Category Archives: Tasting Notes

Fassati “Selciaia”, Rosso di Montepulciano DOC 2009

DOC – Rosso di Montepulciano Grape 95% Sangiovese 5% Colorino & Mammolo Rating & Awards Wine Spectator 8489 points by GUIDA DEI VINI ITALIANIBronze Medal – International Wine ChallengeBronze Medal – International Wine & Spirit CompetitionTasting NotesColour : Very intense ruby-red, hinting of autumn orange.Nose : Rich and clean with particular depth and persistence hinting… Read More »

Penfolds St Henri 2000 ( 1.5L )

Grape Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Ratings *Penfolds – Icon & Luxury Range Outstanding – by Langton’s Classification Australian WineJeremy Oliver 89 James Halliday 90 Wine Spectator 91 Tasting Notes Colour : Medium crimson, purple. Nose : Tinned dark plum, blackberry, and raspberry fruits with a suggestion of kirsch. Aromas of charcuterie dissipate with aeration, and more… Read More »

Quarisa “Johnny Q” South Australia Shiraz 2008

Grape 100% Shiraz Ratings & Awards– James Halliday 89– Silver Medal – Challenge du Vin France 2009– Silver Medal – Finger Lake International Wine Competition 2009 Tasting NotesColour: Intense red with purple hues Bouquet: Intense youthful fresh ripe berry fruit flavours with some well integrated vanillian oak. Palate: Full bodied dense ripe berry fruit flavours… Read More »

Chateau Calon Segur 1996

AOC – Saint EstepheGrand Cru Classe – 3emeGrape Cabernet SauvignonMerlot Petit VerdotRatings Robert Parker 92 Wine Spectator 90 Tasting Notes The 1996 may not be as profound as I had predicted from cask, but it is an exceptional wine. Dark ruby-colored, with a complex nose of dried herbs, Asian spices, and black cherry jam intermixed… Read More »

Moulin d’Issan 2007

AOC – Bordeaux SuperieurBordeaux SuperieurGrape 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 35% Merlot *Produced by Chateau d’Issan, 3eme Cru Classe

Chateau Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville 2006

Ratings By Robert Parker 92 Tasting Notes Closed but promising, this is a tannic, masculine style of wine in 2006, with an inky bluish/purple color as well as aromas of incense, charcoal, smoked meats, and the classic creme de cassis that one finds in the top Pauillacs. The aromatics are still retrained, but the wine… Read More »

Chateau Leoville-Barton 2000

Ratings By Robert Parker 95+ Tasting Notes I found this to be one of the more backward wines of the 2000 vintage and gave it a window of maturity of 2015-2040 when I reviewed it in 2003. In my two recent tastings of it, I changed that window to 2018-2050, which probably says more than… Read More »

Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2008

Ratings By Robert Parker 92 Tasting Notes This stunning, evolved, dark plum/ruby-hued 2008 reveals aromas of forest floor, sweet black and red currants, licorice and roasted herbs. Classic, elegant and medium to full-bodied, it provides a sexy, complex, intellectual as well as hedonistic turn-on. Drink this delicious Margaux over the next 12-15+ years. (Wine Advocate… Read More »

Chateau Kirwan 2002

Ratings By Robert Parker 88 Tasting Notes A relatively masculine-styled effort, with some noticeably hard and elevated tannin, this deep ruby/purple-colored 2002 exhibits notes of forest floor, black currant, vanilla, and incense. Firmly structured, tannic, and muscular, it requires 3-4 years of cellaring, and should keep for up to two decades.(Wine Advocate #158 Apr 2005)… Read More »

Chateau Malescot St. Exupery 1996

Ratings By Robert Parker 90 Tasting Notes This impressively constructed wine offers a saturated deep ruby/purple color, followed by elegant aromas of berry fruit intermixed with tobacco, flowers, and vanillin scents. It is layered and medium to full-bodied, with outstanding purity and fruit extraction. Although deep, rich, and powerful for a wine from this estate,… Read More »