This opened very much as previous bottles with plenty of classic Margaux character of blackcurrants, violet dark chocolate and cedar. The palate is a tiny bit attenuated on the finish but it's a quibble in the overall package. Delicious week-day wine.
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Disclaimer: I simply can't believe this is a Grand Vin de Bordeaux.
1st bottle of 6 purchased in 2022. I wish I had bought both half cases. PnP but consumed over 3 hours during cooking and eating. Served at 20C rising to 22C by the end of the meal. 13.5%. Provenance perfect. My advice: decant one hour and enjoy but be mindful of the temperature.
This wine is textbook Margaux. In my reviews, I often write about the first thing I notice in wine: the colour. But with this wine, its the perfumed, Margaux nose. Its unmistakable, its amazing, and it envelops you as you pour the wine. Wow. The colour is dark, dark garnet with no bricking. Still young, youthful, and powerful, but not overpowering like some 2005 Bordeaux at this stage.
The nose is perfumed, floral, and deep: amazing, and intoxicating. Ah, Margaux.
Taste: medium bodied but deceptively rich and long. Again, textbook Margaux. Great balance between Cabernet and Merlot (and some Cab Franc?). Classic. Not your turbocharged, heavy 2005 here. So much more enjoyable than the "blockish" Prieure-Lichine 2005.
This is a beautiful Margaux. Drink and enjoy within the next five years.
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13.5% alcohol. Pretty good long cork. Decanted an hour ahead. Deep colour with hardly any thinning at the rim. Mature balanced nose with some leather and no obvious oak; mostly dark fruited, but nothing cooked. Even better in the mouth with a winning silky and juicy quality. Good grip, although the tannins are resolved; more red-fruited than on the nose. A superb Médoc approaching maturity. I suspect that I might have bought this wine en primeur on Clive Coates' recommendation, and I take this opportunity to salute his memory following his recent passing; a great wine critic without a doubt.
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Good wine with the 2005 problem. That is, it will take forever for these to become approachable. Double-decant and wait for a day. I cannot even think about the classified growths and how many years they will need. Be patient, very. Day three, lovely fruit but still tannins galore.
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My last bottle of the 2005 Labegorce Zede and it was utterly superb. I had it to accompany sauteed lambs' kidneys with a seedy mustard sauce. A classic Margaux, the blend was typically 50% Cab S 35% Mer 10% Cab Fr 5% Petit Verdot.
On the palate it was under-fruited with cedar and cigar box characters although I did pick out plums and leather which is more a tasting note for Merlot. It was fresh with pleasing tannins and a beautifully crafted structure. Some cream crept in from the mid-palate onwards and the finish was sublime. It just went on and on.
So refined and elegant, I just loved every mouthful and reminded me why I just adore claret possibly above all else. I'm scoring it at 93 points, meaning that it's an exceptional wine. It's just a pity it was my last one.
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Took the previous advice and decanted 3 hours prior to serving. A young and vigorous wine of medium weight with a bright colour and fine flavour. Tasted even better the following lunchtime. Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the case develops.
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Consistent with previous notes. Was accessible after 3+ hours in the decanter, but not yet fully mature. Medium frame, light-on-its-feet palate, more red currant than dark, but the acidic frame and thick tannins on the finish indicate the best years are still ahead. Drink 2025-2035. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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Another lovely bottle with everything in its right place. This wine remains dark and densely coloured with a nose of fresh blackcurrants, violets, dark chocolate and garnet plums. The palate reflects those fruit characters with a coating of good weight and length. The overall effect is of a perfect expression of Margaux at this level.
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Wow that was fun. Purchased this from a distributor blow out in 09 recession. I knew We should have bought more. Only bought two of several 05 Bordeaux’s. Don’t have tasting notes from the first bottle. Can’t wait to try more 05s
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Vinturied into a 4 hour decant, Maybe too young? Slightly tannic with A wonderful nose, not to funky, bright fruit with no sign of age yet, This just fell short on the finish, lacking the depth and tannins to hold it up. Paired with prime rib. Drink now thru 2025.
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Monthly Tuesday group "The Dead Sparrow" #026; Bordeaux 2005 (by DJ): Really dark purple color still. In the bouquet dark berries like blackberries, coffee, vanilla and chocolate. On the palate dark berries and chocolate, cassis, licorice, concentration, good acidity and powerful tannin.
