Community Tasting Note

Jester wrote:

Thursday, January 24, 2008 - Wow! Opened this to pair with my birthday dinner of Blue Crab and Perigourd Truffle Gnocchi and a Venison Trio at Restaurant August in New Orleans. Opened to find that the wine had creeped almost all the way up the cork, but leakage was not evident. Cork broke, but came out in two solid pieces. Decanted for about an hour and a half. I was quite concerned with the first taste, as the wine seemed to be a little light and austere. The restaurant's sommelier came by for a taste and made the erroneous suggestion that she smelled a little corkiness, but I didn't find it at all........However, even if it was there ( and I doubt it was, she was simply jealous, hehe ) it blew off quickly. Right after pouring there was a real musty gaminess and meaty aromas and flavors that I think she was mistaking for TCA. Of course, it must not have bothered her too much because she pretty much dove over two tables to get the last few sediment filled ounces in the bottom of the bottle as we were leaving our table. So, over the next hour this wine blossomed into the most beautifully noble and pure red wine that I've had in a long time. Its funny that people have the impression that Bordeaux doesn't have the same fruit as big rich Cali Cabs. This wine was so chock full of jammy plum and cassis flavors, it was stunning. As the bottle was consumed, there were evolving flavors of sweet maraschino cherry, ripe plump raspberries, and blackberry jam. The fruit was beautiful in its purity and enormous concentration, but it was the secondary flavors that really made this wine.........it seemingly morphed with every sip........leather, dark rich soil, eucalyptus, stewed game, herbs de Provence, mushrooms, sweet pipe tobacco. This was heaven in a bottle. Perfect ripe fruit, velvety smooth tannin structure, and a finish that literally lasted minutes. If you can find a bottle of this, get it. If you have some, I would venture to guess that, if stored properly, this wine will last for another decade or more easily. I am simply ecstatic that I have another bottle left in the cellar. Wow!!!

Post a Comment / View Jester's profile
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (12,115 views)