Monday, February 28, 2005

Chateau Potensac 1998 (Medoc, Bordeaux)

Musky and round, the Chateau Potensac 1998 (Medoc, Bordeaux) is deep ruby with concentrated glycerin, exhibiting strong aromas of musk and leather, light bodied with good balance, round tanins, good fruit and a soft finish. Drink now. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun 28 Feb 2005.

Georges Faiveley Bourgogne Blanc 2001

Closed and light, the Georges Faiveley Bourgogne Blanc 2001 (Bourgogne) is light gold with a tinge of green, suffering from a closed nose with slight essence of kerosene and green pepper, light bodied, tart and with little fruit. Avoid. Score 10/20. Hogi Hyun 28 Feb 2005.

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Chateau Gand Mayne 1998

Ripe and smooth, the Chateau Gand Mayne 1998 (Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux) is deep ruby, displaying delicious waxy aromas of sweet cassis and cherry mingled with leather and toasted oak. Light on the palate, with concentrated ripe fruit and melted tanins, good balance and a round, fruit-filled finish. Re-taste in 3 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 26 Feb 2005.

Chateau Haut Selve Blanc 1999

Earthy and nutty, the Chateau Haut Selve Blanc 1999 (Graves, Bordeaux), is medium gold, with aromas of cork, hazlenut and damp wood, followed by a soft palate, little fruit and light acidity with a rounded, buttery finish. Drink now. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 26 Feb 2005.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Chateau Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) 2001

Concentrated aromas but diluted palate, the Chateau Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) 2001 (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) is deep purple, displaying concentrated aromas of cassis, meat, leather and smoky oak, followed by a disappointing light body, diluted fruit and light tanins on the finish. Re-taste in 5 years. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Feb 2005.

Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte 2001

Concentrated and young, the Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte 2001 (Contea di Sclafani, Sicily) is dense purple with soft aromas of violets, leather and concentrated rasberry, showing ripe fruit on the palate with nice balance and slightly youthful tanins that linger on the finish. Re-taste in 3-5 years. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 25 Feb 2005.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Chateau Haut-Bailly 2001

Fruity and balanced, the Chateau Haut-Bailly 2001 (Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux) is deep ruby, with aromas of wax, leather and oak, followed by a super dry palate filled with concentated cassis and blackberry flavors, good balance and a long dry finish. Re-taste in 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 21 Feb 2005.

P. Ferraud & Fils Saint-Veran 2002

Simple and pleasant, the P. Ferraud & Fils Saint-Veran 2002 (Saint-Veran, Burgundy) is medium gold, with a closed nose of faint grassy aromas, followed by a tart grapefruit-rind finish. Drink now. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun, 21 Feb 2005.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Chateau Rauzan-Gassies 1997

Delicate and light, the Chateau Rauzan-Gassies 1997 (Margaux, Bordeaux) is dense ruby with slight browning, displaying aromas of smoky cedar, leather, medicine and unripe cassis, followed by a light body with soft melted tanins, a concentrated palate of leather and cooked fruits, and a light, long finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 20 Feb 2005.

Friday, February 18, 2005

Chateau Grand Mayne 1996

Perfumed and youthful, Chateau Grand Mayne 1996 (Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux) is medium ruby, exhibiting a beautiful forward and waxy perfume of cherry and rasberry, followed by a smooth palate, weak fruit and youthful tanins that linger on the finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Feb 2005.

Chateau Cantenac Brown 1996

Elegant but tanic, the Chateau Cantenac Brown 1996 (Margaux, Bordeaux) is light ruby, showing classic aromas of leather, oak and cassis, followed by a mouthful of ripe red fruit, medium body and firm tanins that mar an otherwise elegant finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Feb 2005.

Chateau Talbot 1996

Sweet and smooth, the Chateau Talbot 1996 (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) is medium ruby, exhibiting aromas of smoke, wax and oak, followed by a smooth palate with melted tanins, good balance and sweet red fruit lingering on the finish. Drink now. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Feb 2005.

