2004-vintage « WordPress.com Tag Feed

2004 - Serafin Père et Fils Morey St. Denis les Millandes Premiere Cru

Rob — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:05:29 +0000

Name:	Serafin Père et Fils Morey St. Denis les Millandes Premiere Cru
Vineyard:	Serafin Père et Fils
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£50.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy > Côte d’Or > Côte de Nuits > Morey St. Denis

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Dark Fruit, Earthy, Spice / Pepper, Mild Body
My Notes:	A gorgeous pale ruby in the glass with pale pink edges. Stunning aromas: a good deal of berry fruit with rich gamey qualities and sweet spice: classic mature Pinot and wonderful with it. Fairly tight in the mouth with a certain astringency but good herby, earthy notes. Very good and delicious with veal and Jersey Royals.
Location:	44 with S & D
Date:	25 Apr 2012

2004 - Bouchard Pere et Fils Le Corton

Rob — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:20:20 +0000

Name:	Bouchard Pere et Fils Le Corton
Vineyard:	Bouchard Père et Fils
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£59.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy > Côte d’Or > Côte de Beaune > Aloxe-corton > Corton

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Earthy, Mild Body, Round, Fresh Veggie, Spice / Pepper
My Notes:	Black cherry coloured with amber edges. Very spicey to smell with some fruit and definite green characteristics: peppers and narcissi. A bit of a let down in the mouth: rather insipid and flat.
Location:	44 with D
Date:	3 Mar 2012

2004 - Drouhin-Laroze Clos de Vougeot

Rob — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:54:19 +0000

Name:	Drouhin-Laroze Clos de Vougeot
Vineyard:	Drouhin-Laroze
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£135.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy > Côte d’Or > Côte de Nuits > Vougeot

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Dark Fruit, Earthy, Spice / Pepper, Full Body
My Notes:	A slightly surprising piece of Michelin starred sommelier confusion about this wine: the whereabouts of the Domaine’s vines in the Clos remain a mystery. Delicious though: deep garnet and star bright in the glass. A hint of dark hedgerow on the nose- plenty of briar and sloe with lots of spice. A soupçon of dry mineral tannins in the mouth with balance, poise, and some fat fruit.
Location:	Texture with S, G & L
Date:	24 Sep 2011

Poderi Colla Roncaglie Barbaresco 2004

Anthony D'Anna — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:41:42 +0000

Last night I had a bottle of Poderi Colla Roncaglie Barbaresco 2004. This would have been my second or third bottle of this wine and I think it is just starting to enter it’s drinking window. For me, this is very traditional Barbaresco. It initially opened up quite restrained and tight, but after 2-3 hours it really started to show some lovely fruits.

I am not sure of the exact path it will take once it reaches full maturity but nevertheless it will be an enjoyable drink.

2004 - Château Smith Haut-Lafitte

Rob — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:15:20 +0000

Name:	Château Smith Haut-Lafitte
Vineyard:	Château Smith Haut-lafitte
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Price:	£45.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Bordeaux > Graves > Pessac-Léognan

My Rating:	6 – Outstanding
Tasting tags:	Cooked Veggie, Earthy, Oak / Smoke, Spice / Pepper, Full Body, Tannic
My Notes:	Deep crimson in the glass with faint flashes of purple- still quite young. A serious wine to smell: definite pencil shavings with an austere but elegant note of liquorice and a touch of smoke. Tannic in the mouth but soft nonetheless: this wine is fabulous but still has a long way to go.
Location:	NR
Date:	13 Jun 2011

2004 - Domaine Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Clavoillon

Rob — Sat, 14 May 2011 21:07:43 +0000

Name:	Domaine Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Clavoillon
Vineyard:	Domaine Leflaive
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Chardonnay
Price:	£130.00
Type:	White
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy

My Rating:	6 – Outstanding
Tasting tags:	Bright Fruit, Citrus, Mild Body, Dry / crisp
My Notes:	Excellent. Good rich yellow on the eye. Opulent on the nose: nutty and citrus with a good fresh quality. Instantly focused and clear on the palate, very long and intense.
Location:	Hawksmoor with D
Date:	14 May 2011

2004 - Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron

Rob — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:09:29 +0000

Name:	Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron
Vineyard:	Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Price:	£11.39
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Bordeaux > Pauillac

