Double celebration of the christening of our best friends daughter and a precursor to my wifes birthday (29 again). The quintessential Bordeaux...this is what they all should taste like! Still surprisingly fresh for almost 30 years. Yes this is perhaps not the best vintage but is that not exactly when an excellent producer should produce quality? I would drink this again any day! — 9 months ago
71st birthday wine from daughter Georgie’s birth year. Cedar aromas like an antique shop. Maraschino cherries Georgie said with touches of marzipan, and anise Dusty plum and cassis. Soft resolved tannins. A gorgeous First growth claret from a great vintage in 1989. Enjoyed this more than the previous tasting early last year. Really enjoyable. — 5 months ago
2015. The Oven has been our go to restaurant for the last 30+ years and that they continue building a huge cellar of awesome wines is a big bonus! My daughter is still learning wine and I thought we would show her the range of styles in just one region of Germany, the Mosel. This spätlese was the middle of a trocken GG and a beerenauslese that we paired with a variety of mild to spicy dishes. As I expected, this wine with its residual sugar and high acidity paired great across the entire range. My daughter’s favorite. — 2 years ago
Victoria named after Colene Clemens daughter, medium Ruby with aromas dark red fruits, black tea and floral spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum with cedar, black pepper, tea and vanilla spice. Pronounced soft fine tannins, long finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit, herb and sweet spice. Very Nice! — 9 months ago
A tiny oxy note on opening. Almond, marzipan nutty notes together with pear. Not a full on sweet dessert style like a Sauternes. Palate of lime marmalade and ripe mandarin flesh and a good discussion around the table with some time Delectable correspondent and WSET Level 2 , daughter Georgie. I have one of these bottles left which should be consumed this year. From half bottle. — 2 years ago
2018 vintage. This estate was bought by Jacky Lorenzetti in 2007 and the investments are paying off (see also the spectacular quality improvement at their Pauillac estate Pédesclaux). While previous vintages featured a majority of Merlot, this 2018 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37%. Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. This might very well be the best vintage to date for Lilian Ladouys in a year where Jacky's daughter Manon joined the business. She is highly devoted to organic farming and the Lorenzetti estates are now officially in conversion to organic. Moreover, Lilian Ladouys was promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" status in 2020. An estate to watch and the wines are very affordable too at around 20 euros. Classic nose with ripe cassis and cedar wood, intertwined with a fresh minty aroma. In the mouth the fruit is concentrated and layered with amazing freshness and a solid ripe tannin structure that make the alcohol (abv. 14,5%) go unnoticed. Long mineral finish. Highly recommended. Still very young, give it time to open up or decant. Should age beautifully for at least 15 years. — 3 years ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Nice evolution and well integrated. 92 that pushes 93.
The other wine from the great Napa producer, Philip Togni.
The mouthfeel is supple, round, soft, yet meaty and tarry tannins. Ripe, juicy, rich; blackberries, baked plum for days, dark cherries, black raspberries, hues of raspberries & boysenberries. Black licorice, berry cola, muddy, volcanic clay, herbaceous notes, soft baking spices, slightly, melted chocolate, dark spice with a touch of heat, coffee, dry crushed, rocks, dry stem, dry tobacco, new leather, oak to cedar shavings, volcanic ash, dark, slightly withering, red, blue flowers framed in a field of endless violets, rainfall acidity, great balance, nice tension/structure and a smartly polished finish that last a full minute.
If you own, I would drink over the next 3-4 years before it starts to slide.
Photos of; Philip Togni vineyard, barrel room, vineyard soil & Philip Togni and his daughter Lisa. — 3 months ago