It was a lighter month for us since we went dry for the first few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving to recover from our crazy and hazy October.
2017 Azienda Agricola Montesecondo Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (11/22/2019)
Very good sangiovese with lots of fruit and lots of the Tuscan notes of herbs and leather that I like. The vintage doesn't make the fruit overly ripe, but there is some coarseness to the tannin that are unlike previous vintages. I'm curious to try another bottle in a couple of years after that settles down. (90 points)
2005 Ch“teau Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (11/23/2019)
This was a really nice bottle with the oak integrated and the tannin starting to recede. Nice fruit on the dark, cassis end of the spectrum but not especially overwhelming. Notes of light earth, cedar and spice add nuance to the fruit. (93 points)
2008 Guy Larmandier Champagne Signé François Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne (11/23/2019)
This was richer and more brioche than I expected given that there is no dosage and it is chardonnay from Cramant. Very classy and good with food. I liked this quite a bit and will probably get some more. (93 points)
2017 Jean-Louis Dutraive (Domaine de la Grand'Cour) Brouilly Cuvée Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Brouilly (11/23/2019)
This was better than the previous bottle but still not the wine that I remember from the 2013-2015 vintages. (88 points)
2014 Domaine de la Bongran (Thevenet) Viré-Clessé Cuvée E. J. Thevenet - France, Burgundy, M“connais, Viré-Clessé (11/23/2019)
Did spend a lot of time with this one but my impression is of a wine that is less heavy than the previous few vintages. Seemed more light on its feet and less tropical, but this is still Bongran. (91 points)
2005 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (11/23/2019)
Not as explosive as the last bottle, but really intense depth and lift. You really get the sense of the site, the wine reeks of limestone. (93 points)
2012 Geantet-Pansiot Charmes-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru (11/23/2019)
Not as exuberant as the last bottle I drank on the nose but the palate is still stuffed with dark cherries and red fruits that are long and silky. (93 points)
2009 Geantet-Pansiot Charmes-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru (11/24/2019)
This was better than last year's showing in that it was a little more open and a little more gentle. Doesn't have the sheer fruit of the 2012 but shows a fine earth and mineral bead. Lovely. (94 points)
2014 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée (11/24/2019)
Certainly lots of potential but really closed in on itself. Only had half the bottle, the other half going into the house red wine vinegar. Given the impeccable track record here, I'm sure it'll eventually come around. Stay away for 5-7 years is my instinct. (88 points)
2006 Domaine Pavelot (Jean-Marc et Hugues) Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru La Dominode - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru (11/24/2019)
A perfectly acceptable rendition of a Pavelot Dominode. Lithe and light on it's feet with plenty of Dominode earth to offset the crunchy red fruit. The tannin are still a bit rustic and it may lack some fruit to really improve. My guess is that this could be one of those bottles that surprises when it's 30+ and full of autumnal bottle sweetness. (89 points)
2013 Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Rosé - France, Champagne (11/24/2019)
Maybe my expectations were too high. What this wine is, perfectly nice, well made rosé Champagne, is just a bit boring. It wasn't even particularly vivacious or crowd pleasing. Just stolid. Maybe time will help, but I'll try someone else's bottles. (91 points)
2017 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) La Lune - France, Vin de France (11/24/2019)
I'm not exactly the best reporter of these wines, and it isn't as if I have a real personal connection with Marc Angeli (he was never particularly nice to me when I met him) but something about the way I feel when I drink these wines really sticks to me. They're generous with being flaccid. They feel alive and vibrant, but they have some rs. Mysterious to me and probably to you. (92 points)
2017 François Pinon Vouvray Silex Noir - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (11/26/2019)
Excellent. I really feel that Julien and Francois are crushing it. For the depth, complexity and cut these wines have, they are almost criminally under-priced. But I guess the market is what it is. Maybe that plays into my psychology and I just don't let them age or don't buy enough in the first place. (93 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #23 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (11/27/2019)
So pure and linear and delicious. I go through these way too fast. There is a polished rusticity to these wines, if that makes any sense. It doesn't really. It's like cut crystal from Ireland rather than Baccarat by way of (a totally annoying and poncy) analogy. (93 points)
