11/10/2023 - richard thorne wrote:

Where's the auction that's selling at £10.36? Worth buying another dozen! Not dramatic, but smooth and satisfying. Slightly brown at the edges; blackcurrant and cedar on the nose and palate; a little lacking in acidity and the tannins are very soft, but a satisfying finish.

9/24/2023 - richard thorne wrote:

Amazing that this continues to improve. (See my notes of 7.9.2011 and 11.28.2008) A really lovely, balanced wine, with power. Decanted 2 hours (broken, crumbly cork so filtered as well) but just as good the following day.

9/18/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

My last 4 bottles, consumed over the last 2 months have been superb and right up to expectations. The balance, strength and finish have arrived. As always, I should have bought more all those years ago.

6/24/2023 - richard thorne wrote:

I agree. And it lasts! Still splendid and tremendous value.

6/12/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Perfectly balanced and at this point more satisfying than the 2015

6/5/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

No score for this one, because I think it is now past its peak. The previous ones were much better. This was very meaty and savoury, but the tannins and acidity were slightly lacking. Possibly just a one-off disappointing bottle?

5/20/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

375ml. The remains tasted again the following day and it hadn't changed. Gold. Dark marmalade on the nose; kumquat and mango on the palate, with considerable honeyed sweetness, which dominates and continues on the finish. I would prefer it not to dominate the acidity. A remarkable wine, but not my favourite. I prefer the 2003.

5/20/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Classic Burgundy, with the expected rich, butteriness nicely balanced by acidity. Lovely nose,; good length. Nothing unpleasant on the finish. Very good value.

5/20/2023 - richard thorne wrote:

The first bottle was slightly corked and definitely off. The second was too acid and harsh initially, but softened after decanting and was excellent after 4 hours. Classic Pauillac, but not as balanced and approachable as the 2006. At its peak, I think.

5/8/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

I agree with everything Joshvoulters says except that I think that this has just the right acidity. Am I influenced by the price? I just think this is a superb Cotes du Rhone white. It's got amazing length and with that lovely finish, the length is welcome.

5/6/2023 - richard thorne wrote:

The previous bottle had faded, but this one was up to old standards - see 11/28/2008. No more in the cellar now, so it was good to end on a high note.

2/17/2023 - richard thorne wrote:

For me, although still amazing, rich and with great length, this is past its peak. My recollection of bottles we had in 2021 and 2018 is that they were spectacular. On the palate there is still blackberry and blackcurrant, but the tobacco from the Shiraz is now just a bit tarry and that carries through on the finish. As I said, still amazingly good and satisfying and I'm glad we bought a dozen. Sadly, that was the last, but I will happily taste another if given the chance.

1/27/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Remaining purple, reflecting the aroma of dark fruits from the predominant grenache. The palate likewise is strongly fruity but with immediate flavours of syrah spice, which increase on the finish. This is a lovely wine, in perfect balance now, with soft tannins just as I like them. Amazing value. I think it will keep for several years, but it's perfect now.

1/4/2023 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

I should have drunk the last two bottles 10 years ago! Still hints of its former excellence (see 11/28/08), but acidity predominates. I enjoyed it, nevertheless.

9/8/2022 - richard thorne wrote:

Little to add to the other notes below, except that this is a wonderful wine, with enough of everything I would expect and more.

7/29/2022 - richard thorne wrote:

This is a very well made Rioja and extremely good value. I've now had four vintages and they have been consistently good.

4/21/2022 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

I can't improve on Empire80's comments on 1/30/22. The brown appearance gives away its age, but the palate remains powerful. Amazing length. Wonderful.

2/19/2022 - richard thorne wrote:

Unexpectedly thin. The nose is promising, but there just wasn't enough fruit on the palate. Tannins and acidity suggest it could last and it might improve. I'll try again in a couple of years.

10/22/2021 - richard thorne wrote:

As per my note in Oct 2018, this is now fully integrated. Is my palate getting less demanding with age? I got none of the dryness and tough tannins. The blackcurrant is definite, with good acidity. Lovely finish and length. I think this is at it's peak and may well stay there for some time yet. Decanted 2 hours.

6/12/2021 - richard thorne wrote:

Rich, golden and with an apricot aroma. Full bodied, with sufficient acidity to balance the buttery, slightly waxy effect on the palate. Apricot and cooked apple. Lovely finish and good length. We all thought this was superb.

4/3/2021 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

This bottle defied expectations by being better than the one drunk on 3/4/21. Very enticing deep fruit and smoky tobacco on the nose, repeated on the palate. The heavy deposit indicated that it would be just right for my palate, though there were still sufficient tannins to give body and length. Only one bottle left, sadly.

3/4/2021 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Now needs less time after decanting, otherwise as my notes of 10/15/2017.
I agree that remaining bottles should be drunk this year. Certainly no better than it was in 2018, probably less length and the acidity is more evident on the finish. Very heavy deposit of tannins.

9/26/2020 - richard thorne wrote:

Still giving all the flavours I listed below, but now just a bit blurred in all aspects. Certainly time to drink up.

4/7/2020 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

I think this is at the same level as last July. Still a lovely wine.

7/20/2019 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Deep purple-red without any fade. Leather and smoke on the nose. Quite a soft approach in the mouth is folowed by a powerful taste of tobacco and plums, with strong tannins and acidity but all in balance. I'm sure this will improve even more over the next few years, but I'm equally sure that I will have drunk my remaining four before the peak is reached.