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Currant (Cassis), Dark Fruit, Earthy, Full Body, Round, Balanced
My Notes:	This is, of course, still very young indeed, but it is drinking well nonetheless and has great foundations for future development. It is inky in the glass with youthful purple and deep crimson flashes. Slightly restrained to smell (but that might be hay fever talking!) but with lots of powerful thoroughbred notes: dark fruit, earthy intensity, and some lighter notes. Very soft tannins and excellent length in the mouth. A star in the making, but not there yet
Location:	Cafe Luc with S
Date:	6 May 2011

2004 - Bricco Rosso Suagnà, Manfredi, Langhe

Rob — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:59:56 +0000

Name:	Bricco Rosso Suagnà, Manfredi, Langhe
Vineyard:	Bricco Rosso Suagnà, Manfredi, Langhe
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Dolcetto, Nebbiolo
Type:	Red
Country:	Italy
Region:	Piedmont, Langhe

My Rating:	2 – Drinkable
Tasting tags:	Currant (Cassis), Spice / Pepper, Flabby
My Notes:	Medium garnet in colour with definite glossy character. A tad dull to smell: initial red currant and cranberry but little else. A bit flabby on the palate: lacking profundity and with minimal flavour.
Location:	NR
Date:	2 Mar 2011

2004 - Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino

Rob — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:43:48 +0000

Name:	Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino
Vineyard:	Biondi-santi
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Sangiovese
Price:	£200.00
Type:	Red
Country:	Italy
Region:	Tuscany > Montalcino

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Strawberry, Fresh Veggie, Cooked Veggie, Full Body, Tannic
My Notes:	Blood red in the glass with a nice lucid quality. Sun dried tomato on the nose with red currant and a whiff of strawberry. Fairly tannic on the palate- frankly a little too young; still brash but promising lots.
Location:	Da Salvi with D and T
Date:	7 Feb 2011

2004 - Cantina di Santadi Carignano del Sulcis Terre Brune

Rob — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 09:33:56 +0000

Name:	Cantina di Santadi Carignano del Sulcis Terre Brune
Vineyard:	Cantina di Santadi
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Carignan
Price:	£65.00
Type:	Red
Country:	Italy
Region:	Sardinia

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Spice / Pepper, Full Body, Round
My Notes:	Dark and intense on the eye; a brooding ripe wine. A touch of cocoa on the nose with lots of vegetal notes and pepper. Very pleasant indeed. Ripe and wonderfully long on the palate. Very smooth.
Location:	Griglia with D
Date:	4 Feb 2011

2004 - Recioto della Valpolicella Classico, Nicolis

Rob — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:04:54 +0000

Name:	Recioto della Valpolicella Classico, Nicolis
Vineyard:	Recioto della Valpolicella Classico, Nicolis
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Rondinella, Corvina, Molinara
Price:	£60.00
Type:	Dessert Wine
Country:	Italy
Region:	Veneto

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Bright Fruit, Floral, Blackberry / Raspberry, Mild Body, Round, Sweet
My Notes:	Glittering deep garnet on the eye. Great aromatic nose: floral, especially hyacinth and narcissi, with raspberry and blueberry. Very smooth fruit in the mouth with lovely balance.
Location:	The Hand and Flowers with S
Date:	2 Feb 2011

2004 - Domaine Dublere Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne

Rob — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:21:48 +0000

Name:	Domaine Dublere Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne
Vineyard:	Domaine Dublere
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Chardonnay
Price:	£180.00
Type:	White
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy > Côte d’Or > Côte de Beaune > Aloxe-corton > Corton-charlemagne

My Rating:	6 – Outstanding
Tasting tags:	Bright Fruit, Citrus, Fresh Veggie, Mild Body, Dry / crisp
My Notes:	Bright glittering yellow in the glass, if slightly cloudy. Great wet flint with apple and lemon to smell with especially prominent mandarin notes. Focused in the mouth; beautiful wine with long refreshing acidity.
Location:	Hawksmoor with S, L, G, VK, and MW
Date:	29 Jan 2011

2004 - Michele Satta, I Castagni

Rob — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:17:31 +0000

Name:	Michele Satta, I Castagni
Vineyard:	I Castagni
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Teroldego
Price:	£99.00
Type:	Red
Country:	Italy
Region:	Piemonte > Barolo > La Morra > Castagni

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Earthy, Fresh Veggie, Spice / Pepper, Full Body
My Notes:	Seriously dark and brooding in the glass. Solid vegetal aromas on the nose tobacco and tomato leaf with a faintly bloody quality- not dissimilar to the Butcher’s Shop note associated with Musar. A tad short but well structured.
Location:	Hawksmoor with D
Date:	10 Jan 2011