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Much improved from the last tasting over three years ago. Opened and decanted an hour before dinner of savory-rubbed grilled chicken, rice, and mixed veggies. Spring flowers with cinnamon toast oak on the nose. The palate is concentrated and textured nicely, bringing a lot more weight and viscosity than a few years ago. Concentrated ripe berries - blueberries, raspberries, and cherries - really come through this time. The finish is smooth, creamy, and extracted, with herbs and plenty of blackcurrant and vanilla bean. More of a modern style Margaux. Drink 2018-2025. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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Ripe fruity nose, so lively, plums and blackcurrants, plus vanilla Lots of tannin on the palate, fresh raspberry fruit Leather, savoury finish the with earthy notes Good wine lots of flavour though doesn't taste as good as it smells I think it might need a few years still
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A lovely little wine : dark colour. Nose all Margaux black fruits with touches of dark chocolate, violets and plum. Round palate with fine tannin length and balance. A fine example in this vintage. Such a shame to say goodbye to this family run vineyard.
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Monthly tasting club "The Tasting Club" 2016-02; Bordeaux 2005 (@ DJ): The bouquet is still a bit locked with dark forest fruits, smoke, vanilla and beautiful oak. On the palate soft ripe fruits, sweet spices, chocolate, cherry liquor bonbon, good acidity and round and soft, but also still firm tannin. Some bitterness in the finish. Beautiful wine in its young maturity stage now. Will continue to improve over the next 2 - 3+ years. 90+
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This seems to have settled nicely, especially after being paired with a nice ribeye steak. Not the disjointed smoky example two years back, this is coming along much better than that initial testing in 2013 suggested. No fireworks here, but this is drinking well with something rich now to offset the tannin.
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Opened and decanted 4 hours before dinner of grilled top sirloin, bone in pork-chops, baked potatoes, and mixed berry salad. Dark, murky, purple color. Beautiful nose of fresh-cut violets, funky raspberries, menthol, lavender, and loads of blueberries and cinnamon toast crunch. The medium-to-full palate follows with ripe blueberries, hints of raspberries, tobacco, plums, and leather, with a nice wave of lingering blackberry pie on the finish, which is dusty and slightly disjointed. The mid-palate is slightly hollow and the finish is unbalanced vis-a-vis the acidity and tannins. My take is that this is still a youngster, so drink 2017-2030.
Dark purple, full bodied with aromas of black fruit but a tad too much smoke. Alcohol a bit strong here, not the nice perfumed nose I was anticipating. Some green-ness on the nose also. More smoke on the palate, with the fruit hiding behind a massive wall of mouth-pluckering tannin. Not an elegant wine, but rather more rustic. Will not return to this for another decade perhaps.
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Monthly Tasting Group HWS #078; Bordeaux 2005 (by DJ): Knowing this was a 2005 the wine is still extremely purple. The bouquet is complex and beautiful with beautiful oak, black fruits and ink. On the palate still quite focused, with red as well as dark fruits, esp. cassis earth, laurel and bell peppers. The tannin is still holding a promise. Beautiful, elegant style of wine and still a bit too young. Probably best between 2015 and 2020 and even a bit later.
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Not bad but for some reason didn't really make me want to drink much of it. Nose was nice with currant with some nice oaky notes. Palate currant as well with usual bordeaux earth. Maybe slightly off balance.
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A bit tight and closed upon opening, splash decant and sent into the frig for approx. 1hr. The zede responded accordingly, the nose opened up a blend of walnut, polished cherry leather reduction and hints of oak. Overtime I picked up some light vicks vapor rub action and oyster shell. On the palate the margaux berriers were at attention. BTW what the hell are margaux-berries? I often think the same of zinberries. I guess when I think of the term margaux-berries I think of velvety-like black raspberries. I noticed light textures of earthy gravel and oak. The finish shows some tightness, no rush on this wine. Overall a real nice margaux.
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Bordeaux 2005 (@ DJ): Beautiful bouquet with sweet ripe black fruits, tobacco and leather. On the palate the same juicy fruits with beautiful round tannin, which is still firm. Already very approachable, but also plenty of power left for many more years. Elegant and complex. If I had any I would try it again around 2015.
