July 14, 2021 - Madierised nose, but with some old plum and cherry jam. Palate still had some substance with black cherry and spice but the age was apparent on the dying finish. Bought for a song and fun to try but several years past-best.
October 13, 2012 - Mature bouquet with still some soft red fruits and garrigue. Overall the bouquet is not really outspoken. On the palate soft and easy, some red fruits, some herbs and spices, pleasant acidity and also a touch of sweetness. Soft and friendly tannin. Not too old yet, but I have no reference with this wine. Just nice and easy with a short to medium finish.
October 26, 2011 - Hearty Southern Rhone wine. Decanted for an hour and it continued to open over the course of the meal, becoming more balanced. Smooth tannins, with some berry on the nose.
September 4, 2011 - 13,5% d'alcool, 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre
Oeil : grenat moyen, auréole brique-orangée, forte viscosité en parois
Nez : projection d'intensité moyenne, d'abord réglisse, noyaux de fruits, garrigues, prunes confites, fruits macérés à l'alcool, touche terreuse, épices douces rappelant la canelle et la muscade, estragon, touche fumée, cuir, l'alcool pointe légèrement dans l'ensemble, pierre chaude, minéral, invitant
Après 60 minutes d'ouverture : la dimension fruits confits s'est amplifiée, prenant la part belle à l'ensemble et rendant le tout moins austère et beaucoup plus sexy.
Après 120 minutes d'aération : toujours plus de fruit, la vanille et le boisé fondu sont plus envahissants, polissant le tout, de plus en plus charmant.
Bouche : sec, ample+, astringence moyenne+, acidité rafraîchissante, légèrement asséchant, prise minérale bien affirmée, amertume moyenne, persistance moyenne+, tanins plutôt souples, rétro fumée, minérale, amère, noyaux de petits fruits, alcool
Conclusion : Initialement, nous l'avons jugé très durement. Petit à petit, avec l'aération, le fruit s'est ouvert, la palette aromatique s'est développée. Très sympathique, de belle complexité aromatique, le temps fait son oeuvre, mais il a encore à offrir. Demeure frais et de bel équilibre général. Le Mourvèdre (25%) tient particulièrement bien la route. Après 2 heures d'aération, demeure très bon sinon exclelent, pour son nez en particulier, et excellent avec le repas. Son apogée est peut-être passée... mais il a tellement évolué à l'aération que ça demeure intriguant. Belle expérience. 90-89-88(?)
June 12, 2011 - -- decanted immediately before tasting --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 hours --
NOSE: typical So. Rhone Nose: horsey; loganberry; hint of herby stewed tomato; moderately complex.
BODY: purple-garnet color of medium-deep depth; little bit of sediment present; medium bodied. Color is darker than I expected it to be.
TASTE: typical So. Rhone goodness: strong mélange of horsiness/leather/garrigue; not raisined; light blackberry/loganberry flavors in the background; surprising freshness on the palate (this being an ’03, and all); 13.5% alc. is not noticeable; tannin is mostly integrated: very slightly drying, but not grippy, on the finish; good acid-tannin-alcohol balance – perhaps somewhat round; not complex, but very good. Was a synergistic success with my lamb dish. I would drink this now or over the next five years.
B: 50, 5, 12, 16, 7 = 90 (nearly went with 13/15 on nose, and/or 17/20 on taste/palate)
May 28, 2011 - ChTR kokous 28.05.2011 (Annen ja Kimmon luona): Popped and poured. My last bottle. Lots of strawberry here and a slight raisin component. The palate was much the same, bright strawberries, lots of tannins, a bit of a port-like aspect to it. Nice!
November 5, 2010 - Colour hue: ruby
Colour depth: medium to deep
clarity: clear
Aroma intensity:
moderate to aromatic
Development: some age
Aromas: currants, mossy fall leaves, a bit of spice
dry, medium-full body, smooth
high dry tanins
Flavours: smokey, rich, a bit of spice. Not particularly fruity.
Full flavored and very powerful. Nearly overwhelming on its own, but pairs well with food. I enjoyed it with a sharp, flavorful cheese.
Grape varieties: 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre.
Maturation: 2 years in oak; 50% new oak
alcohol: 13.5%
October 16, 2010 - very solid version of an affordable nicely aged gigondas, definitely at its peak or on way down, but very balanced and huge licorice smell
September 18, 2010 - Popped and poured. Nice fruit up front, with pretty good balance throughout. Not much tannin on the backend and given the vintage, I would say drink in the short term. Very good.
April 9, 2010 - Decanted for about an hour. This wine had a distinct raisiny smell to it, kind of port-like, but actually not too bad. Some tannins on the palate, and some nice red fruits with secondary properties coming through, a bit of raisin also here. The hot year is starting to dominate this wine, I think I should not wait too long with the last bottle.