Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and discussion

William Kelley

You should definitely look at the Jean-Marc Bouley wines, he is one of the finest viticulturists in the village, and his 2017s are beautiful - I tried them from bottle a few months ago. Consider his Beaune Reversées as a wine that drinks well younger. Also worth mentioning is Thierry Glantenay, a so...

William Kelley

Claus, I had an excellent Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Chaumées 2015 in june 2018 ... Larent, from which Colin? I have tried most 1er Cru Chassagne from Marc Colin but not this Vide-Bourse is great too sorry, I actually meant Caroline Morey Chassagne Chaumées 2015 ... This parcel is over th...

William Kelley

I'm having a hard time finding the Bordeaux data, but here are some Napa Valley & Burgundy numbers while we wait... Napa Valley 1960 BV Georges de Latour 13.4% (pH 3.65) 1962 Inglenook 12.1% (pH 3.58) 1963 Inglenook 11.7% (pH 3.61) 1964 BV Georges de Latour 11.1% (pH 3.42) 1964 Inglenook 12.3% (pH 3...

William Kelley

Thomas De Waen wrote: ↑
January 20th, 2020, 9:17 am
Lenoir in Chinon has become quite a thing in the natural wine scene in France - never tried it though so can't judge.

Can be really great, but my last experience was three consecutive corked bottles of the 1989 in one night

William Kelley

I recall from those discussions on the Parker board more than a decade ago that there is a very slow loss of alcohol in the bottle over time -- just enough that lab results from, say, 50-year-old wines may not reflect perfectly what their ABV was on release. I have heard this, but chemist friends w...

William Kelley

When élevage lasts three or four years, that can make a big difference to final abv. Is that true? To my understanding, water and alcohol both evapotare both at a relatively stable rate in normal conditions (relative humidity around 50%, temperature between 10-25 degrees Celsius / 50-75 degrees Fah...

William Kelley

I'll put together some numbers today or tomorrow. I have analysis on old Clos des Lambrays back to 1919, including some vintages that taste very ripe indeed, as well as some old Napa - 60s Inglenook, Heitz. And a friend has some Bordeaux numbers, I asked him to send those. Let's see what we discover...

William Kelley

As posted in a recent thread, I don't care if the alcohol is 7% or 17%, as long as the wine is balanced. I import Pegau. The wines (regardless of what is on the label) tend to be in the 15%+ range, occasionally hitting 16%. IMO they are balanced. To my certain knowledge, ripe high alcohol vintages ...

William Kelley

Actually near Chambolle, but not in the commune of Chambolle: in Gilly-lès-Cîteaux! Quite a few Chambolle producers have their regional appellation holdings in that area, such as Roumier and Barthod. I am realizing "around" was not the clearest word to use there! A big fan of regional wines from Gi...

William Kelley

Actually near Chambolle, but not in the commune of Chambolle: in Gilly-lès-Cîteaux! Quite a few Chambolle producers have their regional appellation holdings in that area, such as Roumier and Barthod.

William Kelley

William, I think Joseph Colin is also using Diam.... FYI - appreciative of all your posts....main reason I am renewing my TWA subscription....anyway you can clone yourself to cover other wine regions? You're right. And as I go through my notes, I see Rapet in Pernand has joined the list. Thanks for...

William Kelley

Just want to nominate Domaine Pierre Guillemot in Savingy-lès-Beaune here, whether for the Savigny Vieilles Vignes (for more immediate drinking) or the Serpentières (a definite slow burn even if it's deceptively charming young). Just writing up my notes on the 2018s.

William Kelley

john stimson wrote: ↑
January 18th, 2020, 5:13 pm
Chris--realize that while I'm giving my honest opinion from my experience, William has likely 100 times or so what I have, so might be worth listening to.

Not at all! By the sound of it, you have likely had more bottles of this than I.

William Kelley

The Ampeau is good to go, don't decant but don't serve too cold. Wait on the Dauvissat if you can bear it: better in five.

William Kelley

In addition to the acidity question, Otto, we should also be talking about what happens to the tannins of physiologically over-ripe grapes. Clark Smith has this to say about field oxidation and its impact on a wine's redox chemistry: http://postmodernwinemaking.com/field-oxidation Very cool. Yet an...

