we are renting.
The 2010 offers up a semi mature nose with notes of dried up Drottningssylt (a Swedish mix of raspberries and blueberries), iron, dried herbs and bakelite. Very fine.
The taste is nicely structured with a beginning maturity and notes of violets, iron, dried blueberries and earth. A very fine warmth. Long and dry. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2024/02)


Saturday 24 February 2024

The Barolo Boys in Piedmont - A Visit To Renzo Seghesio


I visisted Federico in September of 2022 - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Renzo Seghesio - and had a great time. It was time to make a revist. The Barolo Boys had a great time with Federico.


2021 Barbera d´Alba Superiore
A Barbera very much to my liking, with a deep, almost meaty nose with notes of ripe raspberries, rosehip soup, licorice and lots of ripe flowers. Lovely.
The taste is rich and focused with a great balance and lip smacking sweet fruit with a high acidity and a long, juicy finish. 
92p   (tasted 2024/01)


2022 Nebbiolo d´Alba Roè
The grapes comes from Roero. Bottled just one month ago. The nose is young, elegant and floral with notes of wild strawberries, smoke and earth. Very, very good.
The taste is fresh and elegant with notes of red currants, rosehip and gravel. Light and floral.
90p   (tasted 2024/01)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo Ruri
A more traditional LN with a deep, perfumed nose with notes of ripe cherries, asphalt and Langhe earth. A fine concentration.
The taste is tight and refined with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehip, earth and asphalt. Long and firm. 4+ years.
91p   (tasted 2024/01)

2020 Barolo del Commune di La Morra Ca´d`Nalin
A deep, spicy nose with notes of chrushed strawberries, smoke, forest floor and a hint of tobacco. Very fine.
The taste is nicely structured with lots of floral notes paired with notes of earth, smoke and rosehip. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2024/01)


2021 Barolo del Commune di La Morra Ca´d`Nalin
The 21 version has the same base notes and structure as the wine above but it is a bit firmer, both on the nose and on the palate. Will need time, 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2024/01)

2020 Barolo Ginestra
The 20 Ginestra displays a lovely, open nose with notes of dried cherries, rosehip, mahogany, Langhe earth and licorice. Very, very fine.
The taste is tight and intense with notes of ripe cherries, smoke, licorice and chrushed rocks. Polished tannins. Very long. 10+ years.
94p   (tasted 2024/01)



2020 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Pajana
Oooh boy, this is a stunner. A very deep, seamless nose with notes of hard cherry candy, leather, forest floor, cedar and Langhe earth. Gorgeous.
The taste is tight and balanced with every knot and bolt in the right place. Beautiful fruit, taut tannins and a minute long finish. 12+ years.
96p   (tasted 2024/01)

2022 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Pajana
From cask. The same charateristics as the wine above but with some lovely balsamic notes and the tannins are a tad rounder. Great wine. 10+ years.
95p   (tasted 2024/01)

Friday 23 February 2024

The Barolo Boys in Piedmont - A Visit To Fogliati


A relatively new producer, the first Bussia was of the 2016 vintage, although the family have grown grapes sine the 50´s. Annalisa talked passionately about her wines and the future of the estate, among them a future Dolcetto (something for the infamous Dolcetto Boys & Girls!)

2020 Barolo Treturne
From three different vineyards in Castiglione Falletto and Monforte, this 2020 offers up a fine, elegant nose with notes of red cherries, rosehips and undergrowth. High and fine.
The taste is young and tight with notes of hard cherry candy, sand and dried flowers. Silky tannins. 7+ years.
92p   (tasted 2024/01)



2020 Barolo Bussia
The Bussia is a tad darker on the nose with notes of thyme, ripe cherries, asphalt and Langhe earth. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with rich black cherry fruit, polished tannins and a long, taut finish. 8+ years.
94p   (tasted 2024/01)

2021 Barolo Treturne
A young, perky, herbal nose with notes of Christmas spices, licorice and red cherries. Very, very good.
The taste is forward as this stage with ungainly cherry fruit, taut tannins and a long, bitter finish. Very promising. 
90p   (tasted 2024/01)



2021 Barolo Bussia
A high, intense nose with notes of hard cherry candy, herbs, Lange earth and a hint of mint. Very fine.
The taste is linear and conentrated with notes of bakelite, hard cherry candy, asphalt and rosehips. Needs plenty of time.
92p   (tasted 2024/01)

Wednesday 21 February 2024

Six Times Chardonnay

Jacques poured these gems at our latest monthly tasting.

2019 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle
This Tasmanian Chard offers up a fine, discreet nose with notes of red grapefruit, ginger, chrushed rocks and a hint of wood. Very, very good.
The taste is stony and dry with notes of lemon, butter cookies and grass. A nice linear finish. 3+ years.
89p   (tasted 2024/02)



2018 Chardonnay, The Eyrie Vineyards
An open, spicy nose with notes of lemon cream, chives, smoke and gravel. A tad foursquare.
The taste is better with a tight and focused character and notes of sand, ripe lemons, smoke and minerals. Long and fine.
91p   (tasted 2024/02)

2017 Chardonnay Sta Rita Hills, Racine
A tight, low keyed nose with notes of salt & vinegar crisps (!), smoke, chives and ginger. Shallow.
The taste is dry and spicy with notes of grass, iodine and smoke. Not a lot of charm.
86p   (tasted 2024/02)


