Her Mir Tage

9.3

Clos Saint‑Jacques is often hailed as the “Musigny” of Gevrey‑Chambertin. It combines the signature power and structure of Gevrey with the elegance and finesse of Vosne‑Romanée, and Armand Rousseau’s bottling has always been remarkably consistent.

2004 was a challenging vintage—a weak year in which many grapes failed to reach full ripeness. Now that it has entered its drinking window, it opens up quite nicely. This is not a flamboyant style; instead, it leans more toward herbaceous notes and bay leaf, with hints of florals and red cherry. It has a mineral quality, yet without the saline or briny character often found in other Gevrey vineyards. The acidity is well‑balanced. The overall bouquet is delicately fresh, reserved rather than exuberant, yet persistent, and it doesn’t evolve dramatically over time. — 11 days ago

Her Mir Tage

9.1

I never expected the 2011 Chambertin to have such a firm backbone! I opened it yesterday at 3:30 for decanter breathing, then started glass-breathing at 6:30. Right after pouring, it was extremely tight – it wasn't until 8:30, after two full hours in the glass, that the aromas finally emerged: intense floral and powdery rose notes, with a powerful structure, great depth, and hints of chocolate, earth, leather, tobacco, and a peppery spice. The fruit was certainly there, but it wasn't soft or delicate. To be honest, this was a great wine in terms of aroma, structure, and quality – but it wasn't easy drinking. It felt like hard work, and frankly, it's not my preferred style. I took half the bottle home. Then tonight at 6:00, I opened the remaining half – and wow, the nose was bursting with wild roses, violets, and powdery perfume. The palate was a pure delight: the tannins had turned incredibly silky, with black cherry and sour plum intertwined, finishing clean, sweet, and refreshing. Completely opened up. This wine, when closed, is deep, introverted, and grand in structure; once open, it becomes flamboyant and exuberant. From now on, I think the best approach for Chambertin is an 8-hour decanter breather, followed by glass-breathing to appreciate its evolution along the way. — a month ago

Her Mir Tage

9.7

1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"

Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.

Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.

Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.

Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.

Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — 6 months ago

Her Mir Tage

9.4

Emmanuel Rouget 2014 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cros Parantoux

A wine from the nephew of the Wine God (Henri Jayer). This is my first time trying this domaine. In my view, Méo-Camuzet’s Cros Parantoux leans more feminine and delicate, while Emmanuel Rouget’s style is more like “a sea of stars and a sky of galaxies”—more structural, more spirited, with an air of chivalrous boldness.

2014 should be a relatively approachable vintage, but indeed the first glass showed very tight tannins, vibrant and layered acidity, a pronounced herbaceous/green note, earthy minerality, very fresh and natural, with a bright and clean quality. The structure wasn’t broad or massive, but rather deeply intricate, precise, and penetrating.

After 1 hour of aeration, wild strawberry emerged, along with a mineral sense of wet earth after rain in the forest. Floral notes were not yet obvious; I looked forward to its further evolution.

After 2 hours open, the nose was no longer about thick jammy fruit, but a mix of different spices—like scattered starlight in a river of stars: cool, shimmering, accompanied by rose petals, wild strawberries, and the cool limestone minerality. The aromas don’t hit you head‑on but slowly unfold in the nasal cavity like the Milky Way. Once fully opened, I experienced its signature “silver bead of acidity.” The tannins are incredibly fine, like velvet, and the wine floats on the tip of the tongue—not heavy, but like silk gliding across the night sky. That concentrated mineral energy strikes the palate instantly, then dissolves into a long, lingering finish. The aftertaste lasts for tens of seconds, carrying notes of sandalwood, dried tangerine peel, and damp earth.

Half‑drunk, I felt as if I were drifting into a dream beneath the starry river. — 13 days ago

Her Mir Tage

9.5

Rayas 08 exceeded my expectations — it was in great condition. We decanted it at 3 PM and started drinking at 7 PM. In the first phase, it showed sweet red fruit notes. In the second phase, herbal/vegetal notes emerged. In the third phase, a cooling mintiness appeared.

This bottle wasn't as explosively aromatic as the 07 I opened last time — that 07, after two hours of decanting, unleashed an incredibly rich and enchanting floral bouquet. It was like the scent of a garden transitioning from summer into autumn — grand and opulent, with a hint of fading beauty. Notes of black cherry, rose, and blood orange intertwined, and the aromas kept evolving over time — garrigue, incense — complex and alluring, with a grand structure and a rich, round palate.