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Tasted at a NCWS "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" tasting. Deepish colour. Nose starting to develop: blackcurrant, some oak. Still young, but approachable. Soft, well balanced, with a good finish.
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Colour - Purple. Some declination. Nose - Blackberry, plum. Body - Fuller Palette - On openning: Ample fruit. Blackberry, plum. Some well intergrated tanin. "International" style. After 1/2 to 45 minutes decant: tanin reduced, but lost some fruit as well. May have closed down. Detected some vinegar, produced after only 45 minute decant. So aging potential may be limited.
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I agree with a previous note of cassis and ripe tanin. This should be at least a couple of points higher in 2-4 years. Very approachable for such a young wine showing a solid core of fruit partially masked by the structure and tannin. I think I may pick up a few more.
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Good juice with ripe cassis. Good oak. Very concentrated and a lot of good tannin. The fruit can handle the latter. Power! This is definitely a wine with a good future.
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12/14/2023 - drjb Likes this wine: 91 Points
This opened very much as previous bottles with plenty of classic Margaux character of blackcurrants, violet dark chocolate and cedar. The palate is a tiny bit attenuated on the finish but it's a quibble in the overall package. Delicious week-day wine.
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6/16/2023 - CharlesHK wrote: 92 Points
Disclaimer: I simply can't believe this is a Grand Vin de Bordeaux.
1st bottle of 6 purchased in 2022. I wish I had bought both half cases. PnP but consumed over 3 hours during cooking and eating. Served at 20C rising to 22C by the end of the meal. 13.5%. Provenance perfect. My advice: decant one hour and enjoy but be mindful of the temperature.
This wine is textbook Margaux. In my reviews, I often write about the first thing I notice in wine: the colour. But with this wine, its the perfumed, Margaux nose. Its unmistakable, its amazing, and it envelops you as you pour the wine. Wow. The colour is dark, dark garnet with no bricking. Still young, youthful, and powerful, but not overpowering like some 2005 Bordeaux at this stage.
The nose is perfumed, floral, and deep: amazing, and intoxicating. Ah, Margaux.
Taste: medium bodied but deceptively rich and long. Again, textbook Margaux. Great balance between Cabernet and Merlot (and some Cab Franc?). Classic. Not your turbocharged, heavy 2005 here. So much more enjoyable than the "blockish" Prieure-Lichine 2005.
This is a beautiful Margaux. Drink and enjoy within the next five years.
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8/22/2022 - Eudemis Likes this wine:
13.5% alcohol. Pretty good long cork. Decanted an hour ahead. Deep colour with hardly any thinning at the rim.
Mature balanced nose with some leather and no obvious oak; mostly dark fruited, but nothing cooked. Even better in the mouth with a winning silky and juicy quality. Good grip, although the tannins are resolved; more red-fruited than on the nose.
A superb Médoc approaching maturity.
I suspect that I might have bought this wine en primeur on Clive Coates' recommendation, and I take this opportunity to salute his memory following his recent passing; a great wine critic without a doubt.
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4/18/2021 - Simoncino wrote: 91 Points
Good wine with the 2005 problem. That is, it will take forever for these to become approachable. Double-decant and wait for a day. I cannot even think about the classified growths and how many years they will need. Be patient, very. Day three, lovely fruit but still tannins galore.
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3/5/2021 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last bottle of the 2005 Labegorce Zede and it was utterly superb. I had it to accompany sauteed lambs' kidneys with a seedy mustard sauce. A classic Margaux, the blend was typically 50% Cab S 35% Mer 10% Cab Fr 5% Petit Verdot.
On the palate it was under-fruited with cedar and cigar box characters although I did pick out plums and leather which is more a tasting note for Merlot. It was fresh with pleasing tannins and a beautifully crafted structure. Some cream crept in from the mid-palate onwards and the finish was sublime. It just went on and on.
So refined and elegant, I just loved every mouthful and reminded me why I just adore claret possibly above all else. I'm scoring it at 93 points, meaning that it's an exceptional wine. It's just a pity it was my last one.
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12/29/2020 - dunroaming Likes this wine: 92 Points
Took the previous advice and decanted 3 hours prior to serving. A young and vigorous wine of medium weight with a bright colour and fine flavour. Tasted even better the following lunchtime. Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the case develops.
