grapevine: hear.it.first

Posts Tagged ‘de’

2005 Les Tourelles de Longueville

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Black/purple core with a ruby rim. Rich aromas with warm, toasty oak and vanilla surrounding ripe blueberry, sweet eucalyptus, plum and grape Big League Chew Gum. Great entry on the palate with dark black cherry, blackberry and blueberry leading the charge. Full bodied with full, chalky tannins. Toasty, charred oak and blackberry on the finish with a touch of minerality.

This wine is a second label of the famous Bordeaux estate Pichon-Longueville Baron. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Click here for full grades section

2004 Moulin de la Lagune

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

84 / C+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Dark purple (almost black) in the core with a purple rim. Sour cherry aromas surrounded by dusty oak, toast, copper and some funky earth over darker cherry and cassis. Black cherry on the front of the palate with a heavy dose of toasted oak. Somewhat disjointed between the acid and the tannins. Lots of vanilla on the finish.

This is a second label of La Lagune, one of Bordeaux’s top Chateaux. Made from their younger vines. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot.

Click here for full grades section

2004 Domaine Chanson Pere et Fils Savigny-Dominode 1er Cru

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

89 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Medium garnet core with a lighter rim. Very sweet aromas up front. Cola, black cherry and vanilla give way to lurking dark wet earth, smoke and mushrooms with an accent of strawberry jam. A touch of dill on the front palate with earth and black cherry fruit. Less overtly fruity than the aromas with more structure, dark scorched earth and burnt tobacco. Fairly high acid, and very well balanced overall.

This is a very nice wine, particularly for the 2004 vintage in Burgundy. Many of the wines are harsh and herbal, but this wine has great silky mouth feel and ripe fruit. The so-called “off” vintages are the best ones to find great deals in Burgundy. This is a great price for a well made Premier Cru wine.

Click here for full grades section

2005 Chateau de Rochemorin Blanc

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Pale lemon yellow core with a clear rim. Candied lemon zest aromas surrounded by jasmine, sweet herbs, wet stone and a touch of cantaloupe. Soft entry on the palate with sweet white peach balanced by a zesty core of lemon. Medium acidity with tons of minerals under the fruit. Medium length with a clean, crisp finish.

100% Sauvignon Blanc (somewhat rare for this region as you often fine Semillon blended with it). Delicious right now, but enough acid and body to hold for a little while. Drink over the next 2 - 3 years.

Click here for full grades section

2005 Chateau Beaucastel Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

91 / A+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 May 2008

Dark ruby and purple core with a bright ruby rim. Chocolate and fresh oak over rich dark fruit, crushed violets and a hint of spice and game. Orange zest and ripe red cherries on the front palate. Full-bodied with round tannins. Just a hint of black truffle and pepper spice over plum, dark cherry and a baker’s chocolate finish.

Incredibly complex for a Cotes du Rhone. Approachable now and will continue to improve for another 3-5 years.

Click here for full grades section

2005 Aromes de Pavie

Monday, January 26th, 2009

92 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 06 Mar 2008

Dark ruby in the core, intense and almost black in the middle; bright ruby red rim. A full, rich nose of orange zest, blueberry, wet clay, black licorice, black cherries, cassis and a nice hit of slate. The palate entry is powerful: the fruits are impressively soft for such a young wine, and the bold ripe tannins build through the mid-palate. Blueberry and red cherry flavors circle around dark earthy notes. Starting to be approachable now, and should build in complexity over the next 5 - 7 years.

While not a cheap wine, this comes from one of the best regions and best winemakers in Bordeaux. This is the first time Gerard Perse has released a second wine from Chateau Pavie. Essentially these are the younger vines (around 10 years) that did not make the cut for Chateau Pavie. Stunning quality at less than 1/5 of the price of the Grand Vin.

Click here for full grades section

2007 Rollan de By

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

85-87 / NA

Tasted by Mike Supple - 01 Apr 2008

Black core with a purple rim. Fresh baking spices, licorice and black cherry on the nose. Soft, velvety entry. Full on the mid-palate, but a bit short and tannic on the finish.

This wine is not yet released from the winery, thus it has no price or value grade.

Click here for full grades section