William Kelley

In addition to the acidity question, Otto, we should also be talking about what happens to the tannins of physiologically over-ripe grapes. Clark Smith has this to say about field oxidation and its impact on a wine's redox chemistry: http://postmodernwinemaking.com/field-oxidation Seems interesting...

William Kelley

Bright blueberry fruit, a sense of sweetness and low pH viscosity, some oak evident. Lacks excitement and feels rather generic. Not really my thing but these wines have a big reputation so I guess I have just seen it too young to get the wow factor. Revisit in a decade and cross fingers.Close to $A...

William Kelley

In addition to the acidity question, Otto, we should also be talking about what happens to the tannins of physiologically over-ripe grapes. Clark Smith has this to say about field oxidation and its impact on a wine's redox chemistry: http://postmodernwinemaking.com/field-oxidation

William Kelley

That was certainly an omission, given that Moreau is arguably that site's best exponent today! I have 2014s from Moreau, Ramonet and Drouhin so I hope to test that issue someday side-by-side, at least from that vintage. However, I had a 2014 Ramonet last week that is going to be really tough for an...

William Kelley

William, thank you for the vineyard comparison! What about the Morgeot? Also I know some are Domaine wines and others are negociant. Do you have any preferences? That was certainly an omission, given that Moreau is arguably that site's best exponent today! The Morgeot is muscular and, like the Ruch...

William Kelley

Mich@el Ch@ng wrote: ↑
January 17th, 2020, 11:11 am
Mugneret gibourg makes whites?

They actually did make an Aligoté back in the day, I have a bottle of the 1964.

William Kelley

Joseph Colin, the smaller brother, makes a wonderful version from 65+ year old vines Claus. I think Joseph Colin is the winemaker for the Domaine Marc Colin wines also? Damien & Joseph made the wines together but they amicably separated in 2016/17 and Joseph now has his own domaine / maison just do...

William Kelley

how does the grand ruchottes compare to the ramonet version? Also, thoughts on H. Boillot? There are some similarities but it's arguably a somewhat more muscular, introverted wine than recent releases from Ramonet, which have been quite demonstrative especially in the warm years. I have six of each...

William Kelley

Thanks for the color William, insightful as always. Sounds like I'll have to pick up some as soon as I have the chance. I don't think you'll regret it! A brief resumé of the styles of their main 1er crus may be helpful: - Vergers: lowest pH, most chiseled but not so austere it doesn't show well you...

William Kelley

Have been hearing a lot about Bernard Moreau as of late but haven't gotten around to trying any of the wines. Are there any bottlings in particular that you think are a good introduction to the house style? The style is incisive, concentrated and elegantly textural. There's an I'll Drink To That po...

William Kelley

We should also add Guffens-Heynen to the list of DIAM exclusive producers.

William Kelley

William, Just responding to some comments above, have you ever noticed a taste from a DIAM cork? David Ramey is a dedicated DIAM user in California. I asked him about it, and he was definitive with his “no” response. David is reliably definitive! But I would say that I certainly notice when produce...

William Kelley

danupdike wrote: ↑
January 16th, 2020, 5:02 pm
Louis Latour

Are you sure about this? Everything I have seen to date is under cork, and Louis-Fabrice made no mention of DIAM when we last tasted together.

Should add F&L Pillot to the list above, while I think of it.

William Kelley

I was there in 1997 with my family and as a novice was treated gracefully and with respect by this grand old man and his son. In loving memory. RIP. Many, many people must have stories such as this. I first met him, just to shake hands, when I first visited Burgundy as a student. And I last saw him...

William Kelley

Hearing sad news out of Burgundy that Michel Lafarge has passed away. The special cuvée of Passetoutgrain the Lafarges made in his honor of his 90th birthday, from vines as old as him, takes on a new significance. Anyone who reads French and wants to learn more about his long and fascinating life sh...

William Kelley

Not super recent, but had the 1998 and 2001 in London a few years back - very rich, confectionery blackcurrant fruit - true crème de cassis - and still lively. Will be interested to hear your report back. William, if you described them as balanced and elegant I would have lost all faith in you! [wi...

William Kelley

Not super recent, but had the 1998 and 2001 in London a few years back - very rich, confectionery blackcurrant fruit - true crème de cassis - and still lively. Will be interested to hear your report back.

