French Pinot Noir Burgundy

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2002

Medium lemon yellow , persistent fine perlage . At first quite shy , needs a bit of time to get going . Then buttered pastry , confit lemon and roast nuts , quite bold and rich , just a hint of chalky minerality . On the palate the richer , deeper theme continues , those pastry and buttery notes , confit lemon and a creamy mouthfeel . Long balanced finish , the chalky acidity really helping to cut through richer , mouth filling profile . Coming back to this at the end of the meal , having sat 6 hours in the glass , this still shows remarkable freshness and life. This seems young to me still , certainly has everything for a long life ahead , better in 5 years perhaps and will show well a further 10-15 perhaps . — 8 days ago

Jeroen, Andrew and 14 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Initially this was incredibly closed, but after 2 hours in the decanter it’s starting to open, tannic, very structured, very 1986 in its leanness, but incredible depth and length, not perfect, but still outstanding!! — 9 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Ron and 12 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Lean doesn’t sound so good.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I personally have mostly felt that 1986 Bordeaux reds have always shown super tight and structured, but without the riper, rounder fruit of other vintages like 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990) — so, my use of “lean” is really intended to convey that the fruit never completely overcomes the harsh tannins and structure. I would say that after a few hours in the decanter, I’d be pretty confident that it will easily last another 10-20 years, or more. Ultimately I like my Bordeaux to show a little more elegance and charm. Hope that helps.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers Thanks for your thoughts Doug. I recall Jancis commenting on this wine “wondering if the tannins would ever resolve”. Obviously built for the ultra long haul. I might try my first one in the next year or so.

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013

Not sure there are better 13 whites than Raveneau. Lafon also comes to mind. It’s an early drinking vintage (by Raveneau standards) while you wait for 12 and 14. Also, no Chapelot this year so it’s blended in here. A multi hour advance decant has it rocking, stunningly aromatic, soaring with layers of créme fraîche, baking spice, crushed stones and a whisper of botrytis influenced saffron. The palate shows immense power, concentration and depth of waxy yellow fruit chiseled with Chablisen minerality. Brilliant tension and racy lemony acids provide a seamless balance to its power and richness. MDT always hits 🫰🏻 — a day ago

Mark, Paul and 5 others liked this

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2018

Different style showing up here after a few months since I had one. — 22 days ago

Ira, Byron and 9 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Birth year Latour for our 700th wine on Delectable! Very mature but still with lots of life. Leather, graphite and earthy notes and still so much power. A great pleasure to drink! — 9 days ago

Paul, Ted and 6 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2008

Excellent 08. Chave and Allemand really nailed the difficult vintage in Northern Rhône, and 2008 Hermitage is showing beautifully tonight, fresh, elegant and detailed with aromas of juicy red berry fruit, bacon, roasted herbs and smoky minerals. While not an exceptionally deep and concentrated rendition in 2008, it’s really a considerable success, and it’s fully open, giving and ready to drink. — 9 days ago

Russ, Jan and 14 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Wow!! 🤩

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2022

So fresh. Peppery. Great length. Delicious — 10 days ago

Daniel and Jean-Philip liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

Wifes birth year wine was so impressive. Smoke and leather, very polished. Reminded me of a great Pinot. Great experience — 9 days ago

Paul, Ted and 6 others liked this

Bollinger

La Grande Année Brut Champagne Blend 1996

From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — 2 months ago

Douglas, Billy and 8 others liked this

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Medium ruby , slighter narrower ruby / pink rim , a little less bright . Slightly deeper , darker fruits , blueberry, violets , with scorched earth , mineral and grafite . On the palate , more intensity and power perhaps , more noticeable though still velvety tannin , dark fruits , mineral , saline , fresh cigar. Lovely fresh acidity , balanced alcohol . Long saline , mineral tinged, slightly toasty finish . Needs time obviously , but will be one of the great wines from a great vintage in 20 years, just wait — 9 days ago

Jan, Scott@Mister and 14 others liked this