Tasting notes › Objective Foodie

While we don’t employ a point-based system for rating wines, we do write tasting notes for those we find particularly good and worth noting. Our tasting notes are categorised into several distinct areas: aromas as detected by the nose, the flavour profile experienced on the palate, and the wine’s structure (alcohol, acid, body, tannins, sugar, bubbles).

N.B.: We take notes on the fly, so sometimes they might be incomplete. An interesting pattern we have found: The more excited we are about a wine, the more we write.

Name	Vintage	Appellation	Country	Region	Red/White	Nose	Palate
Alfred Gratien	2012		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Apple, lime.	Lime, lemon, white peach, oak. Light, extra brut, med+ acidity. Beautiful fizz
Alheit - Cartology	2018		South Africa	Stellenbosch	White	Very aromatic. Lanolin, honey, lime and citrus notes.	Confirms nose. Some minerality behind the citrous notes. Some vanilla notes from oak, but faint. Very long finish Piercing acidity, medium alcohol, dry, medium body.
Alovini - Alvolo	2015	Aglianico del Vulture	Italy	Basilicata	Red	Initially very earthy: tar, soil, mushroom, dust. After a while, plums, licorice open up. Oak is present in the finish, with hints of smoke and wood	Confirms nose. Very bright acidity, full body, med+ tannins, high alcohol. Some residual sugar.
Ashton Hills - Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir	2016		Australia	Adelaide Hills	Red	Strawberry and cranberries. Fresh berries. Forest floor	Fruity attack of bright pomegranate. Mid palate:forest floor. Finish: gun powder, mineral, which leads to clove and pepper. Fruity, light, high acidity, med fine tannins, high alcohol
Bachelet-Monnot - Maranges Premier Cru - La Fussière	2016	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	Red	Petrol, Wet sock, wet stones, green apple (apparently pear)	Green apple. High acidity, nice body, refreshing. Weakly oaked. Feels like a Chablis with oak
Banfi - Poggia alle Mura Riserva	2012	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Violet, Strawberry, spicy oak	Very little fruit surprisingly. Bright cherry. Finish with thyme, clove, sandalwood combination Med- body, high tannins super fine, high acidity
Barbeito- Verdelho Reserva 10 Years	NV		Portugal	Madeira	White	Dried apricots, honey, orange zest.
Bereche et Fils - Brut Reserve	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Apples, pear, slight brioche. Very precise	Ripe yellow fruit, leading to minerality in the mid palate and finish. Ripeness is balanced by high acid and a very fine textural feel, dry, medium alcohol medium body. Very fine mousse.
Bessa Valley - Enira	2015		Bulgaria	Thracian Valley	Red	Cassis, blackberry. Some eucalyptus/mint notes (they developed with time). French oak is clear, very elegant (dominates with development)	Cassis, blackberry. Elegant in palate. Some eucalyptus/mint develops with time in mid-palate. Finish dominated by oak. Residual sugar. Med+ body, med acidity, med+ tannins, high alcohol.
Billecart-Salmon - Brut Rose	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Ripe red apples, white peach, brioche, yeasty nose. With time, red berries appear. Very fine mousse.	Attack of red apples, ripe. Mid palate shows red berries (red currant, cranberry) and autolytic aromas. The finish lasts long, leaving the berries and a mineral, chalky aroma. High acidity, medium alcohol, dry, very fine and persistent mousse.
Billecart-Salmon - Reserve Brut	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Green apple when cold. Ripe apple aromas, flowers and biscuits appear as it warms up	Ripe yellow and green apples. Autolysis remembers to beer and biscuits. Mineral and lemony finish. Very long. Very fine mouse, abundant. High acidity (although on lower end), dry, medium body, medium alcohol
Bohorquez	2009		Spain	Ribera del Duero	Red	Cherry, fig, earthiness (wet gravel or graphite), vanilla.	Cherry attack, velvety fruity mid palate, that evolves into cedar, cocoa, dried herbs. Long cedar dominated (some cocoa too) finish. Med+ body, med+ acidity, med+ ripe and fine tannins, high alcohol
Bollinger - Rose	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling
Borja Perez - Ignios Baboso Negro	2017		Spain	Islas Canarias	Red	Intense. Black and red fruit, smoke, bacon, black olive.	Confirms nose. Very long red fruity finish. Medium alcohol, medium body, high acid, medium velvety tannins.
Bruno Giacosa - Falletto Rabaja di Barbaresco	2014	Barbaresco	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Roses, menthol, sweet cherry. Amazing	Sour cherry, cinnamon, anise, spice. Amazing Med body, high tannins, high acidity. Tannins could be more refined
Castell'in Villa	2014	Chianti Classico	Italy	Toscana	Red	Cherry and roses. Sweet fruit, strawberry.	Red currant, cherry. Concentrated. Long finish. Cool climate. Herbal and refined oak. High acidity, medium body, med tannins, med+ alcohol. Ethereal. Long fruity finish
Cave de Lugny - Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs	NV	Macon	France	Bourgogne	Sparkling	Grapefruit, ripe apples and quince. Autolytic and malolactic notes: biscuits and cream. Medium bubbles but not that many	Confirms nose. Clean. Short lasting mousse. Not too fine. Not long finish. High acid, medium alcohol, medium body, dry
Charles Heidsieck - Brut Reserve	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Very complex. Brioche, toast. Very autolytic. Ripe apples but also green apples. Very fine mousse.	A mix of green and ripe yellow apples, follow by a strong mid palate of autolytic notes, some minerality and a long finish. Medium alcohol, high acidity, dry, very fine and persistent mousse.
Charles Joguet - Clos de la Dioterie	2012	Chinon	France	Loire	Red	At first tobacco, pencil shaving and the slightest hidden note of green leaves. Vanilla. Cassis, black raspberry, strawberry. After one day, red cherries and black strawberry.	More tobacco than in the nose, the fruit is very much alive and drives you through the pencil shavings and French oak all the way until the finish. Still very young. After a day it feels like a Bordeaux with ripe tannins and high acid. High acidity, medium velvety tannins, medium body and medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Chartogne-Taillet- St Anne	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Green apples, pear, hazelnuts and toast. Very ripe fruit.	Ripe fruit is followed by wet stone minerality. Long finish. Autolysis has a secondary role, adding complexity. Fruit is the driver. High acid (lower than usual), 12.5 abv, very dry low dosage
Château Batailley	2007	Pauillac	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cassis, red bell pepper, leather.	Cassis, tart blackberries. Full body, med++ tannins, med+ acidity, med alcohol. Med finish
Château Calon-Ségur (Grand Cru Classé)	1998	St Estèphe	France	Bordeaux	Red	Very herbal (which?, leaves?), cassis, gamey	Confirms the nose. Med+ acidity. Med body. Med+ alcohol. Med+ tannins. Med finish
Château Combel-La-Serre	2005	Cahors	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cassis, plums, spice	Tannic but well balanced with acidity
Chateau Coutet	2001	Barsac	France	Bordeaux	White	Honey, apricots, summer flowers. Intensely aromatic. Very precise	Confirms nose. Midpalate opens with a base of flowers. Very long finish of honey. Great concentration, but elegant for Sauternes. Medium alcohol, full bodied, high acid, sweet.
Chateau de Batailley	2010	Pauillac	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cassis, ripe but cool. Graphite. As it opens, tobacco	Very well equilibrated. Black pepper in finish from oak (well integrated) Fine grippy tannins, high tannins, crisp acidity, quite fresh, medium alcohol
Château de Saint Cosme	2016	Gigondas	France	Rhône	Red	Complex. Evolves with decant. First: violets and dark fruit. Some spice from oak. With time, blackberries and dark cherries, some garrigue flavours.	Tart dark fruit, blackberry, cassis. Earthiness (clay pot, graphite) in the mid palate, opening up to thyme/sage and bay leaf notes. Finish is long, black peppery, and spice. Medium body, medium+ acid and tannins, high alcohol (15%)
Château Doisy Daëne	2009	Barsac	France	Bordeaux	White	Lime, honey, chamomile.	Confirms palate. Apricots too. Medium body, sweet, med acidity, med+ alcohol.
Château Laroque	2010	St Émilion	France	Bordeaux	Red	Plums, dark cherries followed by earth, oak.	Fruit at attack, oak and mineral/earth aromas ramp up and last long, giving a persistent finish. High acid, high tannins, high alcohol. Surprised for a Merlot blend.
Château Le Crock	2009	St Estèphe	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cocoa, cassis, espresso, spice
Château Leoville-Poyferré	2002	St Julien	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cassis, tobacco.	Super long finish
Chateau Musar	2003	Bekaa Valley	Lebanon		Red	Sweet cherry, cranberry, barnyard (mild), leather.	Baked blackberries, cranberries. Sweet. Midpalate ends with bay leaf, nutmeg. Finish oaky (mild) with black fruit. Med+ body, med+ tannins, med acidity, med+ alcohol
Château Phélan-Ségur	2005	St Estèphe	France	Bordeaux	Red	Ripe fruit, cassis, herbs, spice	Medium body, moderate tannins
Château Pichon-Longueville	2000	Pauillac	France	Bordeaux	Red	Strong tobacco, mineral (melted asphalt), cassis	Cassis, mineral finish, incredibly long with a touch of smoke. Ripe tannins, strong but balanced. Med+ body and acidity, med+ alcohol
Château Rauzan-Ségla	2008	Margaux	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cool tart cassis, graphite, leather, spice, cedar	Tart red fruit, graphite. Med body, high acidity, med+ tannins. Perfect balance. Med finish (graphite and cedar)
Château Talbot	2005	St Julien	France	Bordeaux	Red	Red currant, herbal (oregano), underfloor (green bell pepper), vanilla.	Herbal aroma and cherry dominate. Spice and vanilla finish and herbal
Château Tratonoy	2007	Pomerol	France	Bordeaux	Red	Very herbal (bay leaves, roasted bell pepper?), truffly	Fruit (plummy), herbs dominate, finish with oak (spice) and herbs, long Silky body.
Clos des Fous - Pucalan Arenaria	2014		Chile	Aconcagua	Red	Intense and brambly like Syrah. Beets, pomegranate. Sweet vanilla from new French oak	Raspberry and blackberry. Very concentrated and on the darker spectrum of fruit. Very unique profile for a Pinot Noir. Oak is clearly present but in balance. Earthy minerality in the midpalate. Long finish on fruit and vanilla. High acidity, low velvety tannins, high alcohol and medium bodied.
Clos Joliette - Demi-Sec	1996		France		White	Extremely intense note of perfectly ripe mango. Honey notes appear as it develops in the glass. Very precise	Mango is followed by an intense lime flavour that cuts through the wine with an intense acidity worthy more of a sercial. Long fruity and honey finish. Very high acidity, full bodied, medium alcohol, dry!
Clos Saint Jean - Combe des Fous	2016	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Raspberry compote, blackberry. Flowers (violets?)	Blackberry, licorice, garrigue, pepper+ leather finish Med body, med tannins, med+ acidity, med
Clos Salomon - Givry Premier Cru	2015	Côte Chalonnaise	France	Bourgogne	Red	Ripe cherries. Overtones of cedar and vanilla.	Racy. Cherries. Light body. Low tannins. Medium finish: cedar —> vanilla.
Cloudy Bay - Pinot Noir	2015		New Zealand	Marlborough	Red	Violet, intense cherry (baked)	Same on palate, but with soily earthiness and finish with spice. Med long finish. Med body, med+ acidity, med+ tannins, med+ alcohol
Clusel Roch - Viallère	2011	Côte-Rôtie	France	Rhône	Red	Ripe raspberry, game, black cherry, tar, garrigue. Blueberries and black olive (latter after development)	Shy attack, mid palate is delicious, full of bright cherries, berries, blueberries and finishes with garrigue. Finish starts with black pepper, transitions to garrigue and ends with ripe berries. Medium+ body, med tannins, med+ acidity, med alcohol
Comando G - Bruja de Rozas	2018		Spain	Madrid	Red	Intense raspberry and violet aromas. Flower pastille. Plums and dark cherries in the background. Some herbal notes with time.	Confirms nose. Fresh raspberries on attack. Flowers in midpalate and thyme, sage in the finish. With time, darker fruit appears. High acid, medium fine (grippy with time) tannins, medium body, high alcohol
Comando G - Mataborricos	2016	Sierra de Gredos	Spain	Madrid	Red	Very clean. Medicinal herbal notes. Raspberry, violets, strawberry. Very aromatic.	Raspberry and strawberry. Ripe but not overcooked. Very delicate. Light. Finish leads to white and black pepper. Crash gravel appears at it opens up
Conterno - Bussia	2013	Barolo	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Rose but fades, cherry, dark fruit. Leather. Oak.	Dark fruit, leather, balsamic Medium body, very high tannins, very high acidity. Med+ alcohol
Contino - Garnacha	2015	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Strawberry ripe. Figs	Confirms nose. Bright strawberry and cherry. Some RS. Long finish clove and diminishing fruit Medium body, med+ tannins, med+ acidity , med+ alcohol
Cota 45 - UBE			Spain	Cadiz	White	Cider, honey, bruised apples. Herbal notes, curry.	Green apples, pear, saline and mineral aromas appear in midpalate and finish (from floor). Fruit lime and green apples linger on finish as flor get more presence Full bodied, textured from lees, crisp, medium alcohol, dry
Cupano	2013	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Cherry, violets. A bit tight	Cherry, blackberries. Lots of concentration. Long fruity finish with a touch of oak. Med body, med+ tannins, high acidity, med+ alcohol.
Dagueneau - Silex	2017		France	Loire	White	Very reductive. Muted initially. Took 15min in glass to come to life. Then appeal is clear. Sweet intense stone fruit on a background of flinty and citrous aromas.	White peach and lime with a fruity smoky mid-palate lead to an intense flinty and smoky finish. Very impressive High acidity, dry, medium bodied, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Damianitza - Uniqato Rubin	2017		Bulgaria	Thracian Valley	Red	Cherry, tar (close to Nebbiolo, less pure and fragrant)	Cherry, herbal. Mid palate develops towards rosemary. Earthy (felt a bit rough, needs age?) Med+ body, high acidity, med+ tannins, high alcohol.
Disznoko - Aszu 5 Puttonyos	2015	Tokaji	Hungary	Tokaji	White	Honey, heavy botrytis, peach, cinammon	Concentrated, peach, white flowers, honey. Very sweet, high acidity, med- alcohol.
Domaine de Chevalier	2008	Pessac-Leognan	France	Bordeaux	Red	Ripe cassis, graphite, very well integrated and fine French oak spice and vanilla, tobacco leaf.	Confirms nose. Very balanced and equilibrated fruit and oak. Finish shows spice and pepper. Very ripe tannins, fine and rounded, but high. Medium alcohol, crisp acidity
Domaine de Galouchey - Vin de Jardin	2016		France	Bordeaux	Red	Ripe and intense plums, a mild note of pencil lead in the background. Clearly a Merlot-based blend on the nose.	Fruity attack, concentrated yet light. The midpalate reveals graphite and some herbs. Medium finish were cedar, herbs and old oak can be distinguished. Crisp, racy, medium soft round tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Very pretty and defined structure. I wonder how it would age.
Domaine de la Begude - L’Irréductible	2018	Bandol	France	Côtes de Provence	Rose	Nose of pomegranate, raspberry and flowers	Dense and concentrated palate that confirms nose and includes herbal notes in the midpalate and finish. More concentrated than Tempier. Less of an aperitif wine that food wine High alcohol, soft low tannins, full bodied and crisp. Long finish
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups - Clos de Mosny	2017	Montlouis	France	Loire	White	Lime, apples, peach (mild, with development), chalk.	Apple, peach, lemon finish. Light, high acidity, med alcohol, dry.
Domaine de Montbourgeau - Vin de Paille	2016		France	Jura	White	Apricot/peach preserves. White flowers and vanilla.	Confirms nose. Apricot jam dominates. Ginger and almonds. High acid, lees texture, sweet, high alcohol. Full bodied. Long finish
Domaine de Montbourgeau - Vin Jaune	2011	L’Étoile	France	Jura	White	Lime, green almonds, hazelnuts	Nutty, almonds, lemon lime in midpalate, chalk and nuts with citrous in finish High acid, high alcohol, full body, dry. Very long. Pithy
Domaine de Montille - Volnay 1er Cru - Les Taillepieds	2013	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	Red	Red berries, cherry, cedar. As it opens up it becomes more perfumed. Roses and strawberry. But not intense.	Cranberries, raspberry. Restrained fruit, Burgundian. Earthy midpalate opening to French oak aromas. Very savoury finish. Black pepper, cedar High acid, medium body and alcohol, medium powdery tannins.
Domaine de Raiffault - Chinon Cuvée Prestige	1989	Chinon	France	Loire	Red	Tobacco, graphite and forest floor. As it opens, cherry and strawberry/violets appear	Strawberry and red cherries followed by the tertiary notes from the nose. Fruit has survived in the midpalate. Tobacco in the finish. No oak noticeable. Beautiful structure, crisp, velvety low tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Domaine des Cambes	2014	Left Bank	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cassis, plums, rose, tobacco, spice, game. Lots of fruit.	Medium body, earthy, chewy. Long finish. Balanced.
Domaine des Perdrix - Echezeaux	2015	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Violets, compoted strawberry/raspberry, very sweet. Very precise	Raspberry and violets, herbal, earthiness (best so far in any wine). Tiny hint of oak that compliments perfectly. Delicious palate. Huge finish (fruit, flowers, spice, tannins) Med+ body, med+ acidity, med++ tannins, med+ alcohol. Delicious balance
Domaine Drouhin	2015	Willamette Valley	United States	Oregon	Red	Cherry and French oak.	Cherries at attack. A bit of raspberry. Some minerality. Oak is quite strong for my taste. A bit more body than French pinot, medium-plus body, medium acidity, medium tannins.
Domaine du Pelican - Poulsard	2016	Arbois	France	Jura	Red	Cooked tangy strawberries, orange zest. Roses and violets. So perfumed. With time, cedar	Strawberry and raspberries. Flowers accompany in the finish. Very long High acid, low velvety, medium alcohol and light body.
Domaine Font de Michelle - Cuvée Etienne Gonnet	2009	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Fruit forward: cherries, kirsch, red berries dominate. Oak (sandalwood) and spice in the background	Confirms the palate with intense fruit. Peppery finish, very long, where the fruit lingers. Medium body, med+ acidity, med+ tannins (silky), high alcohol
Domaine Lafond - Roc Épine	2015	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Cinnamon at the very beginning. Fading quickly. Then dominated by dark fruit: cassis, plums?, black/red cherries. Some spice from oak	Clean and fruity attack. Mid palate evolves with earthiness: graphite/leather with milder aromas of garrigue (bay leaves/thyme) and a powerful pepper finish. Medium finish Medium body, medium+ tannins and acidity, high alcohol. Beautiful balance
Domaine Lafond - Roc Épine	2018	Lirac	France	Rhône	White	White flowers (but not accompanied by mineral notes) and yellow fruit: pear and apricots. Very little oak.	Pear/Peach, and window cleaner (flowers?). Mid palate has flowers that lead to a peppery spice from oak. Finish is medium, with minerality/flowers dominating followed by some bitterness (negative aspect) and some oak. Medium- body, bone dry, med acidity, med+ alcohol.
Domaine Les Pallières - Racines	2016	Gigondas	France	Rhône	Red	Cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, spice, garrigue	Dark fruit (blackberry, plums). Medium palate evolves to garrigue. Long finish, slight bitterness (iron?). High tannin, high acidity, medium+ body
Domaine Rossignol - Latricères-Chambertin Grand Cru	2013	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Cranberry, violets, high concentration	Confirms nose. Slight vanilla. Longest finish so far (fruity) Med low body, High acidity, low tannins.
Domaine Tempier - Classique	2015	Bandol	France	Côtes de Provence	Red	Complex nose although not precise. Black fruit (cassis, blackberry), leather, game. More volatile, but present: tobacco.	Blackberry and plums in the attack. Mid palate is hit by gamey and leather notes. Finish is medium, dominated by black pepper. Oak is minor. Med+ body, high tannins, med+ acidity, high alcohol. Perfect balance. Tannins are high but fine, not overpowering.
Domaine Tempier - Rose	2019	Bandol	France	Côtes de Provence	Rose	Intense nose. Flower pastille, roses, peach, apricots. Very clean.	Confirms the nose. The structure surprises with high concentration and length High alcohol, full bodied, crisp and dry. Tannins are low and silky. Very well balanced
Dr. Loosen - Riesling Kabinett Ürziger Würzgarten	2017	Ürzig	Germany	Mosel	White	Wet stones and peach.	Peach and yellow apple at attach, fading into rocks. Very fine minerality. Medium/Medium low body, medium plus acidity, low alcohol, medium sweetness.
Drouhin - Chorey-Les-Beaune	2016	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	Red	Raspberry -> cherries -> oak (cedar like). Sweet after 1h of decanting	Fruit at the attack. Med acidity in mid-palate, some minerality. Light, med tannins. Short finish, oak.
Druida	2018		Portugal	Dao	White	Matchstick, grapefruit, vanilla. Medium intensity	Confirms nose. Some nutty flavours. Full body, medium alcohol, high acidity increasing like Chenin (under the tongue), dry. Fine phenolic texture on palate
Elio Perrone Sourgal	2017	Asti	Italy	Piedmont	White	Concentrated aroma of ripe apple. Almost cider	Almost cider, with orange peel notes. Medium body, sweet, med acidity, low alcohol
Emidio Pepe - Montepulciano d’Abruzzo	2001		Italy	Toscana	Red	Tobacco, leather and sour cherries. Very intense and developed. Dusty graphite notes too.	Sour cherries lead to concentrated fresh red fruit and well aged tertiary aromas. Great balance. High acid, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish. Great wine
Envínate - Benje	2016		Spain	Islas Canarias	Red	Intense crushed gravel, strawberry, licoricr, herbs.	Strawberry and berries. Mid palate changes to crushed rocks and white pepper develops. Medium finish. High acid, medium soft and velvety tannins, dry, medium alcohol, medium body
Envínate - Lousas	2017	Ribeira Sacra	Spain	Galicia	Red	Fresh red berries, cherry, raspberry. Some new oak.	Attack full of fresh red fruit. Cherries, raspberry and blood orange. Graphite, black pepper and sage appear at the beginning of the finish. Medium finish High acidity (concentrated on tip of tongue), medium alcohol, fine velvety tannins on palate and gums.
Envinate - Palo Blanco	2017		Spain	Islas Canarias	White	Matchstick. Gun flint. Trendy minerality. Apples.	Apples, lime. Chalky finish Full bodied, medium alcohol, high acid. Dry. Long finish.
Equipo Navazos - Fino en Rama	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Nuts, almonds and salinity.	Lime and nuts, evolving to a salty palate and some minerality in the finish. Long salty and nutty finish High acidity, high alcohol, dry, full bodied
Eyrie Vineyards - Trousseau	2015		United States	Oregon	Red	Restraint nose. Medicinal. Herbs, pepper. Earthy, clay.	Black cherries, mineral, dusty. Herbal. Pepper and old am in the finish. Cranberries with time Crisp, medium alcohol and body, medium soft tannins.
Fanny Sabré - Beaune	2015	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	Red	Undergrowth and cherry	Cranberry, cherry, herbal and undergrowth. Medium finish
Fedellos do Couto - Bastarda	2018	Ribeira Sacra	Spain	Galicia	Red	Intense nose of red fruits, cranberries, raspberry and violets. Very elegant	Very fresh. Red berries and flowers. Very long finish. High acid, medium body, medium alcohol, soft silky tannins. Amazing mouthfeel. The freshness of the berries blends beautifully with the soft texture and floral notes.
Fedellos do Couto - Cortezada	2018	Ribeira Sacra	Spain	Galicia	Red	Intense nose of cured meat, fresh red berries, red grapefruit and plums	Confirms the nose. Midpalate accompanied of a graphite/basalt minerality, followed by black pepper and herbs High acidity, low soft tannins and medium alcohol
Flacianello della Pieve (Fontodi)	2015	Supertuscan	Italy	Toscana	Red	Violets. Intense dried flowers.	Confirms nose. Red currant, clay pot, sandalwood Med body, High acidity, med++ tannins, med+ alcohol. Fine tannins could age longer though
Fleury	2004		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Apple aromas. Slightly floral. Yeast (sourdough)	Lemon, white peach, oak, flowers. Pinot Noir dominant. Med- body, extra brut, med+ acidity, med alcohol
Fontodi	2013	Chianti Classico	Italy	Toscana	Red	Dark fruit, cherry, oak (clove).	Tart red fruit, earthiness, and short oaky finish Medium body, med+ tannins (a bit harsh), high acidity, med+ alcohol
Fontodi - Chianti Classico	2015	Chianti Classico	Italy	Toscana	Red	Clay pot, leather.	Some bright berries, plums, earthy notes for mid-palate and finish (bitter) Medium body, high acidity, med+ tannins (fine), high alcohol
Fontodi - Filetta di Lamole	2016	Chianti Classico	Italy	Toscana	Red	Flowers, strawberries, cherry, cedar and vanilla from oak.	Strawberry and ripe cherries. Mid palate develops into earthier aromas (clay). Finish has smoke, herbs and a bitter tone that becomes black pepper. Long finish. High tannins (fine), high acidity, med body, medium alcohol
Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken - Ockfener Bockstein	2003	Saar	Germany	Mosel	White	Petrol, wet gravel, lemon, apple, honeysuckle. Very intense. With time, lime.	Sweet peach, pear, green apple, lemon. Mid palate evolves to wet gravel, nutmeg and flowers, white pepper. Light, medium sweet, med++ acidity, med-- alcohol. Long finish with lemon, vanilla, nutmeg.
François Seconde - Blanc des Noirs - La Loge	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Brioche, croissant. Intense autolysis notes.	Pear and apples. Ripe fruit. White flowers and autolysis like on the nose. Very long finish Very fine and soft mousse. High acidity, textural, velvety, dry, medium body and alcohol.
Franz Keller - Enselberg Jechtingen	2017		Germany	Baden	Red	Intense nose. Very pretty. Raspberry, cranberry. Meaty nose also detected in the Furst tasted recently. Bacon, smoke. Clear vanilla from French oak. But very well integrated.	Similar to nose. Powerful attack and mid palate. Spicy finish Medium alcohol, high acid, medium soft and very silky tannins. Medium body. Very long finish.
Frescobaldi - Castelgiocondo	2013	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Bright cherries, plums, mild violets notes. Also clay pot. Some herbal notes with development. Herbal notes become tobacco.	Cherries, bright and precise. Some sweet floral aroma (plums & violets). Sandalwood, clove, thyme in the oaky finish. Juicy and long finish. With development, tobacco too. Med+ body, high acidity, med+ tannins (super fine), high alcohol.
