Chris Kissack
@chriswinedoctor.bsky.social
Creator, reviewer, writer and chief bottle washer at Winedoctor. Has been to Bordeaux and the Loire a few times. Read more ⬇️ www.thewinedoctor.com
Read my latest Weekend Wine report, as I check in on the 2002 Lafite-Rothschild, revisited at 24 years of age. buff.ly/NPbto48 [free to read] #lafite #lafiterothschild #pauillac #bdx2002 #bordeaux #wine
Château Lafite-Rothschild 2002 | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: Who needs money for mortgage payments or your children's shoes? Not me. This week I put on my best bib and tucker to pull the cork on the 2002 Château Lafite-Rothschild, at 24 years of…
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Read my latest tasting report, in which I return to take a fresh look at 39 Bordeaux wines from the 2022 vintage, including Mouton, Lafite, Cheval Blanc, Figeac, Canon, Pichon Comtesse and many more. buff.ly/arDXrlX [subscribers only]
Who's Laughing Now? Bordeaux 2022 Revisited, 2026 | Winedoctor
A report on a tasting of a selection of wines from the 2022 Bordeaux vintage, including Pichon Comtesse, Cheval Blanc, Lafite-Rothschild, Canon, Mouton-Rothschild & Langoa-Barton. Wines tasted March…
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Read my tasting report on the first releases from Ikoyi, a new French-South African joint project. buff.ly/TUNhv48 [subscribers only] #ikoyi #cheninblanc #cabernetfranc #southafrica #wine
Introducing Ikoyi, 2026 | Winedoctor
Ikoyi, Ikoyi, Ikoyi. A restaurant, an affluent suburb of Lagos, and now a small portfolio of South African wines from Rianie Strydom and the Maltus family. Wines tasted August 2026.
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Read my report from Domaine Beauséjour, one of Ivan Massonnat's three Loire domaines, with an update on terroir, viticulture and wines (with tasting notes!). buff.ly/QPvrGWF [subscribers only] #chinon #beausejour #domainebeausejour #ivanmassonnat #cabernetfranc
Just One Man Can Make a Difference: Domaine Beauséjour, 2026 | Winedoctor
Just One Man Can Make a Difference: Domaine Beauséjour, 2026. I visit Domaine Beauséjour in Chinon to check up on developments and to taste some samples of forthcoming releases. Wines tasted June…
thewinedoctor.com
Read my latest Weekend Wine report, as I take an up-to-date look at Touraine Chenonceaux, with the 2023 from Jean-Christophe Mandard in my glass. buff.ly/Zrv9DeG [free to read] #jeanchristophemandard #touraine #tourainechenonceaux #chenonceaux #sauvignonblanc
Jean-Christophe Mandard Touraine Chenonceaux 2023 | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: This week, an update on the development of the Chenonceaux appellation, which will one day emerge from the broader Touraine appellation, with a glass of the 2023 Touraine Chenonceaux…
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Read my latest Bordeaux tasting report, Simply the Best, Clos L'Église, 2018 -2022, in which I take a look at recent developments and recent vintages at this Pomerol property. buff.ly/GVa9DNT [subscribers only] #pomerol #closleglise #helenegarcinleveque #bordeaux #wine
Simply the Best: Clos L'Église, 2018 - 2022 | Winedoctor
In this tasting report I sit down with Hélène and Patrice Garcin-Lévêque to taste recent vintages of Clos L'Église, looking at five vintages from 2022 back to 2018. Wines tasted July 2025.
