Lines of fame

2020 Q4

Just a collection of lines where I took part in. Serves also as my outsourced memory. This wall will probably remember better than I do. 

The really interesting bottles you can find with #epic when you use the search function.

21 Dec 20

private @ Düsseldorf

Wining and dining

 

🇩🇪 2019 Mosel Riesling by PS

🇩🇪 2018 Mosel Riesling by PS

🇩🇪 2012 Dornfelder trocken by von Buhl

🇩🇪 2015 Dornfelder trocken by von Buhl

🇮🇹 2010 Maldafrica by Azienda Agricola COS

 

PS Wine is the first wine of an acquaintance I made a couple of years ago. So, this is his very first wine and the successor. For some reason I enjoyed the 2018 a little more than the 2019 which comes as a surprise since I really don't like 2018. Maybe the 2019 will need more time to develop, I will have to revisit in 1 or 2 years. Good start and something you can build on.

This is my first Dornfelder in what feels like a decade. Not a fan of the 2012 while the 2015 shows some more potential. It's definitely drinkable with a light body and solid structure. Of course, there is no true depth but the wine is actually well crafted and only limited by its grape. First Maldafrica in years. Still young but enjoyable right. However it will probably need 5-10 more years until it peaks.

Thank you, Fabian! 



17 Dec 2020

private @ Pulheim

Commanderie de Bordeaux X Château Ducru Beaucaillou

 

Thank you, Bruno-Eugène Borie! Thanks to the Commanderie de Bordeaux and Markus Del Monego!

Thank you for this wonderful online live tasting that we were able to take part in and the great insights that we were able to gain! Perfectly organized and executed for a wonderful evening. Kudos!

 

We tasted:

🇫🇷 2018 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou

🇫🇷 2018 La Croix Ducru Beaucaillou

🇫🇷 1982 Château Ducru Beaucaillou

🇫🇷 1995 Château Ducru Beaucaillou

🇫🇷 2010 Château Ducru Beaucaillou

🇫🇷 2018 Château Ducru Beaucaillou

 

2018 Le Petit Ducru is a very nice entry level wine that reflects the style and taste of Château Ducru Beaucaillou. However there are alternatives at that price point. If you enjoy the taste and style it’s still a viable option. 2018 La Croix is a wonderful Bordeaux with great complexity and depth. It can’t rival the first wine of the château but it is actually much closer than one might expect. 1982 is in tertiary state with great balance and depth but I personally don’t enjoy wines in this state as much. 1995 is very good but not as good as I had hoped for it to be. Missing a little bit of freshness and acidity it just falls short of being a grand wine. 2010 however is a monument and GRAND. I’m looking forward to trying this one again in say 10 years time as it’s still firm yet deliciously balanced and tingles all the right senses. 2018 is a great prospect and elegantly charming. Highly accessible right now but it might change in a few months as it will probably close up soon. Still, a great choice and investment if you let it lie down for another 10 years.

A beautiful representation of St. Julien wines. I highly enjoyed this tasting and will look forward to any bottle of Ducru Beaucaillou in the future.



13 Dec 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

French wine and pizza

 

🇫🇷 2005 Champagne Logos d'Héradite Premier Cru by Stroebel

🇫🇷 2012 Arbois Pupillin Blanc Savagnin by Renaud Bruyere & Adeline Houillon

🇫🇷 Poiré by Yahou FAtal

🇫🇷 2018 Phenomaynal by Allante Boulanger

 

Interesting champagne however the jammy berry notes kinda threw me off. Yet very expressive and powerful. Arbois Pupillin is just a treat every time. Yes, it's still the bottle from last time, so it has been open for three days which didn't do any damage. On the contrary. Poiré when done right are always fun to drink and you chug em like lemonade. Phenomaynal is solid but a bit too much on the funky side for me.

Thank you, Olivier!



11 Dec 2020

private @ Essen

Christmas "party"

 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne PN VZ 15 by Bollinger

🇦🇹 2008 Tiglat by Velich (magnum)

🇦🇹 2008 Ried Schütt Smaragd by Weingut Knoll

🇦🇹 2017 Maggie Montgomery Sauvignon Blanc by Rebenhof

🇪🇸 2010 Gran Reserva 904 by La Rioja Alta

🇪🇸 2012 4 Kilos

🇫🇷 2014 Château Smith Haut Lafitte

 

PN VZ 15 is a powerful yet fruity champagne that has everything that tickles my senses. Great to drink and with potential for another decade. Tiglat is a great Chardonnay with vinous aromas. Even after 12 years it packs a serious punch and it's not a ballerina but a heavyweight boxer. Ried Schütt seems to be on point and shows Riesling from Austria at its best. Maggie Montgomery Sauvignon Blanc is the project by my sister from another mister. The bottle was already open but the verdict still stands. This will need a few more years until it's ready to drink. My first 2010 Gran Reserva was again a bank shot. It never disappoints and it is accessible now but can go easily for another decade. 4 kilos is an ambitious project from Mallorca. Good to drink but nothing I personally would stock up on. SHL is a great Bdx from a good vintage. And yes it is way too early to drink now. Thank you Christine and Manuel! 



