Community Tasting Note

forceberry wrote:

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - According to the producer, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (40%). Aged for 16 months in barriques (50% new, 50% older). Only 13% alcohol - relatively low for such a warm vintage wine.

Deep dark cherry color with a little translucency. Somewhat rustic and toasty nose with aromas of Cuban cigar, dark fruits, toasty smoke, some leather and crunchy hints of blackcurrants ad red fruits. Ripe, supple and rather full-bodied on the palate with a good streak of bright acid freshness - something one really doesn't expect from a 2009 Bordeaux. The wine is juicy and quite fruit-forward with flavors of ripe blackcurrants, succulent plums, some leafy herbal character, a little bit of toasted oak spice and a hint of barnyard. Although quite ample, the tannins are more on the friendly and mellow side. The finish is juicy and supple with flavors of ripe dark berries, smoke, some leather, a little bit of earthy sous-bois and a hint of vanilla with a nice, balancing hint of dark chocolate bitterness.

Although quite modern in style, this wine showed surprisingly nice balance and harmony. Pretty round and supple in style, the wine is definitely not in need of long cellaring before it can be enjoyed, but it still shows some good promise aging-wise. I was positively surprised how little the oak shows even though the wine supposedly sees 50% new oak during its aging. However, I'd assume that the wood flavors can be further integrated with the fruit with more aging; while the wine is enjoyable already now, I'd recommend giving it some 5-7 years more. Nice effort.

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