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Displaying [1-25] of 122
1998 d'Arenberg Shiraz - The Dead Arm
(Australia / South Australia / McLaren Vale)
RATED: 06/13/2004
AROMA: Black Currant. Chocolate. Blackberry. Toast. Oak.
FLAVOR: Spice. Black Currant. Chocolate. Blackberry. Toast. Oak.
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Viscous Mouthfeel. Extracted Voluminous Body. Moderate Tannin. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: Super intense, spicy, explosive with layers and layers of flavors. Very masculine. Excellent mouth feel of mocha, bitter sweet chocolate, blackberry, blackcurrant, and toasted oak. A very forward wine. Ka-baam! Like it wants to knock you out in one shot. Nice attack. Then, the magic happens. The wine becomes more and more elegant with every sip. The textures changes from chewy to creamy. The acidity slowly peep out and cuts through the well endow flavors and define its structure. The finish gains in complexity as the wine slowly opens up. Each flavor becomes more harmonious with each other rather than fighting for dominance. Still a bit coarse at this young age. Great potential we see here. Tasted more than a dozen times since release and never failed to impress. It is a steal compare to the Grange.
SCORE: 98 +
BY: rchan
DRINK: In 3-5 years
1989 Henri Jayer - Cros Parantoux
(France / Burgundy / Cote de Nuits / Vosne-Romanee)
RATED: 06/07/2002
COLOR: Tile Red.
AROMA: Truffles. Herbal. Raspberry. Strawberry. Toast. Cherry. Vanilla. Red Fruits.
FLAVOR: Barnyard. Truffles. Game. Herbal. Raspberry. Strawberry. Cherry. Vanilla. Red Fruits. Mineral.
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Smooth Mouthfeel. Medium Body. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: The utmost pure expression of the pinot noir grape. Not a single trace of heaviness. Elegant, finess, and pure. Great complexity but in a very subtle sense. Still very youthful and very well balanced with the acidity as the lead to explore this delicate and intricate burgundy. One of my best wine experience.
SCORE: 100
BY: rchan
DRINK: Now
1987 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti - La Tache
(France / Burgundy / Cote de Nuits / Vosne-Romanee)
RATED: 06/07/2001
AROMA: Rose Petals. Truffles. Game. Floral. Leather. Blackberry. Strawberry. Red Fruits. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Barnyard. Truffles. Game. Bacon. Toffee. Blackberry. Tobacco. Strawberry. Toast. Hazelnut. Oak. Almonds. Vanilla. Red Fruits. Mineral. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Smooth Mouthfeel. Medium Body. Light Tannin. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: I have had different vintages of La Tache including some great vintages but none hit me like the 1987. Perhaps I was drinking it at its prime or there are other external factors that influences my appreication. That's why I never like rating wine under a fixed scoring system because there are just way too many factors that may influence people's judgement. But at that time, environment and condition, this is a perfect wine. Simply speaking, it is a benchmark of burgundy. Words won't do it justice so I have to quote from Clive Coates "...sing like a nightingale, shine forth like a sapphire, intrigue like the most complex of chess problems, and seduce like the first kiss of someone you are just about to fall in love with...it can inspire like a great orator, satisfy like a most subtle of three-star meals, and leave you at peace at the end like the slow movement of a Mozart piano concerto...the wine is complex but not puzzling, profound but not didactic, perfect but not intimidating, and magnificent but never toher than friendly"
SCORE: 100
BY: rchan
1994 Harlan - Estate
(USA / California / Napa)
RATED: 10/13/2003
AROMA: Coffee. Smoky. Tobacco. Toast. Hazelnut. Oak. Vanilla. Red Fruits. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Coffee. Smoky. Tobacco. Toast. Hazelnut. Oak. Vanilla. Red Fruits. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Viscous Smooth Mouthfeel. Rich Body. Moderate Tannin. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: Tasted in a magnum with Bill Harlan at a restaurant in Napa. Rarely do I find california wine that can rival a great bordeaux in terms of complexity, elegance and length. The wine seems to bring together the best of both world. Unfortunately, it is still too young to determine what it can be when it is fully matured. I wished I can afford one.
SCORE: 98 +
BY: rchan
DRINK: In 5-10 years
1968 Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) Cabernet Sauvignon - Georges de Latour
(USA / California / Napa)
RATED: 07/13/2000
AROMA: Savory. Nutty. Woody. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Savory. Nutty. Woody. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Smooth Mouthfeel. Medium Body. Light Tannin. Medium Finish.