2004 - Hudelot-Noellat, Clos de Vougeot

Rob — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:37:46 +0000

Name:	Hudelot-Noellat, Clos de Vougeot
Vineyard:	Clos de Vougeot
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£200.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy

My Rating:	3 – Average
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Dried Fruit, Fresh Veggie, Earthy, Light / thin, Sharp
My Notes:	What to say…a stunning bright garnet in the glass with a phenomenally intense nose. I smell intense vegetal aromas with high quality fruit notes; lots of aniseed, a touch of raspberry, and plenty of farmyard. But then the palate…a disappointing lack of intensity with overwhelming acidity and unbridled sharpness. Too strong, and lacking depth. A shame.
Location:	The Savoy Grill with D
Date:	3 Jan 2011

2004 - Comte Armand Pommard Clos des Epeneaux

Rob — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:02:30 +0000

Name:	Comte Armand Pommard Clos des Epeneaux
Vineyard:	Comte Armand
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£85.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy > Côte d’Or > Côte de Beaune > Pommard

My Rating:	4 – Above Average
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Dark Fruit, Fresh Veggie, Spice / Pepper, Full Body, Tannic, Dry / crisp
My Notes:	Interesting and enjoyable but not totally developed. Pleasantly dense in the glass with fine vegetal qualities to smell and lots of nutty undercurrents. Strong a tannic on the palate. I feel that with a few years this will be superb.
Location:	The Ambassador with CMC
Date:	30 Dec 2010

2004 - Tokaj Classic Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos Sweet

Rob — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:15:53 +0000

Name:	Tokaj Classic Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos Sweet
Vineyard:	Tokaj Classic Winery
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Furmint
Price:	£28.00
Type:	Dessert Wine
Country:	Hungary
Region:	Tokaj

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Dried Fruit, Tropical Fruit, Floral, Carmel / Vanilla, Mild Body, Sweet
My Notes:	Dropped whilst being re-racked, and recovered from the bottom of the smashed bottle. Seemingly unscathed: pleasant golden purity in the glass with lots of apricot, fragrant orange zest, and candied peel. Definite honey, some spice, and silky smooth on the palate.
Location:	NR
Date:	30 Dec 2010

2004 - Hudelot-Noellat Chambolle-Musigny

Rob — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 09:44:32 +0000

Name:	Hudelot-Noellat Chambolle-Musigny
Vineyard:	Chambolle-Musigny Village
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£60.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy > Côte d’Or > Côte de Nuits > Chambolle-musigny > Musigny

My Rating:	3 – Average
Tasting tags:	Bright Fruit, Dark Fruit, Earthy, Fresh Veggie, Full Body, Heavy
My Notes:	It is noteworthy that S (who has a much better palate than she thinks) identified this as being reminiscent of Chateauneuf du pape. Sure, it is a glistening limpid garnet red in the glass, and on the palate there is plenty of classic pinot farmyard, liquorice and a touch of vegetal firewood. But on the palate it is supercharged: intense and brooding with a substantial alcohol component. The net result is discordant and overboard.
Location:	The Crown with S
Date:	4 Dec 2010

2004 - Heitz Marthas Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Rob — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:50:50 +0000

Name:	Heitz Marthas Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard:	Heitz Wine Cellars
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Price:	£115.00
Type:	Red
Country:	USA
Region:	California > Napa County > Oakville

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Currant (Cassis), Cooked Veggie, Earthy
My Notes:	A fine crimson. Slightly over extracted on the nose with notes of alcohol, but mainly this has mature dark chocolate, mint and black cherry qualities. Splendid. Strong in the mouth with refined tannins and length, a fine wine.
Location:	The Sampler with D
Date:	16 Oct 2010

2004 - Domaine Pierre André

Rob — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:26:13 +0000

Name:	Domaine Pierre André
Vineyard:	Savigny-les-Beaune, 1er Cru
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£40.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy

My Rating:	2 – Drinkable
Tasting tags:	Dried Fruit, Earthy, Fresh Veggie, Light / thin, Balanced
My Notes:	Like the colour of tinned raspberries- ruby but with amber showing all the way through giving a dark edge. Pale. Earthy and light on the nose with some dried strawberry, cherry and red fruit notes. Never intense- a classic Savigny aroma. As expected on the palate- plenty of length and nicely balanced tannins, but not overly flavourful and with very limited interest.
Location:	Terminus Nord with CMC
Date:	3 Sep 2010

