Saturday, January 29, 2005

Chateau Rausan-Segla 1993

Past its imperfect prime, the Past its imperfect prime, the Chateau Rausan-Segla 1993 (Margaux, Bordeaux) is deep ruby, exhibiting aromas of taosted oak, leather and roast coffee, with a slight vegetal scent, it has a palate of sharp tanins, shallow fruit and a slightly tanic finish. Avoid. Score 11/20. Hogi Hyun, 29 Jan 2005.

Chateau Marjosse 2002

Tart and austere, the Chateau Marjosse 2002 (Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux) is clear and pale gold, with aromas of quince and tart lemon, a smooth palate hinting of green pineapple with good acidity and a tart finish. Re-taste in 2-3 years. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun, 29 Jan 2005.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg Turckheim 2001

Floral but biting, the Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg Turckheim 2001 (Alsace) is medium gold and clear at the rim, showing sticky floral aromas of rose, jasmine and air freshener, with a thick palate and a slight bitterness on the finish. Drink now. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Jan 2005.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Heimbourg 2001

Fruity and complex, the Domaine Zind Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Heimbourg 2001 (Alsace) is medium gold and clear at the rim, displaying light aromas of pear and apricot, a complex semi-sweet palate full of ripe white fruits, a hint of apricot finished off with a pleasingly tart finish. Drink now + 10 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Jan 2005.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Riesling Heimbourg 2001

Classic and balanced, the Domaine Zind Humbrecht Riesling Heimbourg 2001 (Alsace) is medium gold and clear at the rim, with slight aromas of apricot and kerosene, a smooth full palate of sweet fruit matched with good acidity and a hint of tartness on the finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Jan 2005.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Herrenweg Turckheim 2001

Ripe and mellow, the Domaine Zind Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Herrenweg Turckheim 2001 (Alsace) is medium gold with a clear rim, displaying open aromas of apricot and lemon peel, with a thick smooth palate of sweet fruit followed by a melow finish with a hint of tartness. Drink now + 5 years. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Jan 2005.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl Vendange Tardive 2000

Unctuous like a thick creme caramel, the Domaine Zind Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl Vendange Tardive 2000 (Alsace) is deep gold, almost copper, showing off aromas of caramel, honey and candied apple, with a palate of unctuous and sweet fruit and a big smooth finish. Drink now + 10 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Jan 2005.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewerztraminer Heimbourg 2001

Thick and fruity, the Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewerztraminer Heimbourg 2001 (Alsace) is medium gold, displaying dried apricot and slight petrol aromas, giving way to a thick and smooth mouthful of ripe white fruit and a rich finish hinting at tartness. Drink now + 10 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Jan 2005.

Monday, January 24, 2005

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez 1997

Aromatic but light, the Chateau Les Ormes de Pez 1997 (Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux) is medium ruby with a hint of red brick, displaying classic aromas of oak, leather and cassis mixed with bitter chocolate and musk. It is light bodied with soft tanins, shallow fruit and a short finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 24 Jan 2005.

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Luigi D'Alessandro Il Bosco Cortona Syrah 1999

Fruity but over-ripe, the Luigi D'Alessandro Il Bosco Cortona Syrah 1999 (Cortona, Tuscany) is dark purple with a hint of premature browining, displaying a waxy aroma of concentrated cassis, prune,oak and leather. Medium bodied, it has good acidity, a palate of concentrated over-ripe red fruits and prune, dry tanins and a dry finish. Drink now. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 23 Jan 2005.

Saturday, January 22, 2005

Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 1997

With a fine nose but disappointing palate, Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 1997 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) is medium ruby and clear with strong aromas of leather and oak, but a sad palate of shallow fruit and slightly bitter tanins that trail on the finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 22 Jan 2005.

Chateau Lynch Bages 1997

A 100-minute wine, Chateau Lynch Bages 1997 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) took over an hour and a half to open and show its wares. Medium ruby and clear, with aromas of cassis, oak and leather, mellow tanins and an evolving palate of mature cassis, it offers a refined and elegant finish. Drink now. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 22 Jan 2005.

Friday, January 21, 2005

Domaine Huet Le Haut Lieu Vouvray Moelleux 1997

Light and short on sugar, Domaine Huet Le Haut Lieu Vouvray Moelleux 1997 (Vouvray, Loire) displays aromas of raisins, sour musk and wet animal, camouflaging a hint of honey, with a surprisingly light, semi-sweet palate and a slightly bitter finish. Disappointing. Avoid. Score 11/20. Hogi Hyun, 21 Jan 2005.

Chateau Pichon-Baron 1997

Perfumed and velvety, Chateau Pichon-Baron 1997 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) is light ruby and clear, exhibiting beautifully perfumed and three-dimensional aromas of cassis and raseberry,followed by leather, pencil and blueberry. Medium bodied, it delivers a velvety mouthful and cooked red fruits and a refined finish. At its apogee, a delight to drink. Drink now. Score 17/20. Hogi Hyun, 21 Jan 2005.

