Narrow Escape

Domaine Francois Lamarche

La Grande Rue Grand Cru Monopole Pinot Noir 2015

The 2nd vintage of La Grande Rue we had at the Burgundy dinner in Sydney 6 weeks ago. This was the 2015. A very Vosne Romanee nose - perfumed and enticing. Sweeter fruit than the 2012. Given its prime location as being over the road (La Grande Rue) from La Romanee and La Romanee Conti it doesn’t reflect the quality of those 2 vineyards nor the price thankfully. Amazing that the separation of the width of a narrow road makes such a difference. The 1.65 hectares of La Grande Rue dates back to the 15th century. It is simply a continuation of La Tache - lighter bodied (and lighter priced). — a month ago

Andrew, Scott@Mister and 16 others liked this

Cantina Ar.Pe.Pe.

Riserva Rocce Rosse Sassella Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo 2001

Medium garnet , slightly less intense than the 2002 , quite narrow terracotta rim . Quite a lot of dried spice , cinnamon , clove , with dried meats , porcini . Lighter fruits than the 2002, more of the red cherry , strawberry , raspberry noticable on other vintages. Not as dense as the 2002 but still enough fruit on the palate . Porcini , anise and black tea on the finish . Quite dense still , fills out well with good length — 9 months ago

"Odedi", Bob and 5 others liked this

Château Tour des Termes

St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Medium deep ruby, quite narrow ruby pink rim . Dark creme de cassis , blackberry , with earthy , mineral , grafite touches , quite inviting and open , though still classic in style . On the palate more cassis , grafite , blackberry , quite juicy and round , but with balanced acidity and alcohol , rounded but noticeable tannins . Ok length . Drinking well now and will age well over the next 5-10 years — a year ago

Jan, Tom and 5 others liked this

Château Marjosse

Red Bordeaux Blend 2022

Bright medium ruby core and quite narrow ruby , violet rim . Quite juicy with blackberry , raspberry jam , red cherry , red plum , with some spicy herbal notes and touch of cassis . On the palate this is also quite fruit forward , with cassis , blackberry and plum , good freshness and just balanced alcohol , though I would serve this on the cooler side . Ripe , suave tannins . Ok length with a slightly spicy , red plum , cherry tinged finish . Drinking well now and over the next 3 -5 years . A really good example of what a reasonably priced Bordeaux can deliver. — 2 months ago

Daniel, Dave and 4 others liked this

Château Saint-Pierre

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Medium deep ruby , narrow, ruby rim . Quite juicy , blackberry , blackcurrant notes , touch of grafite, oyster shell and violet . On the palate this is quite juicy with ripe dark fruit , cassis , grafite tinged blackberry , good fresh saline tinged acidity and rounded fine tannins . Decent length too . This is drinking well but is still quite fruit focused , not much in the way of development, will continue to show well over the next 10 years — 8 months ago

Jan, Tom and 8 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Bright ruby garnet with quite narrow garnet rim . Quite closed at first with mineral , cassis , sous bois , cigar box , touch of smoke . On the palate very intense with lots of cigar box tinged cassis , blackberry , cedar , coffee. Gritty but integrated tannins , fresh acidity . Very long and complex on the finish . This is still young but is starting to show what it can do , perfectly balanced and enormously long . Precise and for Las Cases very elegant . Now and for the next 10-15 years . — a year ago

Jeroen, Tom and 17 others liked this

Domaine du Collier

Saumur Blanc Chenin Blanc 2020

Lyle Fass
9.1

Fine but boring and narrow. Just lacked energy and excitement. I don’t know, never had one of these that excited me. — 3 months ago

Jay, Zach and 10 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

Medium ruby garnet , narrow garnet rim . Quite deep spicy tobacco , cassis , redcurrant , grafite , smoky herbal notes on the nose. On the palate this is quite restrained and elegant , with a mix of red and dark fruits , cassis , blueberry , red currant , touch of menthol also . Good refreshing acidity and slightly gritty tannins , good length with grafite and tobacco stained finish . This is showing well and is probably at peak at the moment , no rush as it will stay here for another 8-10 years or so . — 7 months ago

Jeroen, Jan and 11 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Medium deep ruby , quite narrow rim . Touch of earthy menthol , tobacco , spicy blackcurrant, grafite . On the palate quite dusty , with earthy sous bois , blackcurrant, ripe blackberry , grafite and tobacco , cocoa hints. Quite rich but balanced , good acidity, quite dusty tannins . This is probably at peak now though will last well another decade perhaps . — a year ago

"Odedi", Severn and 5 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Deep almost opaque ruby , narrow ruby rim . Quite closed and mineral at first , cassis , dark richer rounder fruits , blackberry and dark cherry . Richer more dense darker fruits on the palate , cassis , blackberry , with quite a mineral , grafite , earthy undertone . Rounded but high gritty tannins , good balanced refreshing acidity . Quite a big powerful wine but the alcohol is well integrated . Good length , with a touch of grafite and spice on the saline tinged finish. This should be given time , another 10 years preferably , and will show well for a further 10-15. — a year ago

Jan, Jeroen and 5 others liked this