Furst - Centgrafenberg GG Pinot Noir	2016		Germany	Franken	Red	Red cherry, pomegranate. Very intense and perfumed. Some cured meat that blows off as it opens.	The red fruit is followed by spiced aromas of herbs, cedar, clove. High acid, light body but medium alcochol. Silky soft tannins. Very long fruity finish.
Garage Wine - Cabernet Franc Lot #80	2016		Chile	Aconcagua	Red	Blueberry, dark cherry. Ripe and fruity. As a Right Bank Bordeaux in a warm year. Strong pencil shavings. The green notes appear as mint, evolve as bay leaf and mild green peppers	Ripe and juicy fruit. Dark cherries and blueberries all along. Pencil lead appears in midpalate along with herbs. Thyme, bay leaf and peppery finish. Crisp acid, full bodied, high alcohol, medium soft tannins. Long sinish
Graham Becks	NV		South Africa		Sparkling	Apples and yeasty bread aromas. Mousse is coarser than Champagne.	Apple, citrous and autolytic aromas. Very clean aromas. Crisp acidity, medium alcohol, dry, full bodied. Medium mousse which lasted long.
Gramona - III Lustros	2012	Cava	Spain	Penedés	Sparkling	Green apples, apples, pear, white flowers. Curry, fennel, brioche, toast.	On top of flavours above, saline mid palate. Minerality typical of Xarello in Penedes No dosage, best texture in the mousse so far since having Cristal 2008. High acid, like in Champagne. Medium alcohol, medium body.
Gramona - Imperial	2013	Cava	Spain	Penedés	Sparkling	Apple, ripe but not overly. Fennel. Brioche. Autolysis didn’t shine.	Confirms nose. Also flowers. High acidity, dry, bubbles quite aggressive initially. Medium alcohol. Long finish
Gravner - Ribolla Gialla	2008		Italy	Friuli-Venezia-Giulia	Orange	Very intriguing. Served blind. First thought: it’s a sweet wine. Has some botrytis. Orange, acacias, honey. Chamomile. Very pretty.	Apricots, orange zest, flowers. Long finish. A nutty component in the background. Very concentrated. Long finish. Crisp, full bodied, high alcohol, medium fine tannins.
Guardoilvento	2016	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Ripe warm cherry, raspberry, crushed gravel	Cherry, sour cherry, dried roses. Very Italian midpalate that has gravel as background. Finish starts with black pepper, liquorice and evolves to raspberry and cherry. High acid (tip of tongue), medium alcohol, medium body, high tiny-needle-like grippy tannins (gums and tongue).
Guigal - Châteauneuf-du-Pape	2013	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Plums, very savory: leather, herbs (garrigue: thyme?, rosemary?)	Dark plums, garrigue. Medium palate evolves with peppery notes, finishing with light vanilla of the oak Med+ Acidity, Medium body, Med+ tannins, High alcohol.
Guigal - Condrieu	2015	Condrieu	France	Rhône	White	Honey	Ripe fruit (peach?) and orange blosom. Finish of oak, similar to cedar. Medium body, low acidity. Off-dry.
Gusbourne - Pinot Noir	2016		England	Kent	Red	Cranberries, cherry, cured meat.	Similar to nose. French oak giving some herbal and peppery notes in the late midpalate/finish High acid, medium alcohol and body, soft low tannins.
Il Poggione - Rosso di Montalcino	2016	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Dusty, sour cherries, blackberries, rosea	Dusty, clay, strawberries, raspberry, sour cherries. Roses. Oak spices in the finish. High acid, medium body, high tannins chewy-round
Isole e Olena - Cepparello	1997	Supertuscan	Italy	Toscana	Red	Roses, violets, sweet berries. Intensely perfumed. Pretty.	Cranberries, blackberries, concentrated. Long sweet finish, with some spice Medium- body, medium+ tannins, high acidity, med+ alcohol
Jean Foillard - Morgon Cote du Py	2018		France	Beaujolais	Red	Raspberry, blood orange. Very intense, fruity and sweet. Carbonic aromas are moderate. Elegant	Fresh raspberries and violets leads through. Minute and refined notes of graphite appear on the midpalate. The finish reveals a peppery aroma and some herbs. Very high acidity, high alcohol, medium body, medium superfine tannins.
Jean Louis Chave - Exhibition Hermitage	2014	Hermitage	France	Rhône	Red	Tar, undergrowth, dark fruits (bramble), dark olives, French oak	Dark fruits, berries, tar, cedar, garrigue: thyme. Crisp, high alcohol, full body, high fine tannins.
Jean Paul Balland - Sancerre Grande Cuvée	2016	Sancerre	France	Loire	White	Chalk, gun flint, rope apple, lemon	Ripe green apple, zest, mineral midpalate. Oaked, quite substantial. High body, med + alcohol, high acidity. Dry
Jean Paul Brun - Terres Dorées	2016	Côte de Brouilly	France	Beaujolais	Red	Blueberry and violets	Fruit, high acidity, medium tannins
Joh Jos Prüm - Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese	2012		Germany	Mosel	White	New shoes, grapefruit, peach, rice apple and honey. Very pretty	Attack has peach, grapefruit, white flowers. This advances to a dominance of honey and white flowers, where the finish starts with some mineral overtones (slightly bitter), peach, vanilla and baking spices. Light, high acidity, sweet, low alcohol.
Jon Joh Prüm - Wehlen Sonnenhur Spätlese	2017	Wehler	Germany	Mosel	White	Mineral at first, clearing up to dominant white peach notes and flowers	Peach dominates the attack, mid palate gave wet stones, jasmine, and some sweet spice (baked pie: cinnamon and apples). Long finish with peach, minerality and the spice. Medium body, very fruity, medium sweetness, high acidity, low alcohol. Perfect balance.
Josmeyer - Riesling Grand Cru Hengst "Samain"	2005		France	Alsace	White	New car, botrytis, baked apples, apricot, honey, wet stones. Pretty nose, maybe a bit too much botrytis (for my taste)	Overripe yellow fruit, mineral mid palate with sweet nasal flavours but bitter in mouth. High acidity, dry, light, high alcohol. Very long finish of baked apples with cinnamon.
Krug - Grande Cuvée 165	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Very fruity. Yellow apples and pears. Autolysis (brioche) is on par with fruit.	Confirms nose. Very long finish. Beautiful balance and concentration. Surprising amount of fruit aromas. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Excellent bubbles, soft, tiny.
La Chapelle de Bages	2014	Pauillac	France	Bordeaux	Red	Blackberries, some cassis, tobacco.	Fruit at attack, high tannins, med acidity, good body. Well balanced. Finish tends to oak: tobacco and maybe some vanilla.
La Danza del Viento La Isilla	2017		Spain	Madrid	Red	Ripe strawberry, raspberry and violets (whole bunch), herbs (garrigue). Very intense. Graphite in the background	Confirms the nose. Very long. Medium alcohol, medium body, high acidity, med velvety tannins. Very elegant
La Rioja Alta - Viña Ardanza	2009	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Vanilla, cinnamon. American oak. Cedar Cherry, cassis	Bright berries (sour cherry), mid palate with some gravelly tones. Long finish with spice: vanilla, nutmeg. Med+ body, high acidity, med+ tannins, med+ alcohol.
La Rioja Alta Reserva - Viña Ardanza	2007	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Cherries, red berries, cassis, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla	Cherries, red berries, cassis, oak finish. Med+ tannins, medlow acidity
Lapalu - Brouilly	2019		France	Beaujolais	Red	Damson at first, opening up to dark cherries and raspberry with time. Herbal notes also appear with time. Carbonic maceration is barely noticeable. Very perfumed	Dark cherries and fresh berries is followed by an earthy midpalate which finishes in black pepper and thyme. Very high acid, tangy, dry, medium powdery tannins, medium alcohol and body.
Larmandier-Bernier - Terres de Vertus Premier Cru	2013		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Nose of pear, pineapple, white flowers, brioche. Autolysis is delicate not too intense.	The palate has an attack of green apples, mid-palate of pineapple opening to a saline minerality and lime. Delicate mousse, very high acid for champagne, but balanced by the concentration of fruit. Dry, 12.5%
Les Granges Paquenesses - La Mamette	2017		France	Jura	White	Reductive. Very mineral wet stones, sweet pears and lemon. Eucalyptus.	Green apples, citrous, minerality in the background. High acid, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish
Les Ruchets - Cornas	2013	Cornas	France	Rhône	Red	Blueberries, violets, vanilla	Confirms the nose. Peppery and herbal finish. With violets fading. Medium+body, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins, med+ alcohol
Lillian - Roussane	2013	Willamette Valley	United States	Oregon	White	Lemongrass, floral, funky sweet smell	Lemongrass, smoky oak. Long finish Off dry, med body, med low acidity, high alcohol
Lopez de Heredia - Viña Bosconia	2007	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Medium-plus intensity. Red berries – raspberry interlaced with restrained vanilla and tobacco. A hint of savoury undertones.	Cherry with a layer of austere minerality. Savoury notes become more pronounced on the palate. Extended finish of tobacco and cherries, underlined by a moreish savouriness. Medium alcohol, medium-plus body, medium firm dusty tannins, crisp.
Lopez de Heredia - Viña Tondonia	2007	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Red berries, raspberry and lime very well integrated vanilla and tobacco. Medium intensity	Confirms nose, with fruit aromas dominating. Long finish of tobacco and cherries. Very well balanced. Medium alcohol, medium body, medium velvety tannins, crisp.
Lopez de Heredia - Viña Tondonia Rosado	2009	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Rose	Almond, vanilla, coconut and orange. Fairly intense aromatically	Peach, apples, wet stones and nutty. Beautiful oxidised character. Very concentrated. Oak is clearly present. High alcohol, dry, crisp. Low velevety tannins. More present than in a Provence rose but lower than in the Red Tondonia. Long finish
Lopez de Heredia Reserva - Viña Tondonia	2005	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Dried berries, vanilla	Rich, dry, firm tannins
Lorenzo de Agrelo - Mártir Chardonnay	2016		Argentina	Mendoza	White	Not very aromatic initially. Mineral funk from Chardonnay, some funky aroma. Pears/peach	Pear in the attack, with some white peach. Midpalate follows with lime and lemon, leaving a fruity and cirtrous long finish. Minerality is always there in the background. Oak is very secondary. Medium alcohol, full bodied, crisp-high acid, dry
Louis Michel - Montée de Tonnerre	2016	Chablis	France	Bourgogne	White	Apple, lime, white flowers, flint, chalk. Citrous character devel	Apple, lime, mid-palate: white flowers, gun flint Rich, RS, unoaked. Long finish: alcohol>mineral>apple(mild) Med- body, high acidity, med alcohol.
Louis Roederer - Vintage	2008		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Very intense autolytic aromas of butter, bread, toast. More than Bollinger NV also in the tasting.	Apples and white flowers on the attack, leading to pear and autolytic aromas. Very long. High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, dry
Lucien Le Moine - Clos de Vougeot (Grand Cru)	2013	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Intense ripe raspberries, herbal/truffle	Fruit (cherry) on attack, herbal undergrowth in mid palate, oaky/fruity finish (long). High acid, higher tannins
Maison Ambroise - Vougeot Premier Cru ‘Les Cras’	2015	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Cherries, violets, baked red fruit	Nose confirmed, tart red fruit (cranberry), certain earthiness, vanilla. Finish of earthiness and vanilla. long High acidity, medlow tannins, med low body, med+ alcohol
Marcel Lapierre - Morgon	2018		France	Beaujolais	Red	Red cherries and damson. Very intense but carbonic flavours are balanced.	Fruity. Earthy minerality in midpalate gives it and edge. Not much herbal. High acid, medium soft tannins, medium alcohol.
Massolino	2013	Barolo	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Cherry, sweet red fruit (plums), slight hint of rose, new leather, herbs (balsamic)	Confirms the nose. Fruity attack, mid palate occupied by herbal aromas (reminiscent of garrigue) and leather. The balsamic notes dominate the finish (medium) Great balance. Med+ acidity, med+ tannins, medium body, med alcohol.
Mendel - Cabernet Sauvignon	2017		Argentina	Mendoza	Red	New French oak spice. Pencil shavings, cassis. Some vanilla.	Cassis, very ripe but fresh. Graphite, liquorice. Long finish with refine French new oak spice notes. High alcohol, high grainy tannins, well balanced by fruit. Crisp
Mendel - Semillon	2018		Argentina	Mendoza	White	Peach, ripe apple and vanilla. Very similar to a modern US Chardonnay.	Confirms nose on attack and mid-palate, but leads to a bitter minerality in the finish. Semillon’s bug spray signature?Otherwise very clean and close to a Chardonnay. Medium alcohol, very crisp, full bodied, dry.
Merlin - La Rochelle	2015	Moulin-à-Vent	France	Beaujolais	Red	Red fruit, floral, black pepper, spice	High concentration, black cherries, cassis.
Michel Magnien - Charmes-Chambertin	2008	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red		Long and persistent flavour of ripe red fruit. Tea?
Mommessin	2014	Moulin-à-Vent	France	Beaujolais	Red	Opens up quite a lot. Cassis and earthy undergrowth (potting soil) first. Strong spice from oak. Mushroom and cherry notes develop with time underneath the dark fruit while the earthiness decays. After ~1h30min, violet aromas appeared.	Cassis on attack, earthy mid palate. Oak dominates the finish. Medium finish Medium+ body, medium+ tannins, high acidity, medium alcohol
Muga Reserva - Selección Especial	2013	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Plums, blackberry, cassis. French oak. French oak dominates with time.	Confirms nose, fruity, light sweetness. Elegant oak. Full body, med+ tannins, med+ acidity, med+ alcohol.
Nanclares - A Graña	2017	Rias	Spain	Galicia	White	Very mineral, matchstick, salt, crushed gravel. Peach, lime and honey.	Attack hits you with lime and peach, ripe but cool fruit. The midpalate opens up to the minerality found in the nose, leaving an incredibly long finish with low and salt. Very high acid, medium alcohol, dry, phenolic, medium body
Nicolas Joly - Le Vieux Clos	2018	Savennieres	France	Loire	White	Very clean. Bruised apples and honey. Very intense and precise.	The rich fruit leads to a wet stones minerality. Slate more than chalky. Very long finish Very high electric acid, dry but not austere, very high alcohol and body
Niepoort - Lagar de Baixo	2015		Portugal	Bairrada	Red	Eucalyptus, pine trees, cherries. As it develops, some cedar	Red fruit: cherries and berries pass to eucalyptus. Crushed rocks. Finish has some spice from oak. High acidity (under tongue), medium soft and velvety tannins (on palate and tongue), low alcohol, medium body
Niepoort- Tiara	2017		Portugal	Douro	White	Very mineral nose. Chalk and flint. Reductive leads to stone fruit and citrous aromas. Very intense	White peach, lemons and white flowers. In the background a very clear minerality. Great concentration Piercing acid, as a Chenin or a Riesling. Dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Very long
Orbelus - Getika	2013		Bulgaria	Thracian Valley	Red	Cassis, blackberry, some french oak.	Cassis and some earthy/tar notes. Quite heavily oaked. Med body, high alcohol, balanced acidity. Med+ tannins, but a bit rough
Orbelus - Melnik	NV		Bulgaria	Thracian Valley	Red	Blueberry, blackberry and plums. Very Malbec like nose. Intense.	Confirms nose. Long fruity finish. High acidity, med tannins, med+ body, high alcohol.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné - Domaine de Thalabert	2013	Crozes-Hermitage	France	Rhône	Red	Cassis, plums, olive	Cassis, plums, olive dominate in mid palate. Light spice at the end Med+ body, med acidity, med alcohol, med tannins. Tannins really well integrated. Great balance
Pechenino - Siri s’Jermu		Dogliani	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Cherry, elegant oak.	Cherry attack, that leads to a herbal mid palate and oaky finish. Med+ body, med+ tannins and acidity, med alcohol.
Pedro Parra - Trane	2018	Itata	Chile	Itata	Red	Intense violets, strawberry and raspberry. Very pretty. Ripe but fresh nose. Herbal notes in the background	A fresh fruity attack followed by some earthy minerality and thyme and dry herbs in the finish. Beautiful structure. Crisp, medium incredibly fine tannins, medium alcohol, medium bodied.
Pegasus Bay - Riesling Late Release	2009		New Zealand	South Island	White	Petrol, apricots, mango, herbs (basil). Honey	Confirms nose. High acid, off-dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Denser than a Mosel but aromatically very similar
Philipp Kuhn - Kirschgarten Pinot Noir GG	2016		Germany	Pfalz	Red	Vanilla, truffle, dry herbs and spices. Smoky	Cherry, blackberry, plums. Riper than Franken. Long finish of smoky spice and cherry High acid, high alcohol, medium body, dry. Velvety medium tannins.
Philipp Kuhn - Scwarzer Herrgott GG	2017		Germany	Pfalz	White	Light aroma of petrol. Honey, white flowers, peach/nectarine.	Confirms nose. Midpalate a opens to dried herbs, basil and minerality. Finish is very long starting with wet stone mineral aromas and fading to to flowers and citrous. Medium alcohol, medium body, high acidity, dry.
Pieropan - La Rocca Classico	2017	Soave	Italy	Veneto	White	Almonds, stone fruit and lemon. Wet stones	Confirms nose. Very rich and aromatic for Garganega. Dense, great texture. Finish reveals creamy notes. Lemon custard. Minerality and nuttiness in finish Crisp, medium alcohol, full bodied, dry.
Pio Cesare	2014	Barolo	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Intense overtones of sweet roses. Earth (tar?, leather), plums/cherries, spice (oak)	Cranberrys at attack, roses linger through mid palate, with sweet red fruit, finishes with oak (clove) Medium body, high tannins and acidity, med+ alcohol. Tanninis are very fine. Silky texture. Long finish but not intense (some fruit and oak, watering tannins last)
Pio Cesare - Barbera d'Alba	2016	Alba	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Cherry, blackberries. Volatile blueberry.	Dark cherry and blackberry. Nice sweet oaky (vanilla) finish. Med+ fruit, med+ body, med++ acidity, med+ alcohol.
Planeta - Santa Cecilia	2010	Noto	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Dried fruit, dates and raisins, dusty soil. Oak at the back. Quite intense.	Dried fruit, plums, rosemary in mid palate, chocolate and oaky finish. Very full body, fine med+ tannins, med+ acidity, high alcohol. Sweet, residual sugar.
Poggio al Tesoro - Sondraia	2013	Bolgheri	Italy	Toscana	Red	Leather, cassis, blackberry. Oak. Very Bordeaulais. Concentrated	Cassis, black cherry, graphite at attack. Some RS. Finish dominated by oak(rosemary, spice, vanilla) and cassis Full body, med+ tannins (super fine), med-high acidity, high alcohol. Velvety. Long finish
Produttori del Barbaresco	2013	Barbaresco	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Cherry, cranberry, potpourri, liquorice, tar	Tart cherry, leather/tar in the mid palate. Finish start with some white pepper, leaving a dark wood and herbal aroma as it develops. Med+? body, med++ tannins, med++ acidity, med+ alcohol. Medium finish.
Rafael Palacios - Louro Godello	2018	Valdeorras	Spain	Galicia	White	Ripe peach, lime, white peach, creamy/buttery aroma. Medium-high intensity of aromas. Some minerality or gooseberries	Peach and lime. Very chalky finish. Almost bitter. Long limey finish. After time opened, very saline when kept in mouth long. Full bodied, high alcohol, high acidity (sides of tongue and tip), dry. Phenolic.
Raul Pérez - La Vizcaina - La del vivo	2018	Bierzo	Spain	Castilla y León	White	Medium intensity. Citrus, lemon, baked apples (Flor). Some chalky wet stone as it opens up.	Baked apples is the primary description. With food, more common peach aromas appear. No almond flavours. Salty and mineral from the midpalate, but baked apples dominates. Not very fruity. High acid, refreshing, dry, medium alcohol, light (could be thanks to Flor?)
Raul Perez - Ultreia St Jacques	2018	Bierzo	Spain	Castilla y León	Red	Vanilla, French oak, well integrated into dark cherry and damson.	Fruit is followed by a slight High acidity, soft velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol.
Raventos i Blanc - De la finca	2014	Cava	Spain	Penedés	Sparkling	Autolytic notes: yeast, brioche. Well developed and aromatic. Apples and citrous fruit. Ripe. Some saline minerality.	Ripe apples and some lime. Slight mineral notes: saline. Otherwise, it confirms nose. High acidity (but clearly less than Champagne), very fine mousse (but less persistent, dry, medium alcohol
Recaredo - Terrerrs Brut Nature	2015	Cava	Spain	Penedés	Sparkling	Green apples, lemon, almonds, toast. Fine mousse	Confirms nose. Mid palate has some minerality. Long finish of lemon but also a bitterness of Xarello that becomes quite strong if not consumed with food. Some dosage would have soften this sensation. High acid, medium body, medium alcohol, very dry. Soft and elegant mousse. Quite a drying texture from lees.
René Jolly - Blanc de blancs	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Butter, brioche, apple.	Very ripe apples, white peach, butter, oak Brut, light, high acidity.
René Jolly - Blanc de blancs - Extra Pur	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Toast, butter, yellow apple	Lemon, apple, nutty tertiary notes. No dosage. Light, high acidity.
Ridge - Lytton Springs	2016		United States	Sonoma County	Red	Fruit forward. Concentrated. Initially dark cherry and blackberry. With time, plums. Earthiness and then oak. But restrained in the oak, very Bordeaulais.	Cherry, blackberries, plums in attack. Plums and graphite in mid palate. Oak and graphite in the finish, slight bitterness. High body, med+ acidity, med+ tannins, med+ alcohol.
Ridge - Monte Bello	1994		United States	Sonoma County	Red	Violets, banana, eucalyptus	Cranberry, raspberry, fruit forward. Violets. How a good Margaux feels?. Violets and cranberries forever in the finish. Medium+ body, med++ acidity, med+ tannins, med+ alcohol
Riecine - Riserva	2015	Chianti Classico	Italy	Toscana	Red	Dark cherry, sweet cherry, iron, leather	Cherry, cranberry, herbal note (thyme), new oak (sandalwood). Medium body, med+ tannins, high acidity, med+ alcohol. medium Finish with cherry and oak.
Roger Sabon - Les Olivets	2015	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Dark cherries, but mainly garrigue (sage, thyme)	Nice balance. Great for meats. Cherries at attack, dried herbs in mid palate and finish. Also pepper at finish. Medium body, medium+ acidity and tannins, high alcohol.
Roses de Jeanne - Val de Vilaine	2017		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Fresh yellow apples and pears. Autolysis is more in the background, but perceptible brioche aromas	Ripe fruit followed by some minerality and autolytic aromas. High acid of Champagne, dry but zero dosage not noticeable, medium alcohol, full bodied
San Román	2014		Spain	Toro	Red	Fig, raisin, vanilla, milk chocolate. Intense. Some earthiness too	Sour cherry attack, mid palate develops to raisins, wet rocks. Long finish with dried figs, herbs, vanilla and chocolate. Full body, med+fine tannins, med+ alcohol and acid. Long finish with dried figs, vanilla and chocolate.
Schafer-Frohlich - Felsenberg	2016		Germany	Nahe	White	Very muted nose. Something went bad? Petrol, pear, herbs. Lemon	Heavy spritz when serving. Aromas confirm nose. But more intense in flavours. The complexity of the wines shines more. Aromatic mid palate. Finish is herbal and citrous. Medium alcohol, medium body, dry, high acid. Long finish. Phenolic texture
Schloss Lieser - Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel	2017	Lieser	Germany	Mosel	White	Wet stones dominate. As it opens up, lemon and lime notes can be noticed. Also, hidden some floral notes (chamomile?) and smoke, but faint.	Attack with grapefruit, mid palate with mango, apricot notes and sweet smoky finish, with citrous notes (lime/lemon). Medium body, med+ sweetness, high acidity, low alcohol.
Ségla - Margaux	2009	Margaux	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cassis, sweet oak, floral, violet, cedar, fennel, earth, spice.	Very well balanced. Elegant.
Ségla - Margaux	2010	Margaux	France	Bordeaux	Red	Cedar, spice (clove, nutmeg), earth intensified though.	Balance is perfect.
Silvano Bolmida - Bussia Riserva	2010	Barolo	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Floral, perfumed, cherry, liquorice, game	Earthy, savoury. Like pinot noir with high tannins.
St Michael-Eppan - Pinot Griglio	2018		Italy	Alto Adige	White	Crushed gravel, flowers, lemon, pear, apples.	Pear and apples on attack, mid palate has lemon, flowers. Finish is long with some spice and yellow fruit. Med- body, med acidity, dry, med alcohol.
Stephan Magnien - Morey-St-Denis	2015	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Cassis, blueberry, cherry, truffle, leather, game
Stephane Ogier - Cote Rotie Village	2014	Côte Rôtie	France	Rhône	Red	Bramble nose. Raspberry and blackberries. Notes of olive typical of Syrah. As it develops, black pepper appears	Confirms nose. Fruity and concentrated. The finish ends on black pepper and herbs. Crisp acid, medium alcohol, medium body and medium supple tannins. Very soft texture.
Stéphane Tissot - Singulier Trousseau	2018		France	Jura	Red	Intense black cherry, black raspberry. Nose of a mencia	Confirms nose. Leather in midpalate. Finish of pepper. High acid, medium grippy tannins, medium alcohol
Suertes del Marqués - Cruz Santa	2018	Valle de la Orotava	Spain	Islas Canarias	Red	Intense cured meat, graphite and basalt. Pepper. Cranberries, cherry and dried flowers as it opens up.	Cranberries on attack. Confirms nose. Midpalate reveals herbs. Pepper Medium alcohol, medium body, high acidity, high very fine grained tannins. Similar to a Nerello. Balances well the fruit and meat. Long finish
Suertes del Marqués - Vidonia	2018	Valle de la Orotava	Spain	Islas Canarias	White	Intense. Wet stones, chalk, creme fraiche. Grapefruit, lemon, white peach	Ripe but very fresh. Attack starts with nectarine and minerality, midpalate opens up lemon and MLF aromas. Body of an Albariño, acid and alcohol of a Chablis. Finish of citrous, MLF and mineral aromas. Medium alcohol, medium body, high acid, dry. Very long finish
Sylvain Cathiard - Vosne-Romanée	2015	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Compoted strawberry (actually blueberry), rose	Strawberry, high acid, cranberry, herbal in mid palate, finish with cranberry and some oak (mild). Long finish.
