Dròmos 2011

The colour is medium Ruby, turning into garnet. On the nose black cherries and prunes. In the mouth lighter than you would expect, with a slightly bitter finish. The aftertaste is medium long. Although still enjoyable, I think this wine has passed its prime.

Dròmos is made by Poggio Verrano under the Costa Toscana IGT. It is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Alicante Bouschet, 10% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc. Continue reading “Dròmos 2011”

Ratafia Didier Barbe

The colour is pale amber. On the nose fruits under spirit, walnuts, wood. In the mouth smooth and sweet. Well balanced. The aftertaste is drying and last for a pleasant while.

Ratafia is made from the standard Champagne grapes, using left over grape juice of the harvest from the third or fourth press, to which alcohol is added to avoid fermentation. Various herbs, aromatic plants and walnuts may be added for a couple of months of maceration. Continue reading “Ratafia Didier Barbe”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1989

The colour is deep ruby and bright, only slightly turning into garnet. On the nose cigar box, pencil shavings, spices. After some time, the bouquet turns fruitier, with blueberries, black cherries and black berries coming on stage. In the mouth very elegant, almost light. The tannins are silky. Despite the 37 years of age, this wine is still very fresh. The aftertaste is pleasantly fruity and, although subtle, it lasts for a long time. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1989”

Sur le Grand Marais

The colour is pale gold, with medium fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, melon honeydew and pears. All very subtle. In the mouth not very tasty. A bit flat. The aftertaste is fresh, but short.

This Blanc de Noirs is made by Liébart-Régniet with 100% Petit Meunier grapes. All grapes come from a single parcel, 60% from the 2017 vintage and 40% from the 2018 harvest. Continue reading “Sur le Grand Marais”

1694 Classification 2008

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose meaty, smoky, spicy, with some prunes. In the mouth very tasty with a bitter finish. The aftertaste last for a while.

This wine is made in the Stellenbosch wine region of South Africa by Rust en Vrede. It is a blend of 57% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon. Continue reading “1694 Classification 2008”

Cuvée Cyril Premier Cru Millésimé 2012

The colour is medium gold, with very fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, apricot, lime and almonds. In the mouth tasty and filling, with sensations consistent with the nose. The aftertaste is fresh and medium long.

This wine is made with equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by a cooperative in Ambonnay, with grapes grown by Cyril Beaufort in Trépail. Continue reading “Cuvée Cyril Premier Cru Millésimé 2012”

Malard Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs

The colour is pale gold, with fine, medium-lasting bubbles. On the nose mandarins (a lot), mirabelle and candied fruit. In the mouth flavors in harmony with the nose. Full bodied. The aftertaste last for quite a while.

Blanc de Noirs is white Champagne made exclusively from red grapes: Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. Blanc de Noirs Champagnes are, on the whole, richer and fuller bodied than wines with a major component of Chardonnay. Continue reading “Malard Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs”

Gaston Cheq Blanc de Blancs Millésime 2015

The colour is pale gold, with fine, medium-lasting bubbles. On the nose citrusy and floral, with notes of bread. In the mouth similar citrusy and bakery aromas, with a medium long, fragrant finish.

This vintage champagne is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Côte des Bar subregion of Champagne, located at the very south of the AOC. Continue reading “Gaston Cheq Blanc de Blancs Millésime 2015”

Brut de Muid

This Blanc de Blancs is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes using the traditional method and spends two years on the lees. It is a simple, but well made sparkling wine.

Although overall I consider it a very pleasant sparkling wine, I find it hard to write tasting notes. I therefore avoid it. Seems like that even Champagne wines are often so subtly aromatic that the effervescence may mask their delicate bouquet. Not sure it is also the case with this Blanc de Blancs… Continue reading “Brut de Muid”

Pascal Henriot Pinot Noir 2021

The colour is (very) pale ruby. On the nose at first mainly acetone, which with some air fades, but doesn’t disappear (unfortunately). In the mouth acidic. The aftertaste doesn’t last long (fortunately).

This Pinot Noir is made by Pascal Henriot under the IGP Franche-Comté denomination of France. A wide denomination that covers red, white and rosé wines, both still and sparkling, from a large, mountainous area of eastern France. Continue reading “Pascal Henriot Pinot Noir 2021”