Cellar Raider Vol. 1
A journey that stuns and sparks endless curiosity, from unearthing ancient bottles to sampling relic wines that share tales of bygone eras. Spellbinding and undeniably personal, it proves that wine can serve as a living time capsule for those willing to explore. Turns out time machines do exist - and sometimes, they're hidden in our glasses.
By Boris · Hosted by Boris Buliga
I used to picture Maksym as a necromancer whose power coaxed ancient bottles up from the depths, ready to fulfil his will - i.e. to get us tipsy. But he rightly pointed out that necromancy in Tamriel is illegal, and he definitely doesn't work with dead bottles. Fair enough. Instead, Maksym is more like a cellar raider - a wine-soaked reincarnation of Lara Croft, minus the famous neuron-activating polygonal geometry.
Look at his kit: magic goggles to detect rare artefacts, an ultraviolet torch to tease hidden meanings (ha!), and a boundless thirst for exploration through damp underground vaults. There, he unearths real treasures - whether arcane knowledge or dusty sacks of bottles.
On his recent expedition, he came away not just with frostbitten toes but a trove of legendary finds. He decided to share them during an epic tasting at what one chatty bush insists is Kyiv's best wine bar (and I trust that shrub). So buckle up: some of these wines caught the Sailor Moon premiere live on TV Asahi, while others, inspired by Sleeping Beauty, have been dozing for decades, patiently waiting for this moment.
It's definitely more intriguing than delicious. Sure, wines need ageing, but past a certain point, it all feels like a lottery - or a festival of necrophilia with a dash of masochism. Vasyl joked after the tasting that drinking so many overoaked wines in one evening should be banned on a governmental level.
It does make you ponder the styles of yesteryear versus those of today. Aye, it's mind-blowing how white wine can keep its vibrancy for sixty-plus years (perhaps it's the same sorcery used by mac burgers), yet I'm immensely grateful for modern bottles that can be opened right now or next year without waiting until we've turned into museum pieces.
All of which underlines Kyiv's innate contradictions: they either pour something outrageously unready or unleash wines that predate mankind's forays into space. Personally, I'd like something in the middle - since, as they say, the truth often lies somewhere in the logarithm.
Chapoutier Hermitage Chante-Alouette 1998
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Join to read it and the restChâteau Carbonnieux Léognan Blanc Grand Cru Classé de Graves 1959
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Join to read it and the restDomaine Trapet Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Petite Chapelle 1999
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Join to read it and the restDupéré Barrera Cuvée India Bandol Rouge 2004
Dupéré Barrera is a small but thoughtful producer in Provence, shaped by organic and biodynamic principles. Founded by Emmanuelle Dupéré and Laurent Barrera, they keep yields low, use natural yeasts, and limit sulphur to preserve the essence of their vineyards. In Bandol, Mourvèdre reigns, typically blended with Grenache and Cinsault. The region's hot, sun-blasted climate gives Mourvèdre the ripeness it needs for structure and ageing potential.
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Join to read it and the restChâteau Lagrange Saint-Julien Troisième Grand Cru Classé 2003
Château Lagrange ranks as a Third Growth in Saint-Julien, known for its Cabernet Sauvignon - led blends rounded by Merlot and Petit Verdot. After Suntory's investment in the mid-80s, the estate saw a thorough modernisation, but it remains true to the commune's trademark balance of power and finesse.
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Join to read it and the restChâteau Nénin Pomerol 1990
Château Nénin has always lived somewhat in the shadow of its more famous Pomerol neighbours, even though it sits in the north-western corner of the appellation with a long lineage to boast. The estate was owned by the Despujol family for over a century before the Delon family (of Léoville Las Cases fame) took over in 1997. Though it's based mostly on Merlot, there's usually a splash of Cabernet Franc (and occasionally Cabernet Sauvignon), which gives it a slightly firmer backbone than many plush Pomerols. Yet there's still that velvety Merlot heart beating away.
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Join to read it and the restM. Duhard fils Vouvray Moelleux 1959
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