Tenuta delle Terre Nere - Santo Spirito	2015	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Cherry and blackberry. Wet stones minerality. Vanilla from French oak. Spice, cloves	Very concentrated. Black fruit. Mineral side less noticeable. Vanilla from the would needs a bit more time to integrate. Very spicy. Cloves, pepper. Long finish. High acid, high alcohol, full body, high very fine grained tannins (tongue and gums)
Tenuta Il Poggione	2012	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Leather, tobacco. With time, cedar, then spice. Black plums, blackberry.	Cherry. Mid palate starts with sweet plums finishes with clove and thyme. Tobaccoish notes too. Finish starts with black fruit (similar to nose) and fades to spice notes (clove primarily) Rich. Med+ fruit, med+ body, med++ tannins, high acidity, high alcohol.
The Hedonist	2015		Australia	McLaren Vale	Red	Cassis, blackberry, dark cherries, plums. Tobacco, oak spice.	Ripe fruit on attack. Good balance. Nice body.
Thibaud Boudignon - Anjou Blanc	2018		France	Loire	White	Lime zest, wet gravel. As it evolves and warms up, ripe apples, grapefruit and finally honeyed and bee wax notes.	Very zesty and racy attack. Citrous midpalate. The finish starts with lime zest and minerality and with time it takes honeyed notes. Very high acid, medium alcohol, creamy medium body (perhaps some malolactic fermentation), dry. Long finish!
Trimbach - Cuvee Emile	2011		France	Alsace	White	Petrol notes that follow to white flowers, basil and herbs. Fruit is pear and peaches	Confirms nose. Peach and apricot on the attack. Finish ends spicy, almost peppery. Due to oak? Straw, high acid, high alcohol, dry but not austere, full body. Long finish.
Tua Rita - Giusto di Notri	2015	Supertuscan	Italy	Toscana	Red	Violets, bay leaf, very intense, cassis	Black cherry, concentrated, mid palate finished with thyme/sage. Dried herbs Med+ body, fine med+ tannins, med+ acidity, high alcohol
Vajra - Bricco delle Viole	2010	Barolo	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Very mineral. Tar, graphite. Dusty. Took an hour to emit cherry and flower aromas	Dusty, sweet cherries. A bit disappointing. High acid, high fine tannins, grippy. Medium bodied, high alcohol
Vallone - Graticciaia	2013		Italy	Puglia	Red	Raisins, tar, smoke, black fruit. Ripe and sweet aromas	Confirms the nose. New oak provides some herbal flavours (thyme). High alcohol, full body, off-dry, high tannins and high acid. Very balanced and elegant.
Verónica Ortega - Cal	2018	Bierzo	Spain	Castilla y León	White	Greengages, herbal, mint. Citrous. Very intense. Chamomile	Citrous flavours lead to mineral and wet stones aromas. Finish is lime and wet stones. Creamy High vertical and tangy acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Creamy texture and fruit balance well acidity. Phenolic feel from lees. Very long finish
Verónica Ortega - VO	2016	Bierzo	Spain	Castilla y León	Red	Not very aromatic. Needs time to develop in glass. Wild berries and wet black stones. Slate. Oak spice, sage, pepper	Confirms nose. Minerality is more apparent. Finish is dominated by oak. High acidity, high grainy tannins, medium alcohol
Veuve Clicquot	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Ripe pear, brioche and butter.	Confirms nose. Some chalk in midpalate. Autolysis balances ripe fruit. Long yeasty finish. Fine mousse, delicate. High acid, medium body, dry, phenolic structure.
Vietti - Barbera d'Alba	2017	Alba	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Sandalwood (dominates), dark cherry, spice. Very refined for a Barbera	Cherry, blackberry. Midpalate evolves from tart fruit to clay and then thyme, sandalwood and spice. The finish is medium, where the sandalwood and spice blend. Med+ body, med tannins, high acidity, med+ alcohol
Vilmart - Grand Cellier	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Grapefruit, yellow apple, flowers, yeast and sourdough bread. Very fine and abundant mousse	Green apple, grapefruit, lime, flowers, well marked elegant autolytic flavours. Minerality and lime in the finish. Long finish Medium alcohol, high acidity, dry. Medium body. Phenolic astringent coating (elegant) from autolysis
Viña Tondonia	2006	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Cherry, raisins and tobacco notes dominate	Fresh bright cherries, raisin and wet gravel mid palate, herbal finish. Oak well integrated Med+ body, high acidity, med+ tannins, high alcohol
Viña Tondonia Reserva	2007	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	White	Oxidised: saline and nutty notes. Peach, white flowers. American oak: sweet vanilla	Oxidised fruit: peach. Some honeyed aromas. Midpalate dominated by nutty flavours. Retronasal aromas of vanilla Crisp, med alcohol, medium body. Some tannin from would. Dry
Yabby Lake - Single Vineyard Chardonnay	2015		Australia	Mornington Peninsula	White	Floral, tropical fruit (pinnacle/passion)	Graprefruit, pear, floral, camomile, touch of spice, peach lingers. Cream/butter. Medium body, dry, med+ high acidity, med+ alcohol
Zagreus - Vinica	2016		Bulgaria	Thracian Valley	Red	Red currant, very intense and concentrated. Elegant french oak at the back	Confirms nose, mid palate developed to black pepper. Some residual sugar. Long fruity finish Med+ body, high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol
Zárate - Caiño Tinto	2018	Ribeira Sacra	Spain	Galicia	Red	Very meaty nose. Red fruit and graphite.	Meaty notes dominate over fruit. High acid, soft velvety tannins, light and low alcohol
Equipo Navazos - La Bota de Fino 68	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	White flowers, baked apple/oxidised apple (flor) and green almond. As it evolves, honey notes appear	Confirms the nose. Apple, lime, almonds and a mild salinity dominate in that order. The almond and honey notes take over in the finish. Although an old saca, flor aromas are still there, present. High alcohol, full bodied, crisp, dry. Velvety texture from the flor. Very long finish
Conti Costanti - Rossi Di Montalcino Vermiglio	2015	Brunello di Montalcino	France	Toscana	Red	Intense ripe cherries, dusty and clay aromas. Dried flowers	Ripe black cherries and sour cherries. The midpalate reveals leather, old oak cedar notes. Long finish of thyme and clay. High acidity, full body, high alcohol, high round tannins.
Adrien Berlioz - Cuvee Euphrasie	2018	Chignin	France	Savoie	White	Ripe pear and peach. Intense. As it develops, honey aromas appear.	Peach, pear, lime intertwined in the attack. Lime increases it’s dominance in the midpalate. Tea and herbal notes appear in the finish, but lime dominates. Full bodied, medium alcohol, astringent texture (pithy), crisp (on the lower end) acid, dry. Long length
Yvon Métras – Beaujolais	2017		France	Beaujolais	Red	Initially muted. A few minutes after opening intense fresh raspberry and red berry aromas are unleashed. Over time, a subtle note of violet appears. Very perfumed.	Raspberries and berries on the attack, graphite and wet stones on the midpalate. Black pepper with garrigue notes (thyme, rosemary) dominate in the finish with the fruit now in the background. Medium alcohol, light body, high tangy acidity and medium velvety tannins. Beautiful texture and a long finish.
Château de Pibarnon	2018	Bandol	France	Côtes de Provence	Rose	Intense aromas of white peach, cherry and grapefruit. As it develops, dried flowers appear.	White peach and grapefruit on the attack. Salinity in mid palate. Smoky dry herbs finish. Tannins give a savoury bitterness that makes it a great food wine. Crisp, medium alcohol, full bodied (compared to other Bandol rosés), dry, low velvety tannins.
Lustau - Amontillado VORS 30 Years	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Intense orange zest and walnuts	Zest and lime on the attack, leading to hazelnut and walnuts and an extremely long orange and saline finish. The texture is very dense and concentrated. High acid, tangy, bone dry, high alcohol, very full bodied. Textural traces of lees and ageing
Pierre Palliard - Les Parcelles XV Grand Cru	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Ripe nose of plums, brioche, oak oxidation. As it develops, strawberry and flowers	Ripe plums and pears, natural density and concentration. Chalk and lime in the finish, but plums and pears dominate. High acid, dry, tiny dosage but fruit balances it well, medium alcohol (12.5%). Texture of lees. Fine mousse.
Michel Gonet - Extra Brut Mesnil Grand Cru	2011		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Intense. Brioche, toast, yeasty. Grapefruit and apples.	Apples, toast and lime. Midpalate reveals citrus notes and saline chalky aromas. Long finish of apples, lime and chalk. Very fine mousse, delicate astringency from the lees: silky. Very dry, high acidity. The balance is just right. The acidity-ripeness level is taken to the limit. Bravo. With a tiny dosage, the ripeness really holds the wine together.
Pepe Mendoza - El Veneno	2018		Spain	Alicante	Red	Blackberries, raspberry, rosemary	The black fruit and bramble character leads to a graphite and garrigue flavour. The fruit is not too ripe. The acid is surprising. High alcohol, full bodied, crisp acid (in tension), dry.
Jean Grivot - Rouge	2014		France	Bourgogne	Red	Raspberry, strawberry and violets. Very intense. With time, meaty bacon note appears. Also pomegranate. French oak vanilla (mild)	Strawberry, cherries, raspberry. Very fruity and juicy. The midpalate reveals some cedar notes from the oak. Medium alcohol, medium body, high acidity, silky low tannins and medium finish
Gran Caus - Rosat	2019		Spain	Penedés	Rose	Dried flowers and herbs. Then it develops apricot, strawberry, raspberry. Very intense.	Strawberry, very concentrated. Herbal midpalate which drives you to a long juicy finish. Wow. Like a Pinot. Medium alcohol, medium body, soft silky tannins and very crisp.
Quinta do Carvalhais - Branco Especial	NV		Portugal	Dao	White	Mushrooms, well integrated vanilla from French oak. Honey and dried apricots. Very serious wine	Grapefruit, honey, yellow fruit. Saline midpalate, lime and vanilla finish. Very concentrated. Very long finish. Delicious. Dry, crisp, high alcohol, full bodied, slight astringency (tannins or lees?)
Can Rafols dels Caus - El Rocallís	2016		Spain	Penedés	White	Intense nose of wet stones. Almost petrol like. Peach, ripe yellow pears, honey and white flowers. Alsace with minerality. As it develops, Thai basil (common in Riesling) appears	Pear, peach, lime on the attack. The midpalate reveals some salinity and the finish explodes with wet stones and lime. Very long finish. Dry, very creamy and full bodied (like Pinot Blanc), crisp (on the high end) and medium alcohol
Ridge - Geyserville	2015	Sonoma County	United States	California	Red	Vanilla, coconut, black fruit: blackberries. With time: dried flowers, chocolate and cedar	Black fruit, luscious blackberries on the attack. Midpalate starts showing the American oak, well integrated in the finish on the background of black fruit. Full bodied, medium chunky (but soft tannins), crisp, high alcohol. Elegant and balanced. Very long finish
Marcel Lapierre - Cuvée Marcel Lapierre	2018	Morgon	France	Beaujolais	Red	Mineral and earthy notes. Violets and raspberry followed by intense notes of black cherries	Delightfully fruity and juicy. The attack starts with cherries and raspberries, opens up to some graphite. The finish is dominated by the fruit and cedar. High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, low velvety tannins. Very long finish
Matías Riccitelli - Semillon Old Vines	2019		Argentina	Patagonia	White	Intense notes of wax, lanolin and lime. As it develops, white flowers come through. After a day opened, the nose is dominated by chamomile, apple and a touch of vanilla.	Very complex. The attack is driven by flavours of lime and white flowers. Surprising concentration, so high! The midpalate reveals lanolin and saline aromas. The finish leaves you with a long citrus and apple note. Medium alcohol, full bodied, textural aspect from lees, pithy. High acidity and dry.
Yacochuya	2013		Argentina	Salta	Red	Incredibly intense. Blackberries, a touch of red pepper (characteristic under the sunlight exposure of these wines), cassis, graphite and vanilla. French oak. With time, graphite notes become more complex and the oak opens up to cedar aromas.	The fruit is not overripe but the wine holds a concentration that challenges the extremes of what we conceived possible. The attack explodes with black fruit. Rich and perfectly ripe. The midpalate leads to some graphite and the finish mixes dark fruit, black pepper and cedar. Remarkably long finish. High alcohol (15.5%), a couple of grams of residual sugar (really!), medium soft and velvety tannins and crisp acid. Rolland is showing off
Domaine Guiberteau - Saumur Les Moulins	2018	Saumur	France	Loire	White	Honey , honeysuckle, summer flowers, lime, wax. Very delicate nose.	Lime, green apple on the attack, which settles on lemon and a touch of honey in the midpalate. The finish is carried by the citrous notes, flowers and as it develops, a waxy minerality High acidity, dry, medium alcohol and medium body. Medium finish. Very refined structure
Fernando de Castilla - Antique Oloroso	NV	Sherry		Andalucia	White	Intense orange zest, honey, caramel, roasted almonds. Very pretty	Nuttier than on the nose, very concentrated. The midpalate reveals notes of hazelnuts that stay alongside the orange zest in the finish. High alcohol, very full body, dry, high acidity and long finish
Istenič - Prestige Extra Brut	2011		Slovenia		Sparkling	Green apples, grapefruit, yeast, brioche and white flowers. Very powerful and attractive nose	Green apple, lemon in the attack. The midpalate evolves to a lasting note of lemon curd in the finish. Very high acid, medium body, medium alcohol, dry (sweet end of brut). Slightly astringent and (sadly) bitter in the finish.
Szepsy - Furmint	2016		Hungary	Tokaji	White	Smoke, matches, lime and quite. Very unique and distinctive. Some sweetness from oak. Notes of bay leaf and flowers appear with time	Lime, quiche, pears and in the midpalate smoke and salinity. Matchstick and lime linger in the finish. Very concentrated and elegant. As it develops, white flowers in the midpalate. High acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish
Tamas Duzsi - Görögso	2013		Hungary		Red	Sour cherry, blackberries, strawberry. Graphite and French oak’s cedar notes.	Cherry and strawberries in the attack, tangy midpalate where the graphite appears the finish is dominated by the cherry and black pepper notes and hibiscus. As it develops, French oak’s cedar notes become more apparent. High acidity, full bodied, high alcohol, medium fine grippy tannins. Very long finish.
Claus Preisinger	2019		Austria	Burgenland	Red	Cranberries, pomegranate, strawberry. Hibiscus appears as it opens. Very light and perfumed.	Strawberry and raspberries on the attack. The midpalate follows by adding some notes of graphic minerality. Not at all like a normal Bläufrankisch. Long fruity finish. Very light and juicy, high acidity. Low alcohol, dry and with soft low very fine tannins.
Sebastien Riffault- Akmèniné	2016	Sancerre	France	Loire	White	Very difficult to verbalise. Honey, matchstick, flint. Candied fruit (citrous, orange or lemons), dried apricots or apricot marmalade. Chamomile. Intense and interesting. The botrytis makes a unique wine.	Apple juice, apricot marmalade, lime. The lime carries over all the way to the finish, where the floral notes are revealed. Long finish. High acidity, a tiny bit of RS, medium alcohol, full bodied. A unique wine
Ferrer Bobet - Vinyes Velles	2016	Priorat	Spain	Catalonia	Red	Black fruits, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, licorice, leather, French oak spice. As it develops, leaving the wine in the glass for a bit reveals notes of violets and roasted coffee beans	Blackberries and licorice on the attack, leather on the midpalate and spice on the finish from French oak. Very concentrated. Fruit is ripe but cooler than Mediterranean wines. Long fruity and spicy finish. High acidity, almost tangy! Dry, medium tannins, fine but grippy. High alcohol and full bodied. Very refined
Bodegas Alonso - Amontillado Blend Medium Sweet - Single Cask	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Orange marmalade, rancio (wood polish, old oak, walnuts), figs, dry dates. Intense and persistent.	Complex and hard to describe. Orange zest quickly dissipates to date, caramel and walnuts. Very concentrated and electrifying. Rancio appears in the finish. Eon-long finish, very high acidity, medium sweet, high alcohol, full body. Slight astringency from oak tannins
Christian Tschida - Brutal	2019		Austria	Burgenland	Red	Intense and elegant nose of red currants, cranberries and roses. Very floral and seductive. As it develops, the fruit becomes darker towards raspberries	Cranberries and strawberry in the attack, hibiscus flowers and pomegranate in the midpalate and a long floral fruity finish. On the finish the old oak spice reveals itself faint, with some licorice. Delicious Very high tangy acidity, medium-low velvety tannins on the palate and tongue, light body and medium alcohol.
Thibaud Boudignon	2018	Savennieres		Loire	White	Wet stones immediately hit when opened. Then lemon, in all its shades: zest, juice, marmalade. Chalk dust and white flowers as it develops.	Very fruity attack confirms the lemon driven nose. Good concentration. The midpalate reveals the wet stones again and the finish mixes this minerality with notes of lime. High acid, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Equipo Navazos - Bota 90 de Manzanilla Pasada	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Green apple, oxidised apples transforming to orange zest, honey, white flowers and green almonds. Nuts and saltiness dominate as time passes	Apples, white flowers and green almonds (flor), lemon juice and saltiness. Chalky minerality. The lemon notes drive an extremely long finish, intertwined with flinty and salty notes and green almonds. Delicious. High acidity, it makes you salive vigorously. Lees and ageing give it a light astringency. Dry, medium bodied, high alcohol (16.5%)
Thymiopoulos - Rapsani	2018		Greece		Red	Damson, sour cherry, leather, dusty and spice from old French oak.	Ripe fruity attack, not overripe though. Midpalate invites you with sour cherry and mineral aromas, almost saline. Spicy finish with oak notes. High acidity, medium bodied, medium alcohol, high fine grippy tannins. Long finish
Enderle & Moll - Pinot Noir	2018		Germany	Baden	Red	Needs 1h to open up. Cherries, red currant and cranberries start appearing. The characteristic note of cured meat of Spatburgunder is there all along though. Clove and cedar from old French oak	Fruity elegant attack, taken by the cured meat notes in the midpalate. Delicious and great value. Spice and cherries on the finish. High acidity, medium velvety tannins, medium alcohol, light. Medium finish
Hatzidakis - Mavrotragano	2016		Greece	Santorini	Red	Light game, ripe blackberries, intense minerality (clearly volcanic). Spice and leather. After one day, licorice emerges. The fruit becomes more dominant	Ripe but fresh blackberries, cherry and crushed rocks. The midpalate accentuates this minerality. Very similar to Canary Island red wines. Oakier, though. The cedar and old oak spice notes are intense. Black pepper on the finish. High acidity, high fine tannins, high alcohol, medium bodied. Medium finish. Well balanced, but the texture really excels after a day open
Sybille Kuntz - Scharz	2007		Germany	Mosel	White	Peach, honey. Fresh ripe stone fruit. The honeyed notes reveal some botrytis. Age shows in herbal notes such as chamomile, and Thai basil.	Medium alcohol, medium bodied, high acid and medium sweet. Light leesy texture
Guigal- Côte Rôtie Brune et Blonde	2015	Côte-Rôtie	France	Rhône	Red	Very fruity. Young and showing mainly it’s primary characters. After serious airing, violets and blackberry notes appear. It has a savoury French oak backbone.	Damson and blackberries. Some blackberries and new French oak. High acid, fine grained medium tannins, medium alcohol, medium bodied
Enderle & Moll - Mushel	2018		Germany	Baden	Red	Roses, red currants and strawberry. Intense and delicate aromas. Reminds to the most floral Burgundies. With time, the typical bacon nose from Baden slowly appears. The fruit becomes slightly darker, towards cranberries.	Strawberry, red currants and roses in the midpalate. Very floral when just opened. After a day the character of the fruit changes to cranberries, dark cherries and cured meat appears in the midpalate. With time the finish becomes more savoury and herbal. A complex wine full of typicity High tangy acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, fine silky low tannins. Very long finish
Thibaud Boudignon - Les Fougerais	2016	Savennieres	France	Loire	White	Reduction and honey at the first instants, then vanilla and citrous: lime, zest. Intensely aromatic for a Chenin.	Burst of green apples and citrous aromas on the attack. Wet stones and salinity appear in the midpalate, fading to a very long citrous finish. Lemon and lime juice. The new French oak is surprising. It does balance the intense acidity. Very high acid, intense but balanced. Medium, medium body, medium alcohol, dry.
Fernando de Castilla - Antique Amontillado	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Beautiful combination of orange zest of age and green almonds and flowers or the velo.
Werlitsch - Ex Vero II	2006		Austria	Styria	White	Precise and intense aroma of flint, hazelnuts and honey. As it opens up, summer flowers too	Concentrated, full of flavour. Lemon and lime curd, passion fruit and honey. The midpalate reveals the intense minerality and a touch of salinity. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Very long finish
Château Montus	1995	Madiran	France		Red	Tobacco, leather, pencil lead. Classic aged Bordeaux profile, but this is a Tannat blend	Cassis on the attack, followed by leather, cedar and cigar box. A serious aged wine, with a long and elegant finish. A freshness one wishes to find in Bordeaux more often Crisp, medium alcohol, medium body, low soft velvety tannins.
Domaine des Ardoisières - Argile Blanc	2019		France	Savoie	White	Pears, peach and white flowers. Moderately aromatic and elegant.	The pear and peach lead to a chalky salinity and lemon. Long finish High acidity, low alcohol, medium body, dry
Comando G - Las Rozas 1er Cru	2018	Sierra de Gredos	Spain	Madrid	Red	Initially rose petals, intense red fruits when swirled (cranberries, strawberries) and a touch of granite.	Cranberry and wild strawberry, then granite minerality (wet slate), finishing on the red fruit. More concentration than La Bruja, but still light and fresh. High racy acid, med tiny grippy tannins. Very long finish
Envínate - Taganán Parcela Margalagua	2017	Valle de la Orotava	Spain	Islas Canarias	Red	Intense nose of fresh cherries, pomegranate, volcanic basalt.	Intense flavours. Cranberries, licorice and savoury notes of crushed rocks and black pepper. Long finish with red fruit and minerality. Medium alcohol, medium body, racy high acidity and low velvety tannins.
Contino - Graciano	2015	Rioja Alavesa	Spain	Rioja	Red	Ripe blackberry, but fresh. Herbal notes of oak and varietal character.	Very fruity and opulent palate. The great acidity bring balance. A cedary aroma juxtaposes the fresh blackberry finish. High acidity, full body, medium soft ripe tannins, high alcohol.
Marjan Simčič - Ribolla Opoka	2017	Brda	Slovenia	Slovenian Littoral	Orange	Chalky and wet gravel start. Greengages, honey and vanilla appear with time. Aromatic and enticing. Precise and conplex	Intense flavour of greengages, some lemon zest and honey on the attack. The midpalate reveals that minerality we felt in the nose, but in a more saline manner. The finish… Very concentrated. High racy acidity, low silky tannins (amber wine), dry, medium alcohol and medium bodied. Long finish.
Ridge - Montebello	2000		United States	California	Red	Elegant tobacco aromas, cigar box, leather. Upon agitation, plush cassis. Indicating a warmer climate. American ok is not evident	Plush cassis, soften by time, blackberries and tobacco. Precise aromas and beautiful structure. Long finish of cedar and tobacco. Crisp acid, soft medium tannins, medium alcohol and medium body. Very long finish
Pol Roger	2013		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Ripe apples and pear, hint of lemon. Sourdough and brioche as it opens. Refined and serious nose.	Ripe apples and green apples merge to give way to lactic and yeasty aromas. The finish is dominated by those brioche notes just compensated by a touch of ripe fruit. Medium alcohol, full bodied, high acidity, but not fully dry (brut). Beautiful soft mousse with tiny bubbles. Very long finish
Radikon - Ribolla Gialla	2013		Italy	Friuli-Venezia-Giulia	Orange	Fennel, nutmeg, cinnamon come powerfully with a hint of volatile acidity (VA, acetic acid basically). Uncommon, a special wine	The attack comes with ripe apricots, almost dried and transitions through honeyed notes before arriving at the spices detected in the nose. The finish is long, but dynamic. The spices switch suddenly to walnuts; it’s a powerful retronasal aroma. Crisp, medium velvety tannins (soft and delightful, full bodied and high alcohol.
Domaine de Triennes	2019		France	Côtes de Provence	Rose	Peach and dried flowers. The floral notes are balanced and refined, far from some comfected aromas found in some rosés.	The peach and strawberry notes in the attack are supported in the midpalate by the floral notes. Medium finish where some herbal notes also appear. Very concentrated, with perfect balance. Provençal rosé with finesse. Crisp, medium alcohol, medium body, dry, no noticeable tannins.
Kumeu River - Coddington Vineyard	2018	West Auckland	New Zealand	North Island	White	Kumeu's famous reduction when opened. As it develops, flint and wet stones appear. Notes of quince and white peach complete a very classic and elegant Chardonnay profile	Quince in the attack. The mineral aromas appear in the midpalate along with some lemon notes. The citrous notes linger in the long finish. Not as complex as Hunting Hill Vineyard, but it's loaded with concentration and a fresh ripeness. A great competitor to white Burgundy. High acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body.
Domaine du Pegau	1995	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Tasted blind. Tobacco, cigar box seduce your nose. Lying beneath them, toned-down lush black cherries and a touche of earthiness and cedar) reveal the 20+ age.	Plush ripe red black cherries and blackberries that show some age with a raisined nuance. The cigar box notes dominate the midpalate, but fade away into a cedary and herbal finish. Very much alive, showing concentration and fresh elegance. Crisp (surprising), medium velvety tannins, high alcohol, full bodied. Very long finish.
Vajra - Albe	2016	Barolo	Italy	Piedmont	Red	When recently opened, the black fruit characters of raspberry and black cherry dominate. After one day opened, the profile changes to red cherry and strawberry. Subtle notes of dried roses and truffles appear resulting in a very seductive bouquet.	The attack starts with strawberry and black cherries. Whereas the midpalate shows tar, cedar and dried herbs. Oozes concentration and elegance. A pleasure to drink at this age. A relative long finish of strawberry and herbs leaves you wanting another sip. High acidity, high alcohol, full body and high ripe soft tannins. Long finish.
Domaine de la Vougeraie - Bonnes Mares Grand Cru	2014	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very precise and aromatic. Not intense, but alluring. Notes of strawberry fade into mushroom and forest floor.	Very concentrated. Strawberry and violets show in the attack, with a touch of thyme and French oak. Very elegant and pure. Incredible long finish of strawberries. Low silky tannins. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body.
Domaine du Marquis d'Angerville - Volnay Premier Cru	2009	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	Red	This is what finesse, elegance, precision means. Enticing aromas of dried flowers and strawberry.	Pure and refined. Delicate aromas of roses, strawberries and dried flowers. Low fine tannins , slightly powdery. High aciidy, medium alcohol, low body. Amazingly long finish.
