Ab Valley Wines

Château Lafon-Rochet

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

2022 vintage. First vintage under Lorenzetti ownership. Oak dominating initially, needs a few hours to open up. Concentrated black fruit with serious oak influence. Lots of potential, but doesn't have the charm of the 2020 today. Ab. 14,,5% — a month ago

Tom, Peter and 1 other liked this

Château Laroze

Famille Meslin St. Émilion Grand Cru Merlot Blend 2022

2022 vintage. 62% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Intense raspberry fruit and subtle spices in a velvety tannic structure. Serious length too. Terrific value. Ab. 14%. — 2 months ago

Andrew, Tom and 1 other liked this

Gonzalez Byass

Viña AB 12 Años Amontillado Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Palomino Fino

Good balance of bio/ox but abv seems high / spirit lacks refinement. — 6 months ago

Hubert Lamy

Les Chataigners Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay 2018

Bwah! What can I say? Olivier just makes wines that I’m incredibly fond of and this was no exception. For me, the Lamy Bourgogne punches assuredly above its weight class (though proper AB comparisons are still in order to validate this). It’s just the detail and intensity that gets to me. Soars in the glass with aromas of citrus, green apple, iodine, and a touch of herbaceous elements. The flavours follow through to the palate with mind-boggling delineation. Pure, bracing, weighty, long, and so so chalky that even the most seasoned of taster might call this a Chablis. Damn it, I need more! I certainly put the entire table onto these wines with this pull - the perfect gateway drug to the world of Lamy. — 3 years ago

Jan, Andrew and 11 others liked this

Château Liot

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend

2014 vintage. What a wine! This vintage combines abundant botrytis with exceptional freshness. Intense perfume with fresh pineapple, honey and lemon confit. Impressive depth and complexity, with layers of both fresh and dried exotic fruit, balanced by extraordinary acidity, keeping it juicy and elegant. Very, very long too. Even at twice the price this would be incredible value. Ab. 13,5%. — 2 months ago

Tom, Peter and 1 other liked this

Marie-Laure Lurton

La Tour de Bessan Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

2022 vintage. Dark red, much deeper colour than usual for this estate. Marie-Laure Lurton seems to have gone for a bit more extraction in this exceptional vintage. More powerful than usual, with a fresh black fruit personality,embedded in a tight, ripe tannic structure. Serious length too. Decanting recommended,as it showed better the next day. Ab. 14%. — 3 months ago

Peter, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Buccella

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

David T
9.5

A great follow up to the 05 Joanin Becot which was amazing. Bordeaux and then Napa with AB Cover Ribs. The right order. Overall the 2010 Napa vintage is so much better than critics gave it young. An amazing night of friends, environment, music, food and wine. The wines were are outstanding. @ChateauIsbel — a year ago

Shay, Andrew and 10 others liked this

Domaine Allimant-Laugner

Alsace AOC Riesling 2018

Pale straw color. Aromas of Granny Smith apple, lemongrass and synthetic rubber. Ab Fab! Crisp, lemon flavors, slight minerality on the finish. — 3 years ago

Bob, Tom and 13 others liked this

Domaine de Chevalier

Pessac Leognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

2009 vintage. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. This estate has an impressive track record of high quality, even before it was bought by the Bernard family. Olivier Bernard managed to considerably expand the vineyards without compromising the quality of the wine, which is one my favourites. Unfortunately they use 100% Diam corks these days, which sadly stopped me from buying the wines. Anyway, this deeply coloured 2009 is a beauty that starts to shine with only 5 minutes in the glass. Impressive aromatics of black fruit, cedar wood, dark chocolate, vanilla, subtle spices and delicate floral hints. In the mouth it is extremely elegant and effortless, with everything in the right place. Exquisite balance with layered, perfectly ripe ( but not jammy) black fruit, embedded in a solid ripe tannic structure, and a very, very long finish. Everything falls into place, nothing is overdone, absolutely impressive, even if I believe it hasn't even reached its peak yet. This should age effortlessly for decades. Ab. 13,5%. — 2 months ago

Dawn, Peter and 5 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Thx Stefan, I will pay attention to it
Stefan Dolhain

Stefan Dolhain Influencer Badge

Would love to hear your experience with this. Frank Smulders MW had the same experience.
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

I intend to always mention if there is a DIAM cork used in the bottle

Château Lascombes

Margaux Merlot Blend 2004

David T
9.3

2004 not the greatest Bordeaux vintage on record. Lascombes faired a bit better than norm. Paired with AB Lamb Lollipops.

The palate is round and lush. Ruby fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries, hints of purple & blue fruits. Round, semi-sweet lead pencil, charcoal, mixed mid berry cola, moist clay, sandstone, sandalwood, dark rich soil, dry riverstone, dark withering florals, excellent, round acidity and a well balanced, structured, nice tensioned, polished finish that lasts 90 seconds. Has another 10-15 years of good sipping properly stored.
— a year ago

Shay, Jason and 24 others liked this