10 Dec 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

French and natural nights

 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Le Bateau Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru by Dhondt-Grellet

🇫🇷 NV Champagne L'Apôtre Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru by David Léclapart

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Tirade Rosé by Jacque Lassaigne

🇫🇷 2013 Les Ponts Blancs Aligoté by Yann Durieux

🇫🇷 2016 Savagnin Autrement by Domaine de Saint Pierre

🇫🇷 2015 Le Vin le Plus Simplement Le Fourneau Blanc by Bernard van Berg

🇫🇷 2015 Savagnin by Domaine des Murmures

🇮🇹 2016 Heritage by Gabrio Bini

🇫🇷 2012 Arbois Pupillin Blanc Savagnin by Renaud Bruyere & Adeline Houillon

🇫🇷 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé by Château Rayas

🇫🇷 2017 Lot PN17 by Pierre Beauger

 

Kudos to Adrien Dhondt! What a champagne! It doesn't get much better than this. Just different. L'Apôtre did not have to hide and neither did the Tirade. The latter I preferred less as even with champagne I'm not a Rosé drinker. However this was a powerhouse trio. Nice Aligoté from Yann Durieux. Love the Savagnin Autrement very much and it's still affordable. Could drink that all night. Le Vin le Plus Simplement is still too simple for me and the Savagnin by Domaine des Murmures too extreme on many levels. Interesting wine by Gabrio Bini but I don't like the style very much. Idiosyncratic and you either like it or you don't. Arbois Pupillin Blanc is a classic and you never get tired of it. Château Rayas is always something special although I really dislike the taste of it. Certainly a unique style for CdP. Lot PN17 as nightcap with pure fruit and clarity. 

Thank you, Olivier, Robin and Fabian!



05 Dec 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

Wining and dining

 

🇩🇪 2019 Tonschiefer by Dönnhoff

🇩🇪 2013 Vulkangestein by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇩🇪 2009 Pittermännchen GG by Schlossgut Diel

🇺🇸 2014 Napa Valley Merlot by Robert Mondavi

🇮🇹 2010 I Sodi di S. Niccolo by Castellare di Castellina

 

Tonschiefer is certainly different from what I remember but still a very fine wine for the money. Vulkangestein is always a bank shot and 2013 does not make an exception. Beautiful Nahe Riesling with value. Pittermännchen surprised me as it didn't come off as warm as 2009. Good effort by Schlossgut Diel. It's very rare that I have a single varietal Merlot and when I had the chance to pick up the 2014 I was immediately hooked. It certainly feels a lot younger than six years. Light and fruitful despite the relatively high alcohol. Would love to revisit in 5-10 years. I Sodi di S. Niccolo was a wonderful ending to a good wine night leaving me wanting to drink more Italian wines.

Thank you, Fabian!



03 Dec 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

French and natural

 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Les Maillons Rosé de Saignée by Ulysse Collin

🇫🇷 2017 L'Étoile Là-bas by Nicolas Jacob

🇫🇷 2018 Le Pressoir de St. Pierre by La Grapperie (Renaud Guettier)

🇫🇷 2018 Les Onglés by I. et S. Bernaudeau

🇦🇹 2017 Maggie Montgomery Rosé Saignée by Rebenhof

🇦🇹 2017 Maggie Montgomery Sauvignon Blanc by Rebenhof

🇫🇷 2017 Bourgogne Rouge by Domaine Bizot

🇫🇷 2015 109 100% Belles Grappes by L'Egrappille

🇫🇷 NV L'Antidote by Domaine des Grottes

 

Ulysse Collin needs no introduction and is always a treat. First time that I was able to taste the Rosé Saignée. Power and grace with reductive and fruity notes. Love it but it will still take a few years until this one peaks. L'Étoile was a nice Chardonnay to kick it off but it was overshadowed by the Le Pressoir de St. Pierre. Highly enjoyable and proper Chardonnay. Clear, sharp and precise. Les Onglés is a world class Chenin but it will also need a couple more years until it reaches its true potential. The wines by Rebenhof are the charity wines produced by my sister from another mister. The Sauvignon Blanc is pretty choked up at the moment but shows great potential. The Rosé is definitely different from what you are used to. Hartmut Aubell has been elected "Exceptional winemaker of the year" by the Gault Millau. Bizot is certainly a fine Bourgogne with finesse and style. Prices are a bit crazy for a Bourgogne. Fruit and juice with the 109 and some L'Antidote as a downer. 
Thank you, Olivier!