2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrièrres, Sauzet
A deep, finely tuned nose with notes of ripe lime, shellfish, lemon and chrushed rocks. Very fine. 
The taste is dense and concentrated with gorgeous yellow fruit, a high acidity and a long, long finish. Still young, 6+ years. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2024/02)


2010 Puligny-Montrachet Champ-Canet, Sauzet
A finely tuned nose with notes of white currants, chalk, wet stones and cap gun smoke. High and fine.
The taste is dry and delicious with notes of lemon cream, chrushed rocks, ginger and grass. Very long. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2024/02)

2009 Meursault Luchets, Domaine Roulot
A stony, slightly dusty nose with notes of almonds, dry biscuits, lemon peel and gravel. Withdrawn, even with lots of time in the glass.
The taste is dry and seedy with notes of lemon peel, gravel and dried grass. A high acidity. Very good but a bit angular.
87p   (tasted 2024/02)


Thursday 15 February 2024

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - A Visit To Umberto Fracassi



Yet again I find myself in the center of Cherasco, ready to meet the charming Umberto and tasting his wines. I visited him last year - Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - Visit To Umberto Fracassi - and had one of most memorable visits ever - Barolista: The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2023.

I have tasted an older vintage from the estate - Barolista: 1962 Barolo, Marchese Fracassi di Torre Rossano.

2022 Langhe Nascetta
A cool, grassy nose with notes of gravel, basil and white currants. Fresh and fine.
The taste is pure and seedy with notes of grass, white pepper and chives. Very good.
87p   (tasted 2024/01)


2022 Langhe Favorita
A stony, herbal nose with notes of dry tangerine, gravel and smoke.
The taste is fresh and dry with notes of orange, minerals and smoke. 
86p   (tasted 2024/01)

2019 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Ciabot Contessa
A warm, spicy nose with notes of raspberries, scorched earth and candle grease. Very, very good.
The taste is bold and beautiful with a fine mouthfeel, a high acidity and a long finish. 
91p   (tasted 2024/01)



2021 Langhe Nebbiolo
A medium deep, nice nose with notes of licorice, cherries and Langhe earth.
The taste is nicely structured with notes of cherries, violets and forest floor. Polished tannins. 4+ years.
88p   (tasted 2024/01)

2019 Barolo Mantoetto
A deep, complex nose with notes of hard cherry candy, Christmas spices, rosehips and forest floor. Very fine.
The taste is young and delicate with notes of cherries, rosehips, spices and earth. Elegant. 8+ years.
93p   (tasted 2024/01)



Tuesday 13 February 2024

Two Pre Tasting Bottles Of Bubbly

NV 1er Cru Les Vignes de Bisseuil, Egly-Ouriet
A perky, pure nose with notes of candies lemons, cap gun smoke, pear and chrushed rocks. Very fine.
The taste is creamy and handsome with a high acidity, lovely yellow fruit and a long, lingering finish.
93p   (tasted 2024/01)



2015 Brut Vintage, Louis Roederer
Tasted before the Shafer lunch - Barolista: Shafer Lunch Tasting.
A deep, spicy nose with notes of lemon cream, ripe flowers, gravel and smoke. 
The taste is energetic and tight with notes of ripe lemons, chrushed rocks and ripening melon. A very fine acidity. Ends on a fine bitter note. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2024/02)

Monday 12 February 2024

Shafer Lunch Tasting


The dynamic duo from Shafer - Matthew Sharp and Jake Watson - was back in town and I was fortunate enough to caught up with them and taste the newly relesead vintages, courtsey of Vinunic. All will be relesead at the monopoly in the middle of March.
We were seated in a private room at Brasserie Astoria and enjoyed a great lunch.
More Shafer tasting notes below.


2022 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay
A deep, spicy nose with notes of candied lemons, matchbox, chalk and Thai basil. Very complex and fine.
The taste is racy and refined with notes of lemon cream, smoke and chrushed rocks. Long and lingering. 4+ years.
94p   (tasted 2024/01)



2021 TD-9
A deep, tight nose with notes of ripe black currants, plums, violets and dried meat. Concentrated and fine.
The taste is taut and smoky with lovely black fruit, polished tannins and a long finish with chocolate covered plums and cigar notes. 6+ years. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec.
93p   (tasted 2024/01)



2021 One Point Five
Hands down, the best One Point Five I have ever tasted. The nose is utterly gorgeous with notes of spicy tobacco, earth, dark candle grease, plums and sun warm rocks. Stunning.
The taste is pure and brilliant with notes of ripe black currants, graphite, tobacco, scorched earth and smoke. Very long. Seamless. 8+ years. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petite Verdot, 2% Merlot and 1% Malbec. Gotta get me some.
97p   (tasted 2024/01)

2019 Relentless
A very deep, complex nose with notes of sweet violets, plums, blackberries and dark caramel. Beautiful.
The taste is tight and taut with notes of ripe plums, dark chocolate, violets and asphalt. Very, very long with a fine dry twist at the end. 8+ years. 89% Syrah and 11% Petite Sirah.
95p   (tasted 2024/01)

2019 Hillside Select
A high, intense, bottomless deep nose with notes of perfectly ripe black currants, ceder, graphite and fine tobacco. Very fine.
The taste is rich and focused with boatloads of restrained black fruit with notes of chocolate biscuits, smoke, graphite and black earth. 10+ years.
96p   (tasted 2024/01)