2014 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/27/2019)
Sharper than the last bottle and the last bottle I own. Transitioning to a different phase of development but I liked this first phase so much I drank them all up. Fichet is a producer who I would never hesitate to buy if confronted with a list. There is always a nice mineral underpinning even when the secondary notes start coming through. (91 points)
2007 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut - France, Champagne (11/28/2019)
Hugely disappointing. I'm a Comtes fan from way back. It was my favorite of the grand marque Champagne but this bottle seemed a bit heavy and coarse for a Comtes. I'm glad I bought a bottle to taste rather than just buying some as the bottle itself is annoying and doesn't fit in racking. Maybe my palate has been ruined by all of the grower stuff I drink now. If this were $60 I might buy some to see where it goes, but it ain't $60. (92 points)
2013 Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/28/2019)
Good CA pinot in a more or less restrained style made with some percentage of whole clusters. Served it's purpose. (90 points)
2012 Rhys Pinot Noir San Mateo County - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County (11/28/2019)
Less obvious whole cluster and a bit blowzier than the 2013. (90 points)
2018 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes Clos des Briords - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (11/28/2019)
A richer version of this wine and while perfectly delicious to drink lacks the intensity that marks the best vintages. Maybe just not a wine for oysters. Will try alone and with other food soon. (90 points)
2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (11/28/2019)
This is still the same wine as last year. I like to have it around for my in-laws who don't love many of my lower dosage extra brut and like the Roederer brand. I still think it is very good, if a bit boring but is much easier without food than many of my go to grower stuff. (92 points)
2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Nature Cuvée Starck - France, Champagne (11/28/2019)
This was fine. I was worried it would be a bit screechy next to the regular 2009 vintage but we were eating by then so it had food to buffer. I'd happily drink this again but don't think I'll buy any for my cellar. (92 points)
2017 Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (11/29/2019)
Really pretty and very complex nose. Almost Burgundian texture. Not sure I would have pegged it as frappato if I was tasting blind, but it really is a very pretty and easy to drink wine. Was great with food. The only issue these days is the price. (91 points)
2017 Azienda Agricola Montesecondo Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (11/22/2019)
Very good sangiovese with lots of fruit and lots of the Tuscan notes of herbs and leather that I like. The vintage doesn't make the fruit overly ripe, but there is some coarseness to the tannin that are unlike previous vintages. I'm curious to try another bottle in a couple of years after that settles down. (90 points)
2005 Ch“teau Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (11/23/2019)
This was a really nice bottle with the oak integrated and the tannin starting to recede. Nice fruit on the dark, cassis end of the spectrum but not especially overwhelming. Notes of light earth, cedar and spice add nuance to the fruit. (93 points)
2008 Guy Larmandier Champagne Signé François Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne (11/23/2019)
This was richer and more brioche than I expected given that there is no dosage and it is chardonnay from Cramant. Very classy and good with food. I liked this quite a bit and will probably get some more. (93 points)
2017 Jean-Louis Dutraive (Domaine de la Grand'Cour) Brouilly Cuvée Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Brouilly (11/23/2019)
This was better than the previous bottle but still not the wine that I remember from the 2013-2015 vintages. (88 points)
2014 Domaine de la Bongran (Thevenet) Viré-Clessé Cuvée E. J. Thevenet - France, Burgundy, M“connais, Viré-Clessé (11/23/2019)
Did spend a lot of time with this one but my impression is of a wine that is less heavy than the previous few vintages. Seemed more light on its feet and less tropical, but this is still Bongran. (91 points)
2005 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (11/23/2019)
Not as explosive as the last bottle, but really intense depth and lift. You really get the sense of the site, the wine reeks of limestone. (93 points)
2012 Geantet-Pansiot Charmes-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru (11/23/2019)
Not as exuberant as the last bottle I drank on the nose but the palate is still stuffed with dark cherries and red fruits that are long and silky. (93 points)
2009 Geantet-Pansiot Charmes-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru (11/24/2019)
This was better than last year's showing in that it was a little more open and a little more gentle. Doesn't have the sheer fruit of the 2012 but shows a fine earth and mineral bead. Lovely. (94 points)
2014 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée (11/24/2019)