Angelo Gaja Ca’ Marcanda Promis 2002

Ripe and fruity, the Angelo Gaja Ca’ Marcanda Promis 2002 (Maremma, Tuscany) is dark purple, with a big, fresh open nose displaying rasberry and cassis aromas, followed by a mouthful of sweet concentrated red fruits, soft tanins, good balalnce and acidity, and a big finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Feb 2005.

Domaine Comte de Vogue Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 2000

Smooth and elegant, the Domaine Comte de Vogue Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 2000 (Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy) is light ruby and clear at the edge, displaying complex aromas of mint and menthol, followed by wax, rotten wood and ripe plums. Super smooth and light bodied, with ripe red fruits, melted tanins and a supple, elegant finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 8 Feb 2005.

Domaine Comte de Vogue Chambolle-Musigny 2000

Light and fruity, the Domaine Comte de Vogue Chambolle-Musigny 2000 (Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy) is light ruby, displaying fresh but slight aromas or cranberry, strawberries and game, followed by a palate of soft tanins, light red fruits and light acidity with a pleasant, short finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 18 Feb 2005.

Domaine Comte de Vogue 1999 Bourgogne Blanc

Smooth and aromatic, the Domaine Comte de Vogue Bourgogne Blanc 1999 (Chambolle Musigny, Burgundy) is light gold and clear, exhibiting shy aromas of raw almonds, slight apricot, and a tinge of grass/herbs and musk. Smooth on the palate with light oak, short fruit and a lemon tartness on the finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun 18 Feb 2005.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Chateau L’Enclos 1996

Smooth but unyielding, the Chateau L’Enclos 1996 (Pomerol, Bordeaux) is deep ruby and browning at the edge,with aromas of smoke, cedar and red fruits, light bodied with good acidity and firm tanins that are still a bit tight, leading to a smooth light finish. Re-taste in 3-5 years. Scoare 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 16 Feb 2005.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Chateau Les Hauts de Pontet 1997

Fresh and pleasant, the Chateau Les Hauts de Pontet 1997 (Pauillac, Bordeaux) is medium ruby, displaying aromas of leather, animal and red berries. It is light bodied and pleasant, with fresh fruit, rounded tanins and a quick, fruity finish. Great value. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 13 Feb 2005.

Morton Estate White Label Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2003

Pleasant and light, the Morton Estate White Label Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2003 (Marlborough, Hawkes Bay) is light gold and clear, with aromas of quince, unripe pineapple and grass, followed by a light bodied palate, thin fruit and a tart fresh sweetness on the finish. Drink now. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 13 Feb 2005.

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 1996

Masculin and balanced, the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 1996 (Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux) has a dense brick color, with aromas of toasted oak and cherry, followed by a muscular palate with firm tanins, concentrated red fruit flavors and a long, balanced finish. Drink now + 10 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 12 Feb 2005.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Chateau Loudenne 1975

Light and smooth, Chateau Loudenne 1975 (Medoc, Bordeaux) is light brick colored and clear with slight browning at the edge, delivering aromas of leather, wax and suprisingly youthful black cherry, followed by a light-bodied palate, completely melted tanins, residual flavors of cooked red fruits that lead to a soft, elegant finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 10 Feb 2005.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Chateau Potensac 1996

Well-rounded and balanced, the Chateau Potensac 1996 (Medoc, Bordeaux) is a beautiful clear deep ruby, exhibiting classic aromas of smoke, ceddar and cassis with hints of black cherry. Medium dry, with a mouthful of concetrated red fruits, round tanins, good balance and a fine, elegant finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 9 Feb 2005.

Les Demoiselles de Sociando Mallet 1998

Meaty and tanic, Les Demoiselles de Sociando Mallet 1998 (Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux) is deep ruby with pre-mature browning, exhibiting aromas of grilled meat, charred wood and a hint of cherry, with thin fruit, a weak mid-palate and unresolved tanins lingering on the finish. Drink now. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun, 9 Feb 2005.