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10/18/2020 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with previous notes. Was accessible after 3+ hours in the decanter, but not yet fully mature. Medium frame, light-on-its-feet palate, more red currant than dark, but the acidic frame and thick tannins on the finish indicate the best years are still ahead. Drink 2025-2035. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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4/12/2020 - Mill Run wrote: 80 Points
Disappointing. Thin, no flavor.
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3/12/2020 - drjb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another lovely bottle with everything in its right place. This wine remains dark and densely coloured with a nose of fresh blackcurrants, violets, dark chocolate and garnet plums. The palate reflects those fruit characters with a coating of good weight and length. The overall effect is of a perfect expression of Margaux at this level.
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3/8/2020 - Badgerwino wrote:
Wow that was fun. Purchased this from a distributor blow out in 09 recession. I knew We should have bought more. Only bought two of several 05 Bordeaux’s. Don’t have tasting notes from the first bottle. Can’t wait to try more 05s
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12/27/2019 - wino121 wrote: 90 Points
Vinturied into a 4 hour decant,
Maybe too young? Slightly tannic with A wonderful nose, not to funky, bright fruit with no sign of age yet,
This just fell short on the finish, lacking the depth and tannins to hold it up.
Paired with prime rib.
Drink now thru 2025.
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7/11/2019 - drjb wrote: flawed
Corked
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2/19/2019 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
Monthly Tuesday group "The Dead Sparrow" #026; Bordeaux 2005 (by DJ): Really dark purple color still. In the bouquet dark berries like blackberries, coffee, vanilla and chocolate. On the palate dark berries and chocolate, cassis, licorice, concentration, good acidity and powerful tannin.
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12/23/2017 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Much improved from the last tasting over three years ago. Opened and decanted an hour before dinner of savory-rubbed grilled chicken, rice, and mixed veggies. Spring flowers with cinnamon toast oak on the nose. The palate is concentrated and textured nicely, bringing a lot more weight and viscosity than a few years ago. Concentrated ripe berries - blueberries, raspberries, and cherries - really come through this time. The finish is smooth, creamy, and extracted, with herbs and plenty of blackcurrant and vanilla bean. More of a modern style Margaux. Drink 2018-2025. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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12/17/2017 - Cognacblanc wrote: 88 Points
Smooth and gentle, a little lacking in tannins and structure. All fruit
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10/22/2017 - Veg Likes this wine:
Very nice. Full and smooth. Certainly ready to drink.
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5/29/2017 - Veg wrote:
Gave to Clifford-King
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5/28/2017 - Veg wrote:
Gave to Clifford-King
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12/8/2016 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
Ripe fruity nose, so lively, plums and blackcurrants, plus vanilla
Lots of tannin on the palate, fresh raspberry fruit
Leather, savoury finish the with earthy notes
Good wine lots of flavour though doesn't taste as good as it smells
I think it might need a few years still
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6/17/2016 - drjb Likes this wine: 91 Points
A lovely little wine : dark colour. Nose all Margaux black fruits with touches of dark chocolate, violets and plum. Round palate with fine tannin length and balance. A fine example in this vintage. Such a shame to say goodbye to this family run vineyard.
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2/18/2016 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Monthly tasting club "The Tasting Club" 2016-02; Bordeaux 2005 (@ DJ): The bouquet is still a bit locked with dark forest fruits, smoke, vanilla and beautiful oak. On the palate soft ripe fruits, sweet spices, chocolate, cherry liquor bonbon, good acidity and round and soft, but also still firm tannin. Some bitterness in the finish. Beautiful wine in its young maturity stage now. Will continue to improve over the next 2 - 3+ years. 90+
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12/10/2015 - mygrogro wrote: 89 Points
very drinkable and smooth
nice value
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10/20/2015 - lwt Likes this wine: 90 Points
This seems to have settled nicely, especially after being paired with a nice ribeye steak. Not the disjointed smoky example two years back, this is coming along much better than that initial testing in 2013 suggested. No fireworks here, but this is drinking well with something rich now to offset the tannin.
