Since I loaded my wine fridges' contents onto CT in May, I am keeping rigorous track of the ins and out and am writing TNs on the latter. The following represents the last week's + consumption. I may post other items from further back where I have not already posted them in WFs and other threads.
1994 Château Haut-Bailly - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (8/23/2014)
After two badly flawed bottles with drain like aromas, I got ready a Pontet-Canet of the same year as a substitute but fortunately it was not needed. It was not, however, the best of my H-B '94 bottles; if I believe my notes, that best one about 2 years ago was hardly inferior to the 1990.
This bottle was aromatically well developed on the nose showing red fruit, minerals and the typical noble green edge but a steeliness developed before the bottle was emptied. The palate was medium bodied, classically shaped and quite lively and expansive showing good acidity but the tannic structure was a little dry and the length ordinary. Nevertheless the class of this estate showed through and the bottle emptied quickly. Good+ .
2010 Jean Rijckaert Chardonnay Arbois en Chante-Merle Vieilles Vignes - France, Jura, Arbois (8/22/2014)
The most striking thing about this wine was its bouquet which was a bright medley of passion fruit, white flowers and minerals. The same elements carried through onto the medium bodied palate with a laser like precision and were underpinned by an excellent balance of crisp acidity and round "gras" with hints of honey towards the finish. There was no sign of oxidative wine-making which was once very prevalent in the Jura region. In the past, I have found some of Rijckaert's wines, especially from the Mâconnais, somewhat let down by excessively caramelised finishes and also by poor ageing under Nomacorc closures, but neither of these applied here. Very good. QPR! (€9) and I'll buy more if not sold out.
2011 Philippe Pichard-Jourdan Chinon Mystère - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (8/21/2014)
Good deep red with medium plus body and plenty of fruit but spoilt for me by a quite strong and raw resinous taste towards the finish. I have often met this taste, which I don't care for, in young Loire CabFranc from lesser producers and/or lesser vintages. Fair.
2008 Fruitière Vinicole de Voiteur Côtes du Jura - France, Jura, Côtes du Jura (8/20/2014)
This is a blend of Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard dominated by the first. Both colour and body are light but think of it as a dark rosé and then the intensity of the fruit and minerals are perceived as quite striking and original. There are few tannins but lively moreish acidity provides grip and a spine. Blind, I think I would take this for a PN from the Loire central area or perhaps Alsace, although many of both are taking on a lot of weight nowadays. I don't have enough experience to pinpoint the contributions of Poulsard and Trousseau. Good+ .
2010 Château Lafite Monteil - France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur (8/19/2014)
This is a sound medium bodied Merlot dominated Bordeaux with some nice plum fruit, lively non-astringent acidity and minerals and with a welcome absence of jamminess and new oak makeup. There is little to excite but perhaps that is too much to ask at such a modest price (<€5). Fairly good.
2000 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (8/18/2014)
I have a weakness for "bad" vintages and I loved this wine. I think that it was somewhat flawed with a suggestion of botrytis (noble?) and a slight prickle but it somehow managed to integrate these elements with some fascinating and complex aromatics which were enhanced by the usual Mosel mouth-watering acidity and a decent spine. On a previous bottle I noted a soft centre and complained about excessive richness for Kabinett but I found neither on this one. Very good.
2000 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (8/17/2014)
This 2000 was exceptional rich and ripe for Chianti with medium/full body and complexity with rich red fruit and English fruit cake touches. It was less tangy and smoother in acidity and structure than in most years but had enough of all to avoid flabbiness and remain a fine wine. Did I detect faint hints of cabbage presaging imminent break-up? In any event, I don't think there is any point in not drinking these up because IMO they'll never get better. My last bottle so I'll never be able to test this but I have 4 01s which I hope have more backbone. Very good.
Posted from CellarTracker