Bob Yoon

9.3

A few days late but here is my annual tribute to Gustav Meier. He was loved dearly by six(?) decades of students and colleagues. As worldly and as sophisticated as he was, this great man had terrible taste in alcohol. There’s a Belgian style brewery near school where he would only order Coors Light from. His go to scotch was Cutty Sark. For wine, he preferred those gaudy Californian merlots that got deservedly dunked on in Sideways. Whenever I brought him a bottle of wine, I always got him a right bank Bordeaux. Perhaps my hints at how wonderful merlot can be were too subtle. It’s been nine years but we all miss him dearly. I may no longer be a conductor but I can still hear many teachings of his as if he is standing next to me. “Get out of their way and just trust them!” I need constant reminders of this invaluable piece of advice whether I am parenting or working with a client. Raise a glass for Gusti! — a year ago

Peter Last

9.8

Light garnet, plummy undercurrent with raspberry and hints of strawberry, mild tannins in the backs of the cheeks. Very smooth with light, nuanced red fruit flavours and a somewhat briny or clay-ey finish. — 4 years ago

K Brooks

8.9

Quite pleasant with Pat’s meatloaf — 7 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2012 vintage. Alexandre de Malet Roquefort (owner of Premier Grand Cru Classé La Gaffelière, Chapelle d'Aliénor Bordeaux Supérieur and co-owner of the tiny Pomerol estate La Connivence) bought this estate in 1999. In my experience his wines are very reliable and classic, elegant and never overextracted. This medium-bodied Saint-Emilion (90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a solid effort for the vintage (that generally fared much better for Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon). Strawberry fruit and very subtle oak, freshness and balance. Drinking well now, but I feel there is more room for improvement. A nice wine nearing maturity. The only "problem" is that for the price (21,9 euro) you can buy the delicious 2015 second wine of La Gaffelière. — 6 years ago