Shay A

9.2

While not on the same level as the 2010 Left Bank I opened a few months ago, the profile of this 2011 Right Bank was squarely on the bridge between Sonoma and right bank Bordeaux.

About 60 merlot/ 40 CabFranc. 13.9ABV

Pours a slightly fading red-black. The entire time this was open, the aromatics sported a distinct funk that I’m struggling to describe…whatever comes before brett, that’s what this was. A mix of earth/forest, mineral, fig and a small hint of leather (I’ve come across a similar profile in older warm vintage right bank Bordeaux…but this is cooler vintage Sonoma). The palate is structured but in a nicely balanced phase…red and black fruits, more fig, and espresso at the finish.

Followed over the course of 4hrs from bottle, and while the last glass seemed to be a bit more integrated, I think these are in “drink now” phase. — 2 days ago

Shay A

9.2

After hearing about this producer and their wines, I wanted a sneak peek at the rosé before I open the red. From the island of Sardinia, made from 100% Cannanou (Grenache).

Deep pink in color with an orange hue. Not sure if skin contact was prioritized, but color (and texture) lead me to believe so. Plenty of floral notes that give way to spiced strawberries, blood orange, and juicy nectarine. Medium bodied on the palate with plenty of flavor (but the fruit isn’t overly ripe)…there is a mineral-underripe peachy profile at the finish with some grip. Texture and acidity on point.

Reminds me of a Tavel style but with a fleshier/more tangy profile (or Pinea’s Korde from Spain). Unique, interesting, and worth trying again. — 25 days ago

Shay A

9.3

@Delectable Wine : This is the La Pierelle Hermitage Blanc. I didn’t see it in the database.

Project between Louis Barruol (of Chateau Saint Cosme) and Kermit Lynch. From the small plot called La Pierrelle near the top of the hill (vines are more than eighty years old). 100% Marsanne.

Pours a bright-gold color. Aromatically you can smell the dried apricots and honeysuckle from a foot away. Classically viscous and waxy, but by no means cloying or flabby. Reminds me of those Bit-O-Honey candies as a kid with honeyed-lemon followed by some truffle Marcona almonds at the finish. Mid-palate texture is weighty and the finish is lengthy. Fruit isn’t dominant here (as expected) but the complexity with the almond skin/waxy bitter notes is beautiful. I love Rhône whites.

Followed over two days and stayed consistent. Pop and pour now for stage one, or hold 7-10yrs for marsanne’s stage two revival. — a month ago

Shay A

9.1

*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. — a month ago

Shay A

9.4

Since I sadly can’t buy a bunch of TAllemand Chaillot (or even more unfortunately, Reynard), this producer’s expression is one I’ve been waiting to try. Only recently found out he is Noël Verset’s nephew (which certainly helped in getting those old vines from Chaillot!)

Double decanted for an hour before consuming the first half from the bottle the following few hours. Gorgeous translucent red-purple in the glass. Aromatics are bright and expressive…potpurri, black pepper, dark berry fruits, and whole cluster/stems. The palate is crunchy and energetic with peppered blackberries, herbaceous whole-cluster spice, and savory minerals. Lingering finish with big grip. It presents as a “big” cool climate Syrah (if that makes sense), not a burly rustic Cornas. Absolutely delicious.

Second half was consumed the following day and the finish was a bit more finesse driven with all the flavors in balance. Drink now with a couple hours of air or hold a few more years. Now to try the Sans Soufre… — 13 days ago

Shay A

9.2

A LastBubbles purchase. Grand Cru Ambonnay fruit at an enticing price was too tempting to pass up.

No clue on dosage or disgorgement, but this reminded me of Paul Dethune’s black label (which I love) but with higher dosage. Yellow-gold in the glass. Slight autolysis on the nose with some honey, lemon cream, and spiced pear. Lovely mousse and texture…full-bodied but not a bruiser. There’s a sweetness on the mid-palate that pokes out a bit taking this to a slight caramel type profile alongside apple and some classical chalk. It presents as though the dosage is around 7-8g/l, but I think this wine could do just fine at almost half that. A good bridge for those who love big house champagnes but want to see what the grower champagne scene is like.

Followed over two days and stayed consistent. — a month ago

Shay A

9.2

Still sporting the $12.99 sticker that this was many years ago. Just under top of shoulder fill. Cork was fantastic.

A few of the other early ‘80s wines I’ve opened from this same acquisition needed time to open up and blow off funk, but this was ready from the get go. At its age (and provenance), the wine is translucent ruby with bricking at the rim and shows classic Pauillac notes (graphite, leather, cassis) with tart red fruits, herbs and some pipe tobacco. Still retaining acidity and a decent amount of tannin at the finish. A unique high-toned/mint note came around aromatically ever so often and would fade.

Followed out of bottle during the evening and it stayed consistent. — a month ago

Shay A

9.3

(Two previous 1983 wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from my CT).

Continuing a run of ‘83s over the last 3-6 months, this not only showed quite well, but it was at its best after almost two hours in the bottle. Whereas the ‘83 Pichon was clean and elegant, this was a bit more dense and powerful. Beautifully expressive aromatics of potpourri, espresso, fig and leather with a flavor profile mostly on the red/black fruit side of the spectrum. The mid-palate showed good weight and continued to bulk-up during the evening. Old cherry-tobacco note at the finish. Honestly, this drank like it was more early ‘90s than it was early ‘80s. Good. — 13 days ago

Shay A

9.3

(Two previous 1983 vintage wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from CT).

My experiences with 1983s has been fairly positive, and this PL certainly is among the better I’ve had from the vintage. Holding color nicely with deep ruby and slight bricking around the rim. Started off a bit dense and muddled, but hit stride about 30mins later with a mix of red and black berry fruit, cassis, a streak of herbal green down the middle (something I always get with PL). Excellent example of the fruit showing lots of flavor without being overly ripe. Leather, sweet pipe tobacco, graphite, and still some vibrancy at the finish with tannin structure. Clean and elegant at this stage. Showed well over the course of two hours. Drink up and enjoy. — 13 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Any time I open a Riesling or GV from a reputable producer, I wonder why I don’t open them more often.

Great vintage, great Austrian producer.

I really enjoy the differences between Alsatian Rieslings, German Rieslings and Austrian Rieslings, the latter normally being a bit more textural/full-bodied (and higher in ABV at 13%, compared to the typical 8-10% range of the others). Pale yellow in the glass. White peach and a sweet lemon/lemongrass type of aromatic. Ripe stone fruits (more peach but also apricot) and minerals/slate alongside a spine of acidity that isn’t sharp, but balanced. Tasty. — a month ago