Domaine Rossignol-Trapet - Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru	2014	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Intense aromas of raspberry, red cherry. Ripe and warmer nose.	Very pure and precise, clear aromas of raspberry juice and currants. Long finish. Medium tannins, still young. Medium body, medium alcohol, high acidity.
Domaine Thénard - Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru	2014	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Raspberries and black cherries, cedar. Not showing as expected. Slightly muted.	Raspberries. Earthy and French oak. Fairly tannic, almost like a Pommard.
David Duband - Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru	2015	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Ripe strawberries and roses. Intense and almost plush.	A very juicy wine. Slightly less refinement, but with an appealing concentration and a very long finish. The attack is driven by strawberries and roses, a slight touch of French oak and earthy character appears in the midpalate. Medium chewy tannins, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium body.
Château Rieussec	2001	Sauternes	France	Bordeaux	White	This is packed with botyrtis. Intensely perfumed with apricots, honey and a touch of the classic old books note.	Best sweet wine since the Essencia. So much concentration, so much power and yet so balanced. Apricots, dried apricots, honey and summer flowers appear through the palate. A very long honeyed finish lingers for minutes. Very high acidity, high alcohol, full body and very sweet.
Dauvissat - Chablis	2018	Chablis	France	Bourgogne	White	Medium intensity. Saline, green apple and lime	Minerality, lime, chalk. As it opens up, some white flowers and lime aromas in the finish. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Tons of concentration
Pierre Peters - Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Mild autolysis, lime white flowers. Very elegant.	Ripe and concentrated. Fruit hides low dosage. Perfect aperitif Champagne with notes of green apples, lime and a hint of brioche. Very soft bubbles, high acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish,
Chappellet - Signature Cabernet Sauvignon	2016	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Slight tobacco note. Plums, cassis (ripe and plush), raisin.	Very concentrated, balanced, ripe black fruit, American oak. Crisp, soft velvety medium tannins, full bodied, high alcohol.
Viñedos de Alcohuaz - Tococo Syrah	2015		Chile	Elqui	Red	Vanilla from French oak and red fruits (currants, raspberries) at the beginning. Intense and bright flavours. As it opened up, cherries and raspberries appeared.	Very elegant and fresh. Northern Rhone like, but less savoury. Raspberries and cherries leave way to the vanilla from the oak and hints of dried herbs. Still young, the oak will better integrated in some years. Finish of thyme and black pepper. High acidity, medium velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol.
Eduardo Torres Acosta - Versant Nord	2017	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Intensely aromatic nose. Resembling a low intervention Beaujolais. A bit of volatile acidity. Raspberries and black cherries. As it opens up, the nose is dominated by a classic volcanic minerality and a touch of sour cherries.	Raspberries, violets, intense minerality: graphite, wet rocks. As it opens up, sour cherries, leather and ceder appear, with the minerality intact. Long finish of leather and wet rocks. High acidity, high powdery tannins (ripe), medium body, medium alcohol (although 14%).
Cantina Terlano - Pinot Noir Riserva 'Monticol'	2017		Italy	Alto Adige	Red	French oak when recently opened. Smoked meat as it opens. It is reminiscent of a Spätburgunder. Raspberries.	Elegant raspberries and dark cherries in the attack. The midpalate reveals cured meat, herbs and a touch of cedar from the oak. Long raspberry and meaty finish. High acidity, high alcohol, medium body, soft low tannins.
Tenuta di Carleone - Chianti Classico	2018	Chianti Classico	Italy	Toscana	Red	Intense and delicate raspberries, strawberries and dried flowers. Beuatiful.	Cherries, raspberry and violets. Very elegant mouthfeel. No dusty aromas, clean. A touch of cedar in the finish. High acid, medium powdery tannins, medium body, medium alcohol
Luis Pérez - Fino, La Barajuela	2016	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Mesmerisingly aromatic nose. Salt, white flowers and green almonds. Yellow apples and almonds when mixed	Slightly oxidised apples and lemon with incredible concentration. The midpalate reveals salt and almonds. Very rich and with a very long finish of apples, lemon and nuts. High electric acid, full body, high alcohol, dry.
Domaine de la Pepière - Muscadet	2019	Muscadet	France	Loire	White	Very saline nose when not stirred. Stirring shows yellow apples and pears.	Very ripe and concetrated. Ripe pears and apples on the attack, saline and wet rock type of minerality there on. Medium finish High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry.
Izar-Leku	2016		Spain	País Vasco	Sparkling	Elegant aromas of brioche combined with green pears and green apples. A textbook cool climate nose.	Lime, lemon dominate the attack, whereas the finish is buttery and with hints of lime. Medium body, medium alcohol, dry. Very high acid but ripe, not austere. A very soft mousse and a long finish.
Hatzidakis - Vinsanto	2004		Greece	Santorini	White	Very intense aromas. Layers of caramel, figs, leather appear in harmonious waves.	The attack is dominated by prunes and dried figs, whereas the mid palate reveals dried apricots, mahogany, dust and leather. Long finish of toffee and light touch of almonds. Medium alcohol, full bodied, sweet, high acidity.
Artadi - Pagos Viejos	2007	Rioja Alavesa	Spain	Rioja	Red	Very aromatic. Notes of dried flowers and blackberries.	Rich fruit, but tamed and balanced. Slight raisin aromas, but the wine still has plenty of life. Cedar, leather and vanilla in the finish. Medium silky tannins, crisp acidity, medium alcohol, medium body. Very long finish. The wine is clearly on its peak.
Chartogne Taillet - Blanc de Noirs Les Orizeaux	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Superb Champagne. The brioche aromas are intoxicatingly seductive. Under the bread notes, ripe red apples emerge.	Concentrated, fruity and racy. The red apples transform to yeast and butter which dominate a long and elegant finish. The most beautiful mousse and acidity. High acid, dry (extra brut), but the fruit balances the acid well. Medium alcohol, full bodied.
Remirez de Ganuza - Blanco	2018	Rioja Alavesa	Spain	Rioja	White	Very mineral and reductive nose. Chalk and vanilla from French oak dominate first. It can feel like a Burgundy at this point. With aeration, yellow apples also appear.	Ripe apples, lemon and vanilla uncover a chalky minerality in the midpalate. Long racy finish. The oak is well integrated. Surprisingly crisp, medium body, dry, medium alcohol.
Artuke - Finca de Los Locos	2018	Rioja Alavesa	Spain	Rioja	Red	Initially muted an reductive. 30min of airing made a great difference. Ripe black cherries and plums. Fruit-forward but also some graphite and fresh thyme.	Blackberry and black cherries dominate on the attack and midpalate. Herbs, cedar and some graphite minerality appear on the finish. Medium fine, but grippy tannins, medium alcohol, full body, high acidity. Long finish.
Itsasmendi n.7 - Parcelario 7.1 Selección Nerua	2016		Spain	País Vasco	White	Semi-aromatic. Wet stones, wet gravel upon serving. Time in the glass shows white peach and white flowers.	Concentrated and energetic wine. Peach, pears, lemon and flowers. The minerality appears in the midpalate. Medium finish. High acidity, medium alcohol, full bodied (MLF), dry.
Filipa Pato - Dinamica Tinto	2020		Portugal	Bairrada	Red	Eucalyptus, mint and blackberries. Fruity and aromatic. No oak!	Vibrant ripe blackberry, mint and a touch of minerality. Medium finish. High acid, medium powdery tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Luis Pérez - La Escribana			Spain	Andalucia	White	Intensely aromatic. Very reductive, flint, crushed gravel. As it opens, it's perfumed with ripe peaches, a tropical touch of passion fruit and lime. Time also allows to detect a faint note of green almonds, typical of flor.	Ripe and incredibly concentrated fruit on the attack. Peach, pears, ripe apples and lime. The acid is high for Palomino and keeps the fruit and body in balance. The midpalate shows that minerality from the nose, whereas the finish leads to a saline and citrous note. Crisp, dry, full bodied, high alcohol. Very long finish.
Domaine Weinbach - Pinot Blanc Réserve	2001		France	Alsace	White	Initially glue-like note. Very ripe pears, almost dried, but still there. Honey. Very aromatic.	Loads of concentration, dried fruit and honey. Very long finish and slightly oxidised. Aromas of old books, mushroom and almonds. Crisp, off-dry, medium alcohol, full bodied.
Selbach-Oster - Zeltinger Sonnenhur Auslese **	2011		Germany	Mosel	White	Beautiful nose. Very aromatic and showing perfect development. Peach, dried mango, holy basil and honey.	Precision, power and elegance define this wine. The palate confirms the nose and reaffirms the concentration. Very long finish. High acid, sweet, low alcohol, full bodied. Harmonious balance.
San Polino	2015	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Dusty and elegant ripe cherries. Almost sweet. Old oak leather and cedar. Dried flowers.	Plum and dark cherries. Dusty midpalate and finish, but dried flowers also show on the finish. High alcohol, medium body, high acidity, high grippy tannins.
Ravenswood Winery - Gregory Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon	1995	Sonoma County	United States	California	Red	Well integrated oak, cedar, medium intensity. Damson, ripe dark cherries, menthol. Warm climate	Rich plums or damson, cassis. Plush texture. A touch of pencil shavings in the mid palate. Fruity finish. Very much alive, this could last 20 years more easily.
Adega Viuva Gomes - Reserva Tinto	1969	Colares	Portugal		Red	At the beginning: Earth, undergrowth. Muted initially, but the bottle smelled intensely after opening (violets and cherry). Perhaps raisins. With time, red currants, eucalyptus (vaguely reminiscent of Baga)	On the attack, red currants and dried cranberries become apparent over a background of cedar, dust and leather. Good sweet (ripe) and fruity midpalate with a touch of licorice. The finish is very long, perfumed with red currants and cherry that with time becomes balsamic and leathery. This is still alive! High acidity, high but silky tannins, low alcohol, medium body.
Casal Sta Maria - Ramisco	2009	Colares	Portugal		Red	Bright red currants, violets, dried flowers and herbs. Reminiscent of a light style of garnacha.	Red currant, strawberry on the attack. The midpalate reveals dried herbs and flowers that linger in the finish. Fresh, indicative of a cool climate. High acidity, low alcohol, medium body and medium powdery tannins. Medium finish.
Ánima Negra - Callet	2018		Spain	Islas Baleares	Red	Ripe red cherries, fresh raspberries and a beautifully integrated French oak backbone.	Ripe warm red fruits (red cherries and perhaps red currant jam) with a midpalate that feels concentrated and elegant. The finish reveals touches of tobacco, cedar and leather of high quality oak. Medium alcohol, crisp acidity, low velvety tannins, medium body.
Jean-Marc Vincent - Les Gravières Premier Cru	2018	Santenay	France	Bourgogne	White	Beautiful perfumed nose. Medium intensity. Lime, lemon and quince. Upon swirling a delicate scent of new French oak vanilla shows its presence.	On the attack, green apples and lime refresh you, while on the midpalate quince flavours give the wine some body and balance. Also here saline notes start to appear, growing slowly into the finish and intertwining with the vanilla scent. Medium body, medium alcohol, dry, crisp. Long finish.
Marguet - Shaman	2017		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Zest of orange. Ripe yellow pears and a clear note of oxidation (bruised apples).	Apples, oxidised pears. Plenty of fruit to balance acid. Spiced (allspice), mineral (chalk and flint) finish. Very oaked finish too as it opens High acid, very dry, medium alcohol, medium body. soft fine mousse
Ramey - Chardonnay	2018	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	White	French oak vanilla, slight touch of butter, ripe peach and quince. Warm climate reflected by the ripe fruit	Rich and fruity with dominance of ripe quince, peach and yellow pears. Concentrated and powerful midpalate that starts revealing the vanilla, butter and cedary oak of the finish. Surprisingly crisp. Full bodied, high alcohol and dry. Medium finish.
Benanti - Contrada dafara Galluzzo	2018	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Dried cranberries, sour cherries.	Leather, sour cherries, a very precise palate. Dried herbs (oregano, thyme) in the finish. Medium fine but grippy tannins, high alcohol, medium body, high acidity. Long finish
Benanti - Pietra Marina	2016	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	White	Aromatic. Lemon, salt, wet rocks. Green pears.	Fresh and racy citrous palate. Very precise lime and lemon, wet rocks. Citrous finish. Piercing high acid, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Long finish
Frank Cornelissen - MunJebel	2018	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Tangy raspberries, mineral (basalt).	Pure fresh, strawberries. Tangy racy palate. Strawberries flow through the midpalate. Confusing you with a Tschida Blaufrankisch. Low extraction but high concentration. Delicate and elegant. Crushed gravel in the finish with violets and cherries. Light body, high acid, medium powdery grippy tannins. Medium alcohol. Very long finish
Federico Curtaz - Il Purgatorio	2016	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Intensely ripe nose of sour cherries. Leather and dust on the background.	Very ripe dark fruit: dark cherries and dark raspberries that go from the attach to the midpalate. The finish takes on a spicy cedar note. High acidity, high grainy tannins, full bodied, high alcohol. Long finish.
Armosa - Sicyls	2011		Italy	Sicilia	Red	Dusty and gamey. Damson. Very dark cherries.	Ripe but fresh plums and damson. The midpalate reveals a bit of that gamey note. Really no oak? Full bodied, high alcohol, medium powdery tannins, crisp. Very long finish.
Pax - Syrah Hillsides	2019		United States	California	Red	Fresh brambles, pure and intensely aromatic ripe plums. But always keeping its freshness. A hint of spice makes an appearance in the background. With time, a blueberry scent becomes dominant over a black pepper background.	The sweet plum or dark fruit is telling of the New World but the freshness of the blueberries and bramble gives it great balance. Very concentrated, all the way through the midpalate, which starts to reveal a slaty minerality and spice. The spices ramp up at the finish. Thyme, cedar and freshly cracked black pepper superposed. Very elegant and beautiful wine. Built to last. 5 days after opening, it still delivered a great balanced wine. Medium body, medium alcohol, crisp, medium powdery tannins. Medium finish.
Eyrie Vineyards - Pinot Meunier	2017		United States	Oregon	Red	Intensely aromatic. Cranberries and red currants ooze with vigour out of the glass. Also a nice touch of Christmas herbs.	The aromatic bouquet is followed by the concentration on the palate. Beautifully crisp fruit, ripe yet clearly from a cool climate. The midpalate reveals an interesting granite like minerality. The finish with notes of herbs and black pepper are reminiscent of some Spanish garnachas. High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, medium fine yet a touch grippy tannins. Long finish
Cristom - Pinot Noir Mt Jefferson Cuvée	2019	Willamette Valley	United States	Oregon	Red	Cool climate raspberries and cherries. A touch of licorice and mushroom that blends with the French oak spice and vanilla.	Fruity attack with a rather shallow midpalate. Beautifully integrated French oak appears in the finish, a subtle vanilla note that lingers for long alongside a touch of cherries. Blind, one would guess Burgundy, village level. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, medium velvety tannins.
Pegasos	1997		Greece		Red	Undergrowth and fresh tar ooze out of the glass. Underneath, dried herbs and cedar emerge with time	Dried cherries on the attack transition to yeast extract and tar in the midpalate. The finish adds dried herbs (thyme,sage,rosemary) to the mix. Complex and beautifully aged wine. It’s on the downhill of its drinking window. Fruit will soon disappear. High acidity, high velvety tannins softened by time, medium alcohol, light body.
Jacques Puffeney - Poulsard	2014		France	Jura	Red	Cranberries and red currants, a whiff of mushrooms	Cranberry juice and strawberry give a clean light attack. The midpalate shows more complexity with some graphitic minerality but also some signs of ageing: undergrowth. A long fruity and cedary old oak finish followed. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, low powdery tannins.
Clemens Busch - Pündericher Marienburg Beerenauslese	2005	Pantelleria	Germany	Ahr	White	Intense and pure aromas of honey. Also some Thai basil and a hint of old books.	On the palate, dried apricots and pure honey dominate. The concentration and body is impressive. The midpalate reveals basil, old book botrytis aromas. The fruity and honeyed finish lingers forever. This wine shows the true potential of Riesling. Very high acidity, very sweet, full body and low alcohol.
Teruar Serisi - Huyuk Bagliari, Ten Goynek	2020		Turkey		White	Very ripe gooseberries, to the level of NZ, but still cool weather. Could it be volcanic soils. A saline minerality oozes out of the glass.	The attack is full of gooseberries, giving way to the salty and rocky midpalate and a zingy and lemony finish. Clearly slightly reductive too. It could be confused with Assertyko or Fino from the Canary Islands. Old oak. Very high acid, astringent touch (yeast, old oak ageing?), bone dry, medium alcohol, medium body
Donnafugata - Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria	2018	Pantelleria	Italy	Sicilia	White	Probably the best Muscat we have had. The pungency of aromas is restrained in favour of a more elegant and balanced bouquet. Intense notes of dried apricots with great precision and a touch of roses and green grapes.	The palate follows along the bouquet for this young wine. Age might bring more complexity. At the moment this is full of concentration and purity of dried apricots. High acidity (on the lower bound), sweet, high alcohol and full bodied. Very long
George Vernay - Condrieu Chaillees de l'Enfer	2017	Condrieu	France	Rhône	White	Peach, flowers, not overt initially. Coravined. With time summer flowers. Vanilla	Peach, intensely flavoured with summer flowers. Gin and then vanilla from French oak. Well integrated High alcohol, full bodied, medium acidity, dry. Long finish
Lopez de Heredia - Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva	1995	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Sweet and ripe fruit. Vanilla and coconut from American oak integrated like its always meant to be there. A touch of mushroom and strawberry.	Dried red fruits (strawberries), midpalate filled with cranberries, a note of mushroom and leads to a cedar and coconut finish. Delicious. This is Rioja Alta at its finest. Crisp, medium alcohol, medium body, silky tannins. Ever lasting finish of cedar, coconut and mushroom. Probably at the peak of its drinking window.
Nicolas Joly - Coulée de Serrant Moelleux	1995		France	Loire	White	Honey, a hint of old books but botrytis doesn’t dominate.	On the palate bruised apples, honey and an almondy finish. The honey and beeswax in the midpalate lingers along those almonds in h to e finish. High acidity, off dry, full bodied, medium alcohol. An interesting astringent texture. Very long finish. Great structure and great balance of flavours.
Domaine de la Pepière - Muscadet Clisson	2018		France	Loire	White	Aromas of lemon, pear and salt appear when cold and just opened. The pear gains more ground as the wine aereates and warms up. Medium intensity of aromas (higher than a normal Melon de Bourgogne).	Lime, lemon and green pears surprise in a relatively concentrated attack. The midpalate reveals a salty minerality that lingers towards the finish intertwined with a zesty note. High acidity, meduim body, medium alcohol, dry.
Remelluri - Granja Gran Reserva	2010	Rioja Alavesa	Spain	Rioja	Red	When opened an intense bouquet of black fruit (blackberries and black cherries) appears over a background of French oak cedar notes. The fruit is ripe, yet not warm. Not very complex, indicating more ageing is needed. With time the fruit turns to raising and the spice of the oak becomes more apparent.	The palate reveals a similar quality in its aromas. It needs more time. The structure, however, shows the characteristics expected from this wine. Concentrated and rich yet very fresh and balanced, this is a wine to last. High acidity, full bodied, high alcohol, medium powdery grippy tannins.
Jean-Marc Vincent - Santenay 1er Cru Le Beaurepaire	2017	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very gamey, Syrah like. Swirling the glass reveals ripe raspberries and French oak spice. On the second day, the bouquet becomes more earthy, mushroomy and herbal, with the game disappearing to the background. The animal becomes elegant.	The palate shows a similar bouquet, with good concentration. But it improves on the second day: the raspberry, alothough subdued by oxidation, remains at the forefront of the attack, leading to thyme, sage and leather. The midpalate shows an increasing hint of undergrowth, whereas the long finish is governed by cedar and herbs. Very complex wine. High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, low velvety tannins.
Chanterêves - Bourgogne Blanc	2013		France	Bourgogne	White	Flint, lemon, quince and oxidised pears. Mild cream notes.	The palate shows quince and those same oxidised pears in the attack. A touch of flint appears in midpalate that lasts in the finish along with some lemon. High acidity, some astringency from the lees, very dry, medium alcohol, medium body.
La Rioja Alta - Viña Ardanza Selección Especial	2010	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Classic Rioja American oak smell. Sweet, mellow fruit, vanilla and cocunut. As it opens up the fruit exhibits a more raisined character and the cedary notes acquire an undergrowth tone.	Refined and concentrated with notes of sweet red cherries that turn more raisin-like with time. The midpalate presents notes of cedar and leather on top of the well integrated vanilla and coconut of the oak. The finish is sweet and very long. The acidity and low alcohol make it very fresh. The wine is probably in the peak of its drinking window. Very crisp and elegant, medium silky and polished tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Pierre Frick - Pinot Gris 'V'	2018		France	Alsace	Orange	When natural wine smells like fruit juice. Strawberry, raspberry, and grapefruit aromas.	Raspberry and cantaloupe on the attack, grapefruit and strawberry finish. A hint of almonds as the wine opens. Very clean and glouglou wine. Showing better than the madeirised version Pierre served us in Colmar in summer 2020. The bottle had probably been open for a while, I assume. This is the best French amber wine I have had to date. Crisp, full bodied, medium alcohol, dry, silky astringency.
Leclerc-Briant - Brut Réserve	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Intensely aromatic of ripe yellow pears and yeasty notes. A touch of chalk when the wine is cold. A serious and elegant bouquet.	On the attack, yellow apples and white flowers (almost jasmine) dominate. Very concentrated, but balanced. A chalky aroma appears in the midpalate and dances back and forth. Lemon aromas blossom in the finish, with the chalk and yeast again appearing again. This is great Champagne. Very fine mousse (5bars help), dry (low dosage but wonderful concentration to balance it), high acidity, medium alcohol, medium body. An elegant yeasty astringency.
Niepoort - Colheita Porto	2004		Portugal	Porto	Red	Very delicate sweet nose of cherries, prunes and figs. Wet stones	Gravel in the midpalate. Caramel and fig in the finish. Very young but the colour looks from a 40yo vintage Very long finish of prune. High acidity, sweet, high alcohol, full bodied.
Racines - Chardonnay	2018		United States	California	White	Chalk and reduction hit you first, to then reveal white peach, ripe pears and cream. The oak is very well integrated.	Ripe Californian fruit on the attack, such as pears, peach and quince. The flinty minerality appears soon and stays along through a long midpalate and the citrous and vanilla finish. Very elegant mouthfeel. High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, dry.
Scholium Project - Michael Faraday	2012		United States	California	White	Green apples, oxidised apples, white flowers characteristic of flor and green almonds.	White peach and ripe yellow pears in the atatck show ripe fruit that constrasts with the high acidity and the bouquet. The midpalate of ripe fruit quickly develops to hint chalky minerality and lime. Lime notes that linger in the finish for minutes alogn with green almond notes. Zingy high acidity, high alcohol, full bodied, dry. Very long finish. Slight astringent texture from lees.
Domaine du Pégau - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Cuvée Réservée'	2010	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Very tannic, but beautiful nose. Dark raspberries, well integrated oak and dried herbs.	The palate is fruity until the finish, with a touch of leather and herbs appearing through the midpalate. Very fresh and elegant feel.
Château de Beaucastel - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Hommage à Jacques Perrin'	2019	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Rapsberries, potpourri. Very precise.	Fruit attack, whereas dried herbs and leather appear in the midpalate and last throughout the finish. Crisp, high fine grippy tannins. high alcohol and full body. Long finish.
Domaine de la Janasse - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Tradition'	2006	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Dark fruit.	Concentration, very light signs of age, leather and cedar in the midpalate. Thyme, rosemary and raspberries in the finish. Crisp, high alcohol, full bodied, high grippy but round tannins. From Magnum
Marc Sorrel - Hermitage 'Le Gréal'	2011	Hermitage	France	Rhône	Red	Cured meat, dark blackberries and pepper. Textbook Hermitage.	Dark fruit, black olives, black pepper and meat. Incredible concentration balanced with high acid and velvety tannins.
Guigal - Côte-Rôtie 'La Turque'	2012	Côte Rôtie	France	Rhône	Red		Vanilla of the oak is more obvious. Strawberry, dark raspberries and freshly cracked pepper that lingers in the finish along with rose petals. Almost like a Rioja with black pepper. Crisp acid, medium grippy tannins that remain very round and velvety.
Michel Chapoutier - Ermitage 'Le Pavillon'	2010	Hermitage	France	Rhône	Red		Still very young. Very peppery and dried herbs finish. Notes of dark plums and bramble show clearly with freshness. Tannins are rounder, like a Crozes-Ermitage. Medium alcohol.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné - Hermitage Rouge 'La Chapelle'	2011	Hermitage	France	Rhône	Red	Raisins, black olives, leather and cured meat. Very Hermitage-like.	Raisin black pepper in the midpalate, dry herbs and cured meat in the finish. High round soft tannins, high alcohol, full bodied yet crisp. Long meaty finish.
Philipponnat - '1522'	2014		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Green apples, flowers and brioche, lots of brioche.	The palate shows the pinot noir here: ripe pers, white flowers and a yeasty and creamy midpalate. High acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol and the lightest mousse. Very long finish with a silky astringency. 10 years on the lees, giving the softest mousse possible.
Domaine de Montille - Saint-Christophe Mersault	2018	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Aromatic with beautiful precision. Notes of chalk and reduction balanced by fresh yellow apples and yoghurt. Well integrated oak.	White peach and an intense and elegant chalkiness that blends with vanilla in the finish. High acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body and long finish.
Faiveley - Puligny-Montrachet La Garenne	2017	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Intense nose. Quince and saline opening. Vanilla appears right away when swirled.	Beautiful concentration with white peach and lemon curd. The lemon and salinity open up in the midpalate, lingering for a minute with intensity. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry.
Alex Gambal - Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignières	2014	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Medium intensity. Lemon, yellow apple and vanilla. Well integrated.	Not as well joint and structured. Green apple, lime and white flowers combine in the attack. The minerality here is less obvious. Medium alcohol, full body, texture of the lees, dry, high acidity.
Bachelet-Monnot -Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières	2018	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Intensely mineral nose, with a touch of green apple and white peach. The use of oak here is more restraint.	Piercing acid and lime and green apples surprise you in the attack, leading to very salty midpalate that lasts with the citrous notes for minutes. The oak is barely apparent. Very high acid, dry, medium body and alcohol.
