Low shoulder so a bit concerned before opening but wow. So suave and elegant with long finish and great acidity. Everything is in its place. Wonderful claret. Expect this could go on for another decade or more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bottle in great condition; not much different in color from the ‘86; nose of classic aged Bordeaux though more subdued than the ‘86 tasted alongside; knowing the chateau of the two wines and trying to guess vintages, my tasting partner had guessed the ‘86 to be ‘89 and guessed this ‘55 to be the ‘86! Only off by 31 years but it did show so very youthful. The finish was even longer on this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought by a collector friend of mine to a dinner. The bottle was from his fathers’ cellar and has been there for a long time since purchase. This bottle stunned us. First, the cork was in excellent condition. It showed its age but it was not even soaked all the way through. Then the color, youthfully ruby, you would have guessed 80ies, definitely not 50ies. The nose was all you want from an aged Medoc. Glorious notes of dark fruit, farmyard, forest floor. On the palate the wine was quite youthful. It is a leaner vintage with tannins showing its bite but the balance was great. Great to have such low alcohol, precise wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good intensity in the nose with mature plum and loads of cigar box and bell pepper. Palate is less appealing as it's quite thin and a bit astringent on the back end. Cool to enjoy the nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
HDH auction at Spiaggia; 4/12/2019-4/13/2019 (Chicago, IL): In the grand scheme of things, probably more interesting than good. The nose isn't too expressive, but there is more interest on the palate. When I revisited this, I found far more elements of graphite, green pepper, and spice. Really sweet on the palate, with lots and lots of life still. There's a bit of metal oxides here, but that's probably expected from wines of this age. It's in fantastic shape, but it's not the most compelling wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slow oxygenated for over 6 hours. A bit oxidised on the nose with a hint of fruit. Better flavour, some cassis fruit showing still and held up in the glass ok. Well past peak but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
One of two bottle got recently at auction. While the other has a healthy upper shoulder level this one was decidedly low shoulder. Cork came out in two pieces but didn't crumble. It smelt tired in bottle - decidedly raisiny and maderised. I'd anticipated that so slow oxygenated it for around 6-7 hours. Occasional sniffs through the afternoon revealed less oxidative notes and more cassis as time went on. By the time we got to drink it the fruit was clearly revealed - distinct Pauillac scents dominated by blackcurrant though a hint of oxidative raisin was still there in this red/amber wine. In the flavour too, old round the edges but good acidity and a core of sweet cassis dominated fruit. Not profound, a bit edgy but it held up well enough in the glass to drink the bottle over about an hour, improvement showing all the time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Med red: nose of cedar, dusty brambles;red currant, pomegranate, tart crab apple flavors nice tertiary fruits, not reductive; med long fin, very balanced
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
11/4/2023 - jmoore431 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Another great showing; everyone guessing a wine 30 years younger; amazing age-worthiness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2023 - PlanetX Likes this wine: 93 Points
Low shoulder so a bit concerned before opening but wow. So suave and elegant with long finish and great acidity. Everything is in its place. Wonderful claret. Expect this could go on for another decade or more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/2/2021 - jmoore431 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bottle in great condition; not much different in color from the ‘86; nose of classic aged Bordeaux though more subdued than the ‘86 tasted alongside; knowing the chateau of the two wines and trying to guess vintages, my tasting partner had guessed the ‘86 to be ‘89 and guessed this ‘55 to be the ‘86! Only off by 31 years but it did show so very youthful. The finish was even longer on this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2020 - RayOB wrote: 90 Points
Drank at 67
Quite faded but lovely
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 96 Points
Brought by a collector friend of mine to a dinner. The bottle was from his fathers’ cellar and has been there for a long time since purchase. This bottle stunned us. First, the cork was in excellent condition. It showed its age but it was not even soaked all the way through. Then the color, youthfully ruby, you would have guessed 80ies, definitely not 50ies. The nose was all you want from an aged Medoc. Glorious notes of dark fruit, farmyard, forest floor. On the palate the wine was quite youthful. It is a leaner vintage with tannins showing its bite but the balance was great. Great to have such low alcohol, precise wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2019 - Nanda wrote:
Good intensity in the nose with mature plum and loads of cigar box and bell pepper. Palate is less appealing as it's quite thin and a bit astringent on the back end. Cool to enjoy the nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2019 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
HDH auction at Spiaggia; 4/12/2019-4/13/2019 (Chicago, IL): In the grand scheme of things, probably more interesting than good. The nose isn't too expressive, but there is more interest on the palate. When I revisited this, I found far more elements of graphite, green pepper, and spice. Really sweet on the palate, with lots and lots of life still. There's a bit of metal oxides here, but that's probably expected from wines of this age. It's in fantastic shape, but it's not the most compelling wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2018 - Zweder wrote:
Occasional dinner group: Magnums chosen by Kenny (@ Invincible in Antwerp, Belgium): Beautiful, rustic, mature, graphite and earth impressions. Graphite and earth on the palate as well, autumn impressions, mushrooms, Chocolate. Very exclusive and special wine and good acidity in the finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2015 - kevin h wrote: 90 Points
Slow oxygenated for over 6 hours. A bit oxidised on the nose with a hint of fruit. Better flavour, some cassis fruit showing still and held up in the glass ok. Well past peak but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2010 - Rupert wrote: flawed
Pichon Baron vertical Part I 1945-2009 (Institute of Directors, London): Clearly corked to my palate - others not so sure
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/12/2010 - kevin h wrote: 89 Points
One of two bottle got recently at auction. While the other has a healthy upper shoulder level this one was decidedly low shoulder. Cork came out in two pieces but didn't crumble. It smelt tired in bottle - decidedly raisiny and maderised. I'd anticipated that so slow oxygenated it for around 6-7 hours. Occasional sniffs through the afternoon revealed less oxidative notes and more cassis as time went on. By the time we got to drink it the fruit was clearly revealed - distinct Pauillac scents dominated by blackcurrant though a hint of oxidative raisin was still there in this red/amber wine. In the flavour too, old round the edges but good acidity and a core of sweet cassis dominated fruit. Not profound, a bit edgy but it held up well enough in the glass to drink the bottle over about an hour, improvement showing all the time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2010 - jlgnml wrote: 93 Points
94th Meeting of the George H. Rezek Society (Kendall College Chicago IL): Great color, unbelievable flavor for its age, began to disapate over the ocurse of the meal but what a joy! Group's #1 and my #2 wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2009 - MediciWineLover wrote:
taste like Marsalla
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2008 - vinojones wrote: 91 Points
Med red: nose of cedar, dusty brambles;red currant, pomegranate, tart crab apple flavors nice tertiary fruits, not reductive; med long fin, very balanced
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2007 - Zweder wrote:
Tertiary rusty bouquet. Same in the taste. This bottle is completely gone. No score.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment