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Four La La’s: La Landonne, La Mouline & La Turque at La Balena

Four La La's: La Landonne, La Mouline & La Turque at La Balena

I have, in recent past, promoted and sold Guigal’s single-vineyard Côte-Rôties, La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque (affectionately known as the La La’s) to fans and collectors all over the United States. An invitation to taste these wines is not something to pass up, an event made even more special considering the vintage—all three […]

Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 1996

Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 1996

As always, Krug is for me, the perfect illustration of power and fineness. The common thread amongst all of the bottles I have been fortunate to taste is a sense of luxury. In a wine, luxury is not an easy to define, but most certainly Krug has it. A generous nose of brioche, apple galette, […]

Bryant Family Proprietor Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Bryant Family Proprietor Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

From the famed Prichard Hill estate vineyard, this 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a cult wine, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Screaming Eagle, Harlan and Colgin. The nose is typical of Napa Cab, with rich aromas of steeped blackberries, cassis, saddle leather, spice box and caramelized brown sugar. On the palate, it’s silky, […]

Quintarelli Giuseppe Veneto Secco Cà Del Merlo 2012

Quintarelli Giuseppe Veneto Secco Cà Del Merlo 2012

Kermit lynch has long been a favorite producer of mine, and this refreshing white selection from the Veneto is an affable blend of Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Savignon Bianco, Chardonnay and Saorin. Post fermentation this wine sees regular battonage, a technique of stirring the less which adds richness and texture. On the nose, ripe pear, white […]

Abreu Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Abreu Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Yesterday I gave the 2002 Abreu Thorevilos five stars, if I could give the Madrona Ranch 5.5 stars, I would. Like the Thorevilos, Madrona Ranch Cabernet is limited production wine, only 500 cases were made, and it, too received a perfect 100 points from Parker. Thankfully, I tasted this before knowing anything about the producer. […]

Musar Bekka Valley Red Blend 1999

Musar Bekka Valley Red Blend 1999

As the winemaker stated during in a recent #VivinoTasteParty, Musar is Musar. There is a compelling quality to these wines that make them special, Musar has a unique thumbprint. Incredible complexity on the nose, it unfurls slowly revealing layers of ripe plums, figs, cigar box, dried rose petal, spice and marvelous top notes of mint […]

Château Léoville Las Cases 1997

Château Léoville Las Cases 1997

Appreciating a great estate like Leoville-Las Cases is like appreciating a great work of art. It’s done slowly, thoughtfully and with profound pleasure. While 1997 wasn’t a profound vintage in and of itself, Cab-dominant Leoville sings. It’s still fresh and elegant with notes of steeped blackberry, black currant, graphite and violets. Medium-bodied with well-integrated, caressing […]

Krug Grand Cuveé NV — ID 212026

Krug Grand Cuveé NV — ID 212026

ID 212026 Multi-dimensional, layered and wonderfully complex. I have been tasting this over the course of the afternoon, in an attempt to fully appreciate this masterpiece from every angle. Opens with classic brioche notes, d’Anjou pear, wild clover honey, crystalline ginger. On the palate, it’s all finesse and power. Candied orange peel, almond biscotti and […]

Lucien Le Moine Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2002

Lucien Le Moine Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2002

Nicely developed Bonnes-Mares, there is still ample acidity and structure to carry this forward in the cellar. Red fruit punctuated by a high candy-like note along with black cherry, spice and herbs. Intensity is concentrated on the mid-to-fore palate, offering great structure and polish throughout. The finish is satisfyingly lengthy and spicy. Lucien Le Moine […]

Krug Grande Cuvée NV — ID 411048

Krug Grande Cuvée NV — ID 411048

This bottle’s ID number differs from the first bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée I wrote about in late spring of this year (see Krug ID 212026). Indeed, this bottle reveals perhaps slightly more richness on the nose with more emphasis on brioche, wonderfully sweet pastry notes leaning toward caramel and marzipan, with subtle orchard fruit […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com