Center Of Effort
Giuseppe Quintarelli
Primofiore Veneto Corvina Blend 2022
Pretty florals. Candied pomegranate seed. Wood tannin on the center of the tongue.
Had this been a blind I could see myself calling Ruché. First time trying Quintarelli and did not disappoint. — 6 months ago
Château Ausone
Saint Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1950
Night one at Bern’s, from deep in their cellar. Decanted and poured. Deep ruby center, mostly translucent. Killer nose. Notes of currant, sweet plums, spice and earth. Rich and silky in the mouth. Its “youth” shows when compared to the glasses of 1929 and 1933 next to it. Maybe the best of the 3 tonight? Hard to say, but it’s nice to find old off vintages that show like this. — 2 years ago
Château de Francs
Les Cerisiers Côtes de Francs Red Bordeaux Blend 2022
Date night with my wife in my childhood's home back home without any kid or pet in sight. We are working remotely this week from Toulouse, but this definitely feels like an extension of our summer holidays 😁.
The nose is very merlot-forward with notes of cherry, leather, earthy, clay touches, cedar, beef stew and almond powder. The palate is big, bright and broad, with a nice strawberry and earthy notes that carries on all along a strong acid drive, there is width, there is matter, it's rather muscular but you peep the 15% abv on the (barely readeable) back label you start to understand why! Tannins kick in the rear but they are not harsh, they caress and come across as a gentle hug around a very nice, meaty, juicy finish that goes on for a while. Cherry and earthy notes carry on and that savoury touch comes around to crown a very nicely made right bank effort. Kudos to the winemaker, this is punching way above its 10 euro retail price category and I have had many a saint emilion in my time that would be pale in comparison. — 24 days ago
Château Lascombes
Margaux Merlot Blend 2022
2022 vintage. Medium heavy body with a feminine-styled effort so plenty of smoke, cocoa powder and blueberry. Tannins not even hanging out on the corner and no visible storefront or corresponding street truck. Waay too young but still waay too delish at this point. 67% Cab, 30% Merlot, 3% (combined) CF and PV. 03.12.25. — 5 months ago
Trediberri
Trediberri Barbera d'Alba 2021
The 2021 Barbera d'Alba is an explosion of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and mocha. A healthy dollop of whole clusters (30%) adds an element of savoriness that takes a little getting used to, as it is not often seen in Barbera. Vinification and aging in cement yields a juicy Barbera in which the fruit is front and center. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2022)
— 3 years ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010
2010 is a vintage to leave to your children if you bought this at 50 years old forward. This is a 50-60 year wine with proper storage.
The nose shows nice ruby, fruits of; dark cherries, cherries, strawberries with a dark currant center, blackberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Chocolate mousse, melted, milk chocolate, light caramel, moist sage, warm, slightly sweet dark earth with withering dark & red florals.
The palate is warm, inviting & beautiful. Easy to drink. Dark cherries, cherries, strawberries with a dark currant center, blackberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Red cola/licorice, dark chocolate, melted, milk chocolate, light caramel, moist sage, warm, oak barrel shavings, moist, dark earth w/ dry leaves, celery, used leather, moist tobacco, with withering dark & red florals. Perfect acidity with an excellently balanced, nicely knitted, perfect tension & structure with elegance for days the falls evenly on ripe fruits & soft earthiness.
94-96 in another 10 years. Outside chance at 97. — 4 months ago
Château Siran
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2022
2022 vintage. A blend of 53% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot. As Siran is consistently of Cru Classé quality, I've put the bar high, tasting it next to the 2022 La Lagune. While it doesn't have the depth and quality of tannins of the latter, Siran 2022 is an impressive effort, a classic Margaux in the same league as the magnificent 2019 Siran. — 10 months ago
Château de Pressac
St. Émilion Grand Cru Merlot Blend 2021
2020 vintage. Another great effort from this Château. Already easy drinking. A lot of sweet fruit, smooth with a nice ripe tannic bite, freshness and good length. Merlot 70%, Cabernet Franc 16%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9%, Carmenère 2% and Noir de Pressac (aka Malbec) 2%. Abv. 14,5%. Hubert de Boüard consults.Don't know if it will make old bones ( a 2008 recently tasted was totally over the hill). — 3 years ago
Ron R
This was a crowd-pleaser along with the very low production back-story. The winemaker is self taught and risked everything to produce his own wines. This wine is uncommon in its flavor profile and sheer regal elegance. The last bottle I had frightened me as it displayed signs of decay, but not this. This was powerful and stole the day.
Sag Habor — 2 months ago