30+years as a wine professional. Artist and art lover
La Mama 2020. A slightly sweet Alsace wine by Jean Huttard in Zellenberg. A Gewürztraminer and Muscat blend with 25g/l of residual sugar. It definitely smells like Gewürztraminer (lychees),and it features the typical bitterness of this grape variety in the finish. However, the bitterness dominates a bit, and the back label states that this wine is a reflection of the character of the mother (la mama). Risky business...Abv. 13%. Good with sauerkraut. — 6 days ago
2015 vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (43%), and Petit Verdot(2%). First nose is truffle galore, I would have taken this for a Pomerol or Saint-Emilion. After 30 minutes, cassis, cherries and spices kick in. Medium-bodied, still very fresh,with bright fruit, spices, ripe tannin and a fresh minty/spicy finish. This is definitely on a par with some Crus Classés. Abv. 14%. — 15 days ago
2020 vintage. Quaffable, if a bit diluted. Short finish. Diam 5 cork, but only slightly drying. Abv. 12,5%. It's not expensive, but there are better ways to spend your 7,5 euro on Haut-Médoc, like a half bottle of Château d'Arcins 2022. — a month ago
Château Grand Dousprat. Sainte Croix du Mont is worth a visit for the 20 million years old fossilized oyster shell caves, but also for some of the wines. It's hard to find good cheap wines, but if you are on a budget, this is the place to be. This is a good example of less than 10 euro. Ripe peach and pineapple,with slightly roasted botritys aromas. Don't expect the complexity of a great Sauternes, but enjoy the bright sweet fruit, freshness and more than decent length. Abv. 12,5%. — 4 days ago
2018 vintage. Tannat and Cabernet Franc. This seems to be the entry level of the estate. — 7 days ago
2022 vintage. Tasted during lunch at their restaurant La Table de Nathalie. Deep dark red. Inviting nose with very ripe cassis and blackberries, intertwined with subtle floral and spicy notes. Concentrated and layered black fruit with the ripeness that one expects in this splendid vintage, all kept in balance by the juicy acidity and powerful velvety tannins. This will age gracefully for decades, but like many 22s it is very flattering young. An impressive effort from this estate that is on a high. Moreover, it represents excellent value for this quality. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. — 25 days ago
2020 vintage. 77% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very shy nose, even the next day. Solid concentration, but drying bitter finish. Not much pleasure here. Diam 30 cork. — 4 days ago
2020 vintage. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), with an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Franc for the left bank (15%), 10% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Another excellent second wine at less than half the price of the grand vin. Seriously concentrated black fruits, spices, fresh acidity, ripe tannin and very good length. Drinking well now, but this should age beautifully for another 10 years. — 13 days ago
2022 vintage. Mainly Merlot (92%) with Cabernet Franc. Finding good Pomerol under 30 euro a bottle isn't an easy task, but this is a good example. Seductive nose after 15 minutes in the glass with strawberry jam,flowers and subtle spices. The high alcohol (15% abv.) is well integrated. Smooth and round, without the complexity of the best, but a pleasure to drink and good value indeed. 52000 bottles produced with a yield of 39 HL/ hectare. Aged 12 months in oak barrels, 49% new. Mechanical harvest with manual sorting. Claire Moueix is in charge since 2013. Abv. 15.% — a month ago
Stefan Dolhain
2023 vintage. Stunning! Abv. 14% — 2 days ago