4/14/2024 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Phenomenal

3/30/2024 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

In fantastic shape - can easily go for longer. Bottle was in pristine condition

3/27/2024 - AFM87 wrote:

Slow ox’ed 4 hrs and decanted for 90 mins. In terrific shape for a wine of its age - color was still dark. Can easily go longer but no point in waiting

3/17/2024 - AFM87 wrote:

Decanted a little over an hour before dinner. Cork was moist and soaked through but I was able to remove in one piece with the Durand. Had some sulfur on the nose upon opening which blew off quickly during the decant. Color was exceptional for a wine of its age. Very aromatic with tertiary notes but could still taste the fruit. Obviously past peak but still drank very well and was a special experience

8/27/2023 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Classic aged Brunello. Opened one hour before serving and then decanted solely for sediment. In a great spot with several years left to go. Paired perfectly with Sunday dinner of paccheri, meatballs and sausage

8/27/2023 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Decanted for one hour. Drank more like a left bank BdX or a Napa Cab than a right bank imo. In an early peak window with plenty of room to go. Drink or hold

8/25/2023 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Shock decanted and drank about an hour afterwards. In an early peak window - still some fruit, but also BdX cigar box. Drink or hold, and good QPR

8/24/2023 - AFM87 wrote:

From magnum - decanted for a couple of hours. Good but needs more time - hold & revisit in 5-10 years

6/9/2023 - AFM87 wrote:

Decanted for about an hour. Vibrant nose of roses with berries on the palate. Extremely long finish. An ethereal experience

4/17/2023 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Very strong smell of sulfur / rotten eggs when opened. Decanted for over four hours, and the sulfur smell dissipated to reveal a classic aged BdX, albeit from a lighter vintage, with medium body, and an elegant nose and palate. Delicate enough to enjoy on its own or with mild food. Drank a glass the day it was opened and the rest the following afternoon - it was even better the second day. Drink up but this needs a lot of air to open.

11/24/2022 - AFM87 wrote:

Bought 3 bottles from auction, 1 corked, 2 good. TBU for review of the second 2

9/16/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Double decanted about 30 mins before serving. Notes of plum, leather, cigar box, raw fig. Long finish. Paired perfectly with grilled merlot steak.

8/13/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Drank over the course of a couple hours incl. grilled veal chop dinner. Quick decant for sediment. Notes of leather, umami, smoke, salt, black currant, blackberries, pomegranate. Got better and better as the night wore on. A great example of what a top winemaker can do in an OK vintage. Great QPR at auction!

7/24/2022 - AFM87 wrote:

Corked - cork completely disintegrated with black mold on top. Not even the Durand could pull it out in one piece

7/13/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Peak drinking window. Dark fruit on the nose and palate, with the latter accented by tobacco / wood. Tannins fully resolved.

7/1/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Darker salmon color. Very light effervescence. Floral and berry notes. Delicious and fantastic QPR.

6/18/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

At peak. Slow oxed for an hour then shock decanted which opened it up nicely. Notes of balsamic glaze and berries. Plum, leather on the palate. Very nice

6/18/2022 - AFM87 wrote:

Agree with prior notes - pruny. Meh

6/11/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

30 min decant. Notes of tobacco, earth, leather, cedar; fruit mostly gone. Delicious paired with ribeye and hanger steak.

5/14/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Decanted about 90 mins prior to dinner. Nose was dominated by figs; palate had notes of fig, dates, balsamic. Paired perfectly with grilled leg of lamb

5/14/2022 - AFM87 wrote:

Cork soaked all the way through and disintegrated - vinegar

2/20/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Floral notes on nose and fresh red fruit on palate. Drinking well now - Coravin’d a glass the night before and then popped and poured the rest for lunch the day after. Excellent QPR

2/20/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Drinking very nicely already. Paired perfectly with braised rabbit leg and homemade fettuccine with venison ragù

2/20/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Fantastic bottle. At its peak drinking window and should drink well for many years

2/20/2022 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Notes of cedar, ripe fruit incl. plums and berries, leather, tobacco, herbs. Double decanted and brought to restaurant. Has aged amazingly well but won’t benefit from further cellaring so drink up!

12/14/2021 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

From magnum reconditioned at chateau in 2011. Decanted for about 90 mins. Initial smoky notes that subsided towards the end; core of dark fruit, incl. black currant and red cherries; notes of cedar and leather. Very long finish. Fantastic. In peak drinking window now but could easily keep for many more years

11/21/2021 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Decanted for about 30 mins. Notes of dark red fruit, cedar, leather, spice. Long finish. Excellent wine and paired perfectly with grilled skirt steak and sweet potato.

11/21/2021 - AFM87 wrote:

Corked

11/14/2021 - AFM87 Likes this wine:

Drank from magnum OWC. Paired with classic Italian dinner - pasta, meatballs, chicken parm. No decant necessary - opened cork and let the bottle breathe for 30 mins. Still tannins left and could go even longer but drinking perfectly now.