Certainly lots of potential but really closed in on itself. Only had half the bottle, the other half going into the house red wine vinegar. Given the impeccable track record here, I'm sure it'll eventually come around. Stay away for 5-7 years is my instinct. (88 points)
2006 Domaine Pavelot (Jean-Marc et Hugues) Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru La Dominode - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru (11/24/2019)
A perfectly acceptable rendition of a Pavelot Dominode. Lithe and light on it's feet with plenty of Dominode earth to offset the crunchy red fruit. The tannin are still a bit rustic and it may lack some fruit to really improve. My guess is that this could be one of those bottles that surprises when it's 30+ and full of autumnal bottle sweetness. (89 points)
2013 Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Rosé - France, Champagne (11/24/2019)
Maybe my expectations were too high. What this wine is, perfectly nice, well made rosé Champagne, is just a bit boring. It wasn't even particularly vivacious or crowd pleasing. Just stolid. Maybe time will help, but I'll try someone else's bottles. (91 points)
2017 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) La Lune - France, Vin de France (11/24/2019)
I'm not exactly the best reporter of these wines, and it isn't as if I have a real personal connection with Marc Angeli (he was never particularly nice to me when I met him) but something about the way I feel when I drink these wines really sticks to me. They're generous with being flaccid. They feel alive and vibrant, but they have some rs. Mysterious to me and probably to you. (92 points)
2017 François Pinon Vouvray Silex Noir - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (11/26/2019)
Excellent. I really feel that Julien and Francois are crushing it. For the depth, complexity and cut these wines have, they are almost criminally under-priced. But I guess the market is what it is. Maybe that plays into my psychology and I just don't let them age or don't buy enough in the first place. (93 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #23 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (11/27/2019)
So pure and linear and delicious. I go through these way too fast. There is a polished rusticity to these wines, if that makes any sense. It doesn't really. It's like cut crystal from Ireland rather than Baccarat by way of (a totally annoying and poncy) analogy. (93 points)
2014 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/27/2019)
Sharper than the last bottle and the last bottle I own. Transitioning to a different phase of development but I liked this first phase so much I drank them all up. Fichet is a producer who I would never hesitate to buy if confronted with a list. There is always a nice mineral underpinning even when the secondary notes start coming through. (91 points)
2007 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut - France, Champagne (11/28/2019)
Hugely disappointing. I'm a Comtes fan from way back. It was my favorite of the grand marque Champagne but this bottle seemed a bit heavy and coarse for a Comtes. I'm glad I bought a bottle to taste rather than just buying some as the bottle itself is annoying and doesn't fit in racking. Maybe my palate has been ruined by all of the grower stuff I drink now. If this were $60 I might buy some to see where it goes, but it ain't $60. (92 points)
2013 Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/28/2019)
Good CA pinot in a more or less restrained style made with some percentage of whole clusters. Served it's purpose. (90 points)
2012 Rhys Pinot Noir San Mateo County - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County (11/28/2019)
Less obvious whole cluster and a bit blowzier than the 2013. (90 points)
2018 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes Clos des Briords - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (11/28/2019)
A richer version of this wine and while perfectly delicious to drink lacks the intensity that marks the best vintages. Maybe just not a wine for oysters. Will try alone and with other food soon. (90 points)
2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (11/28/2019)
This is still the same wine as last year. I like to have it around for my in-laws who don't love many of my lower dosage extra brut and like the Roederer brand. I still think it is very good, if a bit boring but is much easier without food than many of my go to grower stuff. (92 points)
2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Nature Cuvée Starck - France, Champagne (11/28/2019)
This was fine. I was worried it would be a bit screechy next to the regular 2009 vintage but we were eating by then so it had food to buffer. I'd happily drink this again but don't think I'll buy any for my cellar. (92 points)
2017 Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (11/29/2019)
Really pretty and very complex nose. Almost Burgundian texture. Not sure I would have pegged it as frappato if I was tasting blind, but it really is a very pretty and easy to drink wine. Was great with food. The only issue these days is the price. (91 points)
