Great stuff Phil especially with your children’s medicine in the pic!
Love this entire post!
And fruit is so overrated, that Lanessan sounds lovely.
The antibiotics were in the fridge so you only got part of the prescription!
Not wanting to quote out of context, Yohan Castaing of the Wine Advocate writes about Domaine de Bellevue and Jérôme Bretaudeau: “In my opinion, he is one of France’s greatest winemakers.” This is high praise, and I also believe it to be true. The Ornate MMXX is a 100% Merlot that defies the prejudices one might have against this grape; in other words, I was not expecting this wine to be so good. Medium-bodied but with a dominating presence, the wine is incredibly open. It features dark cherries, plums, and spices, all balanced with a significant amount of acidity that adds tension to the wine
That’s a bold post. Pun intended.
Definitely, not my words, Castaing’S. Bretaudeau reminds me of the young Marcel Deiss, such an individual style.
Thinking about this and remembering that my first bottle was completely shut down about 4 months ago. This one was a little too soft and I’m wondering if this is bottle variation or indicative of a warm vintage. I’ve got one last bottle in the cellar and will probably drink it soon.
Interesting, a merlot from Loire, no?
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If so that’s the first I am aware of. I have had plenty of Cot aka Malbec though, and it certainly seems ripe enough in years like 2019.
Apropos of the discussion in another thread about '05 bdx, which I cannot now find, we had the 05 Branaire Ducru last night and while it was “a good wine” and would probably be well within the wheelhouse of others, did not get my motor running. It is still a baby and took at least a couple of hours to open fully, and even then carried with it the belligerence of unresolved oak. Certainly has the stuffing to live long enough to resolve that, but you know betting that it will is something of a crapshoot.
Anyway, a good-enough-for-Friday-with-leftovers wine but not the sort of thing, to me, that would elevate an evening
Hint of Petrol on the nose, super clean citrus, and rippling acidity. Young wine with a bright future.
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2010 Eyrie Pinot Noir - Great flavor impact, smooth, no rough edges, great finish, drinking very well. Fantastic wine, and one that I don’t think it’s going to get any better. I have a couple more that I’ll drink in the next year or so.
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First bottle of our little visit to Choully.
I’m not sure of how this was vinified. I’ll get the details next time I go and see them. It’ll be fun to compare with my impressions.
2018 Domaine des Abeilles d’Or Gamay de Genève
On the nose, I wouldn’t have guessed Gamay. I guess I’m too used to Beaujolais. Super ripe cherry, some raspberry, kirsch, star anise and cherry pie. The alcool shows up on the nose with the kirsch notes. I look at the label: 14.9%. I almost never drink Zin but the nose reminded me of some Primitivo I had a while back. The palate is polished, good fruit concentration, medium acidity and the tannins barely show up on the finish. Somewhat short finish with some alcohol showing up and bitterness as well. I really had to get out of my Beaujolais mindset to go through this. I’m thinking it sees some oak but older barriques (or not much toast). I wouldn’t mind revisiting this with some more age on it but it’s not really in my wheelhouse and it’s definitely a tad “hot”.
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Number 2 of 6 of the new nearby domain wines I’m trying:
2022 Domaine des Abeilles d’Or Sauvignon de Genève
Light straw color. Typical Sauvignon nose of grapefruit, flint, herbs and asparagus. As with the Gamay yesterday, the alcohol is perceptible on the nose as well. Round, silky mouthfeel with grapefruit bitterness and a long finish. This reminds me of a number of other Sauvignons out there. Not a rebuy for me. 14.9% alcohol.
Made me think of @Jeremy_Holmes and @Kent_Comley when opening a 21 year old Margaret River Cab. Holding up well.
Nice one Kris. Have opened a few Moss Woods from that era that have been really good and still quite fresh. I have always liked Vasse Felix, having lived in Perth for a few months in 1987 during the America’s Cup.
I worked for a catering company that catered for all the A list parties around the Cup and it seemed everyone served Vasse Felix to their guests, after the vintage champagne and cocktails!
‘21 Tercero Cinsault Rosé
Always delicious by a pool. And with Lebanese food!
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Well played Kris. Not only are they making excellent Cabernets, their Heytesbury Chardonnay is seriously good.