COMMENTS: Surprisingly youthful. While the color shows its age, the nose still burst with lots of fruity flavors given its age. Rich and complex taking on full tertiary aroma developed over the years. At one point, this wine tasted like a great Latour or Pichon Lalande. Just like any other older wine, this wine is quite fragile and the window of tasting lasted only an hour after it opened. After that, the wine starts to break down and the fruit gone. It has definately seen better days and I wished I had the opportunity to taste this wine when it was at its prime.
SCORE: 93
BY: rchan
DRINK: Now
1985 Philipponnat - Clos Des Goisses
(France / Champagne)
RATED: 09/13/2004
COLOR: Straw Yellow.
AROMA: Floral. Melon. Cream. Yeast. Lemon. Toast. Citrus. Apple. Mineral. Light Fruits.
FLAVOR: Floral. Melon. Cream. Yeast. Lemon. Toast. Citrus. Apple. Mineral. Light Fruits.
PROFILE: Crisp Acidity. Complex. Balanced. Smooth Mouthfeel. Medium Body. Light Tannin. Medium Finish.
COMMENTS: Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this south facing Clos is one of the 3 Clos in champagne. This champagne tasted like a Chassagne Montrachet with very fine bubbles. Unlike other champagne, the Clos des Goisses has more weight and higher viscousity, yet it still maintain the elegance and subtlety of a great champagne. It was a great match with the salmon tartare we had.
SCORE: 96
BY: rchan
DRINK: Now
1989 Domaine Pegau - Reserve
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
RATED: 10/02/2004
COLOR: Brick Red.
AROMA: Barnyard. Licorice. Game. Tobacco. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Game. Caramel. Chocolate. Smoky. Tobacco. Dark Fruits.
SCORE: 90
BY: rchan
DRINK: Now
2001 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon
(USA / California / Napa)
ALCOHOL: 14.2%
CASES: 18,860
RATED: 10/02/2004
COLOR: Red Purple.
AROMA: Chocolate. Woody. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Coffee. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Astringent Mouthfeel. Medium Body. Moderate Tannin. Short Finish.
SCORE: 88
BY: rchan
1998 Domaine Pegau - Da Capo
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
RATED: 10/02/2004
AROMA: Licorice. Earthy. Game. Coffee. Eucalyptus. Smoky. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Licorice. Earthy. Game. Coffee. Alcohol. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Astringent Mouthfeel. Rich Body. Heavy Tannin. Medium Finish.
SCORE: 90 +
BY: rchan
2002 Failla Pinot Noir
(USA / California / Sonoma / Sonoma Coast)
ALCOHOL: 14.4%
CASES: 175
RATED: 10/02/2004
COLOR: Ruby.
AROMA: Barnyard. Hay/Straw. Leather. Raspberry. Bread. Strawberry. Toast.
FLAVOR: Barnyard. Hay/Straw. Leather. Jam. Asphalt. Raspberry. Bread. Strawberry. Toast.
PROFILE: Unbalanced. Medium Body. Light Tannin. Short Finish.
COMMENTS: I had high hopes for this producer but neither the pinot noir nor the syrah lived up to the expectation. It was unbalanced and too manipulated.
SCORE: 84
BY: rchan
1991 Chapoutier - Barbe Rac
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
RATED: 10/02/2004
AROMA: Barnyard. Truffles. Game. Fig. Prune. Raisin. Raspberry. Tobacco. Vanilla. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Barnyard. Truffles. Earthy. Game. Olive. Bell Pepper. Smoky. Tobacco. Vanilla. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Balanced. Viscous Mouthfeel. Medium Body. Moderate Tannin. Medium Finish.
COMMENTS: Surprising good for a so-so vintage. It almost developed a burgundian nose which I like a lot. It was a bit thin and hollow in the mid palate but drinking very well and very charming.
SCORE: 88
BY: rchan
1994 Chapoutier - Le Pavillon
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Viscous Mouthfeel. Rich Body. Moderate Tannin. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: It appears to posses a duel personality. The bouquet and aroma was like a constant switching back and forth with two different profile. One being like a light-hearted floral and elegant lady and the other
like a demure captain with pure nose of cassis and other black fruits intertwined with profound richness, great complexity, and full body.

Very interesting wine that keeps your curiosity going.
