Greater Purpose
Château Haut Rian
White Bordeaux Blend 2019
One of those wines that makes you say “huh, so that’s why they blend Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc”. Although the Sémillon makes up slightly more of the blend the greenery of SB punches throughout not obnoxiously so. Like the Semi was holding out the plank of wood expressly for the purpose of SB breaking it in half with its bare hands. All the green things and citrus but there is depth and warmth and a bit of weight. And dang it’s a bargain. — 3 years ago
Tardieu-Laurent
Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2000
BBQ at our friends. Nice pop and pour. Dark and opaque. Great Rhône Syrah nose. Notes of black cherry, graphite, pepper, slate stone, spice and some menthol. Nice mouth feel. Not as big as other vintages of this I’ve had but served its purpose well. — 4 years ago
Château Gracia
Saint Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
2005 vintage. Good fill. Beyond solid cork. Good amount + of sed. Decanted and tasted over the course of 2.5 hours. Medium heavy bod. Showed well (9.4) right out of the gate. Chunky fruit and tannins up front, structure in the back with no loss of purpose in the mid-palate. Darker fruits became more prominent at the hour decanted mark. Some stunningly beautiful notes amidst the maelstrom. First go-round with this producer. Impressive. 2.10.24. — 2 months ago
Accornero
Bricco del Bosco Vigne Vecchie Monferrato Grignolino 2014
Excellent ! Powerful sour cherry, cranberry and earth, followed by tannin and acid. I had it with pizza, but it would be best with steak or especially lamb. This Grignolino reminds me of Nebbiolo, but with a greater acidity. This wine is far better than any other Grignolino and shows what could be done with this grape. — 3 years ago
Louis Latour
Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnay
All of the grapes from the vineyards owned by the Latter family are vinified and aged in the cuverie of Château Corton Grancey in Aloxe-Corton. The winery was the first purpose-built cuverie in France and remains the oldest still-functioning. Medium pale lemon color with aromas of stone fruits with a slight nutty floral character. On the palate flavors of peach and melon with lemon citrus and savory notes. Medium+ finish, lively acidity, ending with fruit, toasty oak and minerality. Nice! — 4 months ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2005
This is one I'll leave to those greater than me to argue about. — 2 years ago
Domaine François Raveneau
Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2008
Drank side by side with 2007. This 08 has the edge for greater intensity, depth and weight. 4 hour decant for each, and that is always key with Raveneau or you’ll never experience the true magic of Chez Raveneau. — 3 years ago
Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti)
Poggio Valente Morellino di Scansano 2016
The 2016 Poggio Valente is a total knockout. Ample and resonant, with tremendous richness, the 2016 is fabulous from the very first taste. A whole rush of Sangiovese aromas and flavors build as this potent, full-bodied, pure Sangiovese shows off its considerable power. Hints of tobacco, cedar and mint add the closing shades of dimension. The 2016 was aged in 500-600L. French and Slovakian oak, with a touch of Hungarian and Austrian wood for greater complexity. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 4 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2014 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is one of my favorite wines from the Left Bank in this vintage. Bright and vivacious blackberry, cedar and graphite scents soar from the glass with real purpose. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite tensile with ample depth. It has matured since I last tasted it four years ago. It is very fresh and has a saline finish. Recommended. Tasted at the Bordeaux Index 10-Year-On tasting. N.B. Two bottles tasted blind at Southwold showed oxidation on the first. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— a month ago