Romanée-Conti 2011

The colour is light garnet. On the nose very delicate, with a bouquet leaning towards mint, spices and wood. In the mouth very elegant and subtle, with light but firm tannins. The aftertaste is fruity and medium long.

With time the experience keeps changing, which is to be expected from a wine of this reputation. Continue reading “Romanée-Conti 2011”

Champagne Benoît Dinvaut Millésime 2017

The colour is medium gold, with a fine perlage. On the nose chestnuts and honey. In the mouth tasty, with a pronounced sapidity. The aftertaste last for a while.

This Champagne is the result of the assemblage of 70% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay grapes from the producer’s own vineyards located in the village of Gueux, at the foot of the less prestigious western side of the Montagne de Reims. Continue reading “Champagne Benoît Dinvaut Millésime 2017”

L’extravertie 2018

The colour is medium straw, with a fine and very persistent perlage. On the nose very expressive, with bread crust and grapefruit notes. In the mouth very savoury. The aftertaste last for a while.

This Champagne Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut is made by Pertois-Lebrun with Chardonnay grapes from Cramant, Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, Chouilly, Oger, Oiry. It was bottled in 2019 and degorgé in 2022. It therefore spent 3 years on the lees. The dosage is a low 4.5 g/L. Continue reading “L’extravertie 2018”

Château de Beucastel 2012

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose kirsch, prunes, espresso. In the mouth very juicy. The savour is delicious and the aftertaste last for quite a while.

Château de Beaucastel is made by Famille Perrin and is regarded as one of the great wines of France. Continue reading “Château de Beucastel 2012”

Touraine AOC Sauvignon Blanc Fournier Père et Fils 2022

The colour is pale straw. On the nose passion fruit, grapefruit, mineral notes and green bell pepper. In the mouth very fresh. The aftertaste has a savour of lime and is medium long.

Since 1926 Fournier Père et Fils is located in the wine-growing village of Chaudoux, at the heart of the Sancerre AOC, the easternmost of Loire Valley’s 51 appellations. Touraine AOC is another one, but located some 200km westward, in proximity of the city of Tours. Continue reading “Touraine AOC Sauvignon Blanc Fournier Père et Fils 2022”

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”

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”

Le Black Label Brut

The colour is medium gold, with fine, long lasting bubbles. On the nose pastry and bread crust. In the mouth refreshing, with a citrusy flavour. The aftertaste is fairly long.

Le Black Label Brut is a blend of 51% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier grapes. Continue reading “Le Black Label Brut”