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Read my Loire 2025 First Taste report, with my first tasting notes on the vintage. buff.ly/x28yzjA [subscribers only] #loire2025
Loire 2025: First Taste | Winedoctor
A report on a handful of early tastes of the 2025 vintage in the Loire Valley, with 60 new tasting notes featuring wines from Henri Bourgeois, François Crochet, Michel Redde, Philippe Alliet, Vincent…
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Read Fleecing the Boatman, my latest Bordeaux vertical tasting report to be published on Winedoctor, looking at 15 vintages from Château Gloria, 2023 back to 2009. buff.ly/WyVPovS [subscribers only] #gloria #chateaugloria #henrimartin #domaineshenrimartin #stjulien
Fleecing the Boatman: Château Gloria, 2009 - 2023 | Winedoctor
Fleecing the Boatman: Château Gloria, 2009 - 2023. I call in at Château Gloria to meet Jean Triaud and Sacha La Baude Triaud, and taste through 15 vintages from 2023 back to 2009, but not before…
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Read my latest Weekend Wine report, in which I check out the 2020 Sancerre Pieuchaud from Paul Prieur et Fils. buff.ly/n05k836 [free to read] #paulprieur #paulprieuretfils #sancerre #sauvignonblanc #wine
Paul Prieur et Fils Sancerre Blanc Pieuchaud 2020 | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: Even in a well-known and widely appreciated appellation such as Sancerres there is still much to discover. This week I chance upon the 2020 Sancerre Pieuchaud from Paul Prieur et Fils,…
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The third and final instalment of my 2025 Loire Valley vintage reports, with an overview of the style of wines we can expect from this warm and dry vintage. buff.ly/3BG5ahO [subscribers only] #loire2025 #loire #harvest #chinon #wine
Loire 2025: The Wines | Winedoctor
A review of the 2025 vintage for the Loire Valley, in three essential parts. In this, the third instalment of my introductory reports, I provide an overview of the style of wines we can expect from…
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Read my guide to the weather during 2025 in the Loire Valley, part of my ongoing series of Loire 2025 reports. buff.ly/M5QCoaT [subscribers only] #loire2025 #harvest #chinon #vouvray #wine
Loire 2025: The Weather | Winedoctor
A review of the 2025 vintage for the Loire Valley, in three essential parts. In the second instalment of my introductory reports I provide an account of the 2025 climate, from the vineyards of the…
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Read the first instalment of my Loire 2025 reports, in which I take a tongue-in-cheek look at what Mademoiselle Agricultrice has been up to this year. buff.ly/F9lsQCP [subscribers only] #loire2025 #loire25 #mademoiselleagricultrice #loire #wine
Loire 2025 | Winedoctor
A review of the 2025 vintage for the Loire Valley, in three essential parts. Here in part one I put my tongue in my cheek to introduce the vintage with the help of Mademoiselle Agricultrice, who has…
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Read my latest Weekend Wine report, on the 1990 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux Première Trie from Domaine Huet. buff.ly/slFZGop [free to read] #huet #domainehuet #vouvray #cheninblanc #wine
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux Première Trie 1990 | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: Do you prefer Blur or Oasis? I pull the cork on the 1990 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux Première Trie from Domaine Huet, and my thoughts inevitably turn back to the important debates of…
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History is Now, my latest Bordeaux tasting report, with a focus on five recent vintages from Poesia. buff.ly/yweBZD2 [subscribers only] #poesia #stemilion #bordeaux #wine
History is Now: Château Poesia, 2018 - 2022 | Winedoctor
In the second of three short reports on the wines of Hélène and Patrice Garcin-Lévêque, I taste recent vintages of Poesia, looking at five vintages from 2022 back to 2018. Wines tasted July 2025.
