Jay Kline

9.6

My first experience with the wines of the late Philippe Engel and what better occasion than our humble take on La Paulée. I’ve heard that bottle variation can be a thing with these wines so we held our collective breath when opening. However, our concerns were unfounded as this bottle was not only sound, but beautiful.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2001 Clos Vougeot pours a pale ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with perfumed notes of ripe and slightly dried strawberry, raspberry, dried flowers, licorice, sous bois, truffle, dried herbs, and a mix of cool and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is silky. A profoundly soulful wine and one that will live long in my memory. Drink now through 2041. — 23 days ago

Amy

9.0

mike liked, no butteriness, no taste of oak, $43, vintners collective napa — 2 years ago

Mary H

9.1

Antics Terra Collective Tasting. A classic pinot noir. A shy and elegant wine. Strawberry, wood, wispy, light, juicy. — 3 years ago

John Roselli

9.1

Lovely medium ruby with just a fringe of orange. Cherry nose with prominent herbal and leather notes. Bright acidity and dusty tannins backing dark cherry and leather midpalate. Can’t say the finish was outstanding, and the acidity is a touch out of balance, but overall a classic Chianti Classico. This bottle will continue to age, soften, and mature, and should be more than drinkable for many years. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I purchased this one in futures, likely in spring of 06 & delivered in late 07 to Spring of 08. Parked in my storage since then.

As it was then, 2005 was a grand vintage as acclaimed by critics. So, that is when you buy some fringe producers. Buy 2nd Bordeaux wines from excellent producers to fringe regions/producers. More often than not, you’ll find really good value as is the case here. $20 on release I think.

Long coravined two separate glasses.

The nose shows a touch of v/a, but nothing offensive. Mostly…it is good old fashion Bordeaux funkiness. There is mushrooms, soft cedar, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, poached strawberries, mid berry cola, anise to licorice, graphite, tobacco, sandalwood, steeped tea, forest florals that are dark and in a violet frame.

The palate shows no sign of being tired. The fruits still fresh, lush, round & ripe; brambly blackberries, blackberries, black plum skin, poached strawberries, raspberry hues, noticeable, moist, grey, volcanic clay, some chocolate pudding, (it is Saint Emilionish), mid berry cola/licorice, dry tobacco, lead pencil, volcanic ash, dry top soils/crushed limestone, dark spice with mid intensity, some black pepper notes, soft, even layered baking spices-clove, hints of nutmeg & cinnamon, understated vanillin, moist herb notes, dark, rich, earth w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh & withering flowers/red roses, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent tension-structure-length with en elegant, round finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on clay & gentle spice.

If stored as I have, will hold a few more yrs and last another 7-8 yrs. You could make a case for 92 here.

Now some history on a producer likely many have not heard of/embraced. From their site:

This Flemish wine merchant family invested since 1924 in the Pomerol vineyard of Vieux Château Certan and in 1920 with Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion (sold in 1935).

The following generation, in 1946, George and Monica Thienpont, coming from their natal Flanders, moved into Puygueraud, restored the XVth Century chateau. After a long pause in polyculture, undertook the reconstruction of the vineyard whereby the first vintage would see the day in 1983.

In 1981, Nicolas Thienpont, with his father, engaged in the transition between a production oriented viticulture to one of excellence. Since 1983, the first vintage year mark, this approach has continued.

Since 2009, Nicolas and his son Cyrille Thienpont, have worked hand-in-hand for the crafting of this wine that over the last 30 years has become the flagship of the Francs Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation and a veritable jewel of Bordeaux.

Photos of; Chateau Puygueraud, Director-Owner Cyrille Thienpont.

#DSLounge — 3 months ago

Mary H

9.1

Antics Terra Collective Tasting. Full honey on the palate, hits you right in the mouth. Green apple, clean, lively acidity, creamy butter at the end. — 3 years ago

Mitali P

8.9

New favorite Sonoma coast pinot. Discovered via Vintners collective wine club. Love it! Balanced fruit long finish. — 8 months ago

Amy

9.0

big aroma, very round, fruity, $65, vintners collective napa — 2 years ago

Mary H

9.3

Antica Terra Collective Tasting. An herbaceous grenache?? Is it possible? A plume of rosemary and thyme aroma in the face that doesn’t back off. Strawberry fruit plays in the background. — 3 years ago

David Kline

9.3

And now for a golden oldie! Borders on baked golden apple, poire William notes, green apple slices, and even green apple hard candy. Green pear in a pineapple wash, orange bread, pear tart, dinner roll with orange marmalade. Half-dried lemon juices spiral down pile of acid and minerality. Shows it’s age in all other ways, but acid remains unbroken. Baked crab apple, radish fringe, baked grapefruit but just browned, sour mandarins, lemon and lime piths pull it back to its sinew. Really amazing wine. Endless citrus finish.


#chablis #danielettienedefaix #chablispremiercru #leslys #chablispremiercruleslys #domaineduvieuxchateau #bourgogne #bourgogneblanc #appellationchablispremiercrucontrôlèe — 4 years ago