Out of a magnum, bought in Belgium or England in the 70ies.. very mature color; warm center, turning to a weathered brick at the rim. At first, coming out of the bottle, it was dumb with no noteworthy features sticking out. Then, like the proverbial genie out of the bottle it expanded and stretched, became more promising and interesting, and after another hour or so it became downright fascinating: Complex, aristocratic and very refined bouquet, on the palate graphite, pencil shavings and some leather dust. Harmonious and graceful. The wine did not shout at you but - if you wanted to enjoy and understand it - it forced you to listen and concentrate on what it offered. For me, it was the wine of the evening.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened this bottle shortly before drinking it, and decanted it. This was certainly necessary, as there was a lot of sediment. The cork was pretty much on it's last legs, and in fact broke, despite using a long corkscrew. The colour had paled to the point of being almost Burgundian, but the nose was still there, and although not fruity any longer, the flavours had harmonised to the point that it was difficult to pick out individual characteristics. Very old wines like this, to me, tend to taste thin, and there was an element of that creeping in, but it still stood up well to the steak with dolcelatte and cream sauce. Memorable, and very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
12/2/2022 - Bandreas Likes this wine:
Out of a magnum, bought in Belgium or England in the 70ies..
very mature color; warm center, turning to a weathered brick at the rim. At first, coming out of the bottle, it was dumb with no noteworthy features sticking out. Then, like the proverbial genie out of the bottle it expanded and stretched, became more promising and interesting, and after another hour or so it became downright fascinating: Complex, aristocratic and very refined bouquet, on the palate graphite, pencil shavings and some leather dust. Harmonious and graceful. The wine did not shout at you but - if you wanted to enjoy and understand it - it forced you to listen and concentrate on what it offered. For me, it was the wine of the evening.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2018 - Kim Gerner wrote:
26 Old Bordeaux grand cru classe - vertical (1938-1990) and horizontal semi blind wine tasting dinner (Fredriksberg): Excellent wine. No oxidation. I have not taken further tasting notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2017 - Cikgoo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Broken cork, oaky nose burnt smell but palate was full of fruit! Magic after 1.5hrs
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2012 - Rupert wrote: flawed
Neal Martin's 1971 dinner (The Ledbury, London): Not as filthy as the Beychevelle, but still badly corked
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2006 - charliemw wrote: 90 Points
Opened this bottle shortly before drinking it, and decanted it. This was certainly necessary, as there was a lot of sediment. The cork was pretty much on it's last legs, and in fact broke, despite using a long corkscrew. The colour had paled to the point of being almost Burgundian, but the nose was still there, and although not fruity any longer, the flavours had harmonised to the point that it was difficult to pick out individual characteristics. Very old wines like this, to me, tend to taste thin, and there was an element of that creeping in, but it still stood up well to the steak with dolcelatte and cream sauce. Memorable, and very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment