Bembel With Care
Jean-Claude Bessin
Valmur Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 2020
After reading all the rave reviews on Bessin’s Valmur recently (baby Rav according to some netizens), I was really excited to try this bottle. Sadly, it fell below expectations which was likely no one’s fault other than your’s truly - a little less care during transport left the wine with a nagging honey note that I abhor in young Chards. A touch of premox I believe, which stands in contradiction with another element I found lacklustre - the bottle was so stubbornly primary. Ripe-fruited even, with face-smacking stone fruits that masked the more Chablis-esque characters I so love. This point I can forgive considering the wine’s youth. I just wished it was more mineral and taut. It’s not all grim though as this sample was certainly concentrated, with plush textures that filled every corner of the palate. Definitely a wine to revisit.
NB: I believe WK gave this his highest score for 20’ Chablis. Great value at sub AUD150 in most markets. — 2 years ago
Bodegas Añadas
Care Blanco Sobre Lìas Garnacha Blanca - Chardonnay Blend 2020
Blend of Grenache Blanc & Chard which really works: straw colored w/hint of green sporting generous aromas of honeysuckle, jasmine - really floral along with cantaloupe & melon. Bit of musk & green citrus. On the palate it is big & silky, very suave with flavors of tangerine wrapped in white flowers. Great acidity vigor & balance here. At just over $10- QPR out the Wazoo! — 3 years ago
Bremerton
Selkirk Shiraz 2017
"Vineyards nurtured with care and sure premium fruit for this regionally expressive shiraz. It has a deep vibrant color and offers distinctive varietal characters of lifted white pepper aroma, dark berry fruits, plum and spice, supported by a layered, well balanced palate and persistent finish." — a year ago
Château de Francs
Les Cerisiers Côtes de Francs Red Bordeaux Blend 2018
I normally don't buy Bordeau wines, but for a change. Deep dark wine red. Oaky with tannin, and dark fruit note. Decanting should make it better (I just don't care much...). Cericiers means cherry trees, according to google. Should have noticed the cherry. — 3 years ago
Douloufakis
Femina
Really complex white! Very herbal nose, orange blossom, rosemary, cedar. Drinks with a bitter note that I don’t care for but very dry and, medium bodied with pear skins and lemon. Had with Greek sausage baby broccoli pasta & it went really well with the food. Would love to have again and try with other fuds. — a year ago
Bernard Boisson-Vadot
"Les Chevalières" Meursault Chardonnay 2016
The great Bernard Boison Vadot bottlings in particular, which now all have some age, remind me of a hypothetical combination between Coche and Raveneau. Obviously in the best way. Coche flinty reduction with the waxy yellow fruit of Raveneau along with the textural magnificence, density and depth of both Domaines. 2016 is particularly impressive in that it’s a vintage I don’t care for in whites, but some of the most talented vignerons are having their wines integrate extremely well at this point in time, far less awkward and disjointed as many on release. 2016 BV Chevalières is rich, toasty and intensely flavored with extremely impressive depth, texture and simply just electric energy. Excellent. — 2 years ago
Weingut Gottardi
Mazzon Alto Adige - Südtirol Blauburgunder 2015
Simply a fantastic wine. Savory and delicate but not without weight. The age is showing gorgeously and the balance is remarkable. Maybe a little oaky for my taste but with how seamlessly integrated it is I don’t even care. Will be looking for this on retail shelves. Had at Convivium Osteria in Park Slope. — 4 years ago
Wulf Losee
2016 opened March 2024. Grapefruit and apricots on the nose. Lemon on the front with a crisp tannic backbone. It becomes intensely astringent on the mid palate and it has a long bitter finish. At first I didn’t care for this wine, but halfway through the first glass i loved it. This would be a refreshing summer wine — chilled of course! — 10 months ago