Sense Of Place
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Brilliant. This wine has been reluctant to show the prowess of a 1982 Bordeaux but has evolved recently to show itself worthy of a great vintage and appears now ready for the long haul . Such a delight right out of the gate to enjoy. For those who follow the distinct palate of William Kelley, you will know the place this wine has today — 6 months ago
Vincent Dauvissat
Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 2007
In such an amazing place. A perfect bottle. There is youthful power and verve and an incredible depth and seamlessness of vibrant fruit layered with minerality, pastry cream, roasted hazelnuts and an ocean spray-like salinity. It’s texturally captivating, wrapping around the palate with killer density without weight. Racy acids balance its richness and secondary nuttiness and it finishes forever. White burg at its finest. — 8 months ago
Krug
Brut Champagne Blend 2002
This is really something. Gorgeous lemon and minerality. Lovely soft fruit. Resolved but with beautifully balanced acidity. This is in a great place right now with signs of secondary notes but dazzling refined tension. Exceptional — 2 months ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
The 2000 Lynch-Bages is well defined on the nose with blackberry, cedar, humidor and crushed rose petals, one of the most elegant of this era. There is real pedigree here, obviously from a benevolent growing season. The palate is harmonious and framed by fine-boned tannins, the acidity well judged. It is not a powerful Lynch-Bages but has an appealing sense of symmetry and poise. Drinking beautifully now. Tasted blind at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — 9 months ago
Tenuta San Guido
Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2018
Such a storied brand, it was a treat to finally try this. Opulent black bramble fruit with that Tuscan earthy spice on the nose. Hard to deny this was opened far too young as I imagine it would really be singing in 10 years. Lovely acidity, exquisite tannins on the finish. Next time it only makes sense to drink an aged wine of this caliber. #sassicaia — 3 months ago
Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2001
I’ve often struggled to appreciate Beaucastel, particularly when young. However, the more often I drink older Beaucastel, I find myself slowly starting to understand why these wines are so important.
Opened about two hours prior. The 2001 Beaucastel pours a pale, slightly hazy garnet with a watery rim. Medium+ viscosity with signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Strawberry preserves, leather, bacon fat, and some chicory. On the palate, medium tannin, medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Is this the most powerful expression of Chateauneuf du Pape? No. But it’s balanced, complex and it makes me think and I like that.
As a sort of epilogue, I was able to enjoy this bottle with someone who drinks old Beaucastel more regularly than I do. He described this bottle as being one that is in-between plentitudes; which makes sense as some of the tertiary characteristics are beginning to show themselves. Subsequently, you can drink now but this will likely enter a new dimension in the next few years. — 4 months ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
This was polished, balanced with nothing out of place showing black fruits, graphite with a glycerin note, spice & tobacco — 9 months ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2005 Latour is a huge wine predestined for long-term aging. Noticeably deep in color, it has a showstopping bouquet with intense black fruit, graphite and touches of dried blood and tobacco as it considers moving into its secondary phase. But that's going to be slow coming...it's in no hurry. The palate is medium-bodied and unapologetically classic in style. I notice this bottle is a little grainy in texture, the salinity perhaps heightened as it enters adulthood. The finish has a tangible sense of tension, but it remains backward and swarthy. Immense. Tasted at Woo Cheong Tea House dinner organized by Paulo Pong. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2024)
— a month ago