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11/26/2014 - mygrogro wrote: 89 Points
Solid 89
smokey oak and raspberry
leather and pepper finish
coming around
enjoy
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7/3/2014 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 89 Points
Opened and decanted 4 hours before dinner of grilled top sirloin, bone in pork-chops, baked potatoes, and mixed berry salad. Dark, murky, purple color. Beautiful nose of fresh-cut violets, funky raspberries, menthol, lavender, and loads of blueberries and cinnamon toast crunch. The medium-to-full palate follows with ripe blueberries, hints of raspberries, tobacco, plums, and leather, with a nice wave of lingering blackberry pie on the finish, which is dusty and slightly disjointed. The mid-palate is slightly hollow and the finish is unbalanced vis-a-vis the acidity and tannins. My take is that this is still a youngster, so drink 2017-2030.
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4/9/2014 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very tasty blend of blackberries, licorice, eucalyptus, and oak. Not complex but good balance.
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1/3/2014 - lwt wrote: 85 Points
Dark purple, full bodied with aromas of black fruit but a tad too much smoke. Alcohol a bit strong here, not the nice perfumed nose I was anticipating. Some green-ness on the nose also. More smoke on the palate, with the fruit hiding behind a massive wall of mouth-pluckering tannin. Not an elegant wine, but rather more rustic. Will not return to this for another decade perhaps.
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4/10/2013 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
Monthly Tasting Group HWS #078; Bordeaux 2005 (by DJ): Knowing this was a 2005 the wine is still extremely purple. The bouquet is complex and beautiful with beautiful oak, black fruits and ink. On the palate still quite focused, with red as well as dark fruits, esp. cassis earth, laurel and bell peppers. The tannin is still holding a promise. Beautiful, elegant style of wine and still a bit too young. Probably best between 2015 and 2020 and even a bit later.
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3/26/2013 - yeti575rider wrote: 88 Points
Not bad but for some reason didn't really make me want to drink much of it. Nose was nice with currant with some nice oaky notes. Palate currant as well with usual bordeaux earth. Maybe slightly off balance.
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12/24/2011 - robertgoulet wrote: 92 Points
A bit tight and closed upon opening, splash decant and sent into the frig for approx. 1hr.
The zede responded accordingly, the nose opened up a blend of walnut, polished cherry leather reduction and hints of oak. Overtime I picked up some light vicks vapor rub action and oyster shell. On the palate the margaux berriers were at attention. BTW what the hell are margaux-berries? I often think the same of zinberries. I guess when I think of the term margaux-berries I think of velvety-like black raspberries. I noticed light textures of earthy gravel and oak. The finish shows some tightness, no rush on this wine. Overall a real nice margaux.
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6/16/2011 - Zweder Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bordeaux 2005 (@ DJ): Beautiful bouquet with sweet ripe black fruits, tobacco and leather. On the palate the same juicy fruits with beautiful round tannin, which is still firm. Already very approachable, but also plenty of power left for many more years. Elegant and complex. If I had any I would try it again around 2015.
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5/10/2010 - La Grappe wrote: 86 Points
Tasted at a NCWS "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" tasting. Deepish colour. Nose starting to develop: blackcurrant, some oak. Still young, but approachable. Soft, well balanced, with a good finish.
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2/2/2010 - Jhcwine wrote: 91 Points
Colour - Purple. Some declination.
Nose - Blackberry, plum.
Body - Fuller
Palette - On openning: Ample fruit. Blackberry, plum. Some well intergrated tanin. "International" style. After 1/2 to 45 minutes decant: tanin reduced, but lost some fruit as well. May have closed down. Detected some vinegar, produced after only 45 minute decant. So aging potential may be limited.
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8/4/2008 - Miceri wrote:
Good, soft, round, lovely; cherry nose and taste
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7/6/2008 - g-man wrote: 91 Points
I agree with a previous note of cassis and ripe tanin. This should be at least a couple of points higher in 2-4 years. Very approachable for such a young wine showing a solid core of fruit partially masked by the structure and tannin. I think I may pick up a few more.
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7/5/2008 - cormyr wrote: 90 Points
should be even better in a few years
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12/9/2007 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
Good juice with ripe cassis. Good oak. Very concentrated and a lot of good tannin. The fruit can handle the latter. Power! This is definitely a wine with a good future.
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