Superb
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
Hermitage Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 2015
Quite primary but really expressive for a young L’Ermitage Blanc from Chave. Juicy pear, nectarine and mandarins orange fruit that pairs well with notes of hazelnuts, candle wax and creamy brown spice. Unctuous, hedonistic and dense on the palate with pear, blood orange, quince and nectarine favors. The unctuous nature is kept in check with mineral notes if warm stones and graphite. There is superb density to the fruit and spice. The finish is long with orchard fruit tones and vibrant mineral notes. Dynamite to drink currently but has such potential for increased complexity and depth. Really needs 10 more years in the cellar before the next evaluation. The best young Chave Blanc I have tasted and I have been fortunate to try them young since the 1997 vintage. — 2 years ago
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1999
1999 Opus- this 25 year old Napa wine was superb. The longer the decanting the more flavorful it became. Spicy at first sip with bursts of flavor from dark berries, leathery tannins, currant, earth and strong blackberry. Gains intensity and shows its depth and concentration on the finish, which is long and detailed. — 4 months ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1982
I tasted the 1982 Lynch-Bages twice within a month, both at a private dinner in London and at the château, from bottle and double-magnum on separate occasions. Both vindicate an exceptionally fine 1982, perhaps a bit overlooked in a vintage full of stars. Curiously, the bottle in Bordeaux does not fully deliver the mesmerizing freshness and energy compared to the bottle in London: pencil-lead-tinged black fruit intermixed with clove and freshly-rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, perhaps just a little austere compared to its peers. Yet, indeed, the bottle in London exudes class and composure with a detailed, mineral-driven vintage belying that year's unseasonably warm period. Superb. Tasted both in London at a private dinner and at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — 10 months ago
Domaine François Raveneau
Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013
A typical tale of Raveneau. Best after 3 hours in the decanter. I really do love Raveneau’s 13’s. It’s an early drinking vintage (by Raveneau standards) while you wait for the surrounding ones. There’s immense richness and depth of waxy yellow fruit and stony minerals on the palate with créme fraîche, spices and a touch of botrytis influenced saffron in its layered aromatics. Superb cut and racy lemony acids provide a seamless balance to its power and richness. No surprise, beautiful wine. — 6 months ago
Harlan Estate
Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 1994
One of the few Harlan vintages I find drinkable. This vintage is superb! A four and a half hour decant and notes similar to prio — a year ago
Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier
Hohen-Sülzen Riesling 2015
What a great showing. Confectionery nose. Superb minerality. So complex. Apricot and peach skin. Just staggering minerality. Palate is bright and full of energy and so pure. Terrific acidity. Really long and clings to the palate. A brilliant showing. Wonderful texture. Outrageous. — 3 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2009 Latour has an open and generous bouquet: a mixture of red and black fruit and touches of graphite and loam. This vintage displays a light marine/brine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a firm grip and superb balance. This is very focused, with impressive salinity on the finish that lingers nicely. This is an extraordinarily beautiful Latour. Tasted blind from double magnum at a 20-year retrospective at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2024)
— 2 months ago