My tasting note below which noted a strong tarragon streak was based on an ample Coravined glass. This note is from the same bottle, properly uncorked. This time the tarragon note is in much better harmony with other elements of the wine: red fruits, some floral notes, a whiff of fresh tobacco and other savory elements (not at all in a modernistic or overdone style). Don't know if my palate has shifted over 6 weeks, tonight's dinner was a better accompaniment, or (most likely) this just needed some air -- notably, a final glass the second night after uncorking was still youthful and fresh -- but this wine is in the zone, and a good value. Note to self: be sure to remark in tasting notes when they're based on a Coravined sample.
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Strong sense of tarragon on the nose, to the point that my first impression was of smelling tarhun / tarkhoun, the vivid green tarragon-based soda from the Republic of Georgia / ex-USSR, with a secondary minty note. With a bit of coaxing, some minor notes of sour cherry and sousbois emerge. But then I take a sip, and yikes, it's mostly green-herbal-menthol notes again, with a streak of tobacco and what comes across as poorly integrated oak (not on the hi-toast sweet vanilla end of the spectrum, but rather a tannic woody element that's not so enjoyable, especially without food). The more charitable interpretation is that it's in the mold of e.g. Sociando-Mallet, only not as good. Definitely not a high-gloss consultant-made modern Bordeaux, but also lacking the depth and complexity of a great bottle of classic Bordeaux. Nothing that spoke of Margaux to me. Aromas and flavors aside, the overall structure of the wine is good -- not flabby, not shrill, enough tannins and balancing acidity. For about €22 delivered (as a recent auction purchase), it's not a bad wine to accompany a hearty midweek winter dinner at home. I'll give my only other bottle 5+ years and keep my fingers crossed for a miracle (after all, a recent '71 from the same now-defunct estate was a modest pleasure no worse than this).
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Luxurious bouquet with beautiful oak and cassis. On the palate dark as well as red forest fruits and a lot of sticky tannin which is a bit drying in the finish. Wait until 2017 or a bit later.
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Beautiful wine with a smoky bouquet, cassis and soft licorice. Same on the palate. Very juicy. Some lead pencil. Good and friendly tannin. Fairly complex and elegant wine. Already a pleasure but it will age well for at least 7+ years.
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Bought a six pack for a fire sale price. Translucent dark garnet. Nose of smoke (maybe it WAS a fire sale), blackberry and cedar. Thin to medium palate of dry, tart blackberry and graphite. OK finish. Youthful tannins. Pleasant acidity. Not much here. I'm not sure it will improve. Not sure what to do with the other 5 bottles. Addendum: Day 2, this is significantly better. Palate still pretty lightweight, but fruit is more in evidence. Attractive minerality. Overall, the wine is more balanced than yesterday. 88-89
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2/29/2020 - ParisWino Likes this wine: 89 Points
My tasting note below which noted a strong tarragon streak was based on an ample Coravined glass. This note is from the same bottle, properly uncorked. This time the tarragon note is in much better harmony with other elements of the wine: red fruits, some floral notes, a whiff of fresh tobacco and other savory elements (not at all in a modernistic or overdone style). Don't know if my palate has shifted over 6 weeks, tonight's dinner was a better accompaniment, or (most likely) this just needed some air -- notably, a final glass the second night after uncorking was still youthful and fresh -- but this wine is in the zone, and a good value. Note to self: be sure to remark in tasting notes when they're based on a Coravined sample.
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1/22/2020 - ParisWino wrote: 86 Points
Strong sense of tarragon on the nose, to the point that my first impression was of smelling tarhun / tarkhoun, the vivid green tarragon-based soda from the Republic of Georgia / ex-USSR, with a secondary minty note. With a bit of coaxing, some minor notes of sour cherry and sousbois emerge. But then I take a sip, and yikes, it's mostly green-herbal-menthol notes again, with a streak of tobacco and what comes across as poorly integrated oak (not on the hi-toast sweet vanilla end of the spectrum, but rather a tannic woody element that's not so enjoyable, especially without food). The more charitable interpretation is that it's in the mold of e.g. Sociando-Mallet, only not as good. Definitely not a high-gloss consultant-made modern Bordeaux, but also lacking the depth and complexity of a great bottle of classic Bordeaux. Nothing that spoke of Margaux to me. Aromas and flavors aside, the overall structure of the wine is good -- not flabby, not shrill, enough tannins and balancing acidity. For about €22 delivered (as a recent auction purchase), it's not a bad wine to accompany a hearty midweek winter dinner at home. I'll give my only other bottle 5+ years and keep my fingers crossed for a miracle (after all, a recent '71 from the same now-defunct estate was a modest pleasure no worse than this).
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11/25/2012 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
Luxurious bouquet with beautiful oak and cassis. On the palate dark as well as red forest fruits and a lot of sticky tannin which is a bit drying in the finish. Wait until 2017 or a bit later.
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1/17/2012 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
A confirmation of my previous note; beautiful and classical Margaux with good freshness.
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2/24/2011 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
Beautiful wine with a smoky bouquet, cassis and soft licorice. Same on the palate. Very juicy. Some lead pencil. Good and friendly tannin. Fairly complex and elegant wine. Already a pleasure but it will age well for at least 7+ years.
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8/4/2010 - Wink wrote: 85 Points
Bought a six pack for a fire sale price. Translucent dark garnet. Nose of smoke (maybe it WAS a fire sale), blackberry and cedar. Thin to medium palate of dry, tart blackberry and graphite. OK finish. Youthful tannins. Pleasant acidity. Not much here. I'm not sure it will improve. Not sure what to do with the other 5 bottles. Addendum: Day 2, this is significantly better. Palate still pretty lightweight, but fruit is more in evidence. Attractive minerality. Overall, the wine is more balanced than yesterday. 88-89
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