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IlkkaL

Around 160-170 normally. My strategy is to take all the bottles I am going to cellar for at least 5 years to the offsite.

IlkkaL

It is a true mystery why I have not opened a single bottle of Dönnhoff since 2016, until now. The sheer pleasure this one provided is something that is not easy to find in a sub-20 € bottle of wine, outside of German Riesling in general, that is. Happy to see the light again. 2012 Dönnhoff Norheimer...

IlkkaL

I'm just curious if anyone has tried Eva Fricke's wines. Ive gotten a couple offers for them but don't know much about them. Thoughts? I know a few people whose palates I respect and who prefer dry Riesling who really like the wines, but personally they come off as somewhat shrill and I don’t reall...

IlkkaL

Just about any red from Italy should work. but especially wines from the Piedmont, and it was a good year there. also second reccs for classified Bordeaux, but some of the good outsiders like cantemerle are always good too. Northern rhone and burgs for sure as well... and RIESLING! riesling lives f...

IlkkaL

Prädikat Rieslings, traditional Barolo/Barbaresco, Taurasi, Demi-Sec/Moelleux Chenin, Tokaji.

IlkkaL

I suppose that's my problem then. If RS can be labeled as dry and still have 4g/l or more, then we have a fundamental problem. That is crazy sweet. We need a new official classification, Bone Dry in that case. Bone Dry: less than 1g/l. I'm might be wrong but it really seems like you are confusing g...

IlkkaL

James Billy wrote: ↑
September 13th, 2019, 2:13 am
For a business to refuse customers is to cut off their nose to spite their face.

Well, I kind of understand the thinking behind it but still it seems to be a very French phenomenon that they choose who can buy what. Not to say that it would not happen elsewhere, but to lesser extent.

IlkkaL

Finally, even to the extent you cannot get into smaller growers, you can taste and buy wines from smaller producers in the Caveaus in various towns. The Caveau de Chassagne Montrachet is esp. good. http://www.caveaudechassagne.com/ This was unfortunately a disappointment for us when we visited in J...

IlkkaL

My second vintage from Dumas and damn, we have a superstar in the making. Without any exaggeration I do not know a Saint Joseph rouge that drinks better at age three. Note to self: buy all you can while it's still available and cheap. 2016 François Dumas St. Joseph - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, S...

IlkkaL

That said this particular shop had very little to offer when it comes to any kind of known quantities. I occasionally get a list of the wines that the Caveau has sent to me by email. The last time I got one (in June), it listed whites as being in stock from Bernard Moreau, Heitz-Lochardet, Joseph C...

IlkkaL

If you are going to Burgundy so that you can taste wines from "revered names", stay in your hotel during the day and sleep or something, go to one of a few restaurants that have those wines for lunch and dinner, and spend a lot of money drinking the wines. Wow, someone seems to have an attitude. I ...

IlkkaL

Finally, even to the extent you cannot get into smaller growers, you can taste and buy wines from smaller producers in the Caveaus in various towns. The Caveau de Chassagne Montrachet is esp. good. http://www.caveaudechassagne.com/ This was unfortunately a disappointment for us when we visited in J...

IlkkaL

I think it largely depends on what kinds of Champagne you prefer. The selection is quite great in size with some of the most singular producers out there. Where I to go there myself I would probably find various bottlings from Bereche, Lahaye and Marguet tempting but there are also newer interesting...

IlkkaL

another + for Belluard. had one of their sparklers earlier this week. plus its $35 to boot! Les Perles du Mont Blanc? Looking to have that one at the end of the month, the CT notes seem very promising for what I paid 20 € for. thats the one. really enjoyed it. I tasted it a few weeks ago and when I...

IlkkaL

Have seen very little but very much enjoyed Belluard. big +1 here from the couple of bottles I've tried another + for Belluard. had one of their sparklers earlier this week. plus its $35 to boot! Les Perles du Mont Blanc? Looking to have that one at the end of the month, the CT notes seem very prom...

