Little Things

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes. Maybe slightly less dense ruby, wider rim . More refined and quite elegant , medium bodied , slightly more cooler greener fruits . This quite aromatic initially, mix of red and dark hedgerow fruits . A little more refined and small boned , perhaps a little light a shorter than others . This was impressive out of the gate , aromatic and charming quite mineral also , though it was the only wine that faded a little with time in the glass . This appears to be at its peak though probably will remain here for another 5 -10 years perhaps — 5 hours ago

Anthony and Andrew liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2007

No formal notes . Pretty deep Amber , copper colour . Intense marmalade , saffron , creme caramel . Rich on the palate with rich marmalade , saffron notes . Good acidity , but rich. Good length . This is drinkable now and shows quite an advanced colour , though due to its richness will probably carry on delivering for another 20 years , perhaps longer .

This was a rather fascinating evening put together by our incredibly generous host. All 2007 reds were served blind in two flights: 1st Mouton, Haut Brion, Cheval Blanc , La Mission Haut Brion then Latour , Lafite , Petrus and Margaux . Overall the wines showed well , and were mostly enjoyable to drink now , though there is no rush . This somewhat maligned vintage can give a lot of enjoyment in the right environment, I certainly wouldn’t hold back from opening or purchasing any of these wines . They mostly show good density of fruit , personality and elegance , with good freshness. These are not powerful wines , and at times perhaps the fruit can be a little cooler or greener but I was pleasantly surprised by the way they performed , just goes to show you should never write off a vintage without trying the wines !
— 5 hours ago

Anthony and Andrew liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

Medium-dark-red color, very little browning at rim, this shows a little of the “overripe” notes I’ve found in 1990 Bordeaux (and CdPs), nice concentration and depth, long finish, the ripeness carries into the finish and detracts just a little. — 2 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Chris, Ira and 9 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2013

Medium lemon colour . This is showing a little more complex and detailed than the last time . Lemon rind , crushed rocks , ginger and white flowers , touch of brioche also . On the palate a bit more dense , but with good balanced acidity and lemon rind , brioche , ginger and toasty , mineral finish. Drinkable now , though best days will be in 5-10 years time , though I don’t think this will be as long lived as the 2012 . — 5 hours ago

Ron, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . Medium ruby . Bit more coffee and roasted character at first , touch of oak perhaps. Quite rich and rounded on the palate , good acidity , good length . More red fruit , more delicate after a while , mineral , oyster shell , mineral and lean on the long finish . Very classic , grafite tinged . This improved with air and really gained in complexity with time . I would be tempted to leave this a little longer or give it a longer decant . No rush here , will continue well for a further 10 years . Tied as my favourite wine of the flight with the Latour. — 5 hours ago

Anthony and Andrew liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2015

xmas 2024 wine 4. Light in color almost orange ruby. Nose of little roses, jasmin tea a mnd some orange rind. Tannin is still there but not so harsh. Red dates. — a month ago

Jan, David and 1 other liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Bit more lightening on the rim , more garnet . Touch more herbal on the nose with cedar , and grafite, much more lean and mineral on the palate. This takes quite a while to find its feet and benefits from quite a lot of air . In some ways a little unfortunate to be served between the 2000 and 1990 , which are a fuller , and more showy in style . However after a while this does show quite good length and balance , refreshing acidity . This is quite lean and mineral , focused and still pretty young . From now over the next 10 years. A little austere in style , reminds me a little of the 2005 in that aspect , though without that vintage’s intensity or density . — 2 months ago

Daniel, Jan and 8 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . medium deep ruby , medium bright ruby rim. Quite spicy a little oak noticeable at first . Mixed dark fruits . A bit more round and juicy on the palate , good acidity , slightly grippy but polished tannins . This becomes a bit more restrained and reserved after a while. Served blind , I actually put this as Haut Brion , due to its generous personality, and polished tannins. Overall showed well in the flight was my top wine (though the Cheval Blanc may well be better in absolute terms) . Can be enjoyed now , though has the substance to last a further decade or so, a good showing for the Mouton. — 5 hours ago

Anthony and Andrew liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

Spritely Rioja with excellent length. This was a fun little half bottle. Always a treat from Heredia! — a month ago

Tom, KCG and 16 others liked this
GaryWEdwards

GaryWEdwards

Among the best price-values in Europe. Love love this juice. I have several vintages but haven’t delved into the 2010. Soon though. 375 would be magic.
Vino Joe

Vino Joe Premium Badge

Thank you Gary. Yes I agree with you. Whenever I am an a steakhouse with an overpriced wine list a quality Rioja is my choice and Lopez De Heredia is usually fairly priced. I have been fortunate to have a few long aged Grand Riservas.

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1993

Still going strong with a little funkiness when 1st opened that quickly blew off showing red & black fruits, savory, brambly spices, earth, graphite & sweet wet tobacco — a month ago

Juan, Severn and 11 others liked this