2010 Quinta do Vallado Branco; Moscatel & Galego Branco; Douro Valley
lemon, grass, asparagus, limes, minerals, rocks, nice poise, balance, Parmesan cheese, good freshness, and a mineral, cheesy length. A sort of nutty undertone that hints at depth and ageing potential for a few years. ***(+?) or [4+4+4+4=16+/20]
2010 Chablis 1er Cru “Montmains”; Jean-Marc Brocard
nuts, smoke, lemons, oyster shell, shale and sandy beach, round, balanced, young and a bit of butter, nice length and poise, Creamy and round, lovely elegant but modern length. The oak needs to integrate but the classy mineral character lingers underneath and this will age nicely. *****+? Or [4+4.5+4+4=16.5+/20]
1981 Chateau Chasse-Spleen; Moulis-en-Médoc
smoke, cedar, tobacco, raw leaves, raw tobacco, sharp blackberries, Mushroom and warmth, a green tinge adds freshness and complexity, Nice length, poised and holding up really well, Stewed and fresh plum, old milk chocolate, forest floor, elegant and round; a quintessential Englishman’s luncheon claret. Super. *****(-) or [4.5+5+4+5=18.5/20]
1994 Chateau L’Eglise Clinet; Pomerol
round, cassis, black plum, smoke, decaying leaves, decaying roses, in fact it is simply decaying, there is something there but it just feels difficult to drink, some fruit and elegance, it builds nicely with air and with some herby, tobacco laden fresh fruit comes to the fore. It is a nice wine but it seems a touch lacking in je ne sais quoi. Drinkable and agreeable. ***** or [4+4+4+4=16/20]
2001 Chateau Batailley; Pauillac
mint, cassis, fresh, round, a touch of vanilla, but also a herby quality, red plum, and a nice rounded acidity, nice poise and depth, very classic, drinking in a youthful way, lots of primary black fruit, some tobacco and rounded qualities of middle age. Really nice sappy length. Classic Batailley… ****(**+) or [4+4.5+4+4=16.5+/20]
2010 Bourgogne Blanc, Chardonnay; Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey
smoke, earth, lemon, lime, a lack of fruit but a subtle, lingering length, depth and poise. Being of its AOC, it lacks true complexity and mineral character, sea breeze and a bit of sea salt, crisp, fresh, linear and with enough to keep the toasty oak in check. Hints of butter, fairly buttery, but with a round, elegant, subtle, crisp, balanced length. Young, lemony, primary and with plenty to go. Proof that appellation is about complexity and not longevity. () or [4+4+4.5+4=16.5++/20]