IlkkaL

2012 Domaine Vincent et Francois Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes was very obviously premoxed when tasted in October 2016. Lifeless and flat with a flavor profile somewhat reminiscent of Viña Gravonia.

IlkkaL

2006 Tikal Alma Negra - Argentina, Mendoza (1.4.2013) It is nothing short of ridiculous how heavy this bottle is; I'm sure somewhere out there is a magnum bottle that weighs less. Not surprisingly the wine is totally impenetrable in the glass. The nose is almost as massive as the bottle, showcasing...

IlkkaL

Domaine des Ardoisieres
Denis et Didier Berthollier
Chateau de la Mar
Jean-Claude Masson
Gilles Berlioz

IlkkaL

Two times it has happened in a wine shop in very different parts of France that I have inquired about this wine and got the response of "I think there are better or more interesting buys" from the shopkeeper. Apparently it's not the favorite wine of many no matter how well-liked the still wines of H...

IlkkaL

A friend is only now getting into white Burgundy and asked me to bring a bottle to drink and discuss. I chose this one from Dubreuil-Fontaine as a very well-made and classically styled representant of a "lesser" appellation. Not a showy wine but extremely drinkable and food-friendly. 2012 Marc Hébra...

IlkkaL

Finally got myself to buy some Zalto Universal glasses yesterday and naturally had to break them in with something decent. I suppose I will be using or at least trying them rather universally for wines of all colors but as earlier this year they had turned out to be simply excellent for the rich, vi...

IlkkaL

Ikka, I have no idea what that cuvee is. I have been active in buying Marguet (and visited Benoit last year) and I have never run into that bottle. Hell, even up to what seemed like the 2014 vintage, I am not certain Le Parc was made in 750s. I wish Benoit would update his website. For all the mone...

IlkkaL

Frank Murray III wrote: ↑
August 8th, 2019, 8:08 am
La Grand Ruelle and Les Bermonts, no? One is Pinot, the other is Chard.

Apparently there is one called Les Saints Remys as well. Damn I need to try all of these.

IlkkaL

Any idea of their single vineyards other than Le Parc and Les Crayères?

IlkkaL

Thanks! For making my wallet thinner, that is

IlkkaL

Are you talking about this very vintage or the wine in general? While I’ve not had this particular vintage the ones I’ve had have not seemed disturbingly green to me, definitely not vegetal. I was talking about the wine in general, not specific to this vintage, although I recall having a similar im...

IlkkaL

Tran Bronstein wrote: ↑
August 5th, 2019, 2:28 pm
Not sure what they mean by that last one.

?? An addition of red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes from the village of Bouzy.

IlkkaL

1996 Tenuta San Leonardo San Leonardo - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino, Vallagarina IGT (8/4/2019) This was very elegant and vegetal on the palate. Pretty complex with good acidity. Green peppercorn, bell pepper, and earth prominent throughout the experience. This was a very expressive and go...

IlkkaL

Is this a serious question? I think just the number of people who clearly enjoyed the second thread shows you that there is no need for any kind of a "cap".

IlkkaL

I really liked the two previous vintages so happily bought a bottle of this one for 35 €, have not tried yet. It probably does not sound like much compared to the US prices but then again the very solid Lamy St Aubin 1er Crus that were mentioned already can be had for just a couple of Euros more. Th...

IlkkaL

I haven't had much Chianti this old but as I had bought this from a very reputable retailer in Torino the provenance was in all likelihood excellent. Turned out to be a very solid bottle that we emptied with pleasure, yet it is perfectly possible that I would have enjoyed it even more a few years ag...

IlkkaL

alan weinberg wrote: ↑
August 2nd, 2019, 6:55 am
Of course a premoxed bottle might DeMoor-alize you, but a nice note

Excellent

Seriously speaking though, I hope one does not have to worry about premox with this producer.

IlkkaL

There were a lot of his wines on Le Soufflot’s list when I was there a few days ago but they were not any cheaper than PYCM’s so I opted for the latter. Ilkka - Which day were you at Le Soufflot? I ate there with my wife and boys on Friday night July 5 and for lunch with my wife on Monday July 8. L...

