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Showing posts from July, 2006

July 21, 2006. Assorted wines

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2001 - Balthasar Ress. Hattenheimer Nussbrunner - Auslesse . Center stage of primary fruit aromas starting to move back a little to reveal petrol and slight flinty. Viscous, with lively acidity, perhaps doesn't have the concentration in the back end and finish to put it up there with the best of the best. However, it's more than adequate as an enjoyable summer drink. Alright this may be a bit sacreligious but why not. Wish I had some langoustines and scallops on the grill. 92(+)pts. Perhaps in a few more years ( 5-10) it may deserve a slightly higher rating. 1997 Henri Gouge - Nuit st. George - "Le Saint George" On the nose promising notes of red fruits and typical pinot noir aromas. That was the best part. In the mouth it was angular, sand-paperishly tannic and well "unrefined". Okay no problem you would say we can give it more airtime to smooth things out. Well that would be nice if it had some concentration and this being 1997. It was not to be. 84pts. 20

July 14, 2006. 2002 Corton Charlemagne

2002 Bonneau du Martray - Corton Charlemagne. Impenetrable upon opening. Keep cool and air for at least 3 hours. Massive, elegant acidity - citrus notes, power and concentration without the weight. This will need 10 years to show its stuff. 93 points 2002 Louis Jadot - Corton Charlemagne Lively acidity upon opening - powerful. Like the BdM needs air time to open up ( ~4 hours in bottle). As mentioned before acidity is high keyed, nice "punch" and like the other CC should not be served freezing cold ( please folks this is not a Chablis - even some Chablis shouldn't be served that way). Probably one of the better vintages in recent times but.... just doesn't seem to have as much going as the BdM above (to me less concentrated) - just a guess but possibly harvested at higher yields? 91 points.

July 8, 2006. Heritiers Des Comte Lafon, value for money white Burgundies

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In this day and age we all lament at how expensive wines have become. The days where one can easily find "good and cheap" wines are gone. Back not too long ago, it was "show me what you've got and then I'll decide how much it's worth" - the consumer was boss. The tables have now turned Ladies and gentlemen. Nowadays its "pay first and then let's see...." Too often we pay up and don't see anything. As long as we can't turn back the clock - the only other way is to be better informed. Comte Lafon of Mersault rightfully deserves its place in the highest ranks of white Burgundy makers. Some of their usual offerings have become frightfully expensive in the last few years. Well here's the scoop - there is a cheaper Lafon. Since 1999 Lafon has conducted an operation in Macon delivering high quality and good value white wines called Heritiers Des Comte Lafon. Situated in the Macon , the property covers around 35 acres and produces 6

July 1, 2006. Burgundy Dinner (Mostly)

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We got to try the following wines on the weekend. Missing at dinner was the '61 DRC Richebourg which was opened ahead of the weekend. In it's place was '94 Bouchard La Romanee 1994 La Romanee ( Bouchard). Yuch - corked!. Bad bottle - just not pleasant. First up : 1969 Leroy Mersault Charmes. For a 37 year old wine it had amazing livelyness and acidity. Charming however a bit short on the finish and aftertaste. 89 points 1996 Jacques Prieur Mersault Perrieres. For a 10 year old wine surprisingly advanced for its age - color was starting to come on golden, nuts and slight truffel & honied smells coming through. Fine condition with admirable acidity. It had just a few more elements than the Leroy Charmes, bit more power, longer aftertaste. Suspect it needs 1.5 hours to open and can age a few more years ( 3-5) but is drinking well now. 91 points 1999 Comte Lafon Mersault Charmes Just a baby. Very high and lively acidity belies the power and concentration underneath.