Domaine de Montille - Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières	2017	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Restraint nose of green apples. Not very enticing until it reaches the palate.	Green apple, quince and white peach describe the attack and its concentrated mid palate beautifully. Very fruit forward despite the touch of chalk that appears in the midpalate and disappears in the finish, leaving a long lasting lime flavour with a mild touch of vanilla. The malolactic fermentation is more apparent here, probably intended to give a bit more body to an otherwise light wine. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body (fuller), dry.
Leflaive - Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières	2017	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Medium intensity. Beautiful oak, with the use of vanilla at its best. Green pears and a chalky reduction.	midpalate is dominated by lemon and saline notes. It's both bright with fruit and elegant with more layered nuances of minerality than Montille. A touch of malolactic yoghurt appears in the finish along with lime and chalk.
Jean-Luc & Paul Aegerter - Puligny-Montrachet Champ Gain	2018	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Very ripe nose of yellow apples, much warmer in character than Les Folatières. Oxidative winemaking with a slight nuttiness.	Yellow apples, yellow pears and a fair amount of oak. Summer flowers and cream show more in the midpalate, leaving a floral and fruity finish. High acidity, medium alcohol, fuller bodied, dry. Long finish.
Bachelet-Monnot - Puligny-Montrachet Les Réferts	2015	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Very mineral nose, yellow apples. This house seems to have a reductive mineral touch. Medium intensity.	Yellow apples, lime in an electric attack. This wine is bright and energetic. Almost electric. Great concentration that shows in the midpalate. That chassic chalky flavour keeps appearing and lingering in the finish with lime. Very high acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Slightly shorter finish than other wines today.
Etienne Sauzet -Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes	2017	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Restraint and reductive. Green apples and a chalky note.	Green pear, limes, white flowers in an austere but concentrated wine. Textural, clearly form a long lees ageing. Also edgier than other wines, but with character. The wine feels alive. This is very terroir-driven winemaking. High acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish
Etienne Sauzet -Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes	2015	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Riper pears than the 17. Obviously a warmer year, but with the same terroir character.	Electric, with a clear dominance of acid, perhaps even a bit out of balance. The structure feels as if the wine is on a knife's edge, shaking to maintain balance. And this only makes the wine more enticing. The warmer character makes it less saline, only a with mineral notes only showing up more clearly in the finish. Still very young with plenty of fruit and concentration. Very high acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Very long finish.
Arnot-Roberts - North Coast Trousseau	2019		United States	California	Red	Delicious, very juicy red currants and graphite. No apparent oak aromas (old oak?).	Confirms the nose. A bit one dimensional. High acidity, light body, low alcohol, very low silky tannins. Medium finish.
Hardin - 'Napa Valley' Cabernet Sauvignon	2019	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Very fruit forward nose with no traces of oak perceptible. Clearly old oak has been used here. Dark plums and dark cherries dominate. With time a graphite note becomes more apparent. A touch of eucalyptus shows itself from time to time when swirled	Bold attack of fresh ripe fruit. Cassis, plums and dark cherries. The graphite note only appears in the midpalate, complementing the plush texture of the wine. Nice fruity finish. High alcohol, full bodied, medium grippy tannins, crisp. Medium finish.
Louis M. Martini 'Napa' Cabernet Sauvignon	2018	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Very alcoholic nose. Not in balance in that sense. Very ripe plums and an overnote of graphite and French oak spice.	Plums and leather on the attack quickly leading to a powerful sense of pencil shavings. Sweet ripe fruit is rescued by a hint of freshness. Fruity finish that reveals some use of new French oak through its spice. Very high alcohol, full bodied, crisp, medium chewy tannins. Medium finish.
Ridge Vineyards - Lytton Springs	2019	Sonoma County	United States	California	Red	Bramble, dark fruit and spice from oak. Low intensity, fairly restraint.	Dark raspberry in the attack. Leather quickly appears in the midpalate and fades to abundant oak spice and a hint of vanilla (American oak) in the finish. Very fresh for a CA Zinfandel, hiding the high alcihol and delivering a beautiful style. Very crisp, medium bodied, high alcohol, medium softly grippy tannins. Medium finish
Hubert Lamy - Les Chataigners	2015	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Medium intensity. Lime and chalk. Mild white peach. A faint touch of French oak vanilla	Cool fruit: unripe white peach, lime on the attack. Medium concentration that shows in the midpalate. The chalk appears in the midpalate and grows in the finish until some hidden TCA appears! But it can easily be neglected. Mild use of new oak, Crisp, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Medium finish.
Eric Mogat - Fidès	2012	Savennieres	France	Loire	White	Deep straw in colour. Intensely aromatic! Notes of yellow apples, wet gravel and a very well integrated new oak sweetens it up with vanilla. Ripe fruit, but cool in character. As it opens, notes of honey and lanolin become more clear.	Very concentrated with yellow apples as the backbone. The midpalate reveals a very clear hint of wet gravel that lingers until the finish. Here, honey and lanolin become well apparent too. The finish plays with intertwined notes of minerality, vanilla and honey. The acidity is very rounded by lees stirring, the oak and the fruit concentration. Delicious rendition of Chenin. High acid, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Penfolds RWT Bin 798 - Shiraz	2018		Australia	Barossa Valley	Red	Dark purple. Very aromatic. Ripe dark plums, blackberries and lots of very well integrated American oak. Not many know how to deal with warm climate fruit and oak to this level.	Ripe lush dark fruit and the leathery yet sweet touch of American oak hit. The midpalate shows density and concentration from a warm climate. Plums, leather and vanilla dance together in the finish. The great fresh structure keeps the fruit in balance. This would age very well. Crisp, full bodied, high alcohol, soft medium tannins. Long finish.
Equipo Navazos - Palo Cortado Bota 102	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Profound intensity in the nose. Precise orange peel with honey and in the background walnuts and caramel.	Dry apricots and lime-like acidity scream with intensity on the attack, opening up the stage to caramel and walnut flavours that linger through the finish. Not more oxidised than the Manzanilla Pasada, but less Flor-heavy in the palate and more full bodied. Extreme concentration and intensity. A leader in its league. Saline? High electric acidity, dry, high alcohol, full body. Very long finish.
Egly Ouriet Grand Cru - Extra Brut	NV (Base 2016)		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Deep straw. Toasted brioche lures in the first sniff. Swirl to reveal a bouquet of yellow apples and lemon that seem to have passed by some oak for roundness.	The yellow apple, red pear and lemon form the backbone in the palate, with clear dominance of red grapes. The midpalate reveals those hints of yeast and brioche that linger through the finish with the notes of lemon. Beautiful rendition of a grower Champagne in 2022: ripe fruit, low dosage and a tight racy acidity. High acid, light lees texture, medium body, medium alcohol, very dry. Fine mousse and long finish.
Kutch - Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir	2018	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	Red	Intensely aromatic. Ripe cool climate cranberries and pine resin.	Very fruit forward with a light addition of earthiness from some old oak. Very concentrated midpalate full of fruit and life. The finish shows the only hints cedar. Deliciously fresh. High acidity, low silky tannins, medium body and medium alcohol. Long finish
Emmanuel Brochet - Le Mont Benoit	NV (Base 2017)		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Fragrant nose of ripe yellow apples and red pears.	The ripe fruit allows for high levels of acidity and a refreshing mouthful. This is an aperitif wine. The high percentage of reserve wine gives some roundness that smooths the wine into equilibrium. High acidity, dry, medium alcohol and medium body. Fine mousse and a very persistent savoury finish.
DuMOL - Wester Reach Pinot Noir	2019	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	Red	Dark colour. Dark cherries, plums and cola. Ripe fruit but not jammy.	Concentrated with plums and cola, but not very complex. Some oak appears in the midpalate and finish to round up the flavours. Traditional to the style. Crisp, full body, high alcohol, soft low tannins. Medium finish. Typical Russian River Valley Pinot that kept some freshness and achieved balance.
Kongsgaard - Chardonnay	2019	Napa Valley	United States	California	White	Intensely aromatic nose of peach, yellow plum and French oak vanilla. The oak is well integrated and not overpowering. Napa Chardonnay done well.	The yellow plum is rich and seductive, inviting well the aromas of French oak vanilla. It's almost impossible to notice the high alcohol. The acidity keeps the wine in a magical tension. Not as mineral as The Judge. Crisp, full bodied, dry, high alcohol, mild lees textural imprint. Long finish.
Kongsgaard - The Judge Chardonnay	2019	Napa Valley	United States	California	White	Intensely aromatic. Precise floral nose with white flowers, white peach and a perfectly integrated touch of new oak.	White peach and yellow plums in the attack are followed by an intense chalky minerality in the midpalate that grows towards the finish. Lemon and flowers are present all throughout and linger alongside the chalky notes. The concentration and balance of this wine is impressive. Ripe fruit, yet fresh; powerful, yet refined and delicate at the same time. High acidity, dry, mild astringent texture from lees, high alcohol, medium body. Very long finish. Outstanding wine.
Kongsgaard - Syrah	2018	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Aromatic. Dark ripe fruit. Plums and inky. Very Hermitage-like in style.	Rich dark fruit of Northern Rhone Syrah with a spiced touch of garrigue. Concentrated and young. Cool climate feel for a CA wine. Black pepper appears in the finish. Medium chewy tannins, crisp acidity, high alcohol, full bodied. Medium finish.
Kongsgaard - Syrah	2011	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Intensely aromatic. Ripe fruit but fresh. Very dark blackberries, cassis, fresh damson. Wet gravel.	Very concentrated. Immortal wine. Cedar spice, black pepper is mild. No meat. Wet tea leaves. Medium chewy round tannins, crisp acidity, high alcohol, full bodied.
Corison - Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon	2018	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Ripe cassis and shaved graphite. Warm climate feel and very young (onedimensional)	Confirms the nose. Fruity attack with medium concentration in the midpalate. As it develops, the midpalate reveals spice and cedar. The finish shows a a noticeable touch of vanilla from oak added with restraint. High chewy tannins, very present and slightly disjointed. Crisp acid, high alcohol, full bodied.
Corison - Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon	2011	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Fresher ripe cassis, and elegant dark fruit. Very aromatic, with delicate savoury notes of eucalyptus and graphite.	A ripe attack of dark cassis, but with Bordeaux freshness and balance. The midpalate is elegant and concetrated, leading to those same savoury notes as in the nose. Still feels young, despite the slightly earthier notes (graphite and oak spice) than the 2018. California can really perform in cold vintages under winemakers that vinify looking for balance. Very crisp, medium alcohol, medium body and high soft round tannins. Medium finish.
Corison - Sunbasket Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon	2018	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Intensely aromatic nose of ripe cassis, violets. Cooler fresh fruit compared to the Estate Cabernet.	Ripe nose of cassis, with plenty of freshness to balance the concentration. The midpalate dances with violets that linger through the finish, combined with the same spice and vanilla found in the other cuvées. Perhaps this time with more graphite. Elegant, but poweful concentration and tannins. Needs time. High powdery, yet soft, tannins. Crisp, high alcohol, full bodied, Long finish.
Occidental - Freestone-Occidental	2020	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	Red	Medium crimson. Aromatic with red currants and pine resin. Light and playful.	Attack of red currants with a more saline and iodine-like midpalate. Good concentration. A slight bitterness in the finish. High aciidty, medium alcohol, medium body and silky low tannins.
Occidental - Bodega Headlands Vineyard - Cuvée Elizabeth	2019	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	Red	More restraint nose and darker fruit than the Freestone blend.	Sour cherries, pine resin and a mineral midpalate with graphite notes. As it opens, some floral notes seems to appear. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body and low powdery soft tannins. Long finish.
Occidental - Running Fence Vineyard - Cuvée Catherine	2019	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	Red	Aromatic nose of dark raspberries, with resin-like and woodsy notes.	Dark raspberries and cherries dominate the attack. More fruit-driven than Cuvée Elizabeth. The mineral notes are also more subdued, with more resin and woodsy forest floor aromas. Medium alcohol, high acidity, medium body and medium tannins, chewy but powdery
Occidental - Occidental Station Vineyard	2019	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	Red	Very intensly aromatic nose. Floral notes of violets and crimson roses. A touch of graphite is also present.	Blackberries and dark cherries with a beautiful concentration appear in the palate. In combination with the zingy acidity, it gives the wine a very energetic balance. The florality shines throughout the whole experience, including the very long finish. High zingy acid, medium soft tannins, medium alcohol and medium body. Very long finish.
Ridge - Estate Chardonnay	2020	Sonoma County	United States	California	White	Medium intensity in the nose. Cool white peaches and gentle vanilla. As it opens, a touch of oak and white flowers.	White peach, unripe quince in the attack. The midpalate shows some chalk. Not very concentrated (medium). Crisp, soft lees texture, dry and medium alcohol, medium body. Medium finish.
Ridge - Geyserville	2019	Sonoma County	United States	California	Red	Fruit is of redder character than Lytton Springs (LS), almost like raspberries.	Fresh ripe raspberries on the attack. Slightly less concentrated than LS, but with a similar level of spice and oak (20% new). The earthy and cedary finish lingers with a touch of raspberries. Softer medium tannins. High acidity with a slight tang. High alcohol (0.5% less than LS) and medium bodied.
Ridge - Gonsalves Mataro	2018	Sonoma County	United States	California	Red	Aromatic nose of fresh blackberries.	Blackberries on the attack, leathery midpalate and a cedary finish. Very light and elegant for Mataro. Grippy medium tannnins, crisp, medium alcohol and medium body. Long finish!
Ridge - San Lorenzo	2018	Sonoma County	United States	California	Red	Dark blackberries, here at the higher limiti of very ripe.	Plush fruit. More concentrated than LS with a spicy midpalate and finish (specially black pepper). Medium soft powdery tannins, crisp, medium body, high alcohol.
Ridge - Estate Cabernet Sauvignon	2019	Santa Cruz Mountains	United States	California	Red	Beautiful leafy-eucalyptus nose. Fresh cassis. The greenness is delicately integrated into the fruit. When swirled, a touch of graphite appears. Oak is not apparent.	Cassis and graphite dominate through the attack and midpalate. Oak showing with restrain through some cedary notes. The finish is elegantly flavoured by a mix cassis, graphite and eucalyptus. High chewy, yet small, tannins. High acidity, medium body and medium alcohol. Long finish.
Arnot-Roberts - Rosé	2021		United States	California	Rose	Very aromatic. A provençal nose with more intensity. Cantaloupe, strawberries and summer flowers.	Peach, melon an strawberries. Good concetration for a rosé. Floral and refreshing citric (lemon) finish. Strong similarities in flavour to Tibouren. This could age well. Crisp, low alcohol, medium body, dry, no tannins. Medium finish.
Arnot-Roberts - Qué Syrah	2020	Sonoma Coast	United States	California	Red	Insanely aromatic nose. Lavander and the most perfumed bramble and blueberries. Utterly enticing, without even drinking it.	Freshly juiced blueberries, ripe but clearly from a very cool climate. Very concentrated palate with lavander and black pepper making its way as the midpalate drives to the finish. Is this the most alluring Syrah we have ever tried? High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, medium soft powdery tannins. Very long finish.
Domaine de la Pinte - Melon a Queue Rouge	2016	Arbois	France	Jura	White	Intensely aromatic. Summer flowers from a healthy Flor. White peach and green almonds..	Peach, green almonds and flowers on the attack, Very concentrated midpalate of white peach and citrus. Long finish of lemon and brine. High steely acid, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Long finish. Light leesy astringency
Stein - 'Ohne' Extra Brut Sekt	2011		Germany	Mosel	Sparkling	Very intensely aromatic nose of peach, savoury notes of brioche and bright floral honey.	Rich concentration of peach, ripe yellow pears, white flowers. The midpalate reveals savoury notes of yeats and minerality. The finish is perfumed with honey. Very high acid, very fine mousse, beautiful leesy silky texture. Medium alcohol, medium body. Great value
Turley - 'Old Vine' Zinfandel	2019		United States	California	Red	Aromatic, with notes of raspberries and strawberries. The fruit character is clearly from a hot climate, but fresh, not jammed. Notes of rosemary, thyme and sage.	Concentrated wine that despite the alcohol, it feels medium bodied. A fruity attack of red fruit, followed by a complex herbal midpalate and a touch of cedary oak. The oak flavours are mild, with French oak notes being predominant. Crisp, high alcohol, silky low tannins, medium body. Medium finish.
Kongsgaard - Sauvignon Blanc	2018	Napa Valley	United States	California	White	Intensely aromatic. Pure and fresh aromas of lime and grapefruit. It does not feel ripe at first instance and the oak presence is not noticeable. With time, it develops a beautiful mineral nose of wet stones and roasted pistachio.	In the palate, the concentration is impressive. It is here that we notice the California climate, with a powerful attack of citrous fruit. Yet, the minerality in the palate elegantly balances the fruit at the same time as adding complexity. New French oak vanilla is only noticeable here in the finish, intertwined with wet stones and lime notes. High acidity, medium body, high alcohol, slight lees texture, dry. Very long finish.
Kongsgaard - The Fimasaurus	2011	Napa Valley	United States	California	Red	Very aromatic nose of prunes and ripe blackberries. As the wine opens up, pencil shavings become more apparent.	Very ripe and lush fruit, but the wine keeps its coolness. It is in the perfect drinking window, it might not last much more than 5 years since the fruit character is mostly raisined. The pencil shaving and the cedar in the midpalate add a savoury note that makes the wine more interesting. The structure is beautiful at these point, exactly what one looks in well aged Cabernet. Crisp, high alcohol, full bodied, medium soft powdery tannins. Long finish.
Sandhi - Sanford and Benedict Pinot Noir	2019		United States	California	Red	Precise and intense bouquet of red currants and cranberries. Ripe fruit but clearly cool climate.	Enticing delicate attack of red fruit. Beautiful concentration and balance. One can finish the bottle without noticing. In the midpalate a mild pine needle note appears. But the fruit dominates all the way through the finish until a tenuous aroma of old French oak shows up. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, medium silky tannins. Long finish
Cayuse - Horsepower, Sur Echalas Vineyard Syrah	2016		United States		Red	Bramble behind an intense layer of farmyard and herbs. Cool climate.	Cool red fruit, very pretty, raspberries and wild blueberries. The midpalate shows an interesting salinity and black pepper. Côte Rôtie of US? Wow. Long black pepper finish. High acid, medium soft tannins, medium alcoholm medium body.
Poggio al Vento	1995	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	A bouquet of restraint. Leather and sour cherries dominate upon vigorously swirling.	Very delicate sour cherries. Precise, elegant and delicate. The midpalate reveals a beautiful range of dried herbs and flowers that linger in the finish. High alcohol, medium body, high grippy tannins, high acidity. Very long finish.
Poggio al Vento	2015	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Very restraint. Mostly sour cherries	Concentrated palate of sour cherries. Ripe fruit. Dusty terracotta finish. Very high tannins (grippy), high acidity, full bodied, high alcohol. Medium finish
Château de Beaucastel	2006	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Old oak spice, tending to the classic garrigue nose. A background of strawberries, but not too precise. Clean bouquet.	Attack of strawberries and dried herbs, leading to a very leathery midpalate and finish. Elegant texture and good concentration. Chewy high tannins, high alcohol, full body, crisp.
Jean François Ganevat - Les Gryphées Vieilles Vignes	2015		France	Jura	White	Very aromatic. Enticing nose of honey, salt and green almonds. As it opens up, the almonds turn into pinenuts. A wine of powerful flavours.	Definitely a food wine. Very textural (lees). Attack of ripe yellow apple integrated with the honeyed aromas. The midpalate shows very saline, making it wonderful with firm or rich fish (Ikoyi’s turbot with chicken sauce). Long finish of honey, salt and nuts. Beautiful concentration, lots of body and texture, but elegantly balanced by the high acidity. High acidity, medium alcohol, full bodied, dry, lees astringency. Very long finish.
Boizel - Collection Trésor	1985		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Very light mousse has survived. Amber in colour. Medium aromatic with brioche, hazelnut and nougat showing in the nose.	The palate is quite an experience. The layered lees texture (33 years on the lees) is ethereal, very present, but caressing. An incredible pairing for red meats. Dried pears, hazelnuts and honey show in the attack whereas chalk appears in the midpalate. The finish is supremely long and honeyed High acidity (although mellowed by age), dry, very light mousse, medium body, medium alcohol.
Dom Ruinart - Rosé	2007		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Fresh strawberries and raspberries dance along with the yeasty notes of brioche in the nose.	Precise flavours of strawberry and bright cherries. Fruity and seductive, but made serious by the concentrations and the complexity of the yeast in the midpalate. A perfect collaboration of red fruit and yeast which makes this wonderful with food. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry, very fine mousse and a beautiful leesy texture. Long finish.
Gaja - Pieve Santa Restituta	2014	Brunello di Montalcino	Italy	Toscana	Red	Aromatic. Ripe fruit but not very hot. Cherries and raspberries open up to a cedary and very complex old oak treatment. A mild touch of mushroom.	Tasted blind. This is very good. The fruit is ripe but remains cool. Textbook elegance, with a beautiful play of concentration and refined structure. The red fruit in the attack gives way to dried flowers leather, a touch of mushroom and some cedary sweetness from old oak. Very reminiscent of Tondonia. High acid, med soft powdery tannins, medium body, high alcohol. Very long finish.
Gran Enemigo - Agrelo Single Vineyard	2015		Argentina	Mendoza	Red	Very intensely atomatic. Very ripe cassis with a note of roasted green peppers arising in the background. The greeness is well developed and integrated.	Potent wine, packed with concentration. The acid of these altitudes brings the balance. Very ripe precise cassis and blackberries. The midpalate reveals the use of new oak (vanilla) and the elegant greenness. A wine that shows the future of Cab Franc in Argentina. High acidity, medium very soft tannins, full body, high alcohol. Long finish
L'Anglore - Chemin de la Brune	2018		France	Rhône	Rose	Med+ intensity. Strawberry, yellow peach and some salt.	Fresh precise fruit. White peach, summer flowers on the attack. Very long saline and lemon finish. High acidity, medium velvety tannins, dry, medium body, medium alcohol.
Romain Le Bars	2018	Tavel	France	Rhône	Rose	Med-low intensity. Cherries and lavender.	Cherries, garrigue. Warmer climate. Simple, decent concentration. Savoury medium finish of cedar. High alcohol, full bodied, high tangy acid , dry, less textural than L’Anglore
L’Anglore	2018	Tavel	France	Rhône	Rose	Carbonic, tangy strawberries. A fleurie in Tavel. Dried flowers.	Precise flavours of wild strawberry. With time, it delivelops a beautiful fresh black pepper. More tannic (medium soft, slightly bitter), crisp acid, medium alcohol, medium body.
Valentin Vallès, Rollier 2019	2019		France	Rhône	Rose	Intensely aromatic. Blueberry, ripe but fresh, touch of cured meat that blows off to a more moderate meatiness.	Pure fresh blueberry, very concentrated and elegant. No oak character. Finish of fruit and a fleeting black pepper. High acidity, med velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol.
L'Anglore	2016	Lirac	France	Rhône	Rose	Med+ intensity. Dried raspberries and blackberries showing the age clearly. Garrigue in the background (sage). As it opens, black pepper.	Showing a blackberry/raspberry bubblegum character with a very garrigue-dominated finish. High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, med soft chewy tannins, dry.
Colet-Navazos - Classic Penedes	2017		Spain	Penedés	Sparkling	Very aromatic. This is interesting. Yellow plum notes in the background mix with white flowers and green almonds from velo de flor.	Rich and fruity, the fruit shows its Penedes character. The elegant acid and the influence of minerality and flor from Navazos balance it well. Finish of lemon, salt and green almonds mixed with a nuance of briochy yeast. Crisp, full bodied, medium alcohol, dry, medium mousse. Medium finish.
Roederer Estate - L’Ermitage Brut	2015	Anderson Valley	United States	California	Sparkling	Very aromatic nose full of ripe and in season peaches and a delightful touch of brown butter and yeast.	The ripe peach in the attack is even more accentuated by the dosage. Notes of lemon and lemon curd round this off. Long lees ageing deliver the yeasty notes, which here they shine in their toast form. Long fruity and toasty finish. Great work from California (the best American sparkling in this price point?). High acidity (not too racy though, on the lower end of high), brut, medium alcohol, medium body. Fine foamy mousse.
Raveneau - Premier Cru Forêt	2017	Chablis	France	Bourgogne	White	Aromatic nose. Yellow plum, yellow apples and a clear MLF buttery nose that blends into some old French oak vanilla that is mild and excellently integrated.	For a Chablis, this is a rich ripe apple and yellow plum attack. There’s plenty of concentration, that drives the fruit through a buttery note and a lovely racy salinity in the midpalate. This is not the most complex wine, but it ticks all the boxes of pleasure and what it does, it does perfectly. Its finish is very long, with apple, quince or a floral honey, and a touch of vanilla. High acidity (but not as much as expected), medium body, medium alcohol, dry.
Recaredo - Serral del Vell Brut Nature	2015		Spain	Penedés	Sparkling	Very deep and aromatic. Fresh green apples, yeasty brioche notes and an intense minerality: chalk, crushed rocks.	On the attack, riper apple notes appear that create a foundation for a complex mineral and saline note. Hints of flowers, brioche and sourdough appear as the wine opens up. This is truly fantastic, it has an energy of its own. The slight characteristic bitterness of Xarello disappears after a few sips. It gives way to the apples, butter and a fading minerality in the finish. High acidity, medium body, low alcohol, extremely fine ethereal mousse (63 months on lees). Dry, but the fruit makes it imperceptible. Beautiful silky astringency. Long finish
Schloss Johannisberg - Rotlack Kabinett	2020		Germany	Mosel	White	Slight kerosene, peach, summer flowers. Very aromatic. Cold fruit character. Not very complex at first. After 20min, it opens to honey and ginger.	Attack of white peach, white flowers. Initially, a very steely midpalate, and almost like licking slate. It then evolves to notes of honey and Thai basil. The finish mixes fruit and flowers and a phenolic astringency. Great balance High acid, off-dry, light body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Georg Breuer - Nonnenberg	2018		Germany	Rheingau	White	Extremely aromatic. Incredibly floral: acacia, white flowers, chamomile and a slightly oxidative character on the fruit (oxidised yellow plum)	Attack of a summer flower bouquet and yellow plums. Very concentrated (like a Viognier with high acid). Fruit has warm character here. The midpalate switches to a ripe grapefruit flavour. Finish is incredibly long, with those notes of yellow plum lingering. High racy acid, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Mild astringency
Per Se - Inseparable	2018		Argentina	Mendoza	Red	Very perfumed and intense. Cracked black pepper, blackberry and blueberry. Cool character. Exciting.	Dark blackberry and cherries lead to a very peppery midpalate (could be confused with a NZ Syrah). Very concentrated with dark fruit, but with an overall savoury profile. Very mild old oak. Very long peppery finish. High tangy acidity, medium chewy yet fine tannins, full bodied, high alcohol.