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Read my latest Winedoctor Eats report, in which I return to Les Jardiniers for a truffle-themed menu. buff.ly/eY8bQ6C [free to read] #lesjardiniers #ligre #restaurants #dining #truffles #chinon
Les Jardiniers, Ligré: Restaurant Review | Winedoctor
I head to Ligré, on the opposite bank of the Vienne to Chinon, for a spectacular meal at Les Jardiniers, Restaurant Potager. A dining review from October 2023, updated October 2024, June 2025 and…
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My latest Bordeaux report, featuring a tasting of 2022 to 2006 Château Lagrange, as well as a rewriting of the estate's history, aided by photographs, old maps and lithographs. buff.ly/NVJAAzt [subscribers only] #lagrange #chateaulagrange #stjulien #comteduchatel #wine
Duchâtel's Tower: Château Lagrange, 2006 - 2022 | Winedoctor
Duchâtel's Tower: Château Lagrange, 2006 - 2022. I explore the history of Château Lagrange, particularly the era under Comte Charles-Marie-Tanneguy Duchâtel, one of Bordeaux's most remarkable…
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Read my latest Weekend Wine report, as I head to Cramant on the Côte des Blancs for a Blanc de Blancs from Lilbert-Fils. buff.ly/K3woo5w [free to read] #champagne #lilbertfils #cramant #cotedesblancs #wine
Lilbert-Fils Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: I leave the confines of my comfort zone once more for a deep dive on the house style and wines of Lilbert-Fils, a grower based in Cramant on the Côte des Blancs, with a glass of the…
thewinedoctor.com
An updated guide to the more esoteric varieties grown in the Loire; Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinots Meunier & Gris, Négrette, Abouriou, Egiodola, even Merlot & Syrah! buff.ly/FSYaaZI [subscribers only] #wineguides #loire #cabernetsauvignon #pinotmeunier #pinotgris
Loire Valley Wine Guide: Other Red Varieties | Winedoctor
A detailed guide to Loire Valley wine: Other Red Varieties. I take a look at the small band of red varieties grown here beyond the big five. This means Cabernet Sauvignon, Côt and Pinot Meunier.
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I conclude my Upper Loire reports with the 2022 vintage (and older). Includes Sérol, Clos de Breuilly, Desprat Saint-Verny & more, with 37 new notes and scores. buff.ly/Al8qSdv [subscribers only] #massifcentral #coteroannaise #cotesduforez #cotesdauvergne #saintpourcain
Wine and Song: The Upper Loire, 2026. The 2022 Vintage | Winedoctor
Wine and Song: The Upper Loire, 2026. The 2022 Vintage. I conclude my 2026 tasting reports on the wines of Saint-Pourçain, Côtes d'Auvergne, Côtes du Forez and Côte Roannaise with the 2022 vintage,…
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Read my third report on the wines of the Upper Loire, this time in the 2023 vintage, featuring Terres de Roa, Clos de Breuilly, Cédric et Benoît Bonvin, Domaine des Bérioles, Verdier-Logel, Domaine Sérol, Domaine des Pothiers & more. buff.ly/9TNwAT0 [subscribers only] #massifcentral #cotesdauvergne
Wine and Song: The Upper Loire, 2026. The 2023 Vintage | Winedoctor
Wine and Song: The Upper Loire, 2026. The 2023 Vintage. In this, the second collection of tasting notes on the wines of Saint-Pourçain, Côtes d'Auvergne, Côtes du Forez and Côte Roannaise, I focus on…
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Read my latest Weekend Wine report, on the 2004 Léoville-Barton, which might be my final 2004 in this slot for a while. Or it might not! buff.ly/wGMBYBV [free to read] #leovillebarton #stjulien #bordeaux #wine #chateauleovillebarton
Château Léoville-Barton 2004 | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: I break my promise to move on to 2005 by returning to the 2004 vintage one more time. As it turns out though the wine, the 2004 Château Léoville-Barton, is worth the detour.
