The colour is gradually turning into garnet, but still deep ruby and bright. On the nose dark chocolate, coffee, gravel, graphite, and much more. The list could go on forever, since, as it is often the case with a well stored old wine of this standing, the experience keeps changing. In the mouth very elegant, with a lot of character and a savour that increase progressively, with an explosion towards the end. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1990”
Tag: Cabernet Sauvignon
Rauzan-Ségla 2012
The colour is medium ruby. On the nose dark cherries, plums, cocoa powder, green pepper. In the mouth masculine and rustic, with a not very long aftertaste.
Being a still relatively young Second Grand Cru Classé of Bordeaux, I decided to decant it and the experience greatly improved.
The 2012 Rauzan-Ségla is a blend of 54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot. Continue reading “Rauzan-Ségla 2012”
Elixir 2016
The colour is dark garnet. On the nose cherries, elderberries, cedar, tobacco. In the mouth good structure, with well-integrated tannins and a fruity finish. The aftertaste last for a good while.
Elixir is part of Lux Vina, the premium line of Domaines Chevaliers winery. The vineyards are located between Salgesch and Chamoson in the Valais canton of Switzerland. The oldest vines used for Lux Vina wines are well over 50 years old and produce small yields, but complex grapes. Continue reading “Elixir 2016”
Chateau Troplong Mondot 2013
The colour is deep ruby. On the nose blueberries and dark cherries. In the mouth fresh, elegant and tasty. The aftertaste is discrete.
Chateau Troplong Mondot 2013 is a blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is one of the stars of a very difficult vintage. Continue reading “Chateau Troplong Mondot 2013”
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2013
The colour is deep ruby. On the nose cherries, strawberries, plums, caffè latte. In the mouth very elegant, silky, fresh and charming. The aftertaste last for a while.
Overall, the 2013 has been a very challenging year in Bordeaux, but this blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot is flawless and a great achievement for the vintage. Continue reading “Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2013”
Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012
The colour is in both cases medium ruby. On the nose also pretty similar. Both display an aroma of herbs, red and black berries, with the addition of leather and tobacco for the 2009, and coffee and chocolate for the 2012. In the mouth they are both very elegant. The tannins of the 2012 are edgier. The aftertaste medium long in both cases.
This the first impression, with the bottles just opened. Continue reading “Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012”
Icewines
During my 2023 summer holidays in Canada I bought three bottles of Icewine. Each one made with a different grape variety: Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then I tasted all of them. Below the reviews.
Trius Showcase Riesling Icewine 2019: The colour is deep gold. On the nose honey, marmalade, dried apricot, candied pineapple. In the mouth mandarin, with a balance of sweetness and acidity. Continue reading “Icewines”
Hacienda Monasterio 2014
The colour is deep ruby with garnet hues. On the nose blueberries, blue cherries, prunes, liquorice, meat. In the mouth smooth, with a savoury lingering aftertaste.
Hacienda Monasterio 2014 is a blend 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has been made by Peter Sisseck of Pingus fame. Continue reading “Hacienda Monasterio 2014”
Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Series 2020
The colour is medium ruby. On the nose black cherries, blackberries and green bell peppers. In the mouth drying tannins, with an astringent finish. The aftertaste is short.
This Cabernet Sauvignon based Canadian wine is made by No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery. Continue reading “Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Series 2020”
Château Mouton Rothschild 1975
The colour is medium tawny, still clear and lively. On the nose mandarins, cooked black fruits, mushrooms. In the mouths silky and well balanced. The aftertaste is savoury and last for a while.
For this bottle I had very low expectations: 1975 was a tough vintage and the wine level in this bottle was barely mid-shoulder. I was afraid it wasn’t drinkable. Instead, what a surprise! The wine was not only drinkable but even enjoyable! Continue reading “Château Mouton Rothschild 1975”