21 Nov 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

Soccer and wine

 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Chouilly Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru by Pierre Legras

🇩🇪 2019 Riesling trocken by Fritz Haag

🇫🇷 2015 Château Charmail

🇫🇷 2015 Château Sénéjac

 

Toned it down again as we watch the late games of Saturday Bundesliga as we kick it off with a rather weak Pierre Legras. It might be fair value but it does not excite me enough to consider spending my money on this as I'd rather go spend a couple of bucks more for a decent one. Fritz Haag is very young and even though it's an estate Riesling it will probably even get better in a few months time. 2015 shootout Charmail and Sénéjac which is a complete draw. Money-wise and on points. Just depends on what you prefer taste-wise. Thank you, Henning!



20 Nov 2020

private @ Essen

Tim Raue Take Away Part II

 

🇦🇹 2018 Gelber Muskateller by Tement

🇦🇹 2016 Ried Zieregg Sauvignon Blanc by Tement

🇦🇹 2018 Rohstoff by Hartmut Aubell

🇮🇹 2018 Le Cupole by Trinoro

🇩🇪 2012 Bienenberg Spätburgunder R GG by Bernhard Huber

🇮🇹 2016 Bolgheri Adèo by Campo Sughera

🇪🇸 2016 Ribera del Duero Alion by Tempos Vega Sicilia

 

Gelber Muskateller interestingly smelled and tasted like Sauvignon but the acidity and length gives it away. Ried Zieregg was a pleasure and long time no see. Sure can go for another couple of years but it's definitely starting to show. Rohstoff is certainly only something for natural wine lovers who appreciate the extremes. Le Cupole is an affordable yet very elegant Supertuscan. Bienenberg 2012 is a beautiful German Pinot and did not disappoint. Good window to drink now probably for the next decades to come. Adèo is an even more affordable Supertuscan and does a pretty good job for the money. The Alion is hopelessly too young right now which does not come as much of a surprise. Probably wouldn't touch another one for the next ten years. Thank you, Christine and Manuel!



14 Nov 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

Cooking and dining with friends

 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Borel-Lucas

🇫🇷 NC Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut by Leclerc Briant

🇫🇷 xx Sancerre by Domaine de la Rossignole

🇫🇷 2017 Sancerre Silex by Domaine Delaporte

🇫🇷 2017 Bourgogne Blanc by Thomas Morey

🇫🇷 2014 Bourgogne Blanc by Lucien Le Moine

🇫🇷 2018 Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaunes "Vieilles Vignes" by Jean Chartron

🇫🇷 2017 Rasteau by Domaine Elodie Balme

🇫🇷 2015 Clos du Roy

 

Borel-Lucas is a cheaper champagne but unfortunately it tastes that way. The Leclerc Briant was lightyears ahead and rich joy. Domaine de la Rossignole was a decent Sancerre that lacked depth and minerality. Especially next to the Delaporte the gap was quite obvious. Thomas Morey was seriously funky that night and I'd like to try another bottle. Le Moine from 2014 was bliss and Jean Chartron did a very good job on this rather simple Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaunes. Elodie Balme is a very affordable solid red. Clos du Roy was never my favorite but it sure was the right wine for that point in time. Thank you, Alex and Tobi!



13 Nov 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

Unplanned

 

🇩🇪 2011 Saar Riesling Spätlese trocken "R" by von Hövel

🇩🇪 2015 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** by Markus Molitor

🇫🇷 2018 Bourgogne Aligoté by Alice et Olivier De Moor

🇫🇷 2015 Monthelie Rouge by Domaine Roulot

🇫🇷 2011 Domaine de l'Horizon Rouge

 

Nice von Hövel presenting itself pretty nicely from the atrocious 2011. But it was actually an enjoyable wine. Very good Molitor from 2015 which could probably need some more years as it's losing its baby fat. Beautiful Aligoté but of course very young. Monthelie I didn't even put on Pinot. Pretty dense and extracted and will need several years more. Domaine de l'Horizon at the end was a fun wine with good structure. Thank you, Nadine and Christoph!



