Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2024 vintage. Viognier 65%, Chardonnay 20%, Obeidi 10%, and Muscat d'Alexandrie 5%. A skillful blend in which the Viognier plays the first violin in the nose with exotic fruit and flowers, whilst the others seem to add freshness and delicacy. Good to know is that the vineyards are at 1050 meters of altitude. It's hard to find a bad wine from Lebanon. Abv. 13%. — a day ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

The second wine of Desmirail ( which is now called Initial de Desmirail, but there is also another label, Château de Fontarney, also available in the same supermarket at the same price, which I assume is the same wine). A bit lighter in colour compared to the Haut-Médoc of Haut-Bages-Libéral, and a bit lighter with only 12% alcohol. Flowery nose, light and fresh, with red berries and tannins that are a bit softer compared to the Haut-Médoc. A simple, decent, fully mature petit Margaux for 10 euro. Surprisingly, much better the next day. — 15 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.8

2022 vintage. Very good value from the first estate acquired by the Castel family in 1957. A seriously good "petit Bordeaux". Solid dark red colour. Dark cherries and a touch of oak. Not particularly complex or long, but a very good every day Bordeaux. Moreover, it can age ( the 2016 is still drinking well). Abv. 14%. — 20 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.7

2017 vintage. Another spectacular Suduiraut. The 140 g/l residual sugar is balanced by the fresh acidity. Michael Broadbent used to say that Suduiraut always looks older than its age, but this bright golden colour shows no signs of age. Beautifully complex nose with pineapple and vanilla, flowers, beeswax, cinnamon and lemon confit. Opulent, rich and fresh at the same time, impressively layered and intense, with an extraordinarily long finish. A fabulous meditation wine that is amazingly affordable too. Abv. 14%. — 3 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.8

2013 vintage. I tend to avoid this vintage, as I consider it the worst Bordeaux vintage in the last 2 decades, but I was pleasantly surprised. As I found this in a supermarket for less than 10 euro, I thought it was worth checking it out. Solid colour for the vintage. More cedar than fruit in the nose, fresh and light, with a certain rustic charm. While it cannot hide a little unripeness of tannins, it is actually a nice food wine and very good value for a fully mature "petit Bordeaux". Not at all over the hill, and really ok for 9,50 euro. — 15 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

7.9

2020 vintage. Quaffable at best,but a bit diluted,short, and terribly boring. Not something I want to drink. Totally outperformed by the humble Bordeaux Supérieur Château de Goëlane 2022 that I opened instead. — 20 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

Stefan had this 13 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.8

2013 vintage. An entry level Margaux from a very difficult vintage, but in the capable hands of Denis Lurton ( Brane Cantenac) it turned out to be a nice little Margaux that is well worth the humble (10,50 euro) price tag. Abv. 13%. — 15 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. Still young, better the next day. You can drink the 2021 while waiting for the 2022... — 19 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. Château Gravat, Cru Bourgeois Médoc. The wine world is in crisis. It's hard to believe that one can find this quality at such a ridiculously low price ( I dare not tell you how low). Ripe cherries and some smokiness. Impeccable, juicy Médoc for unpretentious pleasure. — 22 days ago