Archives: Product Reviews

Woocommerce product reviews

2007, 2006 and 2005 Bordeaux (May 2008)

Good medium red-ruby. Spiced plum, mocha and nutty oak on the nose, lifted by flowers and minerals. Juicy, bright and energetic, with an insidious sweetness and lovely clarity to the flavors of plum and tobacco. Finishes with very good tannic spine and length. (Unfortunately, my sample of the fairly substantial 2007 was too reduced to…

2005 Bordeaux: Here and Now (Apr 2021)

A modern, lush wine, the 2005 Malartic Lagraviere packs a serious punch. Inky red/purplish fruit, leather, smoke, tobacco and mocha all race out of the glass. This is an especially flamboyant style shaped by a good deal of new French oak, but the wood is now nicely balanced. I am pleasantly surprised to see how…

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Alluring 2023s and Benchmark 2010s (Nov 2024)

The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud is outstanding, showcasing pronounced notes of sandalwood, bay leaf, dried rose petal, wild strawberry, crushed rocks and a touch of licorice. The full-bodied palate offers vertical lift, delivering remarkable energy despite its elevated alcohol and concentrated flavors. Seamless in the mouth, it finishes with resilience and focus. The 2010…

2011 and 2010 Southern Rhone Wines (Jan 2013)

Glass-staining ruby. Dark fruit preserves, cherry-cola, floral oils and Smoky Indian spices on the exotically perfumed nose. Stains the palate with deeply pitched blackberry and blueberry flavors, with zesty spice and mineral nuances adding vivacity and cut. Manages to be both weighty and lively, finishing with superb clarity, supple tannins and lingering sweetness.

Stand and Deliver: 2001 Sauternes (Sep 2021)

The 2001 Suduiraut has a very well-defined bouquet of marmalade, honeysuckle, touches of kerosene and pine, all focused and vigorous. The palate is balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and vibrant, featuring Seville orange marmalade mixed with orange peel, peach and wild honey; it displays a little more delineation than I have noticed…

Focus on Sauternes/Barsac (Jul 2004)

Medium yellow-gold. Flamboyantly ripe, complex nose combines pineapple, apricot, toffee, clove and vanilla. Hugely sweet and rich, with deep, powerful flavors of honey, marzipan and toffee. A major mouthful of wine, with great lingering sweetness. Today, this makes the Rieussec seem almost polite by comparison.