December 29, 2023 - This time I decanted even longer. 14 hours. It really is excellent QPR. What a fabulous finish. This will go on for 10 more years. Amazing how this wine changes after many hours of air. Classic tannic 2005 vintage!
November 24, 2023 - Second from a case purchased ex-negociant, with perfect fill and the cork only soaked a millimeter or two here and there.
Wasn’t able to decant the way my last notes on this wine suggest I should have, but this bottle was not at all disjointed the way the first from this case was on day one.
No visual sign of aging. Red and black fruits, cigar box, and a whiff of truffles on the nose. This had an austere, high-toned, tannic palate of black and slightly candied red fruits that was holding back considerably, so I tried my first ever hyper decant after having one glass. Did it make a difference? Hard to say. The wine seemed more rich and relaxed, but who knows? Best at room temp. 13.5% ABV (***/16/90)
September 4, 2023 - First from a case of twelve purchased ex-negociant, with perfect fill and the cork only soaked a millimeter here and there.
On day one, this had a beautiful, mature nose full of undergrowth and black cherry. Unfortunately, the nose had to carry whole experience. The palate seemed to be thin and a little out of balance, showing too much alcohol and acidity in the finish. The tannins could have been finer and more resolved, too. Very disappointing.
On day two, however, this was the wine I recall having two years ago out of a half (that led me to buy this case)—deep and dense and with years of life and development ahead of it. The palate, though firm with tannins, was very plump and cohesive now, showing a mass of black cherry and cassis.
One of the best Potensacs I’ve ever had. Right now, this is a wine to decant all day on day one or to have on day-two. Given that the 1996 Potensac has only just given up the ghost in the last few years, I would expect this to go on and on. 13.5% ABV (very good; distinguished/***/16.5/92)
July 19, 2023 - Still young...and not yet fully resolved. A wine of tremendous weight, including heavy oak treatment...which has not integrated. Recommend holding bottles for three to five years...or decant for several hours. 91-92.
April 19, 2023 - Old School, all the way. Blackcurrant, mint, black earth and gravel, spent espresso grounds, dark chocolate, drying tobacco, and graphite. High pitched, indeed, quite piercing. This bottle felt a few years from maturity. Perhaps some bottle variation with this vintage.
March 12, 2023 - Agréable à boire. Encore plusieurs belles années devant lui.
February 13, 2023 - Double -decanted before travel. Cassis, a little leather and tobacco, still some sturdy tannins. Workmanlike, stolid. B
December 10, 2022 - My third tasting note on this wine. This time, I decanted it for 12 hours. Much longer than before and it made a REAL difference. The wine really opened up and took on a new personality. What a fabulously long finish. A slight score improvement. It will be at its best in about 5 years, but it is still sublime right now if you give it some good decanting time!
September 21, 2022 - A 3-point improvement on my previous tasting note. Due to my decanting for longer!… From a 1.5L. Decanted 6 hours with swirls every hour. Very tannic and not quite ready but can be had with a VERY long decant. I would assume a standard 750 is almost ready… The 2009 is younger but drinking better right now.
August 29, 2022 - Still has room to grow, very primary. It is, however, also very good today.