Zuccardi - Polígonos de Valle de Uco - Paraje Altamita	2019		Argentina	Mendoza	Red	Very fruit forward, driven by a sweet blueberry note. Almost carbonic?	Attack of cool blueberries and a midpalate that recipe to black pepper, but less intensely. I’m the finish, French oak appears, well integrated and mild. High acidity, medium fine powdery tannins, full bodied, high alcohol. Medium finish.
Hatzidakis - Vinsanto 16	2004		Greece	Santorini	White	Lots of deep and intense leather notes, but behind, caramel and dried apricots show.	Attack of ripe persimmon and prunes that develops into a rich and complex caramel flavour. The finish takes the caramel into a more lather and cedar character, lingering for a long time. Huge amount of concentration, yet balanced. This is special. High acidity, medium sweet, full bodied, high alcohol. Very long finish.
L'Infernal - Fonsclar	2015	Priorat	Spain	Catalonia	Red	Intensely aromatic and seductive nose of raspberry and bright cherries. This is the brightness I would associate with natural wines. It ends with a mineral note.	The fruit turns darker in the palate, but the acidity carries a similar tangy brightness to that of the nose. Fresh blackberries hide a midpalate of crush rocks. The fruit carries over to the finish, mixed with cedar and dried herb notes. Serious wine. High alcohol, high acidity, velvety medium tannins that coat all your mouth, full bodied. Long finish.
Domaine des Cavarodes - Poulsard Les Lumachels	2020		France	Jura	Red	Very intensely aromatic. Very precise notes of fresh cranberries dominate the nose. Fragrant and attractive.	Cranberry juice with the complex structure of wine. That's the most accurate description one can give. It has that kind of power and freshness. High tangy acidity (reminiscent of a great Beaujolais), silky low (to non-existent) tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish!
Enric Soler - Improvisació	2016		Spain	Catalonia	White	Aromatic nose. French oak vanilla, done with care: very charming. As one swirls the glass, match stick or flint notes appear.	Attack of ripe yellow plum, quince and white peach. The fruit, although ripe, remains fresh. The midpalate shows a flintier and citric (lemon) side as the notes of vanilla start to show more. The concentration and balanced structure are very impressive. It feels like a high end Godello or a top tier Chardonnay from California. High acidity, elegant pithy texture (telltale that this is not Chardonnay), medium alcohol (12.5%), medium body. Very long finish
Malus mama	2013		Spain	País Vasco	Cider	Wow, that's unusual. Very intense nose. Dark moscavado sugar, toffee and leather.	Such and alluring wine. It's like a Niko Romito extraction of baked apples with the tension of Tokaji. Baked apples, cinnamon, clove and molasses hit you in a wave of flavour that doesn't seem to end. One of those wines to make you think. Very high citric-like acidity, low alcohol, full bodied, very sweet. Very long length.
Jean-François Ganevat - Les Chalasses Vielles Vignes	2012		France	Jura	White	Aromatic and very enticing. Red apples, yellow plum and a clear minerality akin to wet stones. Mild background with vanilla and cream round these aromas. As it cooled down to a more reasonable temperature, lemon notes started to show more.	The palate shows very precise yellow and red apple notes in the attack, opening up to a beautiful lemon curd flavour in the midpalate. These notes blend into a racy lemon and very saline profile that lingers in the palate for minutes. The balance of the high acid and the concentration of this wine are incredible. It reminds us of The Judge we had with John Kongsgaard not long ago. Very high piercing acid acid, medium body, medium alcohol, dry and soft pithy texture. Very, very long.
Soca-Rel - Escursac	2021		Spain	Islas Baleares	Red	Aromatic. Ripe red fruit reminiscent of garnacha. Strawberries, black raspberries and a touch of dried herbs.	Those same ripe red fruit notes appear in the attack, but the herbal side becomes more apparent in the midpalate and finish. Thyme, black pepper and leather. Surprising the low alcohol for this type of flavour profile. Crisp, medium body, medium alcohol, low firm tannins. Short finish
Raventos I Blanc - Textures de Pedra	2017		Spain	Catalonia	Sparkling	Aromatic and deep. Complex nose of pears, red apples, yeast and brioche. This is looking good.	Complexity/value ratio is high. The attack of red apple turns to yellow pears as the wine opens up. The midpalate has a clear chalky and saline minerality. The rich fruit of this blanc the noirs pervades the whole experience, but the elegant acidity keeps the balance in great tension. The finish shows the yeast qualities with more definition. Great food wine. High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry, silky astringent feel, very fine mousse. Long finish.
Terroir al Limit - Terra de Cuques	2018	Priorat	Spain	Catalonia	Red	Very aromatic. Ripe raspberry and rose petals lead to notes of pine as it opens up. It has charm.	The palate shows how this wine is built. The Carinyena adds acidity and a herbal midpalate, whereas the fruitier notes are product of the other 50% Garnatxa in the blend. The attack is more of those ripe tangy raspberries that turn into pine resin with some aeration. Nice dried herbs finish (thyme). Very well balanced: this shows a fresher take of Priorat. Mild use of oak here. Crisp, medium body, high alcohol (14%), medium fine tannins. Long finish.
Armand Rousseau - Gevrey-Chambertin	2012	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very enticing aromatic nose. Red currants, cranberries and very well integrated oak notes of cedar and vanilla. This is elegance in the form of wine. The fruit feels very fresh, cool, and clearly with a long life ahead.	The palate shows vibrant red currant and raspberries that lingers through the midpalate with power. Delicious, why can't all wine be so harmonious? The finish shows as a cedar note that fades into licorice aromas. High acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, silky low tannins. Very long finish.
Navazos-Niepoort	2018	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Very aromatic. Yellow apples, strong green almond nose. Not a very floral velo deflor.	Green apples, slightly oxidised. Midpalate is very saline. Impressive concentration. Nice lemon and salt finish. High acid, medium body, low alcohol, dry, a tad of nice astringency. Long finish.
Viña Corrales -Pago Balbaina Fino	Saca 2021	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Medium intensity. Oxidised apples, pears and almonds. As it opens, white flowers also.	Very concentrated palate. The attack goes form green almonds, lime to roasted almonds and a touch of brine in the midpalate that lasts through the finish. Crisp, high alcohol, full body. Very long finish.
Equipo Navazos - La Bota Nº 96 de Amontillado	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Very aromatic. Orange peel notes, dried apricots and a light touch of lime.	Tons of concentration and piecing high acid. Roasted apples, pure precise notes of orange peel and lime which then open up to a lovely walnut aroma and salinity. Very long finish of walnut and orange peel. Very high tangy acid, high alcohol, full bodied, dry, pithy astringency. Extremely long finish
Equipo Navazos - La Bota Nº 102 de Palo Cortado Florpower MMX	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	When Sherry wows you. Very aromatic. Orange, tons of fresh green almonds and apricots. As it opens a growing touch of walnut.	A perfect example of Palo Cortado, living between oxidations and flor. Deep, concentrated and complex. The attack has oxidised red apples, lime and green apples. The midpalate shows those orange notes and green almonds that grow into sweet walnuts in the finish. A persistent lime note lingers for minutes. High electric acidity, high alcohol, full bodied, dry, pithy astringency. Extremely long finish
Celler Pardas - Xarello	2009		Spain	Penedés	White	Deep gold at this stage with 13 years old. Very aromatic wine. Ripe yellow pears, honey and tons of tertiary aromas that remind you of bay leaf and something akin to rosemary. Even some wet stones notes - exciting.	In the palate the pears feel more oxidised, more like a poiré. The midpalate shows full of body with honeyed notes that are balanced by a pinch of iodine and followed by those same bay leaf notes. This is certainly is a food wine, one that can take easily strongly flavoured dishes. It's probably at its peak now, showing great balance of concentration and freshness. High acidity, dry, full bodied, medium alcohol. Velvety pithy texture. Long finish.
López de Heredia - Viña Tondonia Reserva	2010	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Intensely aromatic. Bright red fruit followed by the characteristic earthiness of its cellar and a touch of leather and vanilla.	If we had to define this vintage of Tondonia, it is by how enticing it is. The palate surprises you with fresh bright cherries and strawberries. The mipalate opens up to a certain hard-to-describe minerality that leads to the signature López de Heredia undergrowth, leather and finally cedar and vanilla in the finish. The tannins are to die for: fabulously smooth High acidity, strinkingly silky medium tannins, medium bodied, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Dard et Ribo - Saint Joseph	2020	Saint Joseph	France	Rhône	Red	Very aromatic and overt nose from the beginning. Lavender, fresh black and red berries perfume the air. Clearly a cool climate and fresh wine. No oak can be perceived.	This is a vin de soif. Beautiful fresh and ripe blackberries and black cherries. The midpalate shows a trendy saline palate and transitions in the finish to that fresh black pepper note that we love so much from cool climate Syrah. Medium body, medium alcohol, very fine medium velvety tannins, high zingy acidity. Medium finish.
Jean-François Ganevat - Vin Jaune	2005		France	Jura	White	Very aromatic nose, showing complex layers of fresh velo de flor. Green almond and walnuts with a touch of white flowers. Upon swirling, dried grass, quince and dried yellow plums. For such an immortal wine, this can be drunk over a few days. With time, notes of cumin become apparent.	Deep concentration from a warm vintage (where vin jaune truly shines). An attack of slighly oxidised apples and pear, dried grass and quince. The most enticing salinity and touch of flor appears in the midpalate, along with a refined yet powerful acidity. Notes of brine, hay, white flowers and almonds become more apparent with time, embracing each other in an 4min long finish. With time, curried notes, fenugreek and cumin appear. A very similar wine to Navazos Manzanilla Pasada (the cheap way?) High acidity, soft astringent texture from the 8 years on the lees in barrel, medium alcohol, medium body.
Jean-François Ganevat - Vin Jaune	2015		France	Jura	White	Lavishly aromatic. This is a bomb of velo de flor in its most floral mode. White flowers and salt dust. Some green apple and green almonds add complex base notes.	What a wine. So much concentration. This is a beautiful demostration of power and freshness. Green apples, lemon and white flowers form the attack, which turns into wet stones and iodine in the midpalate to finish back in white flowers, green almonds and citrus zest. Very high tangy acid, dry, full bodied, high alcohol. Very long finish.
Domaine Coche-Dury - Bourgogne Blanc	2008		France	Bourgogne	White	Exuberantly aromatic wine. For a 14 year old wine, this is fresh as a daisy. Aromas of yellow apple are deeply interwoven to a very elegant oak and precise notes of butter. As the wine opens, an initial flint and wet stone fragrance turns into Coche-Dury’s signature match stick scent, a note that would linger through the 3h over which we drunk the bottle.	The palate shows an amount of concentration that surprises you for a regional level wine. In fact, this level of concentration accompanied by this much tension, we had only experienced before from Kongsgaard’s Chardonnays. The palate and midpalate are driven by yellow plum, yellow apples and lemon curd. But it is the midpalate that shows most of the complexity. Here the butter notes and minerality shine, all encased under the perfectly integrated notes of vanilla from new French oak. The minerality expresses itself as a salinity, which accentuates the freshness of the wine, as well as more of that match stick scent. The finish is very long, ending in a fading butter, vanilla and match stick. This has many years left of life. High racy acidity, full bodied, medium alcohol, dry. Very long finish.
Koehler Ruprecht - Sekt Brut Riesling	2010		Germany	Pfalz	Sparkling	Very aromatic nose. Dominated by yellow pears, the nose also reveals its age through Thai basil notes. As it warms up, the yeasty profile becomes more apparent as biscuits and then brioche.	The attack is driven by those same pear notes, now combines with lemon. Racy wine, but well balanced in the dosage. The midpalate shows a lot of chalkiness that lingers all the way through the finish. The minerality is joined there with, those biscuits aromas from the 10-year-old ageing in the lees. Very pretty. And what a price! Very high acid, fine mousse, dry, mild astringency, medium alcohol, medium body.
Mestres - Clos Nostre Senyor	2013	Cava	Spain	Catalonia	Sparkling	Attractive and elegant nose. Ripe yellow apples and pears notes float in a cloud of toasted brioche and caramelised butter. As it opens, notes of candied apple of dried pears complement the more autolytic side of the bouquet.	This is serious cava, probably one of the best done in this appellation. On the attack, bright ripe yellow pears and grapefruit notes play the main role. The midpalate shows MLF, as cream and lots of wet chalk. These flavours are accompanied by brown butter, brioche and biscuits in a very long finish. Very fine mousse, high acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Edmond Vatan - Clos La Néore	2018	Sancerre	France	Loire	White	Medium intensity. Pure crushed rocks.	Precise yellow apples, honey and chamomile. Full of ripe fruit (surprising). Midpalate shows all that intense minerality we saw in the nose. It also dominates into the finish, until the apples and chamomile return for a very very long finish. High acidity, medium body, dry, medium alcohol. Extremely long finish.
Sistema Vinari - Cható Paquita	2018		Spain	Islas Baleares	Red	Fun natural wine. Very aromatic. Tons of cranberry and raspberry.	On the palate, also a touch of grapefruit. Simple, but delicous vin de soif. Spiced finish. Medium alcohol, light body, soft low tannins, high acidity. Medium finish.
José Gil - El Bardallo	2020	Rioja Alta	Spain	Rioja	Red	Aromatic and serious wine. It perfumed with ripe, but fresh, dark cherries that are intertwined with wet granite and cedar from French oak.	Very concentrated palate that shows those dark cherries as well as dark raspberries with a racy fresh acid. The fruit carries through with power in the midpalate, where other notes present in the nose like that earthy minerality also show up. The French oak makes its appearance here too, with cedar and spiced notes. A wine that could feel from Rioja Alavesa in style. Medium alcohol, medium body, powdery medium tannins, high racy acidity. Long finish.
Alain Verset	2010	Cornas	France	Rhône	Red	Classic aromatic Rhône Syrah. The nose has been softened by the time to a beautiful black olive with a touch of black pepper.	The fruit of black character has been slightly dried and supplanted by the black olive flavour. It still has plenty of life though, characteristic of a warm concentrated vintage but with great Northern Rhône freshness. The midpalate shows more of the black pepper alongside the fruit, whereas the finish is cedary; with leather, dried herbs and that same freshly ground black pepper. Crisp, medium body, medium alcohol, chewy fine medium tannins. Long finish.
Nin-Ortiz - Carinyena Blanca	2017	Priorat	Spain	Catalonia	White	Semi-aromatic wine. Notes of yellow pear, lemon and as it warms up quince. No oak.	One of the better vintages for this variety. Nice concentration with tons of tension. Green apples on the attack with quince and a touch of salt in the midpalate. The finish also shows a citric profile. For us, blind, this could be confused for a white Loire. Very high acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Medium finish
Nin-Ortiz - Planetes de Nin Clàssic	2020	Priorat	Spain	Catalonia	Red	Very aromatic. Fragrant fresh red fruit: raspberry and red cherries. Not what one would expect from Priorat. On the back end, black pepper and sage.	Where is the alcohol? We don’t know, such a lightness and freshness is impressive (40% of Carinyena helps we guess). The red fruit we found in the nose is accompanied here in the attack by a slightly darker cherry note. The midpalate shows the magic of this wine. Iron, black pepper and even a more perfumed pink pepper. Very complex! Carles Ortiz claims that his wines require a couple of years from harvest to express this terroir character. Crisp, high alcohol, medium body, very fine medium tannins. Long finish
Nin-Ortiz - Planetes de Nin	2014	Priorat	Spain	Catalonia	Red	A bit more restrained than 2020. Darker fruit (dark cherries and blackberries) accompanied by leather and a mild undergrowth. The fruit is very much alive still and remains the dominant note.	The alcohol feels like what it should (14.5%, as the 2020, but with more Carinyena! 60%). The fruit is riper and warmer. The freshness of the 2020 is not here, but there is still balance. The midpalate shows iron, undergrowth and a lot of leather, a note that lingers through the finish along some spice. Crisp, high alcohol, full body, powdery chewy medium tannins. Long finish.
Nin-Ortiz - Terra Vermella	2019	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	Very aromatic. Fly spray character similar to Australian Semillon, aromas that appear with age as Riesling’s petrol, and white flowers.	High altitude (>500m) Parellada. On the palate, the first sensation is apples, green and yellow. The midpalate is then driven by those tertiary petrol-like aromas, white flowers and tons of salinity. Very fun wine, Carles compares it with Savignin (in fact, he intends to make a vin Jaune some day). Complex, citric and saline finish. Medium alcohol, medium body, high racy acid, dry. Long finish.
Enric Soler - Istiu	2021	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	Aromatic nose of yellow apples and pear with a soft base of vanilla from the French oak. As it opens up it also gives off menthol notes.	Similar notes in the attack, but the midpalate reveals an electrifying tension. Such a fresh wine! Clearly thanks to the Malvasia de Sitges but, it still holds part of the body of Xarello. Finish of citric notes and that mild sweetness of French oak. Very high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, dry. Medium finish.
Enric Soler - Improvisació	2021	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	Very aromatic wine, with notes of yellow plum, apples and a touch of chalky reduction. Rounding it off, a faint aroma of vanilla in the background.	On the palate the fruit dominates with yellow plum, apples and quince but also citrus, like mandarin. A wine of great volume and concentration but, again, a racy acidity keeps it at an elegant balance. Through the midpalate, the texture becomes more apparent with that slight natural astringency of Xarello. The finish shows the more floral notes of quince alongside the citric notes of mandarin and the foudre’s vanilla polishing the edges. High racy acid, dry, medium body and medium alcohol. Slight natural astringency of Xarello. Long finish.
Enric Soler - Improvisació	2020	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	Tasted alongside 2020. Comparative notes below: More reductive than 2021. Enric atributes this to an effect from bottle ageing. (There is no intention of creating a reductive feel.). This reduction brings out complexity in the nose and salinity on the palate. It mostly blows off after vigorously swirling the glass.	On the palate it feels more picant, complex and bolder. Despite having the same alcohol level, it feels slightly more alcoholic and with less acidity.
Enric Soler - Espenyalluchs	2021	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	Very young. As it opens up with a bit of air one uncovers many more layers. Green apple, grapefruit and mandarin. As it warms up, the oak makes a more overt performance than Improvisació - with vanilla and a touch of toasted oak.	On the palate, the piercing high acid drives the wine. It reminds us to a Puligny, more precisely an Etienne Sauzet for its structure and use of oak. But even if the wine evokes a Burgundian profile, it’s unfair to focus to much on the similarities. The colder character of the fruit, the concentration and electric acid that one gets at this altitude render this expression of Xarello a vin d’auteur. Very high piercing acid, dry, less texture than Improvisació, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Enric Soler - Nun Vinya dels Taus	2021	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	A timid, restrained beginning, to then unleash all its power. Yellow plum, quince, chamomile on the nose. It is the wine where the oak is most apparent, with notes of vanilla and beurre noisette.	Still, this wine has tons of concentration and it can take the oak. On the palate the yellow plum and mandarin dominate the attack whereas the midpalate shows a precise aroma of chamomile and honey. In the finish we finish a sliver of salinity alongside notes of lemon zest and the elegantly integrated vanilla from the French oak. The richness is evened by a very racy acidity that seems to have taken its racier edge from this particular vintage. Others have compared Nun to a Meursault. Could this be a Penedès’ Meursault-Perrières? High racy acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, slight Xarello astringency, dry. The finish lingers for minutes.
Domaine Guiberteau - Saumur Brezé	2012	Saumur	France	Loire	White	Very aromatic nose. Open from the very beginning, no reduction, no lanolin. Ripe fruit: yellow plum, white peach; and white flowers. A very mild sweetness of new French oak is certainly there in the background (confirmed later: 40% new oak). As it sits on the glass, honey notes mix with the vanilla of the oak.	Very concentrated wine, we understand why Curnonsky liked Brezé. White peach and yellow plum dominate the attack with a bit of quince. The midpalate is big and complex with an incredibly powerful salinity that, when combined with the acidity, makes you salivate intensely. This could compete with the great Burgundies in terms of tension and power. The finish is driven by the saline notes and lemon juice, fading into honeyed notes. Very high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, dry. Very long finish (minutes). Lots of similarities with South African Chenin. The oak is probably one of the reasons for this.
Jean Louis Dutraive - Fleurie 'Clos de la Grand'Cour'	2020		France	Beaujolais	Red	Wow. Is this the best Fleurie we have had? Incredibly aromatic of red fruit. Cool fruit with raspberries and strawberries on a background note of wet stones that shouts GRANITE at you. It's that same tar-like note that one can get in a Garnacha from Madrid. This is natural, and one can tell for the first minutes after opening the bottle.	The attack shows very fresh fruit from semi-carbonic. In Fleurie this means strawberry and rose petals. The midpalate reveals the minerality that we felt in the nose. Pure, intense and almost austere, it gives a very interesting contrast to the fruit flavours. The finish shows more of the minerality, intertwined with rose and dried herbs. Delicious. High tangy acidity, soft velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Jean Louis Dutraive - Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Brouilly	2020		France	Beaujolais	Red	Very aromatic, with much darker and warm fruit than the Fleurie. Heady, but still enticing. Not as mineral, the bouquet has more of a note of black pepper and dried herbs.	It's noticeable that here one passed from granite soils, to limestone and clay in Brouilly. The attack is warm and, fruity. Blackberries and black cherries that reminds you of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Yet, there is Beaujolais acidity here that keeps everything in balance. The midpalate is broad and it drives to a herbal and peppery finish. High alcohol, high racy acidity, full bodied, medium powdery tannins. Long finish.
Domaine Henri Naudin-Ferrand, Bourgogne Blanc, Haute-Côtes de Nuits	2020		France	Bourgogne	White	Bright and aromatic. White peach, white flowers and a citric note that becomes more apparent in the palate. Old French oak.	Ripe cool fruit. In the attack, notes of white peach, white flowers dominate; while in the midpalate a mild salinity and notes of lemon take over all the way to the finish. MLF not apparent. Crisp racy acid, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Medium finish.
Jean-Louis Chave - St-Joseph	2017	Saint Joseph	France	Rhône	Red	Medium aromatic. Ripe blackberries and oak cedar. Not much going on. Only after a day open, it developed a more interesting character with black pepper and herb. The fruit feels more round and complex.	Good concentration, lots of black cherries and blackberries. The midpalate is broad, but one dimensional. The finish reveals some oak spice. Only after a day we get a more herbal finish. Is it in a period of lethargy? It still feels young, this will survive for a long time. Elegant structure. Crisp acid, fine medium tannin, full bodied, high alcohol, medium finish.
Domaine Weinbach - Riesling Cuvée Colette	2014		France	Alsace	White	Very aromatic. A brief chalky and petrol wiff gives way to pure and bright lemon juice and flowers. As it opens, some honeyed notes reveal its age.	So concentrated and young! Plenty of rich Alsatian fruit remaining. The attack hits you with lemon juice and white flowers. This citric notes continue through the midpalate alongside some petrol and honey. The finish of chalk and lemon is delightful. High steely acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, bone dry. Long finish.
Domaine des Roches Neuves - Terres Chaudes	2020	Saumur	France	Loire	Red	Aromatic of juicy red cherries and cool cassis. Swirling shows more graphite. Little to no oak. A touch of tobacco leaves after an hour open.	Ripe cool black and red fruit in the palate. The midpalate shows body and graphite and tobacco. Fruity finish. A canonical example of Cabernet Franc with tamed green notes (tobacco). High racy acidity, velvety low tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Medium finish
Jean-François Ganevat - Plein Sud	2014		France	Jura	Red	A whiff of volatile acidity scared us at first, but it quickly blew off. And then a very light and floral wine appeared. Cool cranberries,lingonberry, red currant and a very precise note of violets. No oak perceptible.	Such a racy light wine. Low extraction or cold vintage? Delicious though, electrifying! Very cool but concentrated red fruit. The midpalate is full of the scent of fresh and dried violets. With the amount of fruit in the midpalate and the lack of tertiary notes one would never guess it's 9 years old. Very low alcohol (10%!!!), silky low tannins, light body, high racy acid. Long finish.
Dard et Ribo - Crozes-Hermitage	2019	Crozes-Hermitage	France	Rhône	Red	Very aromatic. Very pure, fresh and precise blueberries.A faint note of eucalyptus. Enticing. As it opens, the oak notes are dimmed for an alluring black pepper note.	Fresh crunchy blackberries and blueberries in the attack. Such concentration too! Broad midpalate full of fruit. After 30min it shows the same black pepper notes as in the nose. Crisp, full bodied, high alcohol, medium velvety tannins. Long finish.
Catherine & Pierre Breton - La Dilettante Brut	NV		France	Loire	Sparkling	Aromatic. A touch of yeast is apparent at first, then revealing a nose of yellow apples, flowers and honey.	Great aperitif sparkling, with plenty of fruit to pair a whole meal too and a tamed Chenin acidity. Rich yellow apples lead to a chalky minerality in the midpalate. The finish shows expressive autolytic notes (sourdough and biscuits) alongside that same chalky aroma. High acidity, fine mousse, brut, medium alcohol, medium body. Medium finish.
Domaine de Montbourgeau - L'Etoile Cuvée spéciale	2012		France	Jura	White	Very aromatic nose. Screams I’m a Manzanilla at you: white flowers, green almonds, apples. Cool climate fruit. But then as it opens a bit more, notes of fennel and curry come in.	Good concentration, with a vibrant attack dominated by oxidised apples and white flowers. The midpalate reveals all the savoury notes through iodine, fresh walnuts and curry. Long finish. High racy acid, medium body, medium alcohol, dry. Slight astringent texture.
Dard & Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Blanc	2020	Crozes-Hermitage	France	Rhône	White	Very aromatic (competing with Viognier). Warm notes of summer flowers, honey and beeswax. Very precise aromas.	Tons of concentration. The attack is driven by a cool but ripe peach note that is then followed by honey and mainly beeswax. The salinity of the midpalate is very enticing. It accentuates the vibrancy of the acidity. All while the notes of flowers, lemon and honey linger through the finish. Crisp, dry, full body, high alcohol. Long finish.
Produttori del Barbaresco	1990	Barbaresco	Italy	Piedmont	Red	Closed at first. Notes of sour cherries, sous bois, tar and cedar. As it opens up dried violets appear. Pretty, but clearly past it’s peak.	The palate still shows a good amount of fruit (red cherries, fresh black currants and raisined cherries). The midpalate is the one that shows all the tertiary notes of mushroom, undergrowth and cedar. It’s almost mineral. The backbone of body and fruit keep it in balance. Very long savoury finish of dried violets, cherry and a tarry cedar. High acidity, silky high tannins, high alcohol, medium body.
