Context

Jacques Selosse

Substance Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

2001 base
Disgorged 2008
The hallmark oxidative note but not strong in the context of Selosse. Lots of complexity. A very interesting mixture of almonds, peaches and citrus scents and flavors. Felt a little heavy in the mouth. Almost felt like I was drinking a still wine rather than champagne.
— 4 months ago

Neil, Shay and 30 others liked this

Robert Ampeau & Fils

Les Perrières Meursault 1er Cru Chardonnay 1997

Deep rich savory lemon nose with savory but not salty granularity in the creamy body and moderately sharp finish. The celebratory context it was enjoyed probably distracted from the cerebral session required to fully appreciate the aged beauty — 2 years ago

Byron, Eric and 6 others liked this

Cameron Winery

Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2018

Pop and pour, 1hr slow ox. Third btl from a half case. No brett or reduction on this btl, go figure (see previous notes for context). Lovely Cameron mushroomy funk, sandalwood, dark wild strawberry..fantastic purity. My favorite btl so far aromatically. On the palate: very good acidity, nice and savory with some earthy bark notes, maybe thinner than I would like, but very finely grained tannin on the finish. This btl is drinking very well now. — 3 years ago

Josh, Andrew and 11 others liked this

De Toren

Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend 2017

Delectable Wine
9.1

The 2017 De Toren Fusion V, the Left Bank Bordeaux-based blend, 90% raised in 50% new French oak, is deep garnet in color. It has a well-defined blackberry, bilberry and soy-tinged nose, touches of pencil shaving coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, almost Médoc-like tannins, quite structured and more austere compared to older vintages that I have tasted, especially in the context of a ripe growing season. Noticeably bitter toward the finish. Personally, I would afford this a couple of years in the cellar just to shave the edges, but it is a commendable Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend, one that cohered nicely after two or three hours. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
— 4 years ago

Grace Family Vineyards

Blank Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is incredibly elegant and refined. Just starting to enter its plateau of maturity, the 2001 is distinctly medium in body - especially within the context of the year - with captivating aromatic presence and superb balance. What a gorgeous wine it is. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago

Vollenweider

Wolfer Goldgrube Spätlese Riesling 2006

JKT
9.3

Yep a standout pairing at Sakana. So interesting that it provided a very different context with softer and less muscular profile to match the dishes viz the Deiss. — 2 years ago

Ericsson and Ira liked this

Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg

Les Chaignots Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2010

Less dense and minerally compared to the 09' d'Eugenie Clos Vougeot, but it was my preferred red Burg on the table. It just had more energy! Pure and pretty bouquet of red and black fruits (leaning on the latter), florals, savory spice, and earth. The same can be said of the palate, with quite a bit of power in the back-end. Finishes weighty with a drawn out fruit sweetness that's perfectly in tension with the saline, tangy elements. Dissipated quickly over dinner. Another win for the sisters and 2010!

NB: An episode on Wineking got me thinking about the way I rate wines. Totally "unprofessional". Haha. The hosts were talking about how wine professionals have to forgo preferences and put on their thinking hats to judge wines, which makes perfect sense (and is taught in WSET too) but I just rate wines here based on how "drinkable" it is to me (and in context of the occassion). Scores wise, I'm sure this was the "lesser" of the two red Burgs we had. Just had less "substance". But "drinkability" wise, clearly everyone thought this was better.
— 3 years ago

Aravind, Eric and 16 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Drinkability is my score route. We're on the same page.
Aaron Tan

Aaron Tan Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Severn Goodwin Yes!!! Haha. As KP puts it, the best wines are never tiring. You won't even realise it's gone and will be left yearning for more ❤
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

I couldn't agree more on the drinkability, it has always been my go for on wine and now more than ever. Well said!!

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2017 Les Carmes Haut-Brion comprises 45% whole bunches and matured for two years in 80% new oak plus foudres and amphorae. Complex on the nose, this offers black olive and brine tinged black fruit, crushed stone and light minty aromas, quite intense in the context of the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit on the entry, quite Rhône-like in flavour profile, hints of fennel and thyme interwoven into the red fruit, persistent on the finish. Delicious and distinctive. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2022)
— 2 years ago

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Not the team’s I wanted to see, so I’ll just stick to the basics. Went well with some A5 coffee crusted New York Strip, the steak 🥩 is so rich you don’t want to waste it on a fruity wine

The 2010 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. The vineyard is situated on deep gravel deposits in the Macau and Ludon villages of the appellation and has 9,600 vines per hectare.

Vinious 93 The 2010 Cantemerle is vigorous and open on the nose, a mixture of red and black fruit with cedar and humidor scents. I admire the focus and detail. The palate is rounded in texture on the entry. This is a plumper, richer, more fruit-driven 2010 with a lush finish on the context of the growing season. You could broach this now, although I would prefer to leave it another three or four years. This is another excellent wine and candidate for most over-performing cru this vintage. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.
— 3 years ago

Paul, Vanessa and 28 others liked this

Bodegas del Palacio de Fefiñanes

Rías Baixas Albariño de Fefiñanes 2019

Delectable Wine
9.2

Limpid, green-tinged yellow. Sharply focused, mineral-driven lemon pith, pear skin and tarragon scents pick up a floral nuance with air. Shows distinct saltiness and sharp focus as well as depth on the palate, offering sappy Meyer lemon, pear and honeycomb flavors and a touch of herbacity. Finishes long and chewy, with the floral and tarragon notes repeating. This wine's intriguing, savory and briny character is pretty wild, and I can vouch for how well it works with raw oysters and clams. In the context of world-class white wines, this one delivers simply amazing value. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2021)
— 3 years ago