IlkkaL

I am personally a fan of this appellation as many of these wines provide proper Syrah aromatics at very friendly price points. I have to agree that most are relatively light-bodied and intended for early, uncomplicated enjoyment but I posted a TN some time ago on one that is somewhat an exception: h...

IlkkaL

Wow, that is quite a statement. Have to find some of those premier crus. So I guess you are putting De Moor, Raveaneau and Dauvissat above all the rest?

IlkkaL

Only my second wine from this interesting natural producer. Their Aligoté was very good in a bone dry, linear and super acidic fashion - this one is very different but not any less of a wine. What I most like about these wines is that while they are of high quality and have this very authentic and u...

IlkkaL

Agreed otherwise but ”light on the palate”? Compared to what, Selosse perhaps?

IlkkaL

They feel like this closure is the ideal choice for their wines as they are making wines to be enjoyed young. This may apply to their numerous bottlings from Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph but I think based on what is inside the bottle these two would both merit some good ol’ fashioned cellaring....

IlkkaL

Great post, thanks! I only learned about Borgo del Tiglio last December in an enoteca in Milan where the very knowledgeable sommelier praised them as one of the premier white wine producers of Italy. Will definitely try to taste more of their wines in the future.

IlkkaL

This producer is somewhat divisive and when it comes to their more affordable reds the style is not exactly my preferred one, even if I am perfectly capable of appreciating them for what they are. That said I was still looking very much forward to the opportunity to try both their red and white Herm...

IlkkaL

Parc Naturel des Alpilles was a very beautiful area and we enjoyed experiencing the hilltop town of Les Baux de Provence (although the amount of tourists probably goes up huge in the high season). There are at least three interesting wineries in this area: Domaine Hauvette, Mas de Gourgonnier and He...

IlkkaL

This was surprisingly serious for an entry level Sancerre. The label states a somewhat high 13,5 % ABV but this is not apparent in the wine, at least in any negative way. A little bit was left for day 2 and the wine had not lost one step. If I were to consume any more than a couple of bottles of San...

IlkkaL

Having a single bottle of 2008 Poyferré sleeping in the cellar I wonder whether that vintage represents the current or the old style of this château. Hard to say for sure based on the CT notes that more than anything underline the wine's apparently notable tannins. Current. One could debate when th...

IlkkaL

Having a single bottle of 2008 Poyferré sleeping in the cellar I wonder whether that vintage represents the current or the old style of this château. Hard to say for sure based on the CT notes that more than anything underline the wine's apparently notable tannins.

IlkkaL

I wonder what is of more importance to a winery when it comes to owning a piece of a legendary vineyard: A) being seen as a more respectable operation due producing a Grand Cru or B) whatever profit might come from those few hundred/thousand bottles it gives. Obviously I am not talking about the sta...

IlkkaL

scamhi wrote: ↑
July 17th, 2019, 9:17 am
Ilkka,
nice notes, it might be easier to read of you bold the name of the wine

Done!

IlkkaL

I just returned from an awesome three week road trip in France and might at some point post something on the Travel Forum but since that may either take a lot of time or never actually happen I thought I would write shortly about the wines tasted/enjoyed during the trip, somewhat in the style of Jim...

IlkkaL

Just had the 2016 in a restaurant. Obviously crazy young but this was the sommelier's rec when asked which of their PYCMs would deliver the most pleasure right now and boy it did. No alcohol nor fatness there but instead very bright, electric and chiselled.

IlkkaL

I bought a few bottles of a new vigneron's 2017 VdF Syrah which was sold as something that will be Cornas in future vintages. It drinks very much like what you describe here but was priced at 16.50 € a bottle which seems somewhat reasonable, although of course one can get really serious and structur...

IlkkaL

There were a lot of his wines on Le Soufflot’s list when I was there a few days ago but they were not any cheaper than PYCM’s so I opted for the latter.

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