12 Nov 2020

private @ Essen

Tim Raue Delivery

 

🇦🇹 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Maggie Montgomery by Hartmut Aubell

🇫🇷 2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

🇮🇹 2014 Redigaffi by Tuarita

🇮🇹 2017 Saffredi by Fattoria Le Pupille

🇦🇹 2018 Sizilianische Blutorange by Stählemühle

 

The Sauvignon Blanc is the project my sister from another mister started in order to raise some money for the Tiertafel in München. Natural Sauvignon Blanc that sure still needs some time but has all the right ingredients to become a very good wine. SHL Blanc is in a very good spot now and opens up after a few minutes in the glass. Redigaffi was a real treat and the first Merlot in quite a while. Chocolate opulence and elegance. Almost perfect after just 6 years. Saffredi was a big change after the Redigaffi but after the first sips it shows surprisingly well after only 3 years. Firm but silky tannins. Beautiful Supertuscan with lots of potential. The blood orange by Stählemühle is indeed a monument. Thank you, Christine and Manuel!



08 Nov 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

 

🇫🇷 NV Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs by Cave Bissey

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Enfant de la Montagne by Bertrand-Delespierre

🇩🇪 NV X-Ray Sekt Brut by Weinforce

🇩🇪 2018 Riesling by Schätzel

🇩🇪 NV Jubiläumscuvée by Heymann-Löwenstein

🇦🇹 2010 Ex Vero II by Werlitsch

🇮🇹 2018 Chianti Classico Faunae by Frescobaldi

🇦🇹 2018 Kastanie Blaufränkisch by Haiden

🇮🇹 2016 Franco by Podere dell'Anselmo

🇨🇭 1997 Riesling x Sylvaner Spätlese by Schipf

 

This cremant is another example why I don't like cremant, no matter how much they claim to be very close to champagne. Well, they're not. Bertrand-Delespierre is a champagne but did not impress either. Yes, it's a bit cheaper but it's not enjoyable enough to justify not spending a couple more bucks. X-Ray is a Sekt that Weinforce let produce. A bit sweet for my taste but not a bad effort. Schätzel is a very good estate Riesling. Jubiläumscuvée is a special blend with different vintages. Solid but quite developed. Ex Vero is always special and 2010 was a treat. Chianti Classico was barely drinkable. And the Kastanie was also pretty freakish of nature. Nothing I would buy. Franco is an impressive Supertuscan but definitely too young. Tastes more like whisky right now and needs at least another 5 years. The Spätlese was decent but nothing worth remembering and definitely beyond peak. Thank you Christoph, Henning, Peter, Curd and Nadine!



31 Oct 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

 

🇩🇪 2017 Riesling Brut by Griesel & Compagnie

🇫🇷 NV Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs by Pierre Péters

🇩🇪 2019 Riesling trocken by Fritz Haag

🇩🇪 2013 Riesling von der Fels by Keller

🇫🇷 2008 Mâcon-Villages by Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon

🇮🇹 2016 Rotaliano Teroldego by Foradori

🇫🇷 2015 Moulin à Vent Les Rouchaux by Louis Boillot

🇫🇷 2010 Château Sénéjac

🇫🇷 1935 Château Lynch-Bages

🇩🇪 2016 Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett -4- by Max Ferd. Richter

🇩🇪 2011 Monzinger Halenberg Auslese by Emrich-Schönleber

🇩🇪 2010 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** by Markus Molitor

 

Griesel Sekt is growing on me. The Riesling version was way different than what I remembered but it makes more sense now to me. Wasn't part of the BdB it was gone before I could have a sip. Famed 2019 Riesling trocken is indeed a wonderful wine and for the money you will hardly find many rivals but I don't see 94PP. Still very good value for money. Von der Fels is in a perfect spot now. Fresh and vibrant and no more reductive notes. Beautiful Riesling. Macon-Villages left me puzzled. A good wine in itself but I wouldn't have put my money on Chardonnay or Burgundy for that matter. I must've been tired. Rotaliano is a fun red that is very accessible now which actually surprised me. Can still go for years. Les Rouchaux is a very different kind of Beaujolais but a style that I like as it has more extraction and dense aromas with a good grip and the potential to go for years. Château Sénéjac was beautiful to drink and it hasn't peaked yet as the 2010 firm tannins are still very much present. But a lovely wine that doesn't break your bank. Bordeaux does not have to be expensive. Lynch-Bages was unfortunately way over the hump. Drinkable but not enjoyable. Juffer is in a funk mode right now. Probably needs more time to settle and come out of the corner again. Halenberg and Sonnenuhr were both outstanding Auslese which made perfect companions for our dessert. Good drinking window. Could lay for longer but why wait? Thank you, Henning, Christoph, Lars and Nadine!



