February 18, 2021 - Needs decanting as the wine changed drastically after 30m being poured. This tasting note reflects the wine after the 30m.
Medium ruby with some meaty/brown tones. The nose despite the plummy(ness) character one gets due to the vintage (hot year) is still very much capable of delivering ripe rasberries,rock rose, bread ferment, organge zest and a clear note of figues. Intense, showing the vintage but also with some freshness and super layered. Full bodied and somewhat decadent it delivers a meaty palate with no holes full of a red ripe fruit, loads of figues and a multitude of sun dried bushes. It really stays and occupies your palate with a layered silhouette and masses of ripe complexities. Extremely long with buried tannins and a shy acidity.
First vintage of the Roquette & Cazes collaboration and i have to say the best aged Douro 2003 i drank. Ripe and meaty but never overdone nor loosing its sense of identity. This one is holding strong but in a really delicious place right now.
April 22, 2018 - Wow this is really delicious and on a great aging curve which is not complete. Very full nose of blackberry, brambles. The mid palate is concentrated and delicious with black fruit, minerals and herbs. The finish is medium and developing complex. I can imagine this developing pretty well like an old Spanish Rioja. Stay tuned.
December 8, 2014 - Overall not as remarkable as I remember, and this particular bottle didn't seem to hold open as long as I expected after opening. Possibly an off bottle, or else this is just really at the very top of its peak. Either way, I'll be letting the next one breathe less and drinkng these soon.
June 30, 2013 - Allowed to breathe 30 minutes. Opening up with complex tobacco and smoke notes with a subtle fruity backbone and respectably long finish. Great overall balance and smooth, integrated finish. Would probably pair quite well with something savory and complex like a nice fatty charcuterie platter.
December 27, 2011 - Um vinho interessante com bastante personalidade. Um final um pouco dificil com algumas arestas por limar.
April 23, 2011 - Took about 45min to open up. Complex, moderate finish. Some rough edge.
February 19, 2011 - Very smooth, drinkable now
January 24, 2011 - Tasted blind. Really enjoyed this wine. Beautiful aroma's. sweet fruit on the palate but good balance and structure, also had some spice and cinnamon on the finish which was lingering. An excellent wine.
April 4, 2010 - Delicious and elegant as a described in my previous note. Wonderful with roasted lamb.
January 10, 2010 - WIMLXX
Tasted January 10, 2010.
Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of briar patch, tar, currants and plums. Flavors of berries, currants, cherries and a bit of plum. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now.