SCORE: 96 +
BY: rchan
DRINK: In 5-10 years
1978 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 08/02/1999
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Medium Body. Moderate Tannin. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: I have a particular sentimental connection to La Chappelle as it is my epiphany to the world of fine wine. This wine is the reason why I fell in love with La Chappelle. The complex finish seems to last forever that keeps changing and bringing back hints of different flavors earlier on and that cycle just keep building on every sip. It is so profound. One of those very few wines that touches your soul.

Had 2 bottles in two different setting. The other bottle while was very good but was no where comparable to this one. I guess bottle variation/storage in older wine is almost as important as a good vintage.
SCORE: 99
BY: rchan
DRINK: Now
1982 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
AROMA: Pepper. Earthy. Leather. Fig. Tobacco. Toast. Cedar. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Pepper. Bacon. Asparagus. Caramel. Raisin. Plum. Burnt. Mineral. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Smooth Mouthfeel. Medium Body. Light Tannin. Medium Finish.
COMMENTS: An excellent and complex wine. The wine seemed to be still quite youthful with loads of fruit and a peppery note. (probably because it was from a magnum)
SCORE: 93
BY: rchan
DRINK: Now
1995 Jaboulet - Chevalier de Sterimberg - Blanc
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
AROMA: Floral. Lime. Lemon. Almonds.
FLAVOR: Floral. Lime. Lemon. Almonds.
PROFILE: Crisp Acidity. Balanced. Lean Body. Light Tannin. Short Finish.
COMMENTS: It was plesant but nothing too exciting about the wine. Perhaps not a good bottle?
SCORE: 86
BY: rchan
1997 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Rich Body. Heavy Tannin. Medium Finish.
COMMENTS: Drank a bit young but it show quite promising qualities with good structure and grip. Definately better than the 1996 that I drank side by side with.
SCORE: 93 +
BY: rchan
DRINK: In 5-10 years
1996 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
COMMENTS: I have had the 1996 quite a few times but the wine seems have matured a lot more my expectation. It was good but seems to be lacking a bit of substance. It could be going through an awkward phase...
SCORE: 89 +
BY: rchan
1983 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
COMMENTS: One of the bottle was definately over the hill. This one surprisingly still a bit tight, the tannins seemed to be dominating the overall impression. About 1 hour later, the wine has slowly opened up and revealed some very nice mature bottle bouquet. The wine was getting better and better but it was also finished by then.
SCORE: 88
BY: rchan
1995 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Rich Body. Heavy Moderate Tannin. Medium Finish.
SCORE: 92
BY: rchan
DRINK: In 5-10 years
1994 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2000
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Medium Body. Moderate Tannin. Medium Finish.
COMMENTS: It was very charming and drinkable last tasted in 2000. Wonder how it has evolved.
SCORE: 93
BY: rchan
DRINK: In 3-5 years
1990 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Viscous Mouthfeel. Rich Body. Moderate Tannin. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: It reminded my of the glorious 1978. I am curious how the 1978 compare to the 1990 when they are at about the same age.
Definitley the 1990 is a great wine with pretty much everything you look for, complexity, balance and charm. It is still a bit young to assess the wine and I am not very good at it. I would love to be able to taste it again when it gains more mature complexity.
SCORE: 96 +
BY: rchan
DRINK: In 5-10 years
1979 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2003
AROMA: Truffles. Earthy. Jam. Coffee. Fig. Raisin. Black Currant. Raspberry. Vanilla. Nutty. Dark Fruits.
FLAVOR: Pepper. Truffles. Jam. Coffee. Prune. Caramel. Toffee. Black Currant. Chocolate. Raspberry. Tobacco. Oak. Nutty. Dark Fruits.
PROFILE: Complex. Balanced. Medium Body. Moderate Tannin. Long Finish.
COMMENTS: I drank it at its prime last year. Had it with laughing stock pork at Chez Panisse. Both the food and the wine complement each other very well. The wine could only warrant a lesser score should it be drunk alone. Well, but that is the only bottle I had.
SCORE: 96
BY: rchan
DRINK: Now
1980 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
COMMENTS: Kind of over the hill, but still very drinkable.
SCORE: 86
BY: rchan
1988 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
COMMENTS: Didn't drink it in a proper setting. Only had a glass.
SCORE: 88
BY: rchan
1998 Jaboulet - La Chapelle
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
RATED: 10/02/2004
COMMENTS: Showing great potential, very well extracted and a little overwhelming for me.
SCORE: 93
BY: rchan
 
Displaying [1-25] of 122

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