August Kesseler
Château Durfort-Vivens
Margaux Cru Classé en 1855 Red Bordeaux Blend 2019
The 2019 Durfort-Vivens was matured in two-thirds new oak barrels and one-third in amphorae. Plush on the nose with blueberry and violet scents, this is Margaux in style though much tighter than I anticipated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine delineation and poise. It's pretty delineated towards the finish that shows more mineralité than previous vintages. There is an appealing linearity here, a trait that Gonzague Lurton seeks in his wines. Excellent. Tasted at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago
Claude Riffault
Les Chasseignes Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2020
The 2020 Sancerre Les Chasseignes is a ripe and round expression with sweet pineapple fruit flavors. The limestone proportion of the clay-limestone vineyard brings tension and texture that lightly holds the mouth, providing a satisfying finish. It's a gently refreshing acidity, leaving a gently fresh rather than zesty conclusion. For drinking now to the medium term. (Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, August 2022)
— 2 years ago
Brewer-Clifton
Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2022
The 2022 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a fabulous introduction to the range. Served last in this series of Chardonnays, the appellation Chardonnay is perhaps a bit more floral and lighter in body, but other than that, it is in no way inferior to the vineyard designates. This is beautifully done. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2024)
— 4 months ago
Château Palmer
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1970
The 1970 Palmer is a vintage that I have tasted on several occasions, although recently, I have encountered some variation, including a rather rum example in 2015. The most recent example has an attractive tobacco-infused nose, perhaps more akin to a Saint-Julien than a Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, a slight dryness around the edges and fine salinity with lightly-spiced cedar and tobacco notes on the finish. This is a solid 1970 Margaux, though I would not keep it long-term. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago
August Kesseler
Cuvée Max Spätburgunder 2015
This evening I met a couple of friends for a pop and pour, and I grabbed this bottle to open first because it was that kind of day. My word of the day immediately came to mind when I tasted this wine because it was that kind of delicious.
Cuvée Max is named after its head winemaker Max Himstedt. Rheihngau Germany is more known for Riesling, but the region also has spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). This wine is sourced from 80 year old vines. They say this wine is delicious and compelling, and they are not wrong.
German Pinot. Full stop, this wine is perfection. How am I just now learning about German Pinots?
@55 Seventy — 2 years ago
August Kesseler
The Daily August Pinot Noir 2021
Beautiful cherry red, fun tannins with bright red fruit and interesting nose. — a year ago
August Kesseler
Cuvée Max Rheingau Pinot Noir 2015
Brambly, lots of red and purple fruit, berry fruit and hard candy, with an impressive granitic minerality. Juicy, aromatic and very good. Improved over 10+ days open — a year ago
Château Climens
Barsac 1er Cru Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2011
The 2011 Climens has a fresh, lifted, mineral-driven bouquet which has closed down a little. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh. A lively, tensile finish, with hints of stem ginger thatlinger on the aftertaste. This is drinking beautifully. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2022)
— 2 years ago
Delectable Wine
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Hailing from one of the premier sites in the Santa Lucia Highlands, planted in 1996, the 2022 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is flat-out gorgeous. Beautifully rendered, it boasts generous fruit density, crystal-clear delineation of flavors and bracing structure. Fully destemmed, the 2022 finishes with a ton of persistence in its dark berry flavors, even darker cherry, black licorice and black sage. The 2022 leaves behind a fine web of powdery tannins, neatly wrapped up with a little bow on top, concentrated, effusive, and ready to rock. What a complete package. This may be the red wine of the vintage in the SLH. (Billy Norris, Vinous, August 2024)
— 4 months ago