Monday, July 31, 2017


Miscellaneous Loire Reds Recently Tasted: Château de Brézé/Lambert, Janvier, Lemasson/Vins Contés, Sebile, Carroi Bon Air, Morantin

Some good wines here at prices that don't challenge the pocket book. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 7:41 PM  

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Recently Sampled Beaujolais from 2014 and 2015 Part II: Lardy, Lapierre, Robert-Denogent, Antoine Sunier



The first part of this current review of Beaujolais is here. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 8:54 PM  

Friday, July 28, 2017

Recently Tasted Beaujolais from 2014, 2015, and 2016: Brun/Terres Dorées, Château Cambon, J. Chamonard, Chermette, Coutert, Dupeuble, Églantine/Grillet, Guiginer/Amethystes, Janin


I continue to be impressed by the majority of 2015 wines I taste from this region -- they are ripe, but they have a freshness and liveliness than the 2009s generally lacked. 

2014 is a fairly classic vintage, but often the wines lack generosity.

2016 is looking good for many of the wines, but because of the severely reduced crops in some areas due to hail and/or frost, some of the wines seem too concentrated. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 9:13 PM  

Monday, July 17, 2017

Domaine TORTOCHOT (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Sample and Bottle

Tortochot is an estate with great holdings: Chambertin and three other grands crus; five well-sited premiers crus in Gevrey, Morey, and Chambolle; a number of village Gevrey and Morey vineyards that are well-sited; and a Bourgogne rouge. 

The wines were disappointing for a long time, so I’ve never bothered to visit and only come across the wines from time to time, but I had noticed a significant uptick in the wines I’d tried over the last ten years or so. This selection indicates that it is possible to get good wine here, but also that there remains more work to do. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 5:12 PM  

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Domaine Pierre GELIN (Fixin) -- A Pair of 2015s Tasted from Barrel Samples



Pierre-Emmanuel Gelin has now taken over from his father Stéphen. These two wines show that the same quality wines, never flashy but always of interest, are still being made. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 3:33 PM  

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Domaine HERESTZYN-MAZZINI (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Samples



This estate springs out of Domaine Herestzyn in Gevrey-Chambertin (which also still exists). In 2012, Florence Herestzyn and her husband, Simon Mazzini, leased 5.5 hectares from her father (Stanislaus) and aunt to begin the domain.

Some whole clusters are used in the wines (usually about 30-40%). The aim is to get finesse (in Gevrey, that’s a relative term compared to some other terroirs) into the wines, and they succeed well. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 2:54 PM  

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Philippe ROSSIGNOL (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- A Pair of 2015 Premiers Crus Tasted from Barrel Samples



I’ve not come across Rossignol’s wines in some years and was gratified to see that they are continuing to show quality. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 6:31 PM  

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Domaine René BOUVIER/Bernard BOUVIER (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- 2015 from Barrel Sample


I believe that the wines here can be found under either the Bernard Bouvier or René Bouvier label, but they are identical. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 4:35 PM  

Monday, July 10, 2017

Jérôme GALEYRAND (St-Philibert) -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Samples



Jérôme Galeyrand is originally from the Loire region and has no family background in wine. He was a cheese wholesaler in northwest France when he happened to do an apprenticeship with Alain Burguet in Gevrey-Chambertin about twenty years ago. Captivated by wine, he set up his own estate about fifteen years ago. He has five hectares — only regional and village wines, but the quality is excellent and worthy of your investigation.

Galeyrand works without pesticides and does uses some whole clusters in his wines. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 4:32 PM  

Saturday, July 8, 2017

RIDGE VINEYARDS -- Current National Releases



From not just one of California’s, but one of the world’s, iconic producers, this is a solid set of releases with a fabulous Geyserville. The other wines show a stronger oak signature than I recall for recent vintages, but with further bottle aging, they should come into better focus. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 6:10 PM  

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Domaine Henri RICHARD -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Samples



This estate is one I previously have not sampled. It began conversion to organic methods in 2001 and received certification in 2005. Based on these three wines, there’s something of interest here should you come across the wines. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 7:25 PM  

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Domaine Henri MAGNIEN (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Samples


Charles Magnien, grandson of Henri, has been in charge of this 6 ha estate since 2009. Apparently, much of the production is sold to restaurants in and around Gevrey. I understand that the vines are planted in a very old clone known as Pinot Magnien that supposedly gives extra depth and spice to the wines. 

This appears to be an estate worth investigating should you come across the wines. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 12:44 PM  

Monday, July 3, 2017

HUMBERT Frères (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Samples


I’ve found this estate reliable over the years. Good wines that are of interest when at the right prices, but not top tier. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 6:37 PM  

Dominique GALLOIS (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Samples


This small (3.5 ha) estate, established in 1901, is a good source for Gevreys in 2015.  The wines show elegance and overall balance. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 4:00 AM  

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Domaines René LECLERC and François LECLERC (Gevrey-Chambertin) -- 2015 Tasted from Barrel Samples



François Leclerc is the son of René Leclerc and has taken over direction of that domaine. Additionally, some vineyards are now owned and being bottled under the François Leclerc Label. (Continue reading here.)

posted by Claude Kolm has been writing The Fine Wine Review since 1986. At the end of 2014, it switched to a blog in order to allow more timely and in depth information about estates. @ 6:14 PM