Le Ragnaie - Rosso di Montalcino	2019		Italy	Toscana	Red	Aromatic. Fresh cool climate fruit. Sour cherries, red cherries and a floral note in the background. Elegant.	The palate confirms the nose, but it lacks concentration. The flavour profile is still pretty though. Medium finish with some old oak notes. High acidity, medium soft tannins, medium body, medium alcohol.
Sylvain Pataille - Bourgogne Pinot Noir	2021		France	Bourgogne	Red	Aromatic. Some volatile acidity right after opening. An almost carbonic maceration aroma of candied cherries. Then ripe cherries and ripe cranberries.	The palate confirms the nose. Ripe red fruit. The wine has body and decent concentration. Just a bit unidimensional. The finish is medium, with spices like clove and pepper from the oak. A decent vin de soif. High racy acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, low fine tannins.
Jacky Blot - Triple Zéro	NV		France	Loire	Sparkling	Reductive wine making? It really took its time to open up. Initially restraint: white flowers, lemon. After a couple of hours, a much richer bouquet showed up. White peach, precise notes of lime, white flowers and some yeast,	The palate shows good concentration that balances well the high acidity of Chenin with no dosage. The attack is dominated by peach and a tangy and precise lime flavour. In the finish one gets a more buttery note, like croissant. While it opened up, the finish closed with a slightly bitter phenolic astringency. Very long lime finish. It makes a great aperitif wine. High racy acid, very dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Fine mousse.
Jacky Blot - Triple Zéro Millesimé	2008		France	Loire	Sparkling	Very aromatic. Very different to the NV we tasted a few days before. This is rich and autolytic. Notes of ripe yellow pear, yellow apple and lots of croissant and toasted sourdough. Gourmand.	A attack of ripe apples and pears followed by a broad midpalate indicative of the tons of concentration here. A touch of lemon. The floral notes from the NV show in this Millesimé more as honey, mixed with the opulent and complex yeasty aromas of the long lees ageing. Again, the dense concentration and ripe fruit hide the piercing acid and the fact that there's no dosage. This will have a long life. A very elegant food wine, but also one to smell, sip and admire. Apparently only available exclusively in some restaurants and for friends of Jacky. Where can we find this? We want more of it. Delightful very fine soft mousse. High racy acid, medium body, medium alcohol and of course, bone dry. Very long finish of honey and yeast.
Domaine de Beudon - Riesling-Sylvaner	2009		Switzerland	Valais	White	Very aromatic. Mild note of petrol that mixes within ripe warm peach notes and Thai basil. Swirling, white flowers and honey invade your nose. Riesling notes at the right level of maturity.	Very aromatic. Mild note of petrol that mixes within ripe warm peach notes and Thai basil. Swirling, white flowers and honey invade your nose. Riesling notes at the right level of maturity. Very opulent palate, which certainly surprises you as this is a 11.5% abv. Attack with lots of ripe stone fruit, white flowers and that Thai Basil note that we get in aged Riesling. Great concentration, which even if the Sylvaner doesn't deliver the same acid as Riesling, it's not overpowering. The midpalate showcases the body of the wine along with notes of honey, wet slate and a backbone of peach. Long finish of fruit, honey and basil. It reminds one of a dry Spatlese level Riesling. On the lower end of crisp acidity, full body, low alcohol, dry. Very long finish.
Château Rayas - La Pialade	2019		France	Rhône	Red	Slight volatile acidity in the nose, but it blows off. Aromatic nose of dried flowers, pomegranate and fresh sour cherries. Apparently 8 days ago it felt dead, very restrained.	Palate is driven by pomegranate and ripe cranberries showing a cooler fruit profile. The midpalate has a granite-like minerality that reminds us of Beaujolais. Long finish of fruit, black pepper and five spice. High tangy acidity, medium grainy tannins, medium body, high alcohol.
Chateau des Tours - (Grande Réserve)	2014		France	Rhône	Red	Very pretty and aromatic nose. Medium intensity. Very precise aromas of roses and red cherries.	Attack of warm climate red cherries. It feels like it’s close to being jammy, but it’s not, it’s fresh! Midpalate not as concentrated, but it reveals some very delicate notes of white pepper and dried roses that linger through the finish. High alcohol, crisp racy acid, medium body, med powdery tannins. Very long finish.
Domaine des Tours - Merlot	2004		France	Rhône	Red	Medium aromatic notes of raisined blackberries, leather and even a touch of soy sauce.	Dark blackberries in the palate showing a bit of fatigue. The midpalate shows some spices and dried herbs: sage and tobacco. Overall it’s heavy and lacks balance. High alcohol, full body, crisp, high chewy tannins. Long finish.
Château de Fonsalette - Syrah	2007		France	Rhône	Red	Wow. Intensely aromatic. Precise notes of blue flowers, chrysanthemum and jasmine. Upon swirling, the classic notes of cool climate Syrah: blueberry, brambles and black pepper.	Attack of blueberry and blackberries. Very concentrated. The midpalate shows tons of freshly crushed black pepper, which continuous all the way through the finish. The notes of flowers turn more into a eucalyptus note in the palate. Racy crisp acid, medium powdery-velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Domaine Charvin - Châteauneuf-du-Pape	2009	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Medium intensity. Raisined cherries and leather. As it opens up, notes of dried violets appear.	Strawberry and leather! What? One of the freshest Châteauneuf-du-Pape we have tasted (apart from Rayas'). The midpalate is broad and fruity. It finishes with leather and cedar notes, as well as a touch of black pepper. Chewy high tannins, crisp, high alcohol, full body. Long finish.
Château Rayas - Pignan	2013		France	Rhône	Red	This is among the most beautiful bouquets we have smelled in a wine. Intensely aromatic and floral. Precise and layered notes of rose petals, rose hip, strawberry, red cherries, licorice and violets.	Such precise note of ripe straweberries in their prime of the season. This is Pinot Noir transformed into Grenache. Huge concentration. The midpalate shows a minerality that feels from limestone in nature (notes of crushed rocks, fine firm tannin, racy acid). This is superb, so alluring. Powerful in aromas, yet light. Racy and complex. Medium alcohol (felt when tasting blind, actually 15%), medium body, velvety medium tannins, crisp racy acid. Extremely long finish.
Château des Tours	2001	Vacqueyras	France	Rhône	Red	Nose is similar in character and profile to Pignan 2013, but with a more restrained intensity and certainly carrying more age. Ripe strawberries.	Darker fruit in the palate: ripe blackberries, but good acid to balanced. The fruit shows more raisined, but not fatigued. There is a vibrant minerality, with clear iodine flavours. The finish, spiced and with dried herbs, evokes the Provençal garrigue. High alcohol, full body, high powdery tannins, crisp. Long finish.
Château Rayas -Châteauneuf-du-Pape	2005	Châteauneuf-du-Pape	France	Rhône	Red	Very aromatic, but more muted than Pignan 2013. Precise notes of pomegranate and dried flowers. But as it opens, they become precisely like ripe cranberries.	Attack of ripe cranberries, almost warm in character. Tremendous concentration. As it opens the character becomes dominated by sour cherries and leather in the midpalate, which reminds us of a great floral Sangiovese. Less mineral than the Vacqueyras 2001, more fruity and pleasant. The finish reveals back those dried flower aromas accompanied this time by very enticing white pepper notes. This wine has such a concentration that it feels like it can keep giving more an more over a long period of time. Tasting the bottle as it evolves would be best. Medium alcohol (felt when tasting blind, actually 15%), medium body, velvety ripe medium tannins, crisp racy acid.
Château de Fonsalette	2012		France	Rhône	Red	A touch of volatile acidity with some cured meat over dark cherries from a warm climate.	This shows in the attack as ripe cherries and cranberries, but with a good level of freshness. The midpalate adds a note of black pepper which lingers in the finish along dried herbs: aromas of garrigue. High acidity, velvety medium tannins, high alcohol and full bodied. Long finish.
Yvon Metras - Fleurie L'Ultime	2018		France	Beaujolais	Red	Intensely aromatic and elegant. It seduces the nose with lush rose petals, raspberries and strawberries. The spicier character of Gamay took a bit longer to appear, with black pepper and crushed gravel.	Strawberry and raspberries drive the core of this wine. The precision and concentration here easily rivals that of any Grand Cru Pinot Noir. The alluring floral notes of Fleurie also invite this comparison. In the midpalate we find the classic granitic minerality of crushed rocks that we are getting so used to recognising of late (Beaujolais, St Joseph, Madrid, Itata...). The finish lingers and lingers, revealing subtle notes of black pepper, clove, and crushed rocks over the layers of fruit and roses. This is the last vintage of this cuvée, and we hope to find more Gamays that can match this standard. High tangy acidity, silky low tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Extremely long finish.
José Gil - Camino de Ribas La Cóncava	2020		Spain	Rioja	Red	Intensely aromatic, with fresh dark cherries and blueberries evoking a Northern Rhône Syrah. The floral notes are striking, starting with violets and evolving into dried roses as the wine breathes. A captivating bouquet.	The blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha (40%) gives a mixture of their fruit characters: Attack of dark cherries, black raspberries and blackberries. Ripe, but the climate feels like from a cool region. Full of concentration. Broad midpalate that shows off its perfume of violets and dried roses. Very enticing. The finish adds some French oak nuances, with some cedar and sage, but the fruit remains the star of the show. The acidity manages to create a lively tension that offsets the fruit sweetness. High racy acidity, medium fine tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Lucien Aviet - Cuvée des Géologues Trousseau Rosière	2011		France	Jura	Red	Intensely aromatic. A captivating nose of dried flowers and floral pastille, evoking a Garnacha from Madrid. Raspberries and dried herbs such as sage emerge with aeration.	A lively and concentrated palate with racy acidity and velvety tannins. Ripe raspberry flavours dominate the attack and midpalate, complemented by black pepper, floral pastille and a subtle iron minerality. The wine has a warm mouthfeel despite the medium alcohol level. A long and persistent finish of dried flowers and sage. Medium alcohol, medium body, high racy acidity, medium velvety tannins. Long finish.
Jean Louis Dutraive - Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Fleurie 'Champagne'	2021		France	Beaujolais	Red	Very aromatic. This Beaujolais transcends its appellation with a striking resemblance to Pinot Noir. It delivers precise and intense aromas of fresh strawberries and rose petals, with impeccable purity. After a few days of aeration, a seductive hint of licorice emerged. Minimal French oak influence.	The palate is equally impressive, with a vibrant attack of red cherry and wild strawberry that evokes a northern origin. The fruit is the driving force, but it is complemented by a complex interplay of floral and mineral nuances. The finish is very long, with lingering notes of strawberry, licorice and oak spice. A wine of finesse and precision. High racy acidity, silky low tannins, medium body, medium alcohol (12.5%!).
Jean-Marc Roulot - grains de Chardonnay	2019		France	Bourgogne	White	Unique bottling. Only for Le Halle aux Grains, belonging to the Bras family. Intensely aromatic. Bouquet of quince, lemon curd and a hint of new French oak vanilla. The fruit character is ripe and expressive.	This small cuvée delivers more concentration than one might expect. It bursts with quince, yellow plum and lemon flavours, all underpinned by a remarkable tension. The midpalate is broad and fruity but also reveals a saline nuance. The finish combines a subtle chalky minerality with lemon, lemon curd and vanilla. High racy acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish.
Château Latour - grains de Cabernet Sauvignon	2017	Pauillac	France	Bordeaux	Red	Unique bottling. Only for Le Halle aux Grains, belonging to the Bras family. Ripe cassis expression that evokes a cool climate in a warm vintage. The bouquet reveals complex tertiary aromas of tobacco and dry mint, adding depth and intrigue to the fruit.	On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and powerful, yet balanced and poised by a lively acidity. The cassis and dark cherry flavors are intense but not jammy, and they are complemented by a refreshing minty note that persists through the long finish. The finish also displays nuances of tobacco and coffee, as the core of fruit flavours gradually fades. The oak influence is subtle and well-integrate. Crisp racy acid, medium fine tannin, full bodied, high alcohol. Very long finish.
L'Anglore	2021	Tavel	France	Rhône	Rose	This wine exudes a heady perfume of floral pastilles that might overwhelm some palates at first. However, with some aeration, the aromas evolve and reveal a core of ripe strawberry and licorice. Only after a day the bouquet reaches its peak of balance and complexity.	On the palate, the wine delivers a burst of ripe strawberries and black raspberries, followed by a wave of violet pastilles. As the floral notes fade, a hint of crushed rocks emerges in the midpalate, adding some minerality and depth. The finish is dominated by notes of black pepper, sage and pastille. Crisp, soft medium tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Maison Valette - Pouilly-Fuissé	2018	Pouilly-Fuissé	France	Bourgogne	White	A complex and expressive bouquet of aromas greets the nose. The initial impression is of flinty reduction, giving way to a medley of ripe and green pear fruit, laced with honey. The minerality evolves from flint to chalk as the wine opens up. No trace of oak influence.	Powerful attack that tells you this is not Beaune. Broad and rich with oxidised pears, green pears and honey. The midpalate shows a very noticeable saline note that comes accompanied by lemon. Towards the finish the reduction and/or chalk becomes more apparent. Old oak. Crisp, some residual sugar, very full bodied, high alcohol. Very long finish.
Terpin Franco – Sauvignon	2012		Italy	Veneto	White	Very aromatic. Deep amber colour. Clearly orange from the nose already.	Ripe peach, rose, honey. Light notes of citrus on top. High acidity, velvety medium tannins, full body, high alcohol.
Bornard - Les Chassagnes	2020		France	Jura	White	Very aromatic. Strong reductive flinty note at the beginning, but after 30min this becomes crushed rocks and chalk. Very mineral. The fruit aromas are milder, hinting of green apples and honeysuckle.	Wow, this is electric and tensioned. Attack of green apples, green pears. The midpalate is very saline, with those notes of rocks and honey showing very exuberantly. Long finish with lime and salt. Delicious. High piercing acid, light body, medium alcohol, bone dry. Long finish.
Domaine Roches Neuves - Franc Pied	2014	Saumur	France	Loire	Red	Medium intensity. Ripe cassis. Blind it’s hard to identify if cool or warm climate. As it opens slowly a dark tobacco note appears and finally, pencil shavings.	While the nose it’s note telling of its age, on the palate we feel the cassis slightly more tired, with a light hint of dried fruit. Lots of concentration, so still a long life ahead. The midpalate intertwines the tobacco notes and the graphite. Really great example of what Loire can do. Long finish. Crisp acid (on the higher end), medium alcohol, medium body, medium velvety tannins.
Dard & Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Blanc	2021	Crozes-Hermitage	France	Rhône	White	Intensely aromatic. Ripe pear with acacia flowers and beeswax. Warmer than 2020.	On the attack the ripe yellow peach note and acacia are predominant. Very concetrated wine. The salinity of the midpalate is as attractive as the 2020. The finish is driven by acacia, salt and beewax. Crisp (on the lower end, we prefer the 2020), dry, full body (more than 2020), high alcohol. Long finish.
Domaine de Montbourgeau - L'Etoile Cuvée spéciale	2011		France	Jura	White	Very intensely aromatic nose. Fennel, turmeric, Madras curry notes. As it opens up we get notes of green walnuts and acacia. Very evolved, at its peak of complexity.	Attack of apples, green pear that come accompanied by curry. The midpalate shows the most complexity, fennel, walnut and iodine intertwine with each other. The finish is mixed with faint notes of lemon, lots of salt and green walnuts. High acidity, light body, medium alcohol, dry. Long finish.
Domaine des Ardoisières - Argile Blanc	2020		France	Savoie	White	Medium intensity. Flint and lemon. Pure, but simple. No oak aromas.	Attack of lemon, precise. Medium concentration. Midpalate also shows some saltiness. Medium finish. High acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol.
Matassa - Tattouine Rouge	2021		France	Roussillon	Red	Beautiful vibrant ruby. Medium intensity. Lots of red currant, grapefruit and blood orange. Fun and enticing. Slightly funky for the first 10 minutes.	Low extraction, but good concentration. Palate confirms the nose with a very fruity attack. A fresh vin gouleyant. A touch of black pepper in the finish. No signs of oak. Crisp acidity, medium drying tannins, medium body, X alcohol. Long finish.
L'Anglore - Véjade	2021		France	Rhône	Red	Very similar to Dirty and Rowdy's Mouvèdre. Fresh fruity cassis, clean.	Fresh cassis, some black pepper at the very end. Tasty and gouleyant, but a tad unidimensional. Crisp acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, medium soft tannins. Medium finish.
François Mikulski - Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières	2018	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Very aromatic. Precise notes of yellow apple and lemon. A background of aromas between mineral and reductive, among which their is chalk. Mild notes of oak, the proportion of new oak must be low.	Attack of ripe apples and lemon. Good concentration, but not the opulence of Meursault. This is a tighter and lighter wine with good tension from the acidity. The midpalate reveals white flowers, a touch of chalk and iodine. Long finish of lemon and chalk. Crisp (on the high end), dry, medium body, medium alcohol.
Vincent Dauvissat - Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos	2012	Chablis	France	Bourgogne	White	Intensely aromatic and seductive bouquet. The primary fruit aromas (quince, ripe peach, yellow apples) are very much alive, accompanied by secondary notes reminiscent of chamomile. Sweet notes of vanilla from new oak, very well integrated along with some mild notes of flint.	One of the best Chardonnays we have had. Great concentration of perfectly ripe quince and yellow apples, with a big attack and a dense midpalate that flows seamlessly thanks to the acidity. The balance is incredibly elegant. In the midpalate we notice notes of flint and salt that surprise us by how well integrated they feel into the whole profile. The very long finish last minutes, intertwining quince, crushed chalk and chamomile notes. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle	1994	Hermitage	France	Rhône	Red	Dark crimson with touches of brown. Intense notes of tobacco or cigar box. More nuanced are hints of dry flowers and black pepper. Certainly very developed.	Warm dark fruit on the attack, clear indications of dried fruit, but still alive. Feels like a cool or mid-temperature clomate. The midpalate sings with tobacco, leather and dried flowers. Long cedary and slightly peppery finish. High alcohol, medium silky tannins, full bodied, crisp acidity.
Pierre Yves Colin-Morey - Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Chenevottes	2020	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Tremendously elegant bouquet. Medium intensity. Notes of lemon, yellow apple and chalk. Notes of oak round of the palate with a caress of vanilla.	The attack is dominated by yellow pears, precise lemon notes and a beautiful round concentration. The midpalate shows light notes of chalk and salt cut through by a citric acidity. Great balance, with poise and verticality. Perfectly integrated oak. High racy acidity, dry, medium body and medium alcohol. Very long lemon and chalk finish.
Jean-François Ganevat - Savignin en Billat	2019		France	Jura	White	Very intensely aromatic nose of lemon zest and candied lemon. Also a roundness of yellow plums. Alluring. Very clean bouquet.	Warm and ripe yellow plums, apples and lots of candied lemon. This is balanced by the acidity of Savignin which feels tamed into a Chardonnay-like elegance. The concentration is impressive and the palate denser (vines in red marls?). Very long finish of candied lemon zest. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol.
Edmond Vatan - Clos de la Néore	2012	Sancerre	France	Loire	White	Slightly muted upon opening, it came to life after half an hour. Very pure nose of cool climate fruit: pear and lemon curd. As it opened a flinty aspect came up to life, giving complexity. The ageing gives tertiary notes of beewax or honey that complement this beautifully.	Good concentration and round sweet flavours in the attack. Peat and lemon dominate to then lead in the midpalate to a soft nuace of flint and a beautiful finish of beewax and lemon curd. The verticality of the wine is obvious, giving lots of tension to the fruit forward attack. Perhaps softened slightly by the ageing, it still has plenty of life to give, being close to its peak. High steely acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Castell'in Villa - Chianti Classico Riserva	2006	Chianti Classico	Italy	Toscana	Red	Aromatic. A wine at its peak, showing the best of its fruit and the best of its tertiary aromas. Notes of sour cherries still vibrant quickly give way to layers of dried flowers, leather and a very typical note that we get with Sangiovese of terracotta.	The attack show plenty of flesh with sour cherries. The character of the fruit is not dried, but I would not leave this for much longer, the balance is just perfect now, in a few years it will feel over the peak. The midpalate shows a more truffle-y note mixed with leather and dried flowers. Characteristic of Castell'in Villa, the wine is not too bold, and feels fresher and light. High acid, medium soft and powdery tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
L’Anglore - Sels d’argent	2021		France	Rhône	White	Aromatic nose of ripe peach, a touch of chalk and as it opens up, herbs like bay leaf and thyme.	A Southern white wine but with a good backbone of acid and fruit ripeness under control. On the attack the white peach and ripe plums dominate. The midpalate shows chalk, a touch of salt and as it evolves notes of acacia honey and herbs. Delicious full bodied white. Crisp, full body, dry, medium alcohol. Medium finish.
Clape - Saint-Péray	2018	Saint-Péray	France	Rhône	White	Nose of white peach and yellow plums. Notes of summer flowers and beeswax. Certainly old oak. Very pretty Marsanne.	Rich palate but cool fruit and racy acid. The attack of stonefruit follows with honey and chalk. Layered and fresh. Long finish of summer flowers. Crisp, dry, medium body, medium alcohol.
Domaine Ponsot – Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru	2021	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very intensely aromatic. Dark cranberries, rose petals, dried flowers.	Beautiful purity of fruit in the attack and midpalate. Red cherries, but with darker tones. The midpalate also shows a touch of clove and rose flowers. Great concentration and beautiful balance. Very very long finish with spice and cherry. Soft silky tannins, high racy acidity, medium alcohol, medium body.
Domaine Ponsot – Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Cuvée des Alouettes	2021	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Intensely aromatic. Darker cherries and alluring mineral notes of crushed rocks.	More concentration, with darker fruit and lots of crushed rocks in the midpalate. Elegant, but firmer than the Chapelle-Chambertin. Crisp racy acid, powdery low tannins, more body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Domaine Ponsot – Clos de la Roche Grand Cru	2021	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very intensely aromatic. Dark cranberries, red cherries, a touch of ground rocks. Very floral, with notes of violets.	A fusion between the elegance of Chapelle and the power/concentration of Les Alouettes. Beautiful equilibrium of layers between fruity, mineral and floral notes. The most perfumed wine so far, with less spicy notes. All balanced by that racy freshness characteristic of 2021. Beautiful high racy acidity, medium-low silky tannins, medium alcohol (13%), less body than Les Alouettes, but more than Chapelle. Extremely long finish.
Domaine Ponsot – Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Cuvée des Alouettes	2020	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Darker fruit than 2021. Notes of dark cherries, plum, and dark raspberries. When swirled, notes of dried roses.	Tons of concentration. Fairly one-dimensional, with notes of damson and blackberry. It feels like it is closing down and will need time. High racy acidity, medium powdery tannins, high alcohol, full bodied.
Domaine Ponsot – Clos de la Roche Grand Cru	2020	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very intensely aromatic. Again, darker fruit than 2021. Notes of dark cherries. It does still preserve that character with crushed rocks, with even some black pepper.	Mix of red and dark cherries. Plummy midpalate with a touch of crushed rocks. Very long finish of spices (black pepper, clove) and dark cherries. It needs lots of time to reach its peak, easily 20 or 25 years. Right now it feels a bit boring. The backbone of acidity is impressive though. It gives this bold vintage a nice balance. High racy acidity, medium powdery tannins, high alcohol, full bodied.
Domaine Ponsot – Clos de la Roche Grand Cru	2013	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Intensely aromatic. A touch of forest floor over cranberries and red cherries. Again, those beautiful crushed rocks appear when the glass is swirled.	On the attack, fresh red fruit: dark cranberries and red cherries. The midpalate is driven by rocks and clove. Decent concentration. Very long finish with ground rocks and sousbois. Still has some time to its peak, but getting closer, maybe in five years. Despite the difference between cold and hot vintages, the texture of the tannins tends to fall consistently into a silky or powdery texture. Beautiful high racy acidity, low silky tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Domaine Ponsot – Clos de la Roche Grand Cru	2007	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very intensely aromatic and very complex. Sousbois notes are now fully integrated, the bouquet is more delicate, full of potpourri. The fruit shows in a more subtle, perfumed manner.	In the perfect window to drink. The attack shows red fruit in a slight raisined state, with a touch of leather. The midpalate shows those crushed rocks aromas delicately layered into the wine too. Great balance of savoury and sweet notes. Extremely long finish of rocks, leather and potpourri. We wish we could taste more Pinot Noir of such calibre in its perfect ageing window. High racy acidity, low silky tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Domaine Ponsot – Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Clos des Monts Luisants Aligoté	2020	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	White	Medium intensity. Very aromatic and floral. Notes of fresh almond, almond flowers and lemon.	Attack of white peach and lime. Great concentration for Aligoté, with more body, but with its characteristic vertical tension. Salty midpalate. Long citric finish. Piercing high acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Slightly pithy texture.
Domaine Ponsot – Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Clos des Monts Luisants Aligoté	2004	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	White	Very aromatic nose. A complex bouquet with a hint of oxidation, not dissimilar to a Jura wine, perhaps reminiscent of a Savignin. Notes of tangerine zest emerge, followed by honey and a mild almond undertone.	Very developed wine, but another that seems to be in its peak of complexity. Slightly oxidised apples and candied orange. The midpalate has a clear salty component, as well as honey and green almonds notes. The almond and candied zest notes linger in the finish. Excellent, the most interesting and exciting Aligoté that we have had, along with that of De Moor. Piercing high acidity, dry, low alcohol, medium body. Very long finish.
