Driven Cellars
Arianna Occhipinti
SP68 Bianco Terre Siciliane Albanello Muscat of Alexandria
Lovely. Floral nose with a mineral driven, bright attack. Herbal. Olive. A little grippe. Great with seafood. — 5 months ago
Domaine François Raveneau
Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2010
The majestic 2010 Raveneau vintage. 2010 Butteaux is just electric after a few hours in the decanter, showing right at the intersection between youthful vigor and secondary character as it’s starting to develop that magical Raveneau waxy texture that comes with age. It’s deeply aromatic, layered and impeccably balanced between creamy yellow fruit density, stony Chablisen minerality and piercing lemony acids driving everything home. Raveneau is just in a league of its own and 2010 will be one of the best vintages ever for the Domaine and a true classic, terroir driven expression. My favorite since 2004. — 5 months ago
Domaine Sebastien Dampt
Côte de Léchet Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2022
A rough day. So which wine will never disappoint? Dampt Cote de lechet.
Nose: lovely. A green apple skin mineral perfume. White flowers get this to 94.
Palate: sweet green apple. Salty. Mineral. Utterly delicious. This is not the acid driven hammer that 21’was but it’s in the range of being as good.
Fass selections. — 8 months ago
Arnot-Roberts
Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay 2018
Displays a distinctive personality on the nose and palate. It’s a leanish, mineral-driven expression of Chardonnay. Hints of ginger and lanolin combine with taught acidity. Sweetness is light to moderate. Very little oak to talk about, mostly steely. This will partner perfectly with sushi, but it does need a wingman. — 2 years ago
Vieux Château Certan
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
The 2014 Vieux Château Certan comes from two bottles, the first out of condition. The second has a potent Cabernet Franc-driven nose, which is no surprise, as it comprises 30% of the blend: bell pepper and black pepper infusing the black fruit. There is almost a Loire-like scent. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins, fine acidity and grip with truffle and raspberry. It's earthy with just a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. This Pomerol is surfeit with character and is just about to enter its drinking window. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— 5 months ago
Château Cantemerle
Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Not the team’s I wanted to see, so I’ll just stick to the basics. Went well with some A5 coffee crusted New York Strip, the steak 🥩 is so rich you don’t want to waste it on a fruity wine
The 2010 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. The vineyard is situated on deep gravel deposits in the Macau and Ludon villages of the appellation and has 9,600 vines per hectare.
Vinious 93 The 2010 Cantemerle is vigorous and open on the nose, a mixture of red and black fruit with cedar and humidor scents. I admire the focus and detail. The palate is rounded in texture on the entry. This is a plumper, richer, more fruit-driven 2010 with a lush finish on the context of the growing season. You could broach this now, although I would prefer to leave it another three or four years. This is another excellent wine and candidate for most over-performing cru this vintage. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. — 3 years ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium ruby , quite wide garnet rim, clear and bright . Cassis , blackberry , sous bois , mint , cedar , grafite , good clarity and surprisingly fruit driven still . Good volume on the palate , dark fruits , mint , good acidity and still quite gritty tannins. Saline and grafite tinged finish . Good length . Drinking very well now and over the next 5 years . For 2002 this is showing very well, classic and surprisingly elegant, a really nice surprise! — 3 months ago