Vinous Table: Le Bistro de L’Hôtel de Beaune, Beaune, France
Vinous Table, France: Burgundy
, Apr 2019
One of my favorite places to eat during my Burgundy barrel tastings is Le Bistro de l’Hôtel, located in central Beaune overlooking Place Carnot. Established in 2007 by Stockholm-born Johan Bjorkland, it is upmarket yet unpretentious.
The Margaux Paragon: Rauzan-Ségla 1900-2015
France: Bordeaux, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured
, Apr 2019
A unique vertical of Rauzan-Ségla that spanned more than a century was the catalyst for this in-depth château profile, which charts the course of the Margaux Second Growth from its origins under Pierre de Rauzan to the present day under Nicolas Audebert. Everything you ever wanted to know about Rauzan-Ségla should be here.
An Education: La Dominique 1989-2015
France: Bordeaux, featured
, Apr 2019
A bottle of 1990 La Dominique opened my eyes to the joys of Saint-Émilion, yet recent vintages have perplexingly blown hot and cold. Last year I visited the estate to discover more and conduct a vertical tasting that would either confirm or refute my misgivings.
Cellar Favorite: 1988 Ausone
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Bordeaux
, Apr 2019
Although the 1980s were comparatively underwhelming for Ausone, this bottle is among the most enjoyable that I have encountered from that period.
Vinous Table: Ginza Cobau コバウ, Tokyo, Japan
Japan
, Apr 2019
Cobau is my go-to yakiniku restaurant in Ginza. Restaurants in this salubrious part of Tokyo can be jaw-droppingly expensive, but Cobau is reasonably priced for its quality.
Setting Sail - Malartic-Lagravière 1916 - 2013
France: Bordeaux, featured
, Apr 2019
Sailing into port this week is Malartic-Lagravière. Resurrected by the Bonnie family since the late-1990s, it has become one of the finest Pessac-Léognan estates. This piece examines its nautical-tinged history, present techniques and reviews both recent and mature vintages.
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Beyond Wine: Album Review of Beware Of The Dogs - Stella Donnelly
Beyond Wine
, March 2019
I cannot recommend “Beware Of The Dogs” highly enough. This debut album confirms the major young talent evidenced in “Boys Will Be Boys” in 2017. Go listen. Go think. Go see Donnelly on her current tour.
What Nectar!! Suduiraut 1899-2015
France: Bordeaux, featured
, March 2019
Sauternes might not be fashionable at the moment; however, the wines remain quite brilliant and often represent great value. The first in a series of verticals looks at one of the finest properties, Château Suduiraut, with one of the most comprehensive verticals you will ever read spanning three centuries.
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Cellar Favorite: 1921 Marc Brédif Vouvray Moelleux
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Loire
, March 2019
You might well assume that last week’s 1990 Moelleux Goutte d’Or from Foreau constitutes the best Vouvray that I have ever drunk. There are a couple of challengers, Marc Brédif’s 1921 Vouvray Moelleux being one of them, albeit much older.
Vinous Table: Yakiniku Futago, Tokyo, Japan
Japan, Vinous Table
, March 2019
This was a fabulous yakiniku set meal that delivered everything you could wish for: mouthwatering meat from the finest wagyu, stunning presentation and a bit of theatre.