2016 Ferrando Colombis

Drinking at home.

2016 Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Colombis - started drinking after 1 hour in decanter. Decent amount of ripe, black fruits on the nose. Not overpowering or overripe. One could feel that the tannins were still around, and the wine was grippy on the finish. Woodsy notes along with some spices on the nose. After 2½ hours in the decanter the wine was slightly softer, but still kinda tannic. By now the nose was also a bit minty with some leather notes. Pretty nice, and would love to see how this ages.

2022 Feel Good

Drinking at home.

2022 Frédéric Cossard Feel Good - a little fuzzy, metallic on the nose that was also pretty reductive. Good acidity on the palate.

Chevalier and Bonneau

Dinner at Neighborhood.

1992 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc - nose of lemon with a hint of flint. Surprisingly not too oxidized despite the age, and still got very good acidity on the palate.

2010 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape, en magnum - nice nose of leather with a bit of fruit. A bit farmy, though, and kinda bretty on the finish.

Full post on dinner is here.

Prüm and de Montille

Dinner at The Chairman.

2011 Joh.Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, from magnum – the nose was very fragrant with lots of white flowers along with the petrol / white truffle. So beautiful. Of course, there was also a mild level of sweetness. Thankfully the guests did not mind too much.

2011 Domaine de Montille Corton Clos du Roi, en magnum – not bad… some fruit and woodsy notes, along with leathery fragrance. This was a bit more muted than I had expected, and also a little more lean than I had hoped for.

Full post on dinner is here.

Mingyi and Muxin

Four hands dinner at Jiang by Chef Fei in Guangzhou, with Meet the Bund.

DEVO MV04 Brut Nature – the nose was more caramelized than I had expected. Nice marmalade. Good acidity on the palate without being lean, with a good depth on the palate and a long finish.

2022 Mingyi Beneath the Temple (酩一 岚岩之下) – opened and breathed for 45 minutes before stoppering, and served another 1½ hours later. Initially this was served a bit cold so the nose was closed. On the palate there was a nice sweetness, very ripe and also a it hot and alcoholic.

2023 Muxin Cabernet Sauvignon (木杺赤霞珠) – very classic Bordeaux nose, with nice vanilla oak, smoky, a bit earthy, chocolate, and very ripe fruit. Tannins were still strong, which wasn’t surprising given the young age, but this was approachable as it’s made in a modern style. Also got some fragrant spices on the nose. I can understand why some people like this.

2018 Cailonglin Jin Ding Ice Wine (蔡龙鳞冰酒金鼎) - nose of honeydew, apricot, and peaches. Good acidity upfront and all through the finish, so it wasn’t just sweet all the way.

Full post on dinner is here.

Rodez and Lucien Le Moine

Dinner at a friend's home.

Chandon Garden Spritz – I do enjoy Apero spritz, so this was pretty much right up my alley with all the orange bitters.

Eric Rodez Cuvée des Grands Vintages, dégorgée en Janvier 2021 – good acidity and definitely good depth on the palate. My host was happy with it.

2010 Lucien Le Moine Clos de Vougeot – the nose was nice and ripe, with plenty of sweet fruit and leather. Decent acidity on the palate.

2007 BOND Matriarch - surprised that the nose was a bit reductive. Lots of dried herbs and potpourri here. Not as delicious as other bottles opened earlier.

Full post on dinner is here.

Chave and friends

Dinner at Hiyama.

1988 Chave Hermitage Blanc - started drinking around 30 minutes after opening. The nose was initially kinda closed and showed some marmalade and a little beeswax. The second pour some 20 minutes later was pretty cold, and this showed that the wine was weak and short on the palate. The last pour was drunk more than 5½ hours after opening. By now the nose was really open, showing apricot in addition to the marmalade and beeswax. Unfortunately it remained short on the palate.

1999 Chave Hermitage Rouge - started drinking more than 1½ hours after opening without decanting. The nose was kinda nice but felt a little muted. Showing some leather, plum, and a bit of acidity. Some 3 hours after opening this was very nice and fragrant, with woodsy notes.

Drinking at home.

2016 Château de la Gardine L’Immortelle - started drinking some 2½ hours after decanting into the Daniel Ricciardo shoey decanter. The first pour was very muted, almost not showing anything on the nose. After a few minutes in the glass this got a bit funky and stinky, which was actually a bit better. Another hour later the nose yielded some stewed prunes. Was this still tight and needed more time?

1990 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - started drinking 15 minutes after decanting. This was really nice and smoky, showing grilled meats, pencil lead/graphite, and tobacco. Reminds me of a Pauillac.

Full post on the evening is here.

Vaudieu L'Avenue

Drinking at home.

2016 Château de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape L'Avenue... - started drinking after 1 hour in decanter. Initially the nose was muted, but the ripe fruit on the palate was there. Still pretty young and the tannins were there. Got that juicy blackcurrant jam on the palate.