The 08, on the other hand, feels more like a refined lady from a scholarly family — graceful, gentle, intellectual, with no aggressive edge. — 2 months ago

Her Mir Tage

9.6

Charles Noellat 1976 Richebourg

Each bottle opened is one less in existence; without it, there would be no subsequent legends of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or Henri Jayer.

Aged yet remarkably robust—it’s surprising how well this bottle has been preserved.

· After opening for half an hour: notes of honey, dried rose petals, and dried preserved fruits.
· After an hour: aromas of red dates, cinnamon, and a hint of spices.
· Overall impression: The fruit profile still dominates, with no woody notes emerging. The structure of Richebourg remains present, showing a rounded, ripe fruit character.

The year 1976 was renowned for its "hot, dry summer." The growing season offered ideal conditions—plenty of sunshine, high temperatures, and almost no damage from hail or other severe weather. These conditions led to perfect grape ripening. The wine is full-bodied and lush, with mature, soft tannins and very ripe, almost jam-like red fruit flavors (such as ripe cherry and strawberry jam). It still has aging potential, and this bottle retains well-balanced acidity.

What’s more, 1976 saw the famous "Judgment of Paris"—a tasting that broke the myth of the Old World’s invincibility, reshaped the hierarchy of the wine world, and established New World regions (especially California) on the international stage. It truly shows how fascinating blind tastings can be!

Next time, I’d love to try a 1976 California wine and compare the experience. — a year ago

Her Mir Tage

9.4

Leroy 1969 Echezeaux

This 1969 vintage is the work of Henri Leroy, father of the "old lady" (Lalou Bize‑Leroy).

First glass: A hint of rotten egg and fruit, but I could not perceive much structure.

Second glass: Very intense honey notes with scattered dried flowers, a mix of jammy fruit and savoury umami. It felt like honey and peony paste melting on a soda cracker in the mouth. The structure is rounded.

Third glass: After an hour, the wine fully opened up. Tertiary aromas emerged – leather, forest floor, earth. Tannins are silky, structure balanced, making it highly enjoyable.

Fourth glass: Tea notes… a faint ginseng oolong tea.

Overall: With a fill level above the shoulder, this nearly 60‑year‑old wine showed a satisfying state – mature and balanced. It felt a bit tired at first, but once opened up, it became remarkably elegant and surprising. — 14 days ago

Her Mir Tage

9.4

Hubert Lignier's Clos de la Roche 2001 is an elegant beast—powerful in structure, layered and unfolding progressively, with fleshy texture, dark fruit, and black pepper intertwining. It's a very 'un-Roche' Roche. I've had AR's Roche and Dujac's Roche before, but neither had this kind of sheer power.

The 2014 DRC Richebourg exceeded expectations. I wasn't a big fan of the 2014 vintage before—it's a weaker year after all. But this one only started to open up after three hours of decanting, from 5 PM to 8 PM. I poured it three times over the evening, and each glass showed a different evolution:

· First glass: hawthorn and sour plum soup.
· Second glass: elegant rose perfume began to emerge, along with white pepper spice.
· Third glass: fully opened—red fruit, floral notes, and licorice intertwined, with a slender, lean, elegant frame—charming and refined, never cloying.

What a joyful evening. Both bottles were absolutely delightful! — 2 months ago

Her Mir Tage

9.5

The 1990 Richebourg was bursting with aromas just half an hour after opening—violet, wild cherry, dried rose, and sandalwood. The tannins were silky, yet the structure remained intact. An excellent bottle.

The 2002 Richebourg, after four hours of decanting, revealed stunningly delicate notes of face powder—extremely fine.

The 2005 RSV (Romanée-Saint-Vivant) showed creamy aromas right after opening, followed by the classic, captivating powdery perfume typical of a warm vintage. However, compared to the one from Méo-Camuzet, the DRC's powdery note carried a more grand and graceful presence. — 3 months ago

Her Mir Tage

9.0

This new-release champagne is bursting with fruity aromas, featuring the crispness of green apples blended with notes of orange peel. It offers the fresh sweetness of white pears and a hint of clove, complemented by a bright acidity reminiscent of lemon zest and a subtle mineral undertone. Most notably, the label is extremely charming, making this a highly affordable grower champagne. — a year ago