Chateau Gruaud Larose 1997

Like a stout farmer, Chateau Gruaud Larose 1997 (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) gives off aromas of barnyard, leather, light prune and smokey oak. Medium bodied, possessing a palate of smooth tanins with concetrated cassis and barnyard flavors, it is round and balanced with a stout finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 21 Jan 2005.

Chateau Pape Clement 1997

Round and smokey, Chateau Pape Clement 1997 (Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux) exhibits barnyard aromas matched with prune, leather, pencil and smokey oak, possesses medium body, rich round tanins balanced with a soft palate of overripe prune and red fruits, topped off by a light finish. Drink now. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 21 Jan 2005.

Chateau L'Arrosee 1997

Light and ripe, Chateau L'Arrosee 1997 (St. Emilion, Bordeaux) exhibits concentrated aromas of raseberry and possesses a smooth palate and mellow tanins, light red fruit flavors, good balance and a soft finish. Drink now. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 21 Jan 2005.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Chateau Daugay 1995

Balanced and pleasing, the Chateau Daugay 1995 (St. Emilion, Bordeaux) is clear ruby but begining to brown, displaying aromas of black cherry, pencil shavings and lead, with slight but fading fruit. Medium bodied, with a palate of fresh fruits and mature tanins, nice balance and good acidity, it offers a pleasant finish. Drink now. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 19 Jan 2005.

Nino Franco Rustico Spumante NV

Creamy but bitter, the Nino Franco Rustico Spumante NV shows initial aromas of fresh peach and apricot followed by nutty yeast. Creamy and smooth on the palate, with light sweet fruit and a lemony tartness, the finish is marred with a slight bitterness. Drink now. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun, 19 Jan 2005.

Monday, January 17, 2005

Chateau Haut-Batailley 1996

Mature and elegant, the medium bodied Chateau Haut-Batailley 1996(Pauillac, Bordeaux) displays a beautiful nose of black cherry, with hints of leather and smokey oak, followed by a palate of smooth melted tanins, creme de cassis, perfect balance and a long, fine finish. Drink now + 10 years. Score 17/20. Hogi Hyun, 17 Jan 2005.

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Chateau Lagrange 1996

Fragrant but fleeting, the Chateau Lagrange 1996 (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) is dark purple, begining to redden, with a very fragrant nose of leather, smoaky oak, mushrooms and blackberries. Medium bodied, with fine tanins, good balance and acidity, but poor in fruit, it delivers a diappointingly shallow finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 16 Jan 2005.

Monday, January 10, 2005

Chateau Pontet-Canet 1996

Rich and musty, the deep ruby Chateau Pontet-Canet 1996 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) projects aromas of branyard, must, toasted oak, spice and a hint of cassis, followed by an intense palate of concentrated red fruits, firm tanins and a long, dry, perky finish. Retaste in 3-5 years. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 10 Jan 2005.

Chateau de Fieuzal (Blanc) 1998

Medium gold and clear, the Chateau de Fieuzal (Blanc) 1998 displays aromas of yeast/bread dough, plantanes, oak and a hint of butterscotch, with a smooth palate, pert acidity but a shortage of fruit, with a long and tart finish. Drink now. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 10 Jan 2005.

Sunday, January 09, 2005

Clos du Marquis 1996

Fair ruby and clear, the Clos du Marquis 1996 (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) is light bodied, hinting at aromas of creme de cassis and oak, followed by a palate of light fruit and pert tanins that linger uncomfortably on the finish. Drink now. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 9 jan 2005.

Friday, January 07, 2005

Chateau Cantemerle 1996

Ripe and refined, the Chateau Cantemerle 1996 (Haut Medoc, Bordeaux) exibits forward aromas of pencil, cedar and cassis, a full palate of ripe red fruits, melted tanins and good balance, topped off with a long, elegant finish. Drink now. Score 17/20. Hogi Hyun, 7 Jan 2005.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Leon Beyer Gewerztraminer 2002

Fruity and tart, the Leon Beyer Gewerztraminer 2002 (Alsace) is medium gold with a slight green tint, displaying aromas of cantalope, dried apricot, honey and detergent, with a medium body showing sweet fruit and a tart, grapefruit peel finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 5 Jan 2005.

Sunday, January 02, 2005

Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 1999

Brilliant ruby, the Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 1999 (Ribera del Duero) exhibits aromas of fresh raseberry, blackberry and oak, followed by a mouthful of red fruit, tart young tanins and a slightly tart, light finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 2 Jan 2005.

Saturday, January 01, 2005

Chateau Sociando-Mallet 1996

Big and ripe, the Chateau Sociando-Mallet 1996 (Haut Medoc, Bordeaux) is deep ruby bordering on brick, delivering big open aromas of sweet red fruit, concentrated cassis, leather and smoaky oak, followed by a forward palate of melted tanins, a mouthful of fruit and a long smooth finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 1 Jan 2005.

Leon Beyer Pinot Blanc de Blanc 2003

Pleasant and refreshing, the Leon Beyer Pinot Blanc de Blanc 2003 (Alsace)opens with a light nose of green grapes, minerals, grass, and a hint of peach, followed by a round palate, good acidity and a tart finish. Drink now. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 1 Jan 2005.