Mid crimson in colour - almost transparent. Red fruited with typical Huon Valley perfume - earthy, Sous Bois, mushroom - sweet and savoury characters on the palate. Finely textured (Chairman’s Trophy - 2020 Tasmanian Wine Show). There is a Reserve Cuvée which is richer still. Had another bottle 63 weeks later on 1st August 2024 with similar notes. Always rich and delicious. I can see why it won the Chairmans Trophy in Tasmania. Had another bottle on 21st June 2025 with similar notes. Luscious, mouth filling and delicious. — 3 years ago
Having a bit of a Tolpuddle time......have had worse weekends.....! If I have miscued on the irony these are very good wines! Pale Lemon in colour. Nutty almond and grapefruit notes with white citrus flowers with some funk - lees stirring? Light to medium weight palate with medium acid. Could go a couple more years if desired. This is a great example of cool climate Tasmanian Chardonnay. More Chablis than Meursault in style. The following day a little more tart. Tasted again 46 weeks later in Toowoomba on 21st January 2022 with consistent notes. Leesy funk. Citrus: Orange and Lime. Excellent. I will have the last one in at least a year’s time. — 5 years ago
Amendment XXI recommendation "if you like syrah you have to have this one" and it did not disappoint — 7 years ago
Last year Barb and I attended the annual Tasting at the Pinot Shop in Launceston. Of the 75 approx Tasmanian Pinot Noirs this one was in my Top 3. It has gone on to wow audiences at subsequent tastings around the country. Had a bottle a couple of nights ago with the following tasting note. Whole bunch stemmy notes. More floral savoury and earthy than fruity notes. Incredible depth to the palate - sumptuous and delicious. Oak perfectly judged giving a slight burnt flavour. Medium + bodied with silky ripe tannins. Low acid. Beautiful now - drink sooner rather than later. Will please “crowds” and experts alike. Opened a bottle 176 weeks later on 21st October 2022. Still very good - raspberry notes coming through. Not the absolute wow when it was young. — 7 years ago
Altozano Sauvignon Blanc Spain 2012
Gianni's Trattoria Permas 21st December 2018
Lucy, Rifaat, Brian — 8 years ago
Château Chauvin – Grand Cru Classé 2010
Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷
Blend: 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Overview
A Grand Cru Classé estate on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, Château Chauvin’s 2010 vintage reflects both the power of the year and the estate’s Merlot-driven finesse. (Educational note: Saint-Émilion’s Right Bank wines are often Merlot-heavy, offering richness, depth, and long-lived structure.)
Aromas & Flavors
Plum, blackberry, and cassis at the core, layered with violet, graphite, and cigar box. Secondary notes of cedar, spice, and earthy mineral tones hint at complexity yet to fully unfold.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and concentrated, with tightly woven tannins. Decanted for over 2 hours yet still showing a firm grip — tannins remain punishing but promising. Intense fruit lingers into a long, structured finish.
Food Pairings
Best with ribeye steak, braised short ribs, or lamb shank. Also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses and truffle-infused dishes.
Verdict
An impactful, ageworthy Saint-Émilion. The 2010 Chauvin is both delicious and intense, a wine that needs time but already impresses with power and complexity. 🍷
Did You Know?
2010 was one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated vintages of the 21st century, known for firm tannins, high concentration, and exceptional aging potential — especially on the Right Bank.
Collector’s Rarity 📌
As a classified Grand Cru Classé from an iconic vintage, the 2010 Chauvin is highly collectible, with decades of life ahead. — 9 months ago
Still trying to pin everything down on this one. Fermented 82% in stainless steel, 18% in barrel on the lees for 8 months. Slightly sweaty on the nose plus something rubbery. Fuller body with apples and round citrus, rich texture, and a creamy finish. Drink up the 2018.
Amendment: This continues to open up and show a serious side. Beautiful mineral character shining through. Slate? Gravel? — 3 years ago
21st Anniversary wine — 6 years ago
Had two bottles of these to serve at a dinner for my daughter’s 21st birthday. They were wonderful wines, still lively and with plenty of full mouth for its 21 year age. But it also had that long finish of earth and dark cherry pit that well aged Bordeaux can have. It was enjoyed by all present. — 7 years ago
2018 vintage. Last tasted 04.08.23 (9.5), 12.01.22 from a 375ml (9.5) and upon release 06.07.21 (9.5). Decanted and tasted after 45 minutes. Mysterious, dark-fruited and dusty nose. Medium body with excellent darkness of night color. Previous baby-fat overtures approximately 90% gonzo. Slimming down and getting more toned. In a state of transition with undeniable tension that can easily be misconstrued as underperforming. Last wine I tasted that was under this sort of metamorphosis at this level was the 1996 Pichon-Lalande about 1.5 years ago. Such a privilege to experience world-class wines in such a vulnerable moment. Everything is laid out bare/naked before you and you can see where the wine is headed and whether it will be following a trajectory that agrees with you. Definitely unusual to find this occurring in a wine this youthful but the 21st Century is smashing the old 20th Century clay tablets and digitizing. For most wine enthusiasts sampling this wine now, expecting some disappointment in the scoring. For myself, this is currently in the perfect symmetry of past, present and future. Will it show critically better in the future according to the accepted trials, palates, judges and juries? Probably. Will they experience the potential, doubts, insecurities and questions? Doubtful. This kid stays in this exact picture for another 2-4 years imho before striking another pose and I would love to taste this again during that time frame. An above and beyond thank you to FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) regular Todd. 08.15.25. — 10 months ago
Grapey and somewhat lacking in complexity/tannins. Tried it against a 2018 b cellars merlot and it didn’t match up well. — 5 years ago
A fun red bubbly summer wine. Shared for our 21st wedding anniversary! — 6 years ago
December 21st 2019. This is a big bold wine. Smoke, bitter, oak, and strong alcohol taste. Smells of ripe berries and tobacco. Full-bodied. I absolutely loved this wine. — 7 years ago
2012 vintage. Opened on 21st Oct 2019. Fruity Black berries nose. Dark chocolate scent and taste. Complex palate with raisin. Moderate acidity. Heavy tannins. Ending with tinge of sweetness. Long finishing. — 7 years ago
Alexandra's 21st birthday dinner. Three hour decant.. Silky and elegant, red raspberries with an earthy foundation. Delicious. — 7 years ago
Raspberry, porcini, classic Gevrey “fishiness”. Dark, commanding and intense. Loaded with the stuffing that separates the best ‘15s from other 21st century vintages. #philipperossignol #gevreychambertin #vieillesvignes — 7 years ago
Eric Zimmerman
Aidan’s 21st bday. amazing bottle of OPUS ONE — 7 months ago