24 Oct 2020

private @ Pulheim

Game night

 

🇫🇷 2009 Bisseuil Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru by AR Lenoble

🇫🇷 2016 La Parde de Haut-Bailly

🇮🇹 2011 Barolo Cerretta by Ettore Germano

🇮🇹 2011 Barbaresco Chiaramanti by Ca'Rome'

🇮🇹 2010 Brunello di Montalcino by Il Poggione

🇱🇧 1999 Château Musar by Gaston Hochar

🇫🇷 1982 Château La Lagune

🇩🇪 2019 Marienburg Kabinett by Clemens Busch (x2)

🇩🇪 2009 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese by Joh. Jos. Prüm

🇬🇷 2006 Kamaritis by Koutsoyannopoulos (Volcan Wines)

 

Beautiful champagne with a heavy creamy texture. 2009 was a warm vintage and you can feel the heat here. I still like it but it probably won't get much better than it is now. Drink up. La Parde de Haut-Bailly was a stunning wine. Unfortunately it had an error in the nose but wow that thing really kicked my palate. It has the potential to become a GRAND wine. Mind you, it's only the second wine of Haut-Bailly. Outstanding value for money. The Barolo was surprisingly accessible but, of course, with grip. The Barbaresco was very enjoyable and both wines have potential for the next decade at least. Brunello shone again and proved to be rock solid. Chateau Musar was a fine wine but yet again it didn't have that Bordeaux vibe that I remember. La Lagune was mostly gone unfortunately. Marienburg is a fun wine with serious character and a long life ahead. Can be drunk now but should probably wait for a few more years. Beautiful JJP despite 2009. Kamaritis is a very nice effort from Greece. Thank you Sabine and Kai for your hospitality! Additional thanks to Ariana, Caro, Thomas and Alex!



17 Oct 2020

private @ home

Spanish night

 

🇪🇸 2011 Vina Gravonia Blanco by Lopez de Heredia

🇪🇸 2008 Vina Tondonia Blanco by Lopez de Heredia

🇪🇸 2004 Neo by Bodegas y Vinedos Neo

🇩🇪 2019 Juffer Kabinett by Schloss Lieser

 

Heads up Gravonia vs. Tondonia. Unfortunately not the same vintage, so it wasn't the real duel that we had hoped for. In the beginning both are very close. With a little bit of air the Tondonia seems to open up a bit more but then again it's three years older. Considering the price difference it might be a smart idea to rack up on Gravonia instead of the Tondonia. However the Tondonia shows slightly more depth. Both are enjoyable now and for many more years to come. The Neo is an enigma. We didn't like it at all when we opened the bottle. And it wasn't much better when I tasted it back a day later. One week later the nose had slightly oxidized but the wine was much more enjoyable. The wine probably needs a couple of more years. 2019 Juffer is much better than the 2018. Good structure! Thank you, Christian!



10 Oct 2020

Concept Riesling @ Düsseldorf

Alex' birthday

 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru by Henriet-Bazin

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Lumière et Craie Blanc de Blancs  by Jean Velut

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Noir de Craie Blanc de Noirs by Jean Velut

🇩🇪 2015 Terra Montosa patientia (magnum) by Georg Breuer

🇩🇪 2010 Frühlingsplätzchen GG (magnum) by Emrich-Schönleber

🇩🇪 2012 Hermannshöhle GG (magnum) by Dönnhoff

🇩🇪 2013 Morstein GG (magnum) by Wittmann

🇩🇪 2012 Kirchenstück by Battenfeld-Spanier (not in pic)

 

Henriet-Bazin is a wonderful champagne and definitely punching above its weight class. You really can't complain for the money. The same goes for the Jean Velut. I can't even remember when I had champagne in this range that were this enjoyable. Of course, I preferred the BdB over the BdN. Terra Montosa was rather weak and I suppose it's not going to get any better. Frühlingsplätzchen was showing nicely from a rather difficult 2010 vintage. 2012 Hermannshöhle kicked some serious ass and showed why this wine has been famous for so long. 2013 Morstein is a powerhouse that still needs some time to settle and flexes its muscles but with elegance. 2012 Kirchenstück was also in a very good spot. I guess we were mostly in luck that day. Thank you for the invitation, Alex! And all the other generous people who contributed!



