Community Tasting Note

biggie Likes this wine:

Thursday, June 22, 2023 - Leaf Day - found in the cellar wine (may have been added as a 2010). High fill - no loss. Cork was in good condition but broke 2/3 of the way down. Had to push it in. Decanted off (and strained) bits of cork and a small amount (about a tsp) of fine sediment.
Immediately after decanting - opaque core ruby in colour out to the edge. Nose oak, dark plum, vanilla, red flowers and just a hint of maturity via some damp earth and herbs. On the palate it’s very soft and mouth filling with the vanilla, oak and big ripe dark fruit initially. Very warm on the palate ( a combination of spice from the barrel and alcohol) but extremely enjoyable. The finish is long with the fruit, spice, vanilla and a little earthiness continuing. Pretty well balanced considering the huge amounts of each element. Can drink by itself but will let it sit for a bit and see how it works with grilled strip loin.

After 1/2 hour in the glass the aromatics have become more subdued and showing more of the red flowers and herbs than the big fruit and oak influence. On the palate it’s still plush with fully resolved but still present tannins and medium plus acidity. The finish is long with the spice and herbs and some black licorice showing. The alcohol (15% stated) is showing more now but is not detracting from the wine’s pleasure. On the back end of the finish the vanilla and oak shows. This will happily go another 3-5 years. It’ll be as enjoyable then as now but there is no need to wait - I don’t see a lot of evolution coming.

2nd day - Fruit Day - no colour change. Nose is ripe dark fruit (plum/blackberry) with dark chocolate, spice, vanilla and just a touch of smoke. On the palate it’s still got some ripe tannins and is as smooth as yesterday but the fruit has diminished enough to allow the structure to shine a little more. The finish is long and there’s some definite herb action along with some black licorice and now some tobacco showing. It’s a bit disjointed today as each element is there but not fully merged into a whole.

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