6/5/2019 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Alquier never fail, it seems. This has developed into a wonderful Faugeres, good for some years to come, but already balanced, full on the palate and with impressive length.

3/17/2019 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Decanted 2 hours; probably could have been I hour only. Fully resolved and probably time to drink up now. A lovely full bodied Burgundy, with no sharp edges. Plenty of fruit still and sufficient acidity to balance.

12/8/2018 - richard thorne wrote:

See my note of 2014. It hasn't disappointed! Great length, too.

10/27/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Readier to drink than the 2005, but I think the acidity and tannins will integrate more with the fruit in another year or two. However, excellent as it is. Decanted 2 hours and as good the following morning (vacuumed).

10/20/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Slightly disappointed because we mistakenly drank it with poached quince and prune and armagnac ice cream and it didn't stand up. On its own a day after it is very delicate, but has interesting subtle flavours and great length - 60secs at least. I wonder if it is going through a closed period. There are some of the riesling petroleum features, but not as prominent as expected. I'll give it another few years to try another.

10/20/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Consistently excellent. Will it really last until 2045? Can I possibly keep my last bottle for another few years and will I remember enough to judge whether it has improved?

10/20/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Still understated, but very good

10/20/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

As per my note of 10/15/2017. No change. At its peak.

10/20/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Thank you JOHNRM (3/24/2018). I double decanted 6 hours in advance and found it very pleasant, but slightly below expectation. It has all the qualities needed to develop to a grand peak and I will wait another year before opening another bottle. I write this 24hours later and the remains (vacuumed) confirm the same impression. It is all there, but not yet quite in balance.

9/1/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

This has transformed in the last year. Undistinguished a year ago, but now very impressive and with no sign of being over the top or fading. An enticing hint of marzipan on the nose, full fruit and good acidity and tannins on the palate and a decent finish. A lovely wine. The two we drank earlier this summer were the same.

4/18/2018 - richard thorne wrote:

Probably too young. Rather soft and sweet at the moment. There's probably sufficient acidity for improvement.

4/18/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Very good but very expensive. It has a characteristic (but nevertheless charming) new world fruitiness on the nose and palate, with raspberry and cherry predominant. Soft tannins, but sufficient grip on the palate and finish. A very clever and interesting blend.

4/4/2018 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Each bottle has been better than the last, but I doubt if I will have the discipline to keep any until its suggested final drinking date. Full bodied Grenache and Syrah, fruit and spice on nose and palate, good tannins and a lovely finish. Fantastic value. Skilled wine-making.

12/31/2017 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Like a good Burgundy in colour, nose and on the palate though there is just that added depth of fruit characteristic of its origins. I suspect it will be even more balanced in another year or so. Decanted 3 hours in advance.

12/31/2017 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

In another year I suspect I will rate it 90. The semillon is now slightly to the fore and I don't feel that the sauvignon blanc is brash at all but rather subtle. Good acidity.

10/15/2017 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Opened and decanted 2 hours before drinking. On opening, the aroma was powerful and smooth, but on the palate the acidity and tannins were too prominent. Within an hour the balance was improving and at 2 hours I thought this was just perfect. Classic Cote Rotie, with evidence it will continue well for several years, but why wait?

8/11/2016 - richard thorne wrote:

Absolutely fantastic (see 10/20/08). No sign of deterioration.

8/10/2016 - richard thorne wrote:

I shouldn't have drunk all those before (see 05/05/12). This was a lovely, strong Medoc. The tannins were still evident, but really silky and the fruit was still there. One more left and I hope it's as good as this.

7/2/2016 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

This must be at its peak. Absolutely balanced, with good length. Only two left!

12/17/2015 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

I stay with my rating on 10/06/09. Sadly I only have one bottle left and so will not know whether it will last until 2019. I will drink the last one on Christmas Day. Fantastic value and well worth keeping all those years. Cigar box and liquorice on the nose; chocolate, spice and dark fruits on the palate. Classic Shiraz with a long finish. Completely balanced acidity, fruit and tannins. Decanted an hour before drinking. At its peak. I drank the first bottle in 2008, which seems criminal to me now, but it was good even then.

4/5/2015 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

In 2010 i thought that it had deposited too many of its tannins and was too soft. Wrong. Still strong and vigorous: a real surprise at this age. Good ruby red colour, fruit on the nose and palate with good spicy and tannin flavours, giving medium length. A real winner.

12/6/2014 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

This has got better and better over the years. I wish I had more than 2 left, though it's probably at it's peak now. The syrah is predominant. Soft, but plenty of depth and good length.

11/27/2014 - richard thorne wrote:

Amazing value. Deep golden. Predominantly honey on nose and palate, but light marmalade flavour as well. Sufficient acidity with a luscious sweetness. Good finish and length.

8/1/2014 - richard thorne Likes this wine:

Pale colour belies the richness on nose and palate. Already luscious. This should be exceptional in a few years.

9/26/2013 - richard thorne wrote:

We opened two bottles and decanted 2 hours before drinking. On opening, they differed in acidity and fruit and the difference remained at 2 hours. There was a heavy deposit in both and I suspect that most of the tannins had deposited. Soft and fruity - grenache dominated - and certainly ready to drink now. I doubt if it will improve. Very pleasant with a meal.