White By W
R. López de Heredia
Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2011
Vintage 2011 | stinky smell, high bitters, flint, tight and stiff. I like the character. Need to taste more Rioja whites to be able to recognize if tasted blind. — 9 hours ago
Dom Pérignon
Brut Champagne Blend 2013
Medium lemon colour . This is showing a little more complex and detailed than the last time . Lemon rind , crushed rocks , ginger and white flowers , touch of brioche also . On the palate a bit more dense , but with good balanced acidity and lemon rind , brioche , ginger and toasty , mineral finish. Drinkable now , though best days will be in 5-10 years time , though I don’t think this will be as long lived as the 2012 . — 5 days ago
Domaine François Raveneau
Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2004
Bought on release, $89.95, it’s gorgeous—but so tight at 21 years of age—surprisingly so. Fruit takes a back seat to acidity and structure as well as chalk and minerality. I really like this wine and it will live decades but tonight I’m happily sacrificing a little tooth enamel. — 6 days ago
Rombauer Vineyards
Carneros Chardonnay 2022
Founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley, with caves that extend for over a mile. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit, sweet oak, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of ripe peach, melon and apple, with vanilla spice, creamy texture. Medium+ finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with mineral notes. — 16 days ago
Merry Edwards
Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, adding in spice and some biscuit notes. On the palate complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, peaches and Asian pears. Slight earthiness with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle yeasty character. Very nice! Consistent quality! Will age well! — 8 days ago
Jacques Selosse
Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay
Disgorged August 2018. Initial with a little age is just incredible and really allows it to reach its full potential. 2018 disgorgement is showing fabulously, totally in the zone with distinctive Selossien aromatics, a rich, powerful and textural palate with racy acids and a chalky mineral core. There’s both freshness and integrated oxidative complexity yielding a complete, balanced and seamless Champagne. Nothing like Selosse 💛 — 11 days ago
Château Rieussec
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2002
*Color isn’t quite as dark as the picture shows*
Followed over a few days. Consistent profile.
From 375ml
Advanced caramel color with a tinge of orange. Thankfully, aromatics are as expected with orange marmalade, caramel and toffee. Viscous and weighty profile with low acidity. Faint notes of honey roasted nuts on the palate, but it’s mostly an orange marmalade, caramel and apricot dominated profile. Finish shows good length for what is considered an off-vintage, with the apricot and some bourbon vanilla. Good on its own. Drink now. — 17 days ago
Andrew Cullimore
No formal notes . Pretty deep Amber , copper colour . Intense marmalade , saffron , creme caramel . Rich on the palate with rich marmalade , saffron notes . Good acidity , but rich. Good length . This is drinkable now and shows quite an advanced colour , though due to its richness will probably carry on delivering for another 20 years , perhaps longer .
This was a rather fascinating evening put together by our incredibly generous host. All 2007 reds were served blind in two flights: 1st Mouton, Haut Brion, Cheval Blanc , La Mission Haut Brion then Latour , Lafite , Petrus and Margaux . Overall the wines showed well , and were mostly enjoyable to drink now , though there is no rush . This somewhat maligned vintage can give a lot of enjoyment in the right environment, I certainly wouldn’t hold back from opening or purchasing any of these wines . They mostly show good density of fruit , personality and elegance , with good freshness. These are not powerful wines , and at times perhaps the fruit can be a little cooler or greener but I was pleasantly surprised by the way they performed , just goes to show you should never write off a vintage without trying the wines ! — 5 days ago