Aaron Tan

10

One of the best evenings of wine I’ve had this year, and it was just focused on this duo. Opened as inspirations for this year’s red pick at Miao Lu (a name to remember for those reading. I’ll say it here first - some of the best Pinot’s and Chard’s in the world will be coming out of this project high up in Yunnan!), they both gave great context to the task.

Gerard Potel is a true master of his craft. So much so that he rarely made bad wines in spite of vintage conditions (maybe except 83’ which many claim can be hit or miss). 1988 is by no means bad, not touted as the best but good by most accounts. My experience with the vintage, limited of course, has been a little mixed, but my feeling when drinking this wine was that it transcended the vintage. Heck, I thought it flirted with the very best I’ve tasted - an epitome of aged Burgundy beauty and a perfect example of why “all roads lead of Burgundy”.

Like all of Potel’s wines from this era, the 88’ 60 Ouvrees carries a weightless intensity, with a silky texture that glides while maintaining a sense of immense depth. Crystalline and perfumed, it offers layers of damask rose, incense, strawberries, orange zest, white peach, nutmeg, white pepper, and hints of turned earth. With air, it grows sweeter, brighter, and even more primary - its youth is renewed like an eagle’s. Absolutely insane! To me, the wine straddles this perfect balance between youthful energy and serene maturity. Incredible, and easily the best red I’ve tasted this year.
— 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

This Stellenbosch Cabernet blend gets its name from being 393 metres above sea level. Deep Ruby in colour. Aromas of coal dust, liquorice, Tomato Bush, Capsicum and stalky green Notes. On the palate initial impressions were lacking in fruit. More austere than expected. Certainly very different to most Napa Valley Cabernets that I’ve had. Medium bodied. I bought this wine in 2012 at the cellar door and it was quite the trek to drive to de Trafford over many dirt roads. One of the 1001 wines. — 5 years ago

Julia Bourne

9.1

Fruity. Australian. A&W liked. Shiraz. Succulent black fruits. While Berry. Floral, blueberry, spice & mocha. Nice finish. 14.5. — 2 years ago

Deo Almazan

9.8

Don’t usually drink white wine but it was a gift & it’s been tucked away for a number of years. Decided to have it with my fish & it’s quite refreshing especially to have a chilled wine on a scorching hot day. Highly recommend it!!! — 3 years ago

Sarah Rudolph

9.3

Dusty dirt roads, quiet small towns in the middle of the day. The feeling of finding the ordinary opulent, a long lunch with nothing planned later — 4 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.0

Starting my afternoon with a gentle session IPA while I hope all my flights go as planned today. Love necessary travel during snowstorms...👎

Malty grapefruit, yum. 4.8% ABV — 6 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Started out closed, and smelling like a lumber yard. But with an hour or so of air, its Oregon roots start to show. Still shows significant but high quality toasty oak, together with sappy cherry fruit and earthy/sweet spices. In the mouth it’s balanced, with loamy, ripe fruit, crushed gravel, and a bit of black tea. Good concentration and length. The tannins are very soft. — 2 years ago

Justin Felker

9.1

From Back Roads OR wine club — 4 years ago

Keith Crump

8.9

Fresh and citrusy — 5 years ago

Marla Frederick

9.4

I have rated Shelburne’s Marquette Reserve over and over, but here I am again. I love this grape so much, and I suppose a major blizzard is as much a special occasion as anything. Today I am getting very strong clove, a little cinnamon, and a whole lotta “what are you gonna do, fire me?” attitude. Realistically, the roads are impassable, 99.9% of Boston has decided work is not worth an early death, and winter wines refuse to die. — 7 years ago