Community Tasting Note

Eric wrote:

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - I saw a stack of 750ml bottles at Esquin, and I had to give one a shot. I actually have 6 magnums stored away for the long haul, but I was wondering if maybe I need some in 750ml? I still have haunting memories of 4 bottles of the 1982 LP enjoyed over the past year...

Clearly I am drinking this at least a decade early, but I am stunned at how approachable this is with less than 20 minutes in the glass. Tasted without food, just sipping on its own, and the poise and balance of this are breathtaking. I expected this to be far more closed and tannic! The nose shows ample char/toast with a huge dose of minerality, some early signs of tobacco and roasting coffee in the background. On the palate this is just oozing minerals and structure and at the same time dripping with sweet, dusty, black fruit, cocoa and black cherry. It is quite primary and perhaps a touch monolithic right now, but having seen what the 1982 can do with 20 years I am a believer in the complexity that I know will eventually emerge. Hoobaby! After 90 minutes the palate started to clamp down, so I am going to let the remaining 2/3 of a bottle sit overnight.

DAY 2: After sitting overnight this was showing even more minerality with a strong graphite component (but of course no cedar yet). In time this is going to gather a delicious aroma of lead pencil I think. There is still tons of sweet, black fruit, and the wine is showing impressively deep color. There is also a LOT more structure on display than on day 1, as all of the luscious primary fruit has come into focus, and this wine is showing more of its underlying power. I was also surprised at the amount of sediment this has already thrown.

Delicious, I need to track down some more for the long haul.

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