Two Cape Crusaders: Alheit & Mullineux
featured, South Africa, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Jun 2019
Two Chrises (Alheit and Mullineux). Two winemakers. Two Chenin Blancs. Two wines that have helped transform the image of South African wines. Two vertical tastings here in one Vinous article.
Domaine Trapet Chambertin: 1949-2012
France: Burgundy, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives
, May 2019
Tireless work in the vineyards and a lighter hand in the winery have enabled Jean-Louis Trapet to restore his family’s estate to greatness in the 21st century. This remarkable vertical tasting of the flagship Chambertin encompassed most of the vintages made under Jean-Louis Trapet’s tenure, along with a handful of older gems from the Trapet family’s cellar.
Finding Filhot: Filhot 1935-2015
featured, France: Bordeaux, Verticals & Retrospectives
, May 2019
Filhot is among the largest and grandest estates in Sauternes, yet over many years of experience, its wines often pose as many questions as answers. Would visiting the estate, plus a vertical tasting stretching back decades, alter my opinion?
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate: 1977-2010
featured, Verticals & Retrospectives, United States: California
, May 2019
Chateau Montelena’s classic, long-aging flagship Cabernet from Calistoga has been steadily updated in recent decades through harvesting and cellar improvements as well as by the addition of fruit from volcanic hillside vineyards, which has contributed power, clarity and minerality to the wine. This retrospective traces the history of the Estate Cabernet back to 1977.
Vintage Retrospective: The 1999 Napa Valley Cabernets
featured, Verticals & Retrospectives, United States: California
, May 2019
Napa Valley’s Cabernet crop in the mostly cool growing season of ’99 benefited from a late burst of heat, yielding lively, moderately dense, aromatically complex wines with very good staying power.
Fermented Grape Juice: Romanée-Conti 1953-2005
France: Burgundy, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Apr 2019
They say that dreams come true. Well, I am still waiting for Southend United to win the FA Cup and Keira Knightley to call. But I no longer have to dream about a vertical of Domaine Romanée-Conti. It really happened. And I am going to tell you about it.
The Margaux Paragon: Rauzan-Ségla 1900-2015
featured, France: Bordeaux, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Apr 2019
A unique vertical of Rauzan-Ségla that spanned more than a century was the catalyst for this in-depth château profile, which charts the course of the Margaux Second Growth from its origins under Pierre de Rauzan to the present day under Nicolas Audebert. Everything you ever wanted to know about Rauzan-Ségla should be here.
Beaulieu’s Georges de Latour Private Reserve: 1965–2016
featured, Verticals & Retrospectives, United States: California
, Apr 2019
Beaulieu Vineyard’s Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet is California’s first cult Cabernet. Adamantly Médoc-like in its earlier decades, it has evolved with the times. Recent vintages are as remarkable as ever, if in a more modern style.
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Domaine des Lambrays’ Clos des Lambrays 1966-2012
France: Burgundy, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Apr 2019
This past December seemed an ideal time for me to taste a vertical collection of the Domaine des Lambrays’ historic Grand Cru Clos des Lambrays going back to the 1960s. Under the steady hand of widely respected estate manager/winemaker Thierry Brouin, the Clos des Lambrays has been restored to Grand Cru status after decades of neglect.
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Joseph Roty’s Charmes-Chambertin Très Vieilles Vignes
France: Burgundy, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Feb 2019
The Roty family’s Charmes-Chambertin from ancient vines has established a half-century track record as one of Burgundy’s monumental collectibles. My extensive vertical tasting of this bottling in December was also a celebration of a very private family—and the ghost in the room was the formidable personality of the late Joseph Roty, who was largely responsible for creating the “Roty style.”