William Kelley

The 2018 EP campaign is getting consistently negative posts on the U.k Wine Pages. Interesting. I suppose the good news is I’ve seen Sonoma Coast rather than Russian River Valley comparisons. [snort.gif] Given the impact of pH on free sulfur and how fragile some of these 2018s are, it wouldn't surp...

William Kelley

Here are some:

Lafon
Domaine Leflaive
Olivier Leflaive
Jadot
Bouchard inc. Fèvre
Chanson
Lamy - some cuvées
Jean-Claude Bachelet
Marc Colin

William Kelley

Neal Martin was somewhat more enthusiastic about the whites, at least compared to expectations. It might have been the result of a different set of wines being covered, but I thought your takes on the red wines was slightly higher/more enthusiastic than his. Like you, Neal more or less said that it...

William Kelley

I'm a fan of this, too. Bought it for my own cellar.

William Kelley

Vinod S. wrote: ↑
January 14th, 2020, 3:17 pm
Intrigued to see how the Hudelot-Noellat wines show at Howard Ripley tomorrow.

You are in for a treat!

William Kelley

2018 is my daughters birth year so I’ve been looking to put some stuff away. I would load up on Lafarge. In fact, the hypothetical is unnecessary as I will be loading up myself. Truly a brilliant vintage for them, even by their high standards, and it will be interesting to see how the '18 Clos des ...

William Kelley

Mich@el Ch@ng wrote: ↑
January 14th, 2020, 1:35 pm

I am pondering bottles of the 79 and 86 laberdolive

Do it!

I think 1979 was Pierre Laberdolive's first vintage in charge.

William Kelley

...and those who, while finding plenty of excellent wines, were a bit more ambivalent about the style of the vintage. Haha! That would be me :) I think you, me, John Gilman and Claude Kolm fall into this camp, more or less, with Jasper Morris being the most enthusiastic and Neal Martin enthusiastic...

William Kelley

[winner.gif] Howard Ripley tastings seem to have quite a few bottles... The samples are bottled and labelled, but they are not necessarily finished wines. Some of HR's white producers bottle within a year, like Fontaine Gagnard and Pernot, as well as their producers from the Mâconnais and Côte Chal...

William Kelley

Howard Ripley tastings seem to have quite a few bottles... The samples are bottled and labelled, but they are not necessarily finished wines. Some of HR's white producers bottle within a year, like Fontaine Gagnard and Pernot, as well as their producers from the Mâconnais and Côte Chalonnaise. But ...

William Kelley

I don't really know who all the major commentators are. I subscribe to/read Gilman and Jasper. So far the reports coming from those drinking wines from the bottles rather than in barrel are very different from those two pros (and they are very different from one another). That is really what I'm fo...

William Kelley

Do all of you feel that there is a difference between his estate and negoce bottlings? I drink them from time to time, but am not familiar with the distinction for him, as it's not that clear from the bottles. I am quite sensitive to this for red wines, but have the feeling it matters less in the m...

William Kelley

It is en primeur week in London. I've seen a few reports here and there and so far the reports appear to be fairly unenthusiastic. None of this will affect my buying - I try to buy the same things every year - but it does seem like a vintage where there is almost no consensus on the reds, other tha...

William Kelley

A Songeur wrote: ↑
November 17th, 2019, 3:03 pm
Robert,
how did you like the Mugneret Gibourg?

Not Robert, but they did really well. One of the best ranges I tasted.

William Kelley

Were told about alcohol levels at Cathiard, Mugnier and Roumier? Cathiard: 12.8 - 13.5% Mugnier: all around 13.5%, excepting the hail damaged Clos de la Maréchale at 14.5% Roumier: 13.1 - 14.2% I think you caught the Roumier wines on a bad day, Herwig, they showed well when I tasted them - albeit C...

William Kelley

This is from the former Radio-Coteau plot. Quite excited to try it.

William Kelley

I've been to multiple '82 high end blind wine tastings and PLL and Latour always came out #1 and 2. Sometimes PLL was on top and other times Latour. I would rank Lafleur as the best 1982 Bordeaux (by a margin), followed by Latour, followed by Pichon Lalande, La Mission and La Tour Haut Brion on a g...

William Kelley

Good to know William. The previous wines surprised me greatly as when I first tried them I thought they would be good for a couple of decades. Yeah, me too, though I drank them too quickly all the same. At one point, I drank a case of the 2010 Butteaux, which was quite steely and incisive despite t...

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