Notes on tasting at Hillsborough Wine Co on Jan 18, 2024

Les Hauts de Milly '21 Fourchaume Chablis

Reasonably deep gold. Smoky, flinty, minerality for sure with intriguing peach, hint of apple, something exotic like kumquat or another melon thing. One of the better chablis I've had. Maybe also now I'm enjoying the subtlety more. As good as Diatom Santa Barbara '22, but different too. 93 points

Cellier aux Moines '21 Givrey Pinot Noir Burgundy

Absolutely stunning on the nose. Pine, woodsy spice, balsam, tar--all very woodsy. Fruit more on tasting with a long finish, some tannin, moderate alcohol and body. Cherry with some notes of other red berries. Fairly dark color for a PN. This is one I'd happily drink. With air, more fruit tones developing. Not sure which. Love the nose! 94 pts

Haut Brisson 2020 Bordeaux

Oh boy, very forward and drinkable, fruity with some mineral component on the taste. For me, mineral means a sort of chalky feeling on the tongue, who knows what it's supposed to mean? Everyone seems to use the term differently, and I've read that scientific study shows the vines cannot actually absorb minerals from the soil. Needs more research.  Anyhow I'd call this wine a ringer for New World insofar as it's very fruity on the nose, licorice, cherry, candied strawberry too. Delicious. Soft tannins but very much apparent on the long finish. Not very high in alcohol but enough with the tannin to preserve the wine. 93 pts. More oak evident with air. Like it lots. 93 pts

Lagarda '20 Malbec: Big, deep wood and dark fruit, typical Malbec spice. Really dark. Plenty of tannin, full body, finish carried by tannin and alcohol. Big in all respects. Some stinky cheese with air. 89 pts