Wine Review 2010

Lot # Wine Year M D Comment
CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE
When these wines were offered, the château was in the ownership of David and Catherine O’Brien. Over a number of years, the wines improved out of
all recognition as David became more familiar with his art whilst at the same time the old tired stocks of wine were disposed of to the local cafes. As a
race horse trainer, David was ranked at the summit in Europe where his famous horse, the Canadian born Nijinsky, son of Northern Dancer, was one of
the most successful racers ever. David has now retired, but not before making these wines and those of the succeeding year.
4047 Esprit de Nijinsky Rouge, 2005 9 9 Not long. Very lively. Drink now.
Vin de Pays Côteaux du Verdon
4049 La Source de Vignelaure, 2003 9 9 Beautiful wine. Full-bodied, rich and complete.
Côteaux Aix Provence
4051 Château Vignelaure, 2003 7 8 One of the best wines made here. David captured its entire
Côteaux Aix Provence spirit in a wealth of balanced nuances featuring spice,
garrigue flowers and black cassis.
4052 Château Vignelaure, Aix-en-Provence, 2004 8 8 Lovely, fat and rich. Very complex. Tons of fruit and lush
Le Page de Vignelaure, mouth-feel. This was the first time that we were offered
Founders’ Choice the specially designed “Le Page” label, drawn one morning
by Yves Saint Laurent, who had stayed the previous night,
as a thank you token. The label remains exclusive
to Opimian.
4055 Saint Romain, La Combe Bazin 2006 8 9 Nice, but modest white Burgundy. The Chardonnay is still
rather subdued and it has not developed the gorgeous “cream
and butter” flavours that many Côte d’Or whites display.
4056 Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2006 9 9 Fine notes of Pinot Noir fruit. However, even though it is in
perfect condition, it shows that this grape very rarely produces
an exploding bomb of complexity. In fact, much more frequently,
the activity is nearer to a damp squib. This is nice enough,
typical, but not exciting.
4057 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune 2006 9 10 A wonderful example of the Hautes Côtes, but it is quite a
modest wine.
4058 Saint Romain, La Perrière 2006 8 8 This is a lovely wine. Round, strongly perfumed,
nice bottle-aged notes and long soft flavour.
4059 Beaune, Les Bons Feuvres 2006 8 8 The best of the Burgundian bunch, but then it was their most
expensive. Nicely made. Very clean, direct Pinot Noir nuances,
cherry fruit, raspberry and lovely finish. It has smoke around the
edges and moist earth, but that is what it is supposed to offer.
4062 Côteaux du Layon, 2006 9 9 A long lived wine. Very good style. Nice soft fruit, all lifted
Domaine du Pont de Livier by the fine notes of residual grape sugar.
4066 Touraine Emotion, Domaine Gibault 2006 9 9 Most of the Gibault domaine wines are at their best within
24 months of the vintage. This is an exception and is showing
good fruit and balance now.
4067 Chinon, Domaine Charles Pain 2006 9 10 A private domaine whose wines are made by the Gibault
family. An easy wine to drink. The fruit is dominated by the
lively acidity. Drinking well now.
4068 Saumur-Champigny, 2005 9 10 Made by an Englishman who spends much of his time playing
Château de Chaintres cricket… in France! The flavours are refined, but it is perfectly
ready and will not improve any more.
4070 Pouilly Fumé, Domaine Jean-Paul Mollet 2006 8 9 This is a great estate with very good skills on parade. The
wine is showing the harmony of the terroir and variety in a
smooth and simple display.
4071 Sancerre Blanc, Domaine Florian Mollet 2006 8 9 Fine notes of the white limestone and chalky terroir. The
vineyards of Sancerre occupy a saucer shaped bowl that
concentrates the sunshine, resulting in wines with lovely
ripe and opulent Sauvignon Blanc perfume and flavour.
4072 Sancerre Rouge, 2006 9 9 Light. Easy. Juicy. Quite high acidity. Little tannin, but a wine
Domaine Florian Mollet that is a real pleasure to sip quietly. It is drinking well now.
Wine Review 2010
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