A caveat - this is direct from the Chateau. I bought a different vintage from a local store and it is quite different. This is just a direct hit for me. Great spine, smooth finish, and great terroir. Even with shipping, this is good value and I just ordered a case of the 2013, 10 years on but direct from chateau. I have a soft spot for Cos having visited with a highly recommended tour with Anais there. We’re fans — a year ago
1990 vintage. An under the radar Pomerol, bought in 1961 by the grandfather of current owner Nathalie Despagne. He also owned La Tour Figeac in Saint-Emilion and La Rose Figeac is just across the Saint-Emilion border. The 4,56 hectare vineyard consists of 9 parcels (all within 500 m of each other) on gravelly sandy soils and is planted with Merlot (90%) and Cabernet Franc. My bottle had a near-perfect level and as the smell was a bit musty upon opening, but there was still good fruit in the mouth and the colour looked very solid, I took the risk to decant it. It turned out to be a wise decision as the wine evolved positively, even if the tannins remained a bit rustic. On the other hand it still has lively fruit and freshness, it is a testimony to the ageing potential of Bordeaux wines and an attractive food wine. Abv. 12,8% . — 3 years ago
Yesterday, Stage 7 of this years Tour de France was an exciting Time Trial through a famous section of the Côte-d’Or. The riders started in the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges and finished just up the road in Gevrey-Chambertin. Naturally, I felt compelled to open this beauty from Thibault Liger-Belair. “La Charmotte” is a tiny, 0.40ha (basically a single acre) vineyard right on the border of the 1er crus of Argilats and Bousselots that was planted in 1962.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of six hours. The 2019 “La Charmotte” pours a deep, slightly hazy ruby, thanks to some fine sediment. But otherwise a transparent core with medium viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous, perfectly ripened strawberries and raspberries, cranberries, exotic spices, a radical assortment of red flowers, porchini and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and super satisfying.
A touch of Vosne-Romanée with the skeleton of Nuits-Saint-Georges, this is a serious village wine with impeccable texture. For all the super nerds out there, Thibault uses 40% whole cluster for this wine, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, less than half of which are new. Drink now through 2034 easy.
— 4 months ago
2018 vintage. Second wine of Cru Classé Malescot Saint-Exupéry. Charming nose with ripe black cherries, raspberry jam and some floral hints. This medium-bodied, fruit-driven Margaux is drinking well already with silky tannin and good length. Not very complex, but a very charming wine indeed. Abv. 14%. Good value at less than half the price of the Grand Vin, even if I would rate the less expensive La Tour de Bessan (tasted alongside) higher. — 2 years ago
Black fruit, pipe tobacco, garrigue and black olive. — 4 months ago
2017 vintage. Last tasted 11.16.23 (9.5). Pepper, anise/black licorice, Chambord in the nose. Add in tobacco, sea salt and the tiniest hint of ginger (along with the aforementioned nose impressions) once tasted. Medium-heavy body. Smooth and harmonious. Yes, still plenty of tannins on the journey and categorizing this as a “food wine.” For those that cultivate/love tannins, this is currently a warm bath. 5.5.24. — 6 months ago
[Tasted on November 8, 2022 at Home]
Wine is Cuvée des Deux Soeurs Red Chateauneuf-du-Pape. 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Black cherry, strawberry and red plum fruit, with red licorice, iron and black pepper. — 2 years ago
Alan Johnston
3.5. Excellent Sy. Emilion with complexity, a good balance of fruits and minerals, and a smooth aftertaste. On sale for $34.99, regularly $44.99. — 14 days ago