Visiting my parents across the pond and tonight my dad emerges out of his cellar with a 1984 Estournel. Based on a little CT research I convinced him to pnp. The cork still in good condition, less than 1/3 soaked. His cellar, for decades has been way too cold at 46F, but this actually gave me hope it may have helped to slow the maturation process. From what I know this is a subpar vintage. The nose is mind blowing. It’s among the very best experiences I have had. Such a nice bouquet, with dark berries, cassis and sweet cherry. The palate however, cannot live up to the nose and unfortunately somewhat disappoints. More cassis, with some bitter, green notes. Tannins have completely resolved, relatively short finish. Nothing wrong with this particular bottle, still drinks perfectly fine. My guess is that it’s just a vintage that doesn’t shine.
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good condition, cork just soaked for half, pnp. Nose: mushroom ,mint, earthy ,dried herbs Palate : mushroom,high acidity ,tannin resloved, earthy ,plum, short on finish but, very drinkable ! Acidic after an hour , at peak now
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PnP for toast at son's wedding (birth year wine). I had really low expectations for this wine, given the year. Stored by me since release for an occasion like this (perfect condition). Violet red, only minimal edge browning and not translucent. Fresh dark berries, some earth and vanilla. Medium light weight fruit with and met with just right acidity and decent tannins. Had this after dinner, but would do well (better) with food.
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Top shoulder bottle, solid cork, fully wet though. We chose not to decant fearing the fragility of the wine and we think we chose wisely, as the wine deteriorates quite quickly. And definitely a much better experience than the ones listed below, almost a different wine. The colour shows its age with good bricking but the core is solid red. The nose is classic, open from start and with a mix of earthy notes and cabernet sauvignon fruit aromatics. Light cedar and a light touch of herbs too. On the palate it is very much secondary but alive, the fruit is there , with firm tannin albeit a touch thin post mid palate. Gripping tannin, still alive and very old school classic bordeaux. Very much worth the 40£ we paid for it and would happily have this any day. Starts 92 and over time deteriorates to and 87 so we suggest drink sooner than later and avoid decanting.
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Competent, mature but middling Bordeaux. The tannins have softened, giving this a smooth feel, and the acidity makes this a bit inviting. Enjoyable but ultimately lacks anything special to elevate the experience. Typical Bordeaux notes of plummy fruit, cigar box spice, iron, minerals, a touch of smoke, and slight barnyard. Personally I think you can do better picking wines from humbler estates but better vintages, for less money. Nonetheless, this was enjoyable for a claret from a tough vintage. Can hang on but won't improve, so drink up. 85-86
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Past its prime but fun to drink along with my son's 25th birthday dinner. Lot's of deep garnet color at the core with brick fading to ochre at the edges. Overwhelming, port like cherry flavors and finish.
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Still convincingly alive. On the nose, black tea, raspberry jam and decayed undergrowth. Fruit on the palate still alive initially, mostly plucky red fruit. Tannis completely resolved, acid still moderate plus, finish short with clipped fruit profile. Still pleasurable and quite enjoyable. I'd drink another.
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Still alive, just about. Browning, but still opaque, a bit of oxidation on the nose, and a bit of grip on the finish. In the middle, surprisingly ripe. A reasonable claret, but a bit dull.
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educational afternoon with some good friends; Bordeaux. (@ PdV): Deep dark purple. The bouquet is completely locked. The wine is full bodied with a lot of sticky tannin and acidity. There is also cassis, liquorice and iron. The long aftertaste has cassis and good bitterness. In its young stage this is an impressive wine for the vintage.
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9/22/2021 - JoeMe Likes this wine: 91 Points
Visiting my parents across the pond and tonight my dad emerges out of his cellar with a 1984 Estournel. Based on a little CT research I convinced him to pnp. The cork still in good condition, less than 1/3 soaked. His cellar, for decades has been way too cold at 46F, but this actually gave me hope it may have helped to slow the maturation process. From what I know this is a subpar vintage. The nose is mind blowing. It’s among the very best experiences I have had. Such a nice bouquet, with dark berries, cassis and sweet cherry. The palate however, cannot live up to the nose and unfortunately somewhat disappoints. More cassis, with some bitter, green notes. Tannins have completely resolved, relatively short finish. Nothing wrong with this particular bottle, still drinks perfectly fine. My guess is that it’s just a vintage that doesn’t shine.
