Teusner Joshua 2017
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
1w ago
From Teusner in the Barossa Valley, this wine is a grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre (GSM) blend from the 2017 vintage. As is typical of this producer it is a dark fruited, fruit first style. In the glass, it has aromas of eucalyptus and black fruits. The palate has sweet and ripe dark fruit characters with an undercurrent of menthol and light tannins adding a little structure. The wine finishes with great length. Its six years of age have softened its primary fruit characters, putting this wine in a very good place for current drinking. Review Rating: Very Good (★★★★, 90 points). Website: Teusne ..read more
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Alamos Malbec 2020
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
1w ago
Alamos is a very typical Mendoza malbec from Argentina. It has red fruit aromas that remind of violets and raspberries, but with time reveals a raisined dark fruit character. The palate is dry, has dark fruit flavours supported by moderate tannins and a savoury finish. This is textbook malbec that is ready to drink. Review Rating: Good (★★★, 86 points). Website: NA. Tasted: March 2024. The post Alamos Malbec 2020 appeared first on Grape Observer ..read more
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La Marinière Muscadet sur Lie 2021
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
1w ago
This is textbook Muscadat sur Lie, a wine made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape variety in the Loire Valley. It opens to a restrained, bready aroma. The palate is light bodied and has a “leesy”, biscuity texture. Muscadet is a neutral style that can be enjoyed with seafood and this wine will suit current drinking. Rating: Good (★★★, 86 points). Website: NA. Tasted: January 2024. The post La Marinière Muscadet sur Lie 2021 appeared first on Grape Observer ..read more
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Château Laroque 2020 Review
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
2w ago
This wine, a grand cru classé from Château Laroque in Saint-Emilion and the 2020 vintage, is serious in intent.  The 2020 vintage is a very good one in Bordeaux, and interestingly enough I’ve tasted very recently four quite different expressions of it from the left and right banks. See for contrast, Château Coucheroy 2020, Brulieres de Beychevelle 2020 and Fleur de Pédesclaux Pauillac 2020. In this group, it might be said that the producer is more determinative to style than vintage. Château Laroque’s 2020 vintage is a blend of 99% merlot and 1% cabernet franc, so it is almost entirely me ..read more
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Domaine Pichot Clos Cartaud 2022
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
2w ago
This is a new release Vouvray Sec from Domaine Pichot and the 2022 vintage. As is typical for chenin blanc from the Loire Valley, it has a waxy aroma perhaps with some lemon curd characters. The palate has an evident creamy texture from time on lees and has high acidity that does not clearly emerge until a second glass. I find this acid reticence followed by a reveal as quite typical of Loire chenin blanc. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and finishes dry. The alcohol is a modest 12.0 and the wine is ready to drink. Rating: Good to Very Good (★★★☆, 88 points). Website Domaine Pichot. T ..read more
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Château Coucheroy 2020
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
3w ago
Merlot red berries are evident on the nose of the 2020 vintage of Château Coucheroy’s wine from Pessac-Leognan in the Bordeaux region.  The palate is medium bodied and has a medium intensity expression of black fruits built on a substrate of redcurrants.  This is a sound Pessac-Leognan that will suit current drinking.  Rating: Good (★★★, 87 points). Website: Château Coucheroy. Tasted: January 2024 The post Château Coucheroy 2020 appeared first on Grape Observer ..read more
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L’Artisan Le Chardonnay 2020
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
3w ago
This is a generous chardonnay from L’Artesin and the IGP Pays d’Oc. The label I expect will have appeal due to its simplicity of message – it’s French and it’s chardonnay. In the glass, the 2020 vintage has aromas of butterscotch, Fuji red apples and apple skins.  The palate is dry, full bodied and etched by some refreshing acidity and has a short finish.  It will appeal to those seeking a well priced chardonnay alternative from the south of France. This approachable chardonnay will suit current drinking.  Rating: Good (★★★, 87 points). Website: NA. Source: Sample. Tasted: Febru ..read more
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Brulieres de Beychevelle 2020
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
3w ago
From the great 2020 vintage, the second wine of Chateau Beychevelle, the Brulieres de Beychevelle gives a first impression of somewhat heavy handed oak, with predominant aromas of vanilla and cedar.  The intention I expect will have been to suitably marry the ripe fruit of the 2020 vintage and provide for an earlier drinking, more obvious style. The palate has more interest and is medium bodied, the tannins moderate,  the overall impression subtle and the wine finishes with nice length.  This wine can be approached now but will benefit from a couple of years of cellaring. Rating ..read more
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Château de Fieuzal 2016
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
3w ago
The 2016 vintage of Chateau de Fieuzal in Pessac-Leognan from the Bordeaux region is a serious wine. Looking back at earlier vintage notes on the 2009, 1989 and 1986 vintages, two of these being top vintages, this is a producer whose style has appealed over time. Deeply coloured, the 2016 vintage has medium intensity aromas of clove and blackcurrant.  The palate has balckcurrant characters, firm but silky tannins and long length on the finish. This is a classy wine with depth and interest for drinking now and the potential for future development.  Rating: Very Good to Outstanding ..read more
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Château Sociando-Mallet 2017
Grape Observer
by S Mitchell
1M ago
This wine presented as a lesser vintage of Château Sociando-Mallet, a Bordeaux Médoc producer that is typically very good.  The wine has aromas of wood and blackcurrant, with some subtlety and effort required to find them.  The palate is tannic and lacking in fruit intensity, while it finishes with reasonable but not long length.  With notes such as these, it does occur that this may be a bad bottle.  However, it is also the only bottle tasted and it is better to “tell it as it is”.  This approach avoids unconsciously biasing a “correct” view that has not been observed ..read more
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