Wine & Spirits

jebdunnuck.com, November 2022 Showing more finesse and elegance than the Pignan, yet still with plenty of density and concentration, the 2010 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is a sensational effort from this estate that has a kaleidoscope-like array of framboise, darker cherries, sappy flowers, garrigue, and spice. Opening up beautifully with time in the glass as well, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, silky tannins, and a great finish. Reminding me slightly of the 1990, it is heavenly today and will be heavenly in another 15+ years as well.  WA 97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2011 (94 - 97 points) The three component parts of the 2010 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape show it to be a deeply colored vintage with terrific fruit intensity of licorice, raspberries and sweet, jammy cherries. Medium to full-bodied and ripe with 15+% natural alcohol and sweet, soft tannins, this ethereal 2010 is reminiscent of the 2005 although the tannins in the 2010 are more silky.- RP 

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Winemaker Notes The intense pink color is characteristic of a great Tavel, and shines with bright red glints. Raspberry and black currant notes share the glass with spices. The wine is balanced, combining power and elegance, and the finish is long. Critical Acclaim Wine Enthusiast Opulent and juicy, this full-bodied Tavel highlights the fleshy red plum and cherry flavors of Grenache against the peppery, herbal spice of Syrah and a flash of citrusy Clairette. Deep, dusky pink in color, it's a concentrated, thirst-quenching rosé that will drink well into the autumn and winter months. Decanter Quite a serious, savoury nose, showing black cherry and garrigue herbs. Full-bodied, with real depth and power. Acidity and alcohol are well balanced and it has a slightly chalky texture. An authentic Tavel, made in a traditional rather than natural style. Estate now owned by Guigal.

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Excellent Champagne about which I've heard a lot but never tried before. It's known as the Champagne of tsars and the expectations are trully fulfilled! Great amalgam of aromas and feelings: complexity without departing from a fresh and relatively straighforward personality. Frank. Aromas of fresh citrics. Grapefruit. Green apple. Fresh white flowers. Coming from the background as a wave and gaining starring character in the front: briocherie, yeast. Flinstone. In mouth, a pure moussy delicacy.--Antoni Ferrer  I've revisited Roederer's 2013 Cristal four times since I reviewed it in April of this year—including several times from my own cellar—and I had to admit that even my lavish praise didn't do it full justice. Combining the cool-vintage cut of 2008 with the more completely mature fruit of 2012, the 2013 Cristal might well be said to represent the perfect combination of the two from a purist's perspective. The wine unwinds in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, white flowers, almond paste and citrus oil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless and multidimensional palate that's intense but weightless, with racy acids, a pinpoint mousse and a long, penetrating finish. Drink the 2008 Cristal on its own, and you're unlikely—to put it mildly—to have any complaints; but compare it directly with the 2013 and you'll see Roederer's rapid progress in the vineyards writ large. (WK) -- 98 points Wine Advocate

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Wine Tasting Notes Tibouren has traditionally been used in Ramatuelle as an assemblage grape, often in combination with Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah. It gives a dry and clear rose with slightly orange hues, an earthy and spicy character with typical notes of pine and garrigue. Finesse, spirit, delicacy and bouquet intensity are the distinguishing qualities of Ramatuelle Cotes du Provence Tibouren Rose.

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Jacques Rebourseau was a respected winemaker from Lugny. His son Claude Rebourseau settled in La Roche Vanneau in 1782. Modest farmers, they belonged to the hard-working rural class of the day involved in viticulture. They passed their passion for winemaking onto their children, one of whom was Jean-Baptiste Rebourseau. In 1919, the General Henri Rebourseau founded the domain on his father’s vineyards and he contributed to the growth of the estate for four generations. In 1955, his son Pierre took over the estate and tended it carefully until the eighties. Pierre Rebourseau handed over the management of the estate to his grandson Jean de Surrel in 1981. This was to be a significant turning point in the history of the Domaine. Jean de Surrel adopted organic winegrowing practices a biodynamic approach since 2012.

