DINNER AT WINE JOURNEY - (16/10/2026)
Had a casual dinner with wine merchant friends and decided to bring three roses and a Tscheppe to share.
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2019 Philippe Lancelot Champagne Les Pommiers - France, Champagne
100% Meunier. Disgorged 10 Jan 2024, 2g/L dosage. I recall enjoying this wine the most when tasting at the domaine in 2024 so it was good to revisit it with a little more age. Still energetic and fresh, but had some development as the red apple and pear fruit had become less primary and had more depth. (92 pts.) -
NV Oudiette Champagne Rosé d’Infusion - France, Champagne
Brought for a friend. Blend of Chardonnay and Meunier, 2020 base. Disgorged 29 Sep 2023, zero dosage. Tight and rather strict today, lacked the elegance and expressiveness of the 2019 base that I enjoyed a lot previously. Needs more time in the cellar to unfurl. (90 pts.) -
2015 Domaine François Cotat Sancerre Chavignol Rosé - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
My contribution. Similar to previous impressions - still remarkably fresh (though my friends called the age correctly at 10 years but guessed Provence). Attractive strawberry fruit with slight sweetness, very quaffable and the right mix of fun and seriousness. Will remain at this plateau for a long time. (92 pts.) -
2021 Domaine de l’Anglore Tavel Vintage - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Tavel
My contribution. A little VA on opening and not particularly expressive at first, but developed beautifully with air. Had a sweet, candied lift on the nose that reminded me of Rayas family wines, which carried through to the palate of elegant cranberry and raspberry fruit. Sometimes the Vintage isn’t such a big step up over the basic cuvee but this was probably the best Anglore that I’ve had (which my other friends also agreed with). (93 pts.) -
2023 Etienne Bodet Saumur Graippeaux - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur
Quite a serious wine with obvious (but well-judged) oak use, very weighty and concentrated that reminded me of Burgundy but not Chardonnay, so guessed a non-Chard Burg. On reveal Chenin made sense with the more tropical flavour profile. This producer’s wines aren’t cheap but have always been impressed. (92 pts.) -
2023 Andreas Tscheppe Sauvignon Blanc blaue Libelle - Austria, Styria, SĂĽdsteiermark
Brought for a friend. A little loose and lacking the sharp focus I associate with Tscheppe at first but the producer’s signature wild, energetic citrus and grapefruit notes became more prominent with air. Good but not the most memorable example of the producer that I’ve had. (91 pts.)
DINNER AT VENUE BY SEBASTIAN - (14/10/2026)
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1993 Domaine Marquis d’Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
Initially guessed older Barolo because of the soy and oxidative notes, but when revealed not to be an Italian I thought this was an older Burgundy from the '80s. High acidity with GC weight, the earthy notes made me think Gevrey. Fruit became more expressive with air but the slightly oxidative notes never really went away. Some bottle variation in play I suspect, and better bottles would have more structure given the plot. (92 pts.) -
2000 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia
My contribution. Dark cherry fruit that was initially a little roasted, but became more sensual and silky with air as the rich, concentrated fruit began to show. Usually not a fan of chocolate and minty notes in wine but I would always make an exception for Sasscaia. So consistent albeit I agree that right bank Bordeaux generally offers better value. (94 pts.) -
2002 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Saw the top label so made the wine an easy guess but got the vintage because of my knowledge of the friend’s cellar. Absolutely lived up to expectations, so perfumed and deep on the nose (but curiously with a hint of unintegrated new oak). Palate was dreamily elegant, with concentrated dark red fruit whilst maintaining an etherealness that I love. When it was at a colder temperature it was both fresh and effortlessly weightless. A monumental wine for the vintage and agree it goes into contention for WOTY. (96 pts.)
