Wine Review 2010

Lot # Wine Year M D Comment
SPANISH FUTURES
Opimian discovered the restructured vineyards, wineries and the greatest wines of northern Spain and introduced them to this country
long before such regions as Ribera del Duero, Cigalles and Toro (not to forget Rioja) were available elsewhere. How could the wine
world have overlooked these fabulous wines of Iberia for so long? Where Opimian pioneered, others have followed and now northern
Spain’s wines are better known, their class recognized far and wide.
2909 Bodegas Faustino, Rioja Reserva 2002 10 10 A special bottling for customers regarded by Faustino as
special. The wine is lovely.
2911 Bodegas Penalba López,
Torremilanos Reserva
2002 9 10 Still full of dark fruit, but now ready to enjoy.
2907 Bodega Beaumonte, Crianza 2003 9 9 All that time maturing in casks is now seen in the softness
of the palate. Enjoy now.
2908 Valdelosfrailes, “Prestigio” 2003 9 9 Huge structure. Big flavour. Long lasting tannins,
but perfectly ready.
2910 Bodegas y Viñedos Valduero, Crianza 2003 9 9 The harsh landscape can almost be tasted in the glass. Still
tough, this child has had to work to harmonize. Very fine wine.
2912 Bodegas Farina, “Torre 5” Crianza 2003 8 9 Giant wine from a gigantic producer.
2913 Bodegas Farina, 2003 8 8
“Torre 7” Gran Colegiata, Campus Crianza
Cellar Offering 156
2915 Briar Ridge, Shiraz 2003 10 10 Soft, good fruit. No benefit in keeping longer.
2916 Briar Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 10 10 Very rich, full bouquet, fine black fruit.
Special Offering 41
2952 Chablis, Vieilles Vignes 2003 9 9 This is still OK, but it won’t get any better.
Now very dry and a touch dull.
2953 Chablis 1er Cru, Fourchaumes 2002 9 9 Now it only tastes of the terroir. The Chardonnay richness
has gone.
2954 Chablis, Grand Cru, Vaudésir 2002 8 9 Very fine. big structure. Full body, but would be far better
with some more obvious fruit.
2958 Volnay, Côte de Beaune 2003 10 10 A village wine and no more than that. Expect no great extra
delight, it will only disappoint.
2959 Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune 2002 10 10 Rather dry, rather hard and not very svelte. It might add softer
nuances, but as of now, it is very tight.
2960 Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits 2003 9 10 Giving pleasure through a nice balance of smooth tannin and
fruit. Good length.
2961 Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte de Nuits 2003 9 10 Standing up well. Colour has faded a lot, but the nose is lovely
and it still presents the ripe fruit in the middle palate.
2966 Pouilly Fuissé 2004 10 10 Carpe Diem – seize the moment before it is too late.
Cellar Offering 157
3006 Monte Castrillo Roble, Ribera Del Duero 2003 9 9 This wine alone would be sufficient to convert a sceptic to a
love of Spanish wine. In a word, it is “complete.”
3030 Clos du Haute Combe, Juliénas 2004 8 10 Often as it is said, this is truly one of the finest estates in the
whole of southern Burgundy and Beaujolais, producing quite
superb wines. The vintage was good, but not exceptional, so
perhaps it is reasonable to suggest that the wines reflect that
assessment.
3036 Gilles Flacher, Saint Joseph 2003 8 9 Fine year, fine wine, rather stalky and a tad tough, but largely
it is all together.
Wine Review 2010