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Informal mixed bag wine tasting event in Oslo. Not enough time for detailed tasting notes. Very good Bourgogne Blanc from Château du Meursault. The 2020 vintage for Bourgogne whites is a beauty. Ripe green fruit, yellow apple, peach and stone fruit. Soft citrus of lemon pith and light lime. Hint of tropical notes. Soft butter and light toast from barrel. Medium+ concentration, acidity and intensity. Long finish. Delicious Bourgogne Blanc, a little reserved, might need more time in a carafe or in the cellar. --Boris.Kingston

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Winemaker Notes The grapes for this Savigny-Lès-Beaune come from different parcels with brown stony soil and are situated on the top part of the slopes. Red wines coming from this appellation present nice spicy aromas paired with beautiful volume and nice tension.

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Domaine Lecheneaut is a family-owned winery located in the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy, France. The winery was established in 1976 by brothers Philippe and Vincent Lecheneaut, who inherited vineyards from their father. Today, the winery is run by Vincent's son, Nicolas, who continues the family tradition of producing high-quality wines. Domaine Lecheneaut Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2018 is a white wine from the Hautes Cotes de Nuits appellation in the Burgundy region of France. It is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Les Plantes Aux Bois vineyard, which is located on the slopes of the Côte de Nuits. TASTING NOTE: This wine has a pale gold color with aromas of lemon, green apple, and a hint of floral notes. On the palate, it is crisp and refreshing with flavors of citrus, pear, and a subtle hint of oak. The wine has a long and elegant finish with a good balance of acidity and minerality.

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Château Trotanoy, bought by Jean-Pierre Moueix in 1953, has been considered one of the premier crus of Pomerol from the eighteenth century. Trotanoy is considered one of the best chateaus of Pomerol. Owner is Christian Moueix, who also owns renowned chateaus such as Hosanna, Latour à Pomerol and Bélair Monange. In the small appellation of Pomerol, Château Pétrus is perhaps the most famous, but many connoisseurs know by now that Trotanoy is just as impressive. An opinion shared by the American Robert Parker, who values Trotanoy extremely highly in recent years. Since 2009, a selection of gravel-based plots in the northeastern part of the estate has been dedicated to Espérance de Trotanoy, a wine that is fruity and approachable after only a few years of storage, but retains the depth, complexity and incredible concentration of flavor that are so characteristic for the unique terroir of Trotanoy.

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Winemaker Notes Lynch-Bages is an intense red colour, while the aromas are a complex blend of black fruits, violet and pepper with subtle woody notes. The wine is balanced, combining aromatic elegance with fine tannins, and the first taste is full smooth and lively.. Blend: 71 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot Critical Acclaim Wine Enthusiast The wine is very dry, layered tannins giving a major sense of structure. It will always have this dry, dense character, very firm, solid and powerful. Barrel Sample: 93-95 Wine Spectator This has a very solid core of dark plum, crushed black currant and blackberry fruit, with lightly firm flesh and good drive through the finish, where alder and iron notes fill in. Shows excellent energy and depth, while harnessing the austere edge of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2025.

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CRITICAL ACCLAIMRobert Parker's Wine Advocate - "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Clos du Clocher needs a little coaxing to reveal subtle scents of black raspberries, kirsch and wild blueberries, before a drop-dead gorgeous perfume of candied violets, cinnamon stick, clove oil, Darjeeling tea and star anise take center stage. The medium to full-bodied palate is very finely knit, with ripe, plush tannins and seamless freshness supporting the elegant flavors, finishing long and fragrant. (93-95pts)"James Suckling - "Aromas of blackberries, plums, peppercorns, walnuts and toasted bread. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Excellent freshness with a delicious, creamy and spicy finish. Drink after 2024."

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James Suckling A perfumed nose of flint, gunpowder, wet stone, baked lemons, pears and apple skin. Full-bodied with so much nuance and depth. Layered and effortlessly balanced. This really commands your attention from start to finish. Leaves a buzz on the palate. Superb. This can age, but also why wait? Drink or hold. Wine Spectator Modern and stylish, offering an engaging mix of raspberry puree, warm baking spices and red licorice, with vanilla highlights. A beam of iron minerality brings shape and balance to this version, while invigorating acidity and tannins drive the energy. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. 

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