I do try to avoid grocery-list tasting notes. Here are a few where I think I was able to capture the essance of the wines while making sure the descriptors are only supporting characters.
Deux Montille, Saint Romain, Les Jarrons, 2004
Buttery and pure Chardonnay fruit, with some mildly sweet spices, minerals, some smoke on the nose but it’s main appeal is in the mouth-watering acidity on the palate, with a zippy, almost pungent finish. I would have guessed Chablis in a blind tasting except for that happy, hyper acidity, which will either win you over or put you off. Score 89-90 (Sept. 10, 2006)
The following two were tasted at a Jacques Prieur tasting. This was the first time I felt I was truly able to 'get' the wines in a group tasting without being distracted.
Domaine Jacques Prieur, Beaune Premier Cru, Champs Pinot, 2002
Mostly red fruits on the nose, with some black, sweet spices, animalistic though not as overtly brett-y as the Echezeaux 2001. The palate is powerful and long, closed, not ready. A bit medicinal at first before it blew off. More communicative than the Greves 2002. Score 90. (Jun. 25, 2006)
Domaine Jacques Prieur, Beaune Premier Cru, Greves, 2002
The nose is very similar to the Champs Pimont 2002, with more nuances, greater finesse. Much more closed, too. Seems more complex and intellectual as well. Martin Prieur suggested it will be ready a year earlier than the Champs Pimont but my feeling is it should be the other way around. Score 91-92. (Jun. 25, 2006)
I think I will get better at this, but the following really conjures the memory of the evening which is all that should really matter.
Brundlmayer, Heilingenstein, Riesling, Lyra, 1999
Wonderful golden color. Aromas and flavors of petrol, honeysuckle, apples and rocks. Intense, yet elegant, long, complex and crisp on the palate. Bone dry but the verve of the fruit gives a sweet impression that is offset by excellent acidity. It’s obviously ripe yet balanced, the ripeness showing only as notes of fruit punch on the nose and a contained lushness on the palate. It’s really drinking perfectly now but from what I’ve read plus the great poise it displays, give it 5 more years at least. Score 92-93. (Aug. 17, 2006)
I love Koehler-Ruprecht. The note really doesn't convery how much you can get lost in the nose.
Koehler-Ruprecht, Kalstadter Saumagen, Riesling Auslese, Trocken, 2004
The nose is very complex, nuanced and intriguing, maybe beguiling is the best word, full of various shades of fruit (from citrus to tropical), with various herbs that I really can’t tell apart but simply live in tremendous harmony with the fruit. The palate is less fleshed out and despite being obviously dry, you can feel the sweetness of the fruit. Very good length even now with grapefruit acidity. Score 91-93. (Dec. 3, 2006)
Tardieu-Laurent, Vacqueyras, “Vieilles Vignes“, 2001
Very promising nose out of bottle: high-class Grenache red fruitiness and leather. The palate is tight and minerally but is as promising as the nose. And it opens up to live up to that promise as well as add nuances of spices and coffee. Long and deep. Remarkably, it doesn’t seem to have changed a whole lot since my last tasting so drink now to 2010. Score 91+. (Jan 13, 2007)
La Rioja Alta, 890 Gran Reserva, 1989
Very classy. The nose is very complete, very complex, I’d even be tempted to say perfect, with secondary and tertiary aromas over mellow red Rioja fruit. The palate is still young but with great length and a rough rustiness lending great character. Score 93-94. (Feb. 3, 2007)
Deux Montille, Saint Romain, Les Jarrons, 2004
Buttery and pure Chardonnay fruit, with some mildly sweet spices, minerals, some smoke on the nose but it’s main appeal is in the mouth-watering acidity on the palate, with a zippy, almost pungent finish. I would have guessed Chablis in a blind tasting except for that happy, hyper acidity, which will either win you over or put you off. Score 89-90 (Sept. 10, 2006)
The following two were tasted at a Jacques Prieur tasting. This was the first time I felt I was truly able to 'get' the wines in a group tasting without being distracted.
Domaine Jacques Prieur, Beaune Premier Cru, Champs Pinot, 2002
Mostly red fruits on the nose, with some black, sweet spices, animalistic though not as overtly brett-y as the Echezeaux 2001. The palate is powerful and long, closed, not ready. A bit medicinal at first before it blew off. More communicative than the Greves 2002. Score 90. (Jun. 25, 2006)
Domaine Jacques Prieur, Beaune Premier Cru, Greves, 2002
The nose is very similar to the Champs Pimont 2002, with more nuances, greater finesse. Much more closed, too. Seems more complex and intellectual as well. Martin Prieur suggested it will be ready a year earlier than the Champs Pimont but my feeling is it should be the other way around. Score 91-92. (Jun. 25, 2006)
I think I will get better at this, but the following really conjures the memory of the evening which is all that should really matter.
Brundlmayer, Heilingenstein, Riesling, Lyra, 1999
Wonderful golden color. Aromas and flavors of petrol, honeysuckle, apples and rocks. Intense, yet elegant, long, complex and crisp on the palate. Bone dry but the verve of the fruit gives a sweet impression that is offset by excellent acidity. It’s obviously ripe yet balanced, the ripeness showing only as notes of fruit punch on the nose and a contained lushness on the palate. It’s really drinking perfectly now but from what I’ve read plus the great poise it displays, give it 5 more years at least. Score 92-93. (Aug. 17, 2006)
I love Koehler-Ruprecht. The note really doesn't convery how much you can get lost in the nose.
Koehler-Ruprecht, Kalstadter Saumagen, Riesling Auslese, Trocken, 2004
The nose is very complex, nuanced and intriguing, maybe beguiling is the best word, full of various shades of fruit (from citrus to tropical), with various herbs that I really can’t tell apart but simply live in tremendous harmony with the fruit. The palate is less fleshed out and despite being obviously dry, you can feel the sweetness of the fruit. Very good length even now with grapefruit acidity. Score 91-93. (Dec. 3, 2006)
Tardieu-Laurent, Vacqueyras, “Vieilles Vignes“, 2001
Very promising nose out of bottle: high-class Grenache red fruitiness and leather. The palate is tight and minerally but is as promising as the nose. And it opens up to live up to that promise as well as add nuances of spices and coffee. Long and deep. Remarkably, it doesn’t seem to have changed a whole lot since my last tasting so drink now to 2010. Score 91+. (Jan 13, 2007)
La Rioja Alta, 890 Gran Reserva, 1989
Very classy. The nose is very complete, very complex, I’d even be tempted to say perfect, with secondary and tertiary aromas over mellow red Rioja fruit. The palate is still young but with great length and a rough rustiness lending great character. Score 93-94. (Feb. 3, 2007)