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Read my report 'Something Old, Something New' as I take a seat in the cellars for dinner at Château Fourcas Dupré and report back on five wines, both old and new, I tasted there. buff.ly/RgJPwpF [subscribers only] #fourcasdupre #listrac #listracmedoc #bordeaux #wine
Something Old, Something New: Château Fourcas-Dupré, 2026 | Winedoctor
A tasting report from the cellars of Château Fourcas-Dupré, where I took a seat at the inaugural dinner following a no-expense-spared revitalisation of the property by new owner Gérard Jicquel. Wines…
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Read part two of my Upper Loire reports, 'Wine and Song', with a review of the 2024 growing season, and 34 tasting notes. buff.ly/3K4fpxP [subscribers only] #massifcentral #cotesdauvergne #coteroannaise #cotesduforez #saintpourcain
Wine and Song: The Upper Loire, 2026. The 2024 Vintage | Winedoctor
Wine and Song: The Upper Loire, 2026: The 2024 Vintage. In the first of three collections of tasting notes on the wines of Saint-Pourçain, Côtes d'Auvergne, Côtes du Forez and Côte Roannaise, I focus…
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The first of a four-part report on the wines of the Upper Loire; I introduce these unfamiliar appellations, with a little help from Joseph Canteloube. buff.ly/P2nrFJl [subscribers only] #canteloube #coteroannaise #cotesduforez #cotesdauvergne #saintpourcain
Wine and Song: The Upper Loire, 2026 | Winedoctor
Wine and Song: In this four-part tasting report I lift the lid on the history, vineyards, appellations and wines of the Massif Central, with a look at the 2024, 2023 and 2022 vintages for the Côte…
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Read my Weekend Wine report, on the 2009 Touraine Azay-le-Rideaux Moelleux, from the long-retired Pascal Pibaleau. buff.ly/wPEWupO [free to read] #pascalpibaleau #touraine #touraineazaylerideau #cheninblanc #wine
Pascal Pibaleau Touraine Azay-le-Rideau Moelleux 2009 | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: An episode of Ligérian Vinous Archaeology this week, as I pull the cork on a quite superb sweet wine from the Touraine appellation, the 2009 Touraine Azay-le-Rideau Moelleux from the…
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The first of three reports on the wines of Hélène and Patrice Garcin-Lévêque, starting with Château Barde-Haut, 2018 - 2022. buff.ly/JJkNWS5 [subscribers only] #bardehaut #helenegarcinleveque #stemilion #stemiliongrandcruclasse #bordeaux
Château Barde-Haut, 2018 - 2022 | Winedoctor
I sit down with Hélène and Patrice Garcin-Lévêque to taste recent vintages of Château Barde-Haut, looking at five vintages from 2022 back to 2018. Wines tasted July 2025.
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An updated guide to Pinot Noir in the Loire Valley: I sift likely fact from certain fiction and add new historical detail on how Pinot Noir travelled here from Burgundy & Auvergne. buff.ly/9SmNU3q [subscribers only] #loirevalley #pinotnoir #auvernat #sancerre #wineguides
Loire Valley Wine Guide: Pinot Noir | Winedoctor
A detailed guide to Loire Valley wine: I explore the significance of Pinot Noir which, while not the most widely planted variety by far, is responsible for some of the region's most noble wines.
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Read Tenacity & Fortitude, a tasting report from Château Cantemerle, taking in vintages from 2024 back to 2015. buff.ly/fI7WgYv [subscribers only] #cantemerle #chateaucantemerle #hautmedoc #bordeaux #wine
Tenacity & Fortitude: Château Cantemerle, 2015 - 2024 | Winedoctor
I call in on Château Cantemerle to check out the refurbished château as well as the new cellars being readied for the 2025 harvest, before sitting down to a vertical tasting taking in vintages from…
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Read my latest Weekend Wine report, as I take a look back in time with the 1989 Château La Grave à Pomerol. buff.ly/mLRSf9x [free to read] #lagraveapomerol #pomerol #bordeaux1989 #lagraveapomeroltrignantdeboisset #moueix
Château La Grave à Pomerol 1989 | Winedoctor
Weekend Wine: Time for another random old Bordeaux this week, as I revisit a château and a vintage which provided one of my earliest encounters with Pomerol more than two decades ago, the 1989…
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Read my latest tasting report, Introducing Justine Baudry, a young vigneronne newly established in Montrichard, on the banks of the Cher. buff.ly/889XESH [subscribers only] #justinebaudry #touraine #sauvignonblanc #gamay #cot
Introducing Justine Baudry, 2026 | Winedoctor
I introduce the wines of Justine Baudry, a young vigneronne starting out in Montrichard, on the banks of the Cher. Wines tasted in February 2026.
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