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier – Chambolle-Musigny	2022	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Medium intensity. Nose of cool climate cranberries and clove.	Confirms the nose, with more delicate spices. Well integrated oak for a barrel sample. Long-lasting taste especially for a village wine. High acidity, low high quality polished tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier – Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Fuées	2022	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Medium intensity. Cranberries and more floral notes than the village over the spices from the oak	More complex and concentrated. The midpalate presents a minerality similar to Bonnes Mares, but milder. Long finish. High acidity, low silky tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier – Grand Cru Bonnes Mares	2022	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Intensely aromatic. Notes of cherries, dark raspberries and violets. Upon swirling it shows a touch of crushed rocks and the spicy oak. More perfumed than Les Fuées.	More concentration and tension than Les Fuées, with a similar flavour profile. It’s more structured, with bolder tannins. Very long finish. High racy acidity, medium velvety tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier – Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Amoureuses	2022	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very intensely aromatic right away, even from a barrel sample. Apparently this is characteristic of Les Amoureuses. Very perfumed nose, with cooler fruit: cranberries, strawberries; and roses. A background of minerality that is very intriguing. It makes it savoury and sweet at the same time.	What a complex wine, truly intellectual. It starts with precision of flavours and concentration. Cranberries and roses are perfect descriptors for the attack. Still, it’s the midpalate that surprises with its distinct crushed rocks, flint and smoke notes. A harmonious balance between fruit and minerality. The savoriness is salty, almost like an umami quality. More structured than Les Fuées but less than Bonnes Mares. Incredibly long finish, from roses to flint and smoke. No traces of the spice that we tasted in the wines from the Prémaux limestone soils. High racy acidity, low velvety tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier – Grand Cru Musigny	2022	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Intensely aromatic nose. The fruit character is slightly riper and darker than the other wines tasted so far. Very layered, with fresh strawberries, cherries and dark raspberries providing a backbone to floral notes. I’m tempted to say violets. Very attractive.	Incredibly concentration, power and tension. An explosion of floral notes and red fruit. Here, the midpalate does not show those crushed rocks notes from Les Amoureuses, but more of a salty touch that complements the fruit notes. It feels sweeter and more full bodied than Les Amoureuses too. Extremely long fruity and floral finish. High racy acidity, low velvety tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier – Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Clos de la Marèchale	2022	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Medium intensity. Darker and warmer fruit than in Chambolle. Black cherries and that same Prémaux limestone spicy character, like clove or all spice.	Attack of dark cherries and raspberry. Good concentration. More body and alcohol than Chambolle. The midpalate shows the clove and even some black pepper notes in some samples. A particular sample had a touch of salty crushed rocks. Long finish of black pepper, clove and cherries. High tangy acidity, medium fine powdery tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Jacques-Fréderic Mugnier – Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Clos de la Marèchale	2010	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Intensely aromatic. An ethereal bouquet full of tertiary notes. It’s a mix of potpurri, dried citrus zest, and black tea. That Prémaux limestone is still there, showing like a fennel seed spice.	Notes of black cherries, clearly from a warmer vintage. More tannic and fleshier too, but there is a really good tension that keeps it fresh. The midpalate is very spiced and savoury. Long finish with black cherries, black tea and spice. We guess a Clos de la Marèchale 2010 and got it right. High racy acidity, medium powdery tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Alice et Olivier de Moor - Bourgogne Aligoté - Plantation 1902	2020		France	Bourgogne	White	Very aromatic and full of ripe fruit for an Aligoté. Candied lemon and summer flowers dominate over a chalky-flinty minerality.	Great concentration and density for this type of varietal. The acidity is still vertical, but rounder and less intense. On the attack it is green apple and lemon curd, with those same summer flowers of the bouquet. The midpalate is very saline, with a chalky minerality. Candied lemon and floral finish. Very unique. Very high acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Alice et Olivier de Moor - Chablis Coteau de Rosette	2020	Chablis	France	Bourgogne	White	Aromatic nose with beautiful citric notes, riper, such as mandarin, lemon, orange. Very alluring and complex.	Beautiful precision. It shows more concentration and body than any wine so far. The tension here feels more balanced. The attack of white peach and mandarin moves to a more citric midpalate with a milder touch of salt and chalk. Long finish or candied lemon and green herbs. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Alice et Olivier de Moor – Chablis 1er Cru Vau de Vey	2020	Chablis	France	Bourgogne	White	Very aromatic. Precise notes of pear and green apples. There is a hint of lemon and flint in the background that add complexity.	Beautiful body that hides a very tense, vertical acidity. We love this mouth-watering tension in Chardonnay. The attach has green apple, the roundness of ripe yellow pear, but a backbone of grapefruit and lemon. The midpalate is briny and chalky, leading to a smoky flint finish with lots of citrus. Exciting. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. A very mild silky astringency. Very long finish.
Alice et Olivier de Moor - Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu	2020	Chablis	France	Bourgogne	White	Very aromatic. Perfumed with white peach, ripe apple and white flowers.	Most concentrated wine of all, giving a more classic Burgundy Chardonnay profile. The tension is less racy. Notes of ripe cool climate apple and pear, white flowers and a touch of chalk in the midpalate. This will last long, and it will surely get better. High acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Alice et Olivier de Moor - Sans Bruit	2021		France	Bourgogne	White	Very aromatic, with bright gooseberry notes, lots of lemon and white flowers.	Dense and concentrated wine with cool climate fruit, but ripe. Think lemon, grapefruit and white flowers on the attack. It has some smoky, flinty notes that appear in the midpalate and linger through the finish. A racy and vertical Sauvignon acidity provides the balance. High racy acidity, touch of residual sugar, full bodied, high alcohol. Long finish.
Domaine Bonneau du Martray – Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru	2020	Corton-Charlemagne	France	Bourgogne	White	Reductive nose, it takes a while to switch on. As is opens there is stone fruit, lemon zest and white flowers over notes of vanilla from the oak.	Beautiful concentration with ripe pear, but then it has this bone of acid that cuts through it. A tension that reminds us of the wines from Sauzet. It makes it feel fresh and lean – chiselled. All accompanied by jasmine and lemon through the midpalate. The oak in the palate is very well integrated and almost imperceptible. There is no noticeable minerality or salinity. High electric acid, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Very long finish.
Domaine Bonneau du Martray – Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru	2018	Corton-Charlemagne	France	Bourgogne	White	A touch riper (ripe peach) and more smokiness from reduction than the 2020. The oak here is also more overt.	More body, but still very vertical in the end. There’s more viscosity, more density, with a core of ripe peaches and lemon zest. High racy acid, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish.
Domaine Bonneau du Martray – Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru	2009	Corton-Charlemagne	France	Bourgogne	White	Very aromatic. Without swirling there’s an alluring menthol or eucalyptus note with chamomiles. The stone fruit here is riper than in the 2020 or 2018, much punchier, leaning towards quince. In the background one can also feel some tertiary aromas of hazelnuts.	Certainly more body and weight here with a structure that does not have the same electric tension or linearity. There is still plenty of fruit, mostly stone fruit and more exotic aromas of lemongrass, followed by very floral tertiary notes of dried summer flowers or chamomile. High acid, dry, medium alcohol, full bodied. Very long finish.
Domaine Bonneau du Martray – Corton Grand Cru	2017	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very perfumed. Very pretty ripe raspberries and violets. Solar year, but the fruit is cool and still red. The new oak shows well integrated.	Beautiful concentration and very fresh. After the pure red fruit attack, there is a light touch of sousbois, crushed rocks and pine in the midpalate. The finish reveals spicy notes of oak like clove with a bit of black pepper. High acidity, medium silky tannins, medium alcohol, medium body. Very long finish.
Jean Foillard - Fleurie	2020		France	Beaujolais	Red	Aromatic. Very ripe fruit, could be confused for a Syrah. Dark raspberries and blackberries. Spicy, with notes of black pepper.	Lots of concentration with dark fruit, very warm. Drinkable, but if you think about it as a Syrah. Finish with black pepper. High tangy acidity, medium velvety tannins, full bodied, high alcohol.
François Rousset-Martin - Magnifique Goutte d'Eau	2018		France	Jura	White	Very intensely aromatic and enticing nose of candied lemon and lemon zest. Clean bouquet, slightly reductive at the beginning and as it blows off it becomes chalky.	Lots of concentration. An attack of green apple and lemon. Very racy and tense with a very distinct chalky minerality. Very fun and electric structure. The notes of candied lemon linger for very long. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol.
Roulot - Bourgogne Blanc	2020	Côte de Beaune	France	Bourgogne	White	Very reductive nose of flint, accompanied by chalk and some yellow apple. Very mild oak notes. As it opens the profile changes completely: ripe apples, grapefruit and plenty of chalk and a touch of vanilla.	I would leave this open for an hour or two before serving. The attack shows ripe apples, graprefruit and lemon peel. The midpalate is where the the chalk, flint and saltiness appears. Very good concentration for a simple regional appellation. Long finish with lemon peel, grapefruit. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Emidio Pepe - Trebbiano d'Abruzzo	2013		Italy	Abruzzo	White	Very aromatic nose. Lots of wet stones and flint covering a citric and herbal profile of lemon, verbena and thyme.	Attack of lemon and lemon balm that is quickly complemented by wet stones and a very present salinity in the midpalate. Great balance of concentration and tension that is accentuated by this salty notes. Still young, can this going on for 10-20 years more. Finish of thyme, gentian, lemon balm and sage. Delicious. Crisp racy acid, medium body, medium alcohol, dry. Long finish.
Richard Leroy - Les Noëls de Montbenault	2018		France	Loire	White	Aromatic, bright flowers, beeswax, lemon zest. Very attractive after a few hours opened. More closed initially.	Lots of concentration on the palate, necessary to balance the electric acidity. Green apples and lemon dominate, with a touch of lanolin and beeswax. The midpalate shows a touch of salt and wet rocks, but the fruit is dominant. Very high electric acid, medium body and alcohol. Dry. Very long finish.
Hidalgo - La Panesa Fino	NV	Sherry	Spain	Andalucia	White	Very aromatic. Green almonds, oxidised apples, molasses and a touch of fennel seeds . Beautiful long crianza, just before the flor shuts down.	Tons of concentration. On the attack we get ripe oxidised apple and molasses, to the pass to beautiful notes of curry, fennel seeds and a finish of almonds. Delicious. Crisp acidity, full body, high alcohol, dry. A velvety tannic astringency. Very very long finish.
Domaine Macle - Chardonnay Sous Voile	2016		France	Jura	White	Very aromatic. So enticing! Notes of lemon zest and green almonds intertwined. A touch of chalk and old Jura oak.	Bold powerful attack with concentration. Oxidised green apples and lemon drive the attack. The midpalate shows a very electric salinity as well as some green almond notes that linger through the very long finish. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, high alcohol.
Thierry Allemand - Cornas	2018	Cornas	France	Rhône	Red	Very aromatic. Red and black crunchy fruit. Bramble and fragrant freshly crushed black pepper. As it opens over a couple of hours, black olives.	Attack of bramble, cool fruit and racy. Still young, with lots of concentration. Drinkable, but not so complex yet. Midpalate reveals loads of pepper that lingers in the palate. Elegant. High racy acidity, medium powdery tannins, medium body, high alcohol. Long finish.
Stéphane Bernaudeau - Les Nourrissons	2018		France	Loire	White	Very aromatic. Perfumed with ripe yellow apples and white flowers. There is a also a mild touch of reduction and round notes of vanilla from oak, even though it’s old.	Beautiful palate, full of concentration for a Chenin that feels like a beautiful Puligny full of tension. Attack full of ripe yellow apples, white peach and a midpalate with a touch of salinity, white flowers and wet stone. The tension was very elegant, with an intensity more subdued than that of a Loire, but more of a racy Chardonnay. High racy acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish.
Comando G - El Tamboril	2020		Spain	Madrid	Red	Aromatic nose of red cherries, violets and a touch of wet gravel. Very elegant, Pinot Noir-like. Fairly open from the very beginning. No signs of oak.	Attack of red and black cherries, potpourri. Beautiful structure. The midpalate shows wet gravel and a subtle touch of spice or herbs, like clove and thyme. Very long floral finish. High tangy acidity, low velvety tannins, medium alcohol, medium body.
Vouette & Sorbée - Fidèle	2011		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Very aromatic nose of ripe apples and pears under clear autolytic notes of yeast. As it opens it becomes more floral, but also comes with notes of biscuits.	Good concentration of ripe yellow fruit, with touches of candied lemon. The midpalate follows with chamomile, chalk, yeast and a more complex biscuit aroma that perhaps comes with the bottle ageing. However, it still felt very fresh and young. High acidity, soft mousse, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
François Chidaine - Les Choisilles	2021		France	Loire	White	Aromatic. Opens right away with notes of white peach, honey and white flowers. Alluring Chenin expression here.	Cool climate apple expression here, with a touch of white peach and honey. The midpalate is very salty, with notes of wet stones. Elegant and precise. Long citric and saline finish. High acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
François Chidaine - Les Bournais	2021		France	Loire	White	Semi-aromatic. Initially reductive - lots of flint. As it opens (it probably needs decanting), notes of green apple, beewax and lots of chalk. Very mineral.	Attack of green apple, key lime and lots, lots of minerality. This is an eau de rocher, truly. The midpalate shows a touch of saltiness too. The finish combines key lime and honey. The concentration and huge tension make a powerful balance now. With time it will only get better, more complex. Very high racy acid, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Partida Creus - Xarello	2021	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	Slightly muted initially. Very mineral, with aromas of wet gravel. As it opens, pear and flowers.	Low concentration compared to the most Burgundian renditions of Enric Soler. Pear and summer flowers over a core of wet gravel and chalk. Vertical and tense. High racy acidity, dry, light body, low alcohol. Medium finish.
Partida Creus - Vinyater	2021	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	White	Very aromatic. Dominant note is of a pungent glue similar to those one can find in some Marsannes.	A wine dominated by citrus and green apple, with a very vertical acidity. A touch of iodine in the midpalate. Very high acidity, dry, dry, light body, medium alcohol. Medium finish.
Partida Creus - Trepat	2021	Penedès	Spain	Catalonia	Red	Aromatic nose of bright crunchy red fruits and a subtle touch of spice. Does not feel Mediterranean whatsoever. No oak influence noticeable.	Confirms the nose. Cool climate (surprisingly) red fruit. Light, gouleyant, but also carries complexity and a nice structure. Tangy high acidity, low silky tannins, light body, low alcohol. Medium finish.
Frank Cornelissen - Susucaru Rossato	2020	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Rosé	Aromatic nose mixing red cherries, yellow plum and summer flowers.	Ripe warm climate rose fruit, with a more full bodied and fruitier profile than a Provence rosé. The floral notes are more subtle too. Crisp acidity, low silky tannins, light body, low alcohol.
Frank Cornelissen - Munjebel Rosso	2021	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Aromatic nose of ripe, warm climate red fruit and a touch of leather and clay pot.	Firm concentrated ripe fruit. Warm and dry vintage. Elegant structure, but slightly one-dimensional right now. It should age well. High acidity, high chewy tannins, full bodied, high alcohol. Long finish.
Frank Cornelissen - Munjebel FM Rosso - Sottana	2021	Etna	Italy	Sicilia	Red	Very aromatic nose. Impressive terroir expression when compared with the 'classic' Munjebel. Perfumed with potpourri, roses and delicate red cherries. Very alluring.	Pinot-Noir-like attack with red cherry leaning to hibiscus and dried roses. A touch of minerality and herbal notes in the midpalate. Lighter body and more delicate tannins. Elegant. High acidity, med velvety tannins, medium bodied, high alcohol. Very long finish.
Jean Louis Dutraive - Fleurie 'Clos de la Grand'Cour'	2019		France	Beaujolais	Red	From the very opening the nose is very aromatic and alluring. The excitement made us think of the best Pinot Noirs we have had. Notes of cool and crunchy red cherries and red currants, roses and a deep, deep background of wet gravel-like minerality. As it opens up, the fruit becomes more prominent and some herbal notes accompany too.	Great concentration and tangy tension, more balanced and elegant than the 2020 we had a while ago. Cool red cherries and raspberries are followed by a midpalate that is very mineral, but as it opens up it also becomes more herbal (thyme, sage) and with a touch of pepper. A reference in Beaujolais and of course in Fleurie. High tangy acidity, low velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Domaine la Bohème - Lulu	2020		France	Auvergne	Red	Very aromatic. Red cherries and raspberry, notes of semicarbonic maceration. Not much else.	Good concentration with lots of tangy red fruit. To the level of a well made Beaujolais. But what's the hype here? Very gouleyable, but beyond the core of juicy fruit we could not find much, even after a few hours after opening. High tangy acidity, low velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol.
Domaine des Marnes Blanches - Trousseau	2022		France	Jura	Red	Aromatic. Floral and cool red fruit.	Light extraction. Red cherries and wet gravel in the midpalate. Simple but with tension, racy and long finish. High racy acid, low velvety tannins, light body, low alcohol.
Domaine des Marnes Blanches - Chardonnay Les Normins	2021		France	Jura	White	Aromatic nose full with yellow pear and white flowers.	Excellent. The palate confirms the yellow pear and floral notes, with the addition of lemon. Very fresh and precise aromas. The midpalate shows tons of salt. Electric structure - very racy and linear. Likely thanks to the Bajocien soils. High racy acid, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Domaine des Marnes Blanches - Vin Jaune	2016		France	Jura	White	Green almond and acetaldehyde texture, lots of white flowers and chamomile.	Fresher and lighter than usual for a vin jaune. The concentration is there, but lime and the floral notes are particularly dominant. The notes of green almond turn nuttier in the finish. High racy acid, dry, full body, high alcohol. Very long finish.
Domaine Labet - Pinot Noir Les Varrons	2021		France	Jura	Red	Pure notes of ripe cherry and a touch of black pepper.	More heavier extraction. Ripe fruit, concentrated and juicy with pomegranate, red cherry and notes of spice and black pepper. High acidity, medium powdery tannins, medium body, medium alcohol.
Domaine Labet - La Pellerine Chardonnay	2021		France	Jura	White	Intensely aromatic. Very reductive nose. Almost gluey. It probably needed more time to open.	On the palate there is cool fruit like green apples, key limes. Great concentration with a racy tension. The midpalate shows lots of iodine. Excellent Chardonnay. In theory from blue marls, but didn’t feel like it, blind we would have guessed Bajocian limestone soils. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Domaine Labet - Chardonnay-Savagnin Vin de Voile	2021		France	Jura	White	Very intensely aromatic floral voile. Green almonds and iodine.	Same concentration and tensions as with La Pellerine. On the attack, green apple and lemons. The midpalate continues with green almonds, lemon and salt. The saline and citric notes continue in the finish. Delicious: It has a Manzanilla flavour profile with Jura acidity - light and racy. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Very long finish.
Stéphane Tissot - Château Chalon	2016		France	Jura	White	Precise, green almond notes that go into a nuttier realm with almond notes.	Château Chalon 2016 Precise, green almond notes that go into a nuttier realm with almond notes. On the palate, apart from the nuttiness, there is a core of lemon and a midpalate strongly marked by salt. Beautiful freshness, bright acidity. Very long finish. High racy acid, dry, full body, high alcohol.
Sylvain Pataille - Marsannay Rosé Fleur de Pinot	2022	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Rosé	Very aromatic. Dominated by cherry and rose hip. Fragrant and fun.	Feels more like a light extraction of Pinot Noir instead of a rosé. Good concentration. A touch of vanilla and oak spice all the way to the finish. Med chewy tannins, high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol. Medium finish.
Sylvain Pataille - Bourgogne Rouge	2022		France	Bourgogne	Red	Aromatic. Lots of black pepper. Red cherry and cranberries with oak spice.	Good concentration and lots of pepper. A fair bit of oak influence. Medium soft tannins, high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol. Medium finish.
Sylvain Pataille - Marsannay En Clémengeots	2021	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very perfumed Pinot. Blind I would guess Comblanchien limestone. Notes of cool climate red cherries, cranberry and undergrowth.	Beautiful concentration with lots of fresh red fruit. The midpalate shows a bit more undergrowth and spice from the oak. Perfectly integrated oak. Low velvety tannins, high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Sylvain Pataille - Marsannay Clos du Roy	2021	Côte de Nuits	France	Bourgogne	Red	Very aromatic. Riper than the Clemengeots, with darker fruit. Dark cranberries and red cherry notes over a background of spice (Premeaux limestone?), like clove.	Great concentration. More unidimensional, lots of ripe red fruit, but needs more time to get complexity. Serious wine, serious structure. A touch of spice in the finish. High racy acidity, medium powdery soft tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish
Marcel Lapierre - Cuvée Marcel Lapierre	2022	Morgon	France	Beaujolais	Red	Oldest vines. Very aromatic and more restraint nose, not as ripe and more perfumed. Mix of red and dark cherries. On the background a precise note of black pepper.	The attack is full of dark cherries. Slightly unidimensional, but time will give it complexity. Beautiful peppery finish. High tangy acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, med velvety tannins. Long finish.
Domaine Thillardon - Chénas Vibrations	2021	Chénas	France	Beaujolais	Red	Intensely aromatic Gamay. Very clean, delicate and with precise floral notes. Dry roses peonies and red currants.	Light extraction but with enough concentration no not just be a vin gouleyable. There's a complexity and a delicate elegance that make it very alluring. Attack of red currants and red cherries, with floral notes across the midpalate and finish. High acidity, low silky tannins, light body, low alcohol. Long finish.
Bastien Wolber - Laisse Tomber Gamay Sur Granit	2022		France	Beaujolais	Red	Very aromatic. Clearly semi-carbonic, with fragrant notes of raspberry and black cherries. There is also a component of wet gravel that we tend to find in Beaujolais on granite.	Very similar in style to a Morgon from Lapierre or Foillard. Can't explain why it's more expensive though. The attack of raspberry leads to a graphite note in the midpalate. Spicy finish. Concentrated and tangy acidity of Gamay in this style and soils. High tangy acidity, low velvety tannins, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
Domaine Thillardon - Chénas Chassignol	2022		France	Beaujolais	Red	Very aromatic. Similar to Vibrations, with red crunchy fruit. A bit of VA. It does blow off over time.	More raspberry here, riper fruit. Gouleyable, not much spice or complexity. It would be perfect with pizza. High tangy acidity, low velvety tannins, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish.
Maison Valette - Pouilly-Fuissé	2018	Pouilly-Fuissé	France	Bourgogne	White	Muted. Slightly corked?	Fresh, precise. Yellow plum, white peach and lemon. Good concentration. Crisp, high alcohol, full bodied, dry. Lots of oak tannin/astringency.
Domaine Vacheron - Sancerre Les Marnes	2020	Sancerre	France	Loire	Red	Very aromatic. Dark fruit, but from a cool climate.	Dark cherry attack that continues through the midpalate. A bit unidimensional. Velvety medium tannins, crisp acidity. High alcohol, medium bodied. Long finish.
Domaine Vacheron - Sancerre Le Paradis	2022	Sancerre	France	Loire	White	More flinty than the classic cuvée. Yellow apple. More perfumed.	Riper the classic cuvée, with more gooseberries. More concentrated and longer. High racy acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish.
Domaine Vacheron - Sancerre Le Pavé	2022	Sancerre	France	Loire	White	Medium intensity. Very cool climate fruit: lemon, green apple and even grassier tones.	Very steely wine, concentrated but not that ripe. The attack starts with lemon and apple. Very saline midpalate, with lime-y finish. Piercing high racy acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Long finish.
Muchada-Leclapart - Univers	2022		Spain	Andalucia	White	Medium intensity. Chalk and apple show in a delicate, nuanced manner.	Alluring salinity that hides in the midpalate under the chalk. Medium concentration. Very gouleyable. Crisp racy acidity, low alcohol, light body, dry.
Muchada-Leclapart - Lumière	2022		Spain	Andalucia	White	More floral than Univers, with cleaner notes of green apples.	Confirm the nose. The midpalate is more overtly saline and deeper. Very chalky finish. High racy acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Long finish.
Muchada-Leclapart - Lumière	2019		Spain	Andalucia	White	(From magnum) Very aromatic. Eau de roches. Very mineral, full of chalk and wet gravel.	Riper fruit. More body in this vintage. Extremely chalky and mineral. So salty in the mid palate. Truly excellent High racy acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, dry. Very long saline and chalky finish.
Domaine Hauvette - Cornaline	2018		France	Provence	Red	Very aromatic and savoury. Meaty and smoky but with a great background of minerality.	Concentrated, but with good acid. Dark fruit - very ripe, with are some touches of raisined notes, but the minerality is so powerful that distracts you from it. The wet gravel and graphite mixes with garrigue herbs in the finish. Captivating. Crisp racy acid, soft medium tannins, medium alcohol, full body. Long finish.
Château le Puy - Rose-Marie	2021		France	Bordeaux	Rosé	Very aromatic. A sweet and cool cassis note.	Fresh and light. A discovery. Good concentration, with raspberry and cassis. Simple and fruity but pure. Soft med tannins, crisp acid, medium alcohol, medium body. Long finish.
Vouette et Sorbée - L'entre deux	2020	Coteaux Champenois	France	Champagne	White	Aromatic. Ripe cool fruit. White peach, quince, honey.	Lowish concentration. The ripe fruit in the nose does not really show in the palate. Green apples and lemon in the attack. Very chalky midpalate. Piercing acid, but enough balance to keep it together. High piercing acid, dry, mild lees texture, medium alcohol. Medium finish.
Ruppert-Leroy - Fosse Grely	2020		France	Champagne	Sparkling	More autolysis than Martin Fontaine. Aromatic with a mix of ripe yellow apple and white flowers.	Beautiful precision of fruit - ripe cool climate apples. The midpalate is less mineral (chalky) than Martin Fontaine. A touch more astringent from the lees. High piercing acid, dry, medium alcohol, medium body. Long grapefruit finish.
Ruppert-Leroy - Papilllon	2020		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Very aromatic. Notes of ripe yellow apples and summer flowers.	Bolder, more body. Very vinous Champagne. Yellow and green apple. The midpalate is mostly floral. Riper than the others, with super precise. Finish of biscuits. Very soft mousse, dry, rounder high acidity, medium alcohol.
Charles Dufour - Bulles de Comptoir #11	NV		France	Champagne	Sparkling	Very aromatic. Nose is dominated by ripe yellow fruit and white flowers. The yeasty notes are mild and well integrated in the background.	Beautiful fruity brightness. The classic ripeness you expect from growers in the Aube. Lots of red and yellow apple crunch with a midpalate that is bright and floral. This is a great aperitif Champagne. High acidity, dry, fine soft mousse, medium body, medium alcohol. Medium finish.
Stéphane Tissot - Chardonnay La Mailloche	2012		France	Jura	White	Medium intensity. Notes of ripe yellow apples, but with the restraint of a cool climate. A touch of chalk.	Great structure, with good concentration and a vertical racy acid that created tension elegantly. For a 10 year old wine it felt as young as it could be. No tertiary notes detected. Lots of yellow apples, a touch of lemon and a mild salinity through the midpalate and finish. Less exciting than we hoped for. High racy acidity, dry, medium body, medium alcohol. Long finish.
François Rousset-Martin - Mémé Marie	2019		France	Jura	White	A strange wine. When opened it was overly oaked. The vanilla from the French new oak drowned everything. This did not improve over 5h. After 2 days open (cork back on) in the fridge, it was a totally different wine and excellent. Very ripe cuvée, with yellow plum notes dominating. The voile on the Savignin part of the blend was noticeable, with aromas green almonds and tertiaries of aniseed.	Oaky liquid when opening. After 2 days open it was showing a beautiful concentration, lots of yellow plum and lemon. Good tension, keeping the wine in balance. Broad midpalate with a touch of iodine and a long lemon finish. High racy acidity, dry, full body, medium alcohol. Long finish.