08 Oct 2020

Café de Bretagne @ Düsseldorf

Oyster meet-up

 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature by Laherte Frères

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Cuvée No. 741 by Jacquesson

🇫🇷 2015 Love and Pif Aligoté by Yann Durieux

🇫🇷 2012 Chablis Vent d'Ange by Domaine Pattes Loup

 

Kicking it off with a fine BdB by Laherte Frères which wins over time and certainly is a champagne that can lay low for a while. The same goes for the 741 even though this is not even the current cuvée. Jacquesson is delicate in structure so you need to concentrate a little on the champagne. Love and Pif is a nice Aligoté and seems to be in a good drinking window now. Or maybe even just starting. Vent d'Ange is an atypical Chablis with broad shoulders and a structure that I wouldn't have expected from a Chablis. Thank you, Irene and Olivier!



03 Oct 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

French sit-in

 

🇫🇷 2011 Champagne Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru by Dhondt-Grellet

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Rosé 1er Cru by Clément Perseval

🇫🇷 2017 Coteaux-Champenois Extravagante by Aurore Casanova

🇫🇷 2017 Les Onglés by I. et S. Bernaudeau

🇫🇷 NV Frênette by Huber Gaillot

 

Dhondt-Grellet is a bank. Always a wonderful champagne and the 2011 BdB makes no exception. Highly enjoyable and still many years left in the tank. Clément Perseval with striking acidity that will leave a Joker face and give you an immediate face lift. Too straight for my taste but not bad. The Extravagante was exactly that extravagant. With burnt rubber but not like some Meursault this was pretty exhausting over time and also came with quite the acidic punch. Nice Onglés which was probably still too young as it was enjoyable but didn't really show much. As prices keep rising there must be more to it. Frênette as a downer at the end concluded the evening. Thank you, Olivier!



02 Oct 2020

private @ Düsseldorf

Zonk's birthday

 

🇪🇸 2015 Izar-Leku by Artadi

🇫🇷 2009 Champagne Vintage by Pol Roger

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Cuvée No. 737 Dégorgement Tardif by Jacquesson

🇫🇷 2009 Champagne Minéral Grand Cru by Agrapart & Fils

🇫🇷 2009 Champagne Luminous Edition by Dom Pérignon

🇫🇷 2008 Champagne Dom Pérignon

 

🇦🇹 2017 Ex vero I by Werlitsch

🇺🇸 2017 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay by Shafer

🇫🇷 2017 Arbois Chadonnay by Domaine du Pélican

🇳🇿 2017 Block 6 Chardonnay by Felton Road

🇦🇹 2017 Löwengang by Alois Lageder

🇫🇷 2017 Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru by David Moret

🇫🇷 2016 La Cuvée du Couvent by Domaine Capmartin

🇫🇷 2016 Château du Retout

🇫🇷 2012 Château d'Ampuis by E. Guigal

🇫🇷 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Clos des Papes

🇫🇷 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Chapouins by Famille Perrin

🇮🇹 2005 Valpolicella by Dal Forno Romano

 

Fantastic Izar-Leku with almost champagne qualitites. Way to go, Artadi. Fun bubbles! Rock solid 09 Pol Roger that seems to be in a good spot righ tnow. Loved the 737 DT and it's always a treat. Probably the oldest Jacquesson I've had so far. Finesse and vinous aromas. Personal winner was the Minéral. I just love what they're doing with their champagnes! 2008 DomP is still reductive and IMHO not in a very good spot now and will still take years until it will show all of its potential. 2009 has advanced further than the 2008 and is more enjoyable although it is probably the worse of the two vintages. Ex vero I was delightful to drink despite its youth. Not a Chardonnay day for me. Shafer did not convince me but I liked the Domaine du Pélican. Block 6 was out of the question for me and Löwengang was not for me either. David Moret should have saved the round but it didn't. Pretty impressive Tannat by Capmartin and very good value for money. Obviously too young but already accessible when aerated for a couple of hours. Same goes for the Château du Retout. Nothing big but fun for the money. 2012 Château d'Ampuis was not charming at all and probably needs a few more years. It's miles away from the 2009. 2012 Clos des Papes was good but not too memorable as was Les Chapouins. Valpolicella 2005 was in a good spot, probably even better in a few years as I enjoyed a perfect 1999 not too long ago. Thank you for the invitation Zonk!