A Sunday In August
Château Palmer
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The 2016 Palmer is a brilliant wine from Thomas Duroux, though I feel it will ultimately be surpassed by the 2018. You cannot argue with the nose: intense black cherries and raspberry fruit, crushed violets and crème de cassis (as if there was a touch of Pauillac in there). The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, sensual tannins, perfect acidity, velvet smooth with layers of chocolate-tinged black fruit, hints of black pepper and cedar towards the sustained finish. It is a fabulous Palmer that will give much pleasure. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 2 years ago
Château Durfort-Vivens
Margaux Cru Classé en 1855 Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
The 2015 Durfort-Vivens has a perfumed bouquet with more ripeness and perfume than the previous vintage. Buoyant red berry fruit, blueberry and a touch of violet, there is perhaps more Margaux-like than the 2014. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy with a fine acidity, a touch of white pepper and clove towards the finish and a hint of espresso on the aftertaste. This is a superb Durfort Vivens, arguably the finest up to that point. Tasted twice, both at the château and at Jascott's Bordeaux tasting in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 2 years ago
Brewer-Clifton
Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2022
The 2022 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a fabulous introduction to the range. Served last in this series of Chardonnays, the appellation Chardonnay is perhaps a bit more floral and lighter in body, but other than that, it is in no way inferior to the vineyard designates. This is beautifully done. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2024)
— a year ago
C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)
Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004
Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine. — 2 years ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
The 2003 Lafite-Rothschild has an attractive perfumed bouquet with touches of camphor infusing the blackberry and bilberry fruit. There is a mahogany bureau hint. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy opening. The sharp acidity slightly jars against the sweet candied black fruit, with blood orange and white pepper toward the mocha-tinged finish. It's missing a bit of sustain on the aftertaste, hence my more parsimonious score. It does cohere in the glass, so decanting will help. Tasted at the Académie du Vin dinner from ex-château magnum. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 2 years ago
Stéphane et Vincent Perraud
Sur Lie Sélection des Cognettes Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Melon de Bourgogne 2021
Had the 2021 in August of 2024. Really simple, light wine. “Summer porch pounder” to quote my son. Citrus and honeysuckle. Hints of green apple and nectarine along with some herbs. Had with charcuterie and zucchini fritters for a French appetizer course. Loved this one and would look for again. — a year ago
Monteraponi
Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2021
Just bottled, the 2021 Chianti Classico is a powerful, wild wine. Readers will have to give the 2021 quite a bit of time, as it is dense. Floral and savory overtones, with a kick of white pepper and orange peel, open with a bit of coaxing, but the 2021 is an infant. Bright saline notes are a reminder we are in Radda. The 2021 is a blend of mostly younger vines from various parcels across the property. It spent 15 months in cask. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 2 years ago
Castello Vicchiomaggio
Ripa delle More Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2020
The 2020 Ripa delle More is the estate's blend of (50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot). Powerful and sleek at the same time, the 2020 packs plenty of intensity into its mid-weight frame. Dark red/purplish fruit, blood orange, mint, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are some of the many notes that build in the glass. Give this a year or two to soften. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 2 years ago
Delectable Wine
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Harvested about a week later than the others in the 2018 lineup, the 2018 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard opens with generous red fruit, grilled herbs, iodine and a hint of iron. Resolved and settled in, the 80% new oak here is perfectly integrated, presenting only a touch of spicy grip on the finish. Very classy. (Billy Norris, Vinous, August 2024)
— a year ago