2004 - Domaine du Duc de Magenta, Louis Jadot

Rob — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:25:32 +0000

Name:	Domaine du Duc de Magenta, Louis Jadot
Vineyard:	Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er Cru Morgeot, Monopole Clos de la Chapelle
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Chardonnay
Type:	White
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy

My Rating:	4 – Above Average
Tasting tags:	Apricot / Peach, Floral, Carmel / Vanilla, Oak / Smoke, Full Body, Round, Balanced, Fat
My Notes:	A pale lemon yellow with plenty of star bright flashes. An obvious note of new oak powers through on the nose backed up with peachy, melon aromas. There is also a touch of marzipan. Disappointingly thin in the mouth with a slight astringency. Plenty of length though, and with a pleasantly fat set of fruit flavours.
Location:	Flight QR 1 DOH-LHR
Date:	2 Sep 2010

2004 - Nicolas Rossignol

Rob — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:20:03 +0000

Name:	Nicolas Rossignol
Vineyard:	Volnay 1er Cru Santenots
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£85.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy

My Rating:	3 – Average
Tasting tags:	Blackberry / Raspberry, Currant (Cassis), Dark Fruit, Spice / Pepper, Full Body
My Notes:	Slightly underwhelming. Dark cassis colour with plenty of clarity. On the nose, dark fruit with plenty of oomph but limited finesse. Rather lacking in elegant Pinot aromas, and with a disappointing end note of sheer booze. Perfectly drinkable, but a little short, and lacking star quality.
Location:	Hawksmoor with D
Date:	22 Aug 2010

2004 - Domaine Arlaud

Rob — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:16:02 +0000

Name:	Domaine Arlaud
Vineyard:	Bonnes Mares
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Pinot Noir
Price:	£200.00
Type:	Red
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy

My Rating:	6 – Outstanding
Tasting tags:	Bright Fruit, Dried Fruit, Strawberry, Fresh Veggie, Earthy, Mild Body, Balanced
My Notes:	A classic Burgundy. Light ruby in the glass with those flashes of brightness which demonstrate really good wine making. Notes of earthiness on the nose with occasional aniseed but predominantly red fruit. Balanced and round.
Location:	Le Cinq, Paris with S
Date:	9 Aug 2010

2004 - Domaine Faiveley

Rob — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:13:34 +0000

Name:	Domaine Faiveley
Vineyard:	Corton Charlemagne
Vintage:	2004
Varietals:	Chardonnay
Price:	£300.00
Type:	White
Country:	France
Region:	Burgundy

My Rating:	5 – Very Good
Tasting tags:	Citrus, Butter, Carmel / Vanilla, Full Body, Round, Fat, Balanced
My Notes:	Star bright, yellow-green (perhaps a mild reminder of urine?) After a time wonderfully citrus and fruity underscored by well balanced oak. Tight. Astonishingly long. Truly extraordinary- a very special wine.
Location:	Anne Sophie Pic Lausanne with S
Date:	18 Aug 2010

2005 & 2006 Barolo and Barbaresco

Kat Wiggins — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:36:15 +0000

We believe that the red wines of Piemonte, specifically those of Barolo and Barbaresco, are some of the greatest wines in the world. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, these two regions are dominated by small family-based producers, who craft their wines with great passion and sensitivity.

Both Barbaresco and Barolo are made from the Nebbiolo grape, a notoriously difficult grape to grow, requiring as it does a very specific set of conditions in order to produce the best wines. There are not many areas outside the tiny enclaves of Barolo and Barbaresco where Nebbiolo can be grown successfully, which is what makes these wines so interestingly unique.

Last month, our buyer, Nick Dagley and our Italian wine expert, Andrew Caslin, travelled to Piemonte to meet with growers and taste their wines. They tasted extensively from both the 2005 and 2006 vintages, selecting a range of wines that they felt best reflected the quality available from both the vintages and the region.

What they found was that the 2005 and 2006 vintages offer great quality from this extraordinary region. The 2005 wines are opulent and warm in nature, with soft, ripe tannins and gentle acidity; these are classic Barolo and Barbaresco to enjoy in the midterm. The 2006s are more bold and expressive, with considerable structure and ripe fruit nature. There are some truly wonderful wines from both of these vintages.

Nick and Andrew have selected a wide range of fine wines from both Barolo and Barbaresco, including those from some of the greats of Piemonte, such as Elio Grasso, Enzo Boglietti, Giovanni Manzone, Cavallotto and Gianni Voerzio, as well as many others. The full range of wines is now available online, with the addition of the monumental 2004 Rüncot from Elio Grasso and two 2004 Riservas from the truly wonderful Cavallotto estate.