Monday, February 07, 2005

D’Arenberg The Hermit Crab 2003

Pleasant and weighty, the D’Arenberg The Hermit Crab 2003 (McLaren Vale, Australia) is a clear light straw color, with a faint tinge of green, displaying pronounced aromas of peach and fresh apricot, followed by a thick buttery palate, soft acids and a faint green bitter bite on the finish. Drink now. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 7 Feb 2005.

Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvigon 1999

Pure fruit, the Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvigon 1999 (Stellenbosch, South Africa) displays a slight nose of prune, followed by a mouthful of sweet ripe cherry and raseberry, soft tanins and a fruity finish. A little short on structure and finesse. Re-taste 2-3 years. Score 13/20. Hogi Hyun, 7 Feb 2005.

Le Petit Cheval 1997

Light and elegant, Le Petit Cheval 1997 (Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux) opens with a perfumed nose of concentrated cassis and cherry, smoky cedar and leather, followed on the palate with soft tanins, a light essence of cooked red fruits, and a smooth but short finish. Drink now. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 7 Feb 2005.

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Chateau Leoville Poyferre 1994

With a beautiful bouquet but depleted palate, the Chateau Leoville Poyferre 1994 (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) is deep brick with lovely waxy aromas of smoke, cedar, leather and a hint of cassis, followed by a disappointing palate short on fruit but high in tanins that linger uncomfortably on the finish. Avoid. Score 12/20. Hogi Hyun, 5 Feb 2005.

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Chablis Grand Crus Bougros Cote de Bouqueureaud 2002

Velvety but tight, the Verget Chablis Grand Crus Bougros Cote de Bouqueureaud 2002 (Chablis, Burgundy) is light gold and clear, still closed with light citrus aromas, a velvity smooth palate with nice citrus acidity and a long soft finish. Re-taste 3-5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 3 Feb 2005.

Chateau Giscours 1990

Elegant and drinking beautifully, the Chateau Giscours 1990 (Margaux, Bordeaux) is deep ruby with aromas of cassis and prune, smoke, cedar and leather, followed by an elegant palate filled with concentrated and still youthful red fruits, smooth tanins, good balance and topped off with a slightly dry finish. Drink now. Score 15/20. Hogi Hyun, 3 Feb 2005.

Chateau Smith Haut-Laffite 1990

Super smooth and at its pinacle, the Chateau Smith Haut-Laffite 1990 (Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux) is deep ruby and clear, with pronounced aromas of sweet black cherry, leather and oak, followed by a super smooth and velvity palate redolent with fine tanins and red fruit that lingers on the long finish. Drink now. Score 18/20. Hogi Hyun, 3 Feb 2005.

Chateau Clinet 1996

Ripe and velvety, the Chateau Clinet 1996 (Pomerol, Bordeaux) is deep ruby and youthful, exhibiting complex aromas of bee's wax, smoke and concentrated red fruits, it opens on the palate with a velvety sweetness, with completely melted tanins and a fresh, rounded finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 3 Feb 2005.

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2000

Rich and smooth, the Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2000 Montepulciano, Tuscany) is a brilliant deep purple, with aromas of smoke, oak and a faint scent of fish, medium dry on the palate with concentrated flavors of red fruits and candied cherry, firm tanins, good acidity and balance on the finish. Drink now + 5 years. Score 14/20. Hogi Hyun, 2 Feb 2005.

Brancaia Chianti Classico 2001

Deep and concentrated, the Brancaia Chianti Classico 2001 (Chianti, Tuscani) is thick, dense and purple, with concetrated aromas of blackberry, wood and barnyard, an intense palate full of exracted red fruit, good acidity and tanins, and a long finish with a tanic bias. Re-taste in 3-5 years. Score 16/20. Hogi Hyun, 2 Feb 2005.