February 7, 2015 - The brown edge reflects its age. Still heavy and strong on the nose - black fruits, cedar, pungent. All the signs of a big wine. It's the lack of fruit on the palate that disappoints. It's past the optimum window. Drink up.
November 29, 2014 - Bien qu'en fin de vie, mais encore tout a fait buvable, cet Hermitage encore frais et fin était le bon compagnon d'un jarret de bœuf cuit 4 heures en cocotte. Il ne fallait pas plus puissant pour le laisser exprimer ses notes de vieille Syrah, un poil animale (cuir), poivrée et florale (fleurs séchées). La finale plutôt moyenne en longueur, se montrait fraîche et saline.
Sans envier donc, mais digeste, savoureusement évoluée.
Il faut les boire!
November 19, 2011 - By a stroke of luck I caught it at the exact right moment. Blue-tinted garnet, mature at the rim. Big, expansive nose, white pepper and violet, plum fruit underneath. Vigorous palate, truly exciting, with fresh dark fruit at the core, generously sprinkled with white pepper and burnt rubber. Tannins gone, but the acidity keeps everything in check, and it finishes on a long, long harmonious finish with all the aromas coming back bid farewell. Perfectly integrated and a wonderful wine, true to type. Drink now
October 3, 2011 - Decanted 3hrs. With roast Surloin. Moderate, sweet grenache nose. Quite gentle & light in the mouth, but with rough edges around the finish - mouthfeel improved drastically with the beef, then later with cheese. A game of two halves - elegant entry followed by a rustic finish. Plenty of sweet fruit suggests that there is no hurry to drink this.
December 13, 2008 - Bit over the hill. Disappointing.
March 27, 2008 - At Windsor Grill. Double decanted before leaving.
Sal had peppered fillet steak, I had suckling pig, with mustard mash & buttered broccoli.
Lovely Rhone nose, not especially powerful but very tempting & complex. This continued on the palate - smokey, bacon fat, earthy notes. A little rustic, not especially refined, then a moderate finish with good tannic bite. Went well with the food, very enjoyable bottle.