Sensual
Château Cheval Blanc
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
The 1982 Cheval Blanc is a vintage that I have not drunk for a number of years, so this was a pertinent reminder of its pulchritude. It has a flat-out gorgeous bouquet with ebullient red fruit, warm bricks (terracotta), hints of liquorice and strawberry jam. It's the kind of bouquet that you could bathe in. The palate has a ripe entry, voluptuous yet exquisitely balanced, the Cabernet components of this Cheval Blanc quite expressed and more pronounced than I recall. Yet it's toying with you as it segues into a more Burgundy-like final third. Mercurial, sensual and riveting. Tasted at the 1982 Dinner at Hatched. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
— 3 years ago
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
Comm. G.B. Burlotto
Vigneto Monvigliero Barolo Nebbiolo 2018
Nose is intense cherry perfume. So precise. Sour cherry. As this opens - psychotic perfume. As it opens more sensual. More cassis.
Palate is light cherry. Maybe a hint of heat on open. Incredibly silky. Elegant beyond belief. With more air hints of cherry cough syrup. More time. Denser cherry and boysenberry. Hints with alcohol - with .5% less would be perfect.
More and more slutty as it opens. Elegant slutty. But slutty.
Finish is more fresh boysenberry.
A fascinating wine. Not technically perfect but fascinating to drink.
— 3 years ago
Château Haut-Bailly
Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé Red Bordeaux Blend 2018
The 2018 Haut-Bailly soars out of the glass, showing magnificent poise that only grows with time. Sweet, perfumed aromatics, silky tannins and mid-weight structure add to its considerable allure. Ripe red berry fruit, spice, blood orange, licorice, cedar, tobacco and menthol are all woven together in an effortless, classy Haut-Bailly that delivers the goods. I suppose the 2018 doesn't quite have the explosive energy of the very best years, but it more than makes up for that with its sensual, seductive personality. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021)
— 5 years ago
Gut Hermannsberg
Kupfergrube Großes Gewachs Nahe Riesling 2017
Nose: mountain stream, yellow flowers, fine minerals.
Palate is golden apples. Minerals. Big acids.
Needs at least an hour decant. On open is correct but not delicious. As it opens it gets more interest and deliciousness. Nose is more intense and round. More sensual. Palate is much better. More depth and intensity. More peach.
Fass selections. — 2 years ago
Vilmart & Cie
Cuvée Rubis 1er Cru Brut Champagne Blend
Perfect for Valentine’s Day. First things first, this is a stunning salmon rose color in the glass. Persistent perlage with a creamy mousse. Tiny little bubbles. A terrific red fruit bouquet showcasing wild strawberry, orange peels, and red cherries. Purple flowers and dried herbs compliment. But I just cannot get over this striking color.
Pure sex in a bottle. Not dainty or waifish at all, there’s some serious muscle here to go along with the innate finesse. Disgorged 10/19 with a 9 g/l dosage, the striking acidity takes care of that and provides a smooth experience on the tongue. 90/10 PN/CH this is one of the standout Rosé champagnes around. Never cloying despite the dosage, everything here is perfectly balanced and structured. Just splendid really.
Sensual in the mouth, you get a full blast of red fruit on the palate. That 15% of still red wine really shows here. Grapefruit and dried cherries are dominant with a little strawberry joining in. Peaches and cream with herbs. Medium long finish. An outstanding grower that really is a cut above the rest. — 5 years ago
Jay Kline
Opened some time prior to service; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2013 Vosne-Romanée pours a deep ruby with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with its notes of strawberry, raspberry, black cherry, rosemary, coniferous forest floor, minerals and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is a profoundly sensual wine that is showing really well now and I would expect it to be thrilling for years to come. Drink now through 2048. — a day ago