Glad to see the RSV was showing well as I have a few left. I’ve been a little gun-shy since the last one I opened was horribly corked.
- 2017 Matthiasson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (31/1/2025)
Initially very red-fruited and lean, liked the restraint but unfortunately became more modernist with air. Too sweet and candied with menthol and vanilla notes after some time. Needs more time, but appreciate the low ABV. EDIT: Second day showing much better and more like when it was popped and poured; the distracting woody and liquorice notes dissipated to reveal lovely silky red fruit that isn’t normally present in Cabs. (92 pts.) - NV Guiborat Fils Champagne Grand Cru Téthys.18 Extra Brut - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (31/1/2025)
100% Chardonnay assembled from Chouilly, Cramant and Oiry. Blend of 80% 2018, 20% reserve wines from the previous three vintages. Disgorged February 2021, 1.5 g/l dosage. Fantastic, exuberant nose of green apples, vibrant and ripe citrus fruit on the palate. Fantastic verve and freshness. Very well-balanced, and another winner from Guiborat. (92 pts.) - 2018 Aurélien Chatagnier St. Joseph La Sybarite - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (31/1/2025)
Bacon fat on the nose, initially quite syrupy with alcohol burn on the palate but became more classic and restrained with air. Not as elegant or red-fruited as his other wines that I’ve tried. (89 pts.)
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Wow, thanks for the notes. Pretty impressive 92 for Matthiasson coming from you. Now I’m regretting not picking some up on BD16.
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A corked 61 Leoville Las Cases last night
70 Pichon Lalande blew us away, exceeding all expectations
Such a broad group last night including 82 LMHB, 86 Mouton, 21 Kinsman, 13 Scarecrow, 01 Guigal La Landonne, 08 Arkenstone SB, 09 Groffier Doix
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Opened a Baumard Clos du Papillon 2018 today. Still very young but opens up with air. Complex nose: wool and wax, smoke, pome fruit. Quince and great depth in the mouth, also a little reminiscent of high-quality vermouth. 14.5% Alc. - but not unbalanced. My first Baumard, but certainly not the last.
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Trevallon blanc 2022
White Rhone blend (and some more). Yellow fruit, garrigue, salinity. Rich and alcoholic. Good but overhyped and overpriced at about 100 eur. I had this about a dozen times, also with some age, and I am still waiting for the wow moment.
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If she really loved you, she would have demanded a case. 
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I’m glad someone else enjoys wines from Aurélien Chatagnier. I find his regular St Joseph is better than the Sybalite. But his best wine is his Saint Joseph blanc!!! My white wine of the year in ‘23
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Vajra 1997 is drinking really well - last glass was the best. Not decanted - should probably have…
Long and mellow, complex and satisfying
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After telling her about WB and showing her around, she tells me to save up to grab a bottle of whatever @MChang buys lol. Current shopping wishlist = 22 Dujac CDLR and 21 MG VR + Ruchottes.
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Famous words of advice. Separate charge cards, bank accounts and a really good shredder for the receipts.
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@ErnestL I bought it after reading about the producer here and wasn’t disappointed! Shame it is not easy to find in Singapore.
@S_Rash Will seek out his white! Interesting that the regular is better but based on my experience I do have to agree, I preferred the regular St Jo and the Cornas over this.
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Quite ripe, but also detailed and with good richness on the palate. Oak there but not overdone. I have had a few misses with Sauzet but this is rather good.
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All this BerserkerDay buying is making me parched.
But I’m out of bottles to drink. Hence, all of my recent questions about daily drinkers.
Plus, I need more wine storage for my BD buys. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.
So I picked one that I thought might show well despite being way too young:
2019 Philippe Rossignol Gevrey-Chambertin Les Évocelles
The nose is incredibly seductive and full of promise. The first couple of sips, though, are still a bit closed off.
Let’s see how it develops.
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Lots of bottles opened this Saturday. We hosted a little shindig with local friends coming over. 25 pounds bone-in ham and 13 pounds of aligot on the table and everybody brought bottles. There was only one wine geek in the group but most of the bottles brought over by friends were enjoyable. However, I didn’t take a picture of the bottles before dropping them off for recycling 
. Lost opportunity.
All I can say is that the guests went through all the champagne I pulled out of the cellar. It slowed down for reds and re-kicked into gear for eaux-de-vie and various digestifs to go with the chocolate mousse.
The only three cadavers left of the party are:
I went through a bunch of those. Better days are still ahead but they’re crowd pleasers. I always feel like the fruit is a little dark and polished on this but that cool mineral finish and those fine classy tannins always make it work.
Same here. I went through a bunch of those. But I don’t know why I keep drinking them! They need more cellar time. The stuffing is there but it just needs time. I had one bottle showing a tad hot but I think this was user error and should be seen as an outlier. I finished this tonight with lentils (simmered with the ham bone) and leftover ham and it was much better than upon opening.
Brought by a friend. It ain’t bad. I wouldn’t look for more but it seemed to be enjoyed by most to go along with a smoked salmon spread and a fresh salmon rillette. It seemed a little plush on the fruit and lacking precision and cut but it played its part.
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I always have a post-Dryuary Gamay Noir from Oregon. Enjoyed it with lentils as well. Makes a great pairing.
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