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2/1/2019 - KCC320 wrote: 88 Points
good condition, cork just soaked for half, pnp.
Nose: mushroom ,mint, earthy ,dried herbs
Palate : mushroom,high acidity ,tannin resloved, earthy ,plum, short on finish but, very drinkable ! Acidic after an hour , at peak now
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7/31/2017 - thomaskeil Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP for toast at son's wedding (birth year wine). I had really low expectations for this wine, given the year. Stored by me since release for an occasion like this (perfect condition). Violet red, only minimal edge browning and not translucent. Fresh dark berries, some earth and vanilla. Medium light weight fruit with and met with just right acidity and decent tannins. Had this after dinner, but would do well (better) with food.
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12/14/2012 - Papies wrote: 90 Points
Top shoulder bottle, solid cork, fully wet though.
We chose not to decant fearing the fragility of the wine and we think we chose wisely, as the wine deteriorates quite quickly. And definitely a much better experience than the ones listed below, almost a different wine.
The colour shows its age with good bricking but the core is solid red. The nose is classic, open from start and with a mix of earthy notes and cabernet sauvignon fruit aromatics. Light cedar and a light touch of herbs too. On the palate it is very much secondary but alive, the fruit is there , with firm tannin albeit a touch thin post mid palate. Gripping tannin, still alive and very old school classic bordeaux. Very much worth the 40£ we paid for it and would happily have this any day. Starts 92 and over time deteriorates to and 87 so we suggest drink sooner than later and avoid decanting.
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7/2/2012 - heimbach wrote:
Really dead at this time. Cork OK but crumbled on opening. Only had about half before discarding.
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5/18/2011 - amateurwino wrote: 86 Points
Competent, mature but middling Bordeaux. The tannins have softened, giving this a smooth feel, and the acidity makes this a bit inviting. Enjoyable but ultimately lacks anything special to elevate the experience. Typical Bordeaux notes of plummy fruit, cigar box spice, iron, minerals, a touch of smoke, and slight barnyard. Personally I think you can do better picking wines from humbler estates but better vintages, for less money. Nonetheless, this was enjoyable for a claret from a tough vintage. Can hang on but won't improve, so drink up. 85-86
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11/14/2009 - pepmi wrote: 84 Points
Past its prime but fun to drink along with my son's 25th birthday dinner. Lot's of deep garnet color at the core with brick fading to ochre at the edges. Overwhelming, port like cherry flavors and finish.
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10/3/2009 - TheKel wrote: 85 Points
Still convincingly alive. On the nose, black tea, raspberry jam and decayed undergrowth. Fruit on the palate still alive initially, mostly plucky red fruit. Tannis completely resolved, acid still moderate plus, finish short with clipped fruit profile. Still pleasurable and quite enjoyable. I'd drink another.
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11/11/2008 - tottym wrote: 82 Points
Had low expectations due to the poor vintage, but this was really very poor
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8/10/2008 - Rupert wrote: 87 Points
Still alive, just about. Browning, but still opaque, a bit of oxidation on the nose, and a bit of grip on the finish. In the middle, surprisingly ripe. A reasonable claret, but a bit dull.
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1/11/1989 - cos65 wrote:
Deep ruby-purple Leather, prunes berries tannic, from 375
***
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11/14/1987 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
educational afternoon with some good friends; Bordeaux. (@ PdV): Deep dark purple. The bouquet is completely locked. The wine is full bodied with a lot of sticky tannin and acidity. There is also cassis, liquorice and iron. The long aftertaste has cassis and good bitterness. In its young stage this is an impressive wine for the vintage.
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