Apologies for how long it’s taken me to get around to typing up my notes on the latest tasting from the auctioneers at Bonhams, but hey, these wines aren’t going anywhere. The most recent event featured a quintet of Champagnes, lots of old French Burgundy and Bordeaux, and finished up with some interesting New World Pinot Noir. If only I had been able to bid on that 1996 Nuits St. George — easily my favorite wine of the event.

Tasting Report: Bonhams Pre-Auction Event, October 2011

NV Krug Grande Cuvee / B+ /

NV Lamandier-Bernier Blanc de Blanc / B /

NV Alain Soutiran Blanc de Noir “Perle Noir” / A- / tropical, big

1997 Jacquesson Extra Brut / A- /

NV Pierre Peters Brut / A- / lighter

1997 Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles J.M. Boillot / C+ / way past its prime

2003 Bienvenue Batard Montrachet Domaine Leflaive / B / lightly corked, but I thought the fruit was still there

2004 Corton Charlemagne Chandon de Briailles / B+ / tart, acidic and yeasty

2003 Marcassin Chardonnay Three Sisters Vineyard / B+ / off finish

2001 Braunberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett F. Haag / A / brisk

2002 JF Coche-Dury Meursault Les Chevaliers / B+ / curious, lean

1996 Les Perrieres R. Chevillon Nuits St. Georges / A / great life to it

1998 Les Hauts Doix R. Groffier Chambolle Musigny / A- / lighter

2001 Taupenot-Merme Mazoyeres Chambertin / A- / bit thin

2002 Domain de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux / A- /

2005 V. Girardin Vosne Romanee Vieille Vignes / A- /

1999 Chateau Trotanoy Pomerol / A- / earthy, good balance

2000 Chateau Pichon-Lalande Pauillac / B+ / big

2003 Chateau Pichon Baron Pauillac / B / bit pruny

2001 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino Riserva / A- /

1999 Vina Sastre Ribera del Duero Pago de Santa Cruz / A- / huge wine, will last for years

1993 Conterno Monfortino Barolo Riserva / B+ / fading

1992 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvee Speciale La Tourtine / A- / substantial

1995 Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne / A- / fading

2005 Champet Cote Rotie La Viaillere / A- / heavy with meat character

2006 Vieux Telegraph Chateauneuf-du-Pape / A- /

1999 Clarendon Hills Syrah “Moritz” / B- / big and clunky

2003 Standish Shiraz “The Standish” / B / overjammed

2004 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Wahle Vineyard / A- / black cherry, earth, licorice

2006 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard / A- / quite light

1994 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon / B / punchy, mamoth

2003 Peter Michael Cabernet Sauvignon “Les Pavots” / A- / good balance

2004 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines / A- / good balance

2004 Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon / B+ / too big

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