This is why CellarTracker is so invaluable; frankly it’s the the current score which is the most valuable, albeit tracking its development.
This is easily a 93 with ability to easily climb +1 or 2 in coming year or so. Have drunk this over last 18 months in 6 month intervals and it is getting steadily into its peak canter.
Some hues of mint, cigar, leather, and some black cherry. Long, lingering finish, brilliant nose. Didn’t need much time to open up.
Solid unctuous performance. If it were a TV chef, it is far more Nigella Lawson than Jamie Oliver.
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My last bottle, decanted for 4h. Problematic cork, but the wine is ok. Consistent with previous notes, the nose here is outstanding in terms of its "classic" bdx expression on the nose: sousbois, evergreen, cedar, tobacco; perfumy and just fantastic. On the palate, the black fruit is subservient to the earthier flavors, more cedar, hints of black pepper around the periphery of the tongue on the finish. Smooth and classy. Paired beautifully with grilled sirloin cap, and pan seared potatoes and broccoli seared in duck fat.
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From a coravin. Not as impressive as after an hour in a decanter, but still very impressive if austere. This was tried with grilled NY strip, after a much juicier Valpolicella ran out. So the lack of fruit here is notable, but the secondary leather, cigarbox and sous bois on the nose and palate make this a delight. Great pairing with the buttery steak, the acid in the wine really helps cut the brown butter drizzled on tip.
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Decanted for an hour. Wow! Huge leathery oaky cigarbox nose, on the palate, intense red and black fruit, oaky mineral, hints of pepper in the long finish. Outstanding. Tonight with spicy sushi. Left open in the decanter overnight, still very tasty on day 2.
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Decanted for an hour at Fleming’s. Huge dirty bose, compost and black fruit on the nose. Delicious earthy profile. Smooth and easy to drink. Tonight w bone in ribeye.
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Bu après un séjour de 3 semaines aux USA. Ouvert et bu, servi un peu frais vu la chaleur. M’a d’abord fait penser à un grand cru bourguignon à cause de ses notes de cerises, puis le côté bordelais s’est affirmé avec le temps. La robe montre déjà une certaine évolution et le vin est prêt à boire, en mode plutôt léger, fin mais avec une belle fraîcheur compte tenu du millésime. Bien fait mais n’a pas la concentration et la complexité des plus grands millésimes. A boire.
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A private tasting (at home): Tasted blind. Quite a developed colour, pruney nose, powerful yet fresh palate, elegant and rich, juicy but firm tannins, light flavours, lovely balance, relaxed style, hard finish but good length.
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Maybe it is just bottle variation, but this bottle didn't even come close to the heights achieved by previous bottles. This had a lovely finish, but didnt have that same depth on the palate as previous bottles. Maybe just sleeping right now?
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Pretty phenomenal. Decanted for over an hour, sampling all the time. Initially massive barnyardy, compost, earth, cedar nose - almost off putting - followed by muted dark fruit at first. With time, the nose quieted down to a more earthy, cedary perfume, extravagant to be sure, but more composed and integrated. The palate too came together, the blackberries and dark cherries adding some red cherries, cassis, ripe plums. Oak and sandalwood, faint tannins and acid on the finish, nothing over the top. Smooth.
After about 3-4 hours this had shaken down to a more subdued shade of its former self, this really showed its best in the first 2 hours after opening. In this time period, it is a notch better than the '88 margaux I tasted a few days ago at a fraction of the cost. After 2 hours it was a good but not outstanding. Superb fun!
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I am always amazed by how slow bordeaux are to develop over time. This is 13 years old and still in great shape, although the bitter finish spoils a bit the overall score
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Wine-Septet meeting hosted by Yair (Hotel Montefiore restaurant): opened 2 hours prior to drinking quality mature tertiary Pomerol aroma with leather & chocolate notes excellent harmony, high quality on the palate, ripe fruity flavours, chocolate, earthiness, nice complexity, good finish.
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Silvia's Birthday (Zen 8): Phenomenal wine. Stunning and in a great place right now. Plenty of power and finesse. Tons of depth on the palate and a long lingering finish. Dark, rich fruits galore. The nose was heavenly. In a perfect place right now for my tastes, but will hold and probably continue developing.
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CT Offline VI--San Antonio Edition (San Antonio, TX): Sweet, spicy, tannic, astringent. Blackberry, spicebox, oak, cedar, cigar-box, white pepper. Powerful. Will improve even more with age, and imagine it will become extremely refined in its old age. Has the bones to make it, and become great! Hold.
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CT Texas VI - Return to San Antonio; 10/18/2013-10/19/2013 (San Antonio): This surprised me. I thought it would be all about power, but this has quit a bit of finesse too. Nose of dark fruits, espresso, mocha, hints of cedar. On the palate dark plum, black cherry, mocha, espresso, creamy texture. Substantial chewy finish. Hold for a while, great upside here.
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Powerful nose with dark fruits, chocolate, coffee, very complex. On the palate well structured acid and tannins, again complex aromas, balanced - impressive. Very long finish.
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I feel like drinkin' Lafite 2000 or 2003. The Pomerol/Merlot fruit contains chocolate, coffee cream, very smooth then becomes Lafite's chareter, hints of cedar, clean, dramatic and delicious. Not over-did at all. Moreover the aftertaste is full-dimensions finished. Strike !!!
Drink now - 2022.....................93-94/100.........................
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11/24/2020 - SussexSB wrote: 93 Points
This is why CellarTracker is so invaluable; frankly it’s the the current score which is the most valuable, albeit tracking its development.
This is easily a 93 with ability to easily climb +1 or 2 in coming year or so. Have drunk this over last 18 months in 6 month intervals and it is getting steadily into its peak canter.
Some hues of mint, cigar, leather, and some black cherry. Long, lingering finish, brilliant nose. Didn’t need much time to open up.
Solid unctuous performance. If it were a TV chef, it is far more Nigella Lawson than Jamie Oliver.
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8/14/2020 - skurtz Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last bottle, decanted for 4h. Problematic cork, but the wine is ok. Consistent with previous notes, the nose here is outstanding in terms of its "classic" bdx expression on the nose: sousbois, evergreen, cedar, tobacco; perfumy and just fantastic. On the palate, the black fruit is subservient to the earthier flavors, more cedar, hints of black pepper around the periphery of the tongue on the finish. Smooth and classy. Paired beautifully with grilled sirloin cap, and pan seared potatoes and broccoli seared in duck fat.
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6/13/2020 - cch1966 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep garnet. Black berries, leather, cedar and a touch of licorice. Smooth, silky with a long finish.
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11/24/2019 - skurtz Likes this wine: 93 Points
From a coravin. Not as impressive as after an hour in a decanter, but still very impressive if austere. This was tried with grilled NY strip, after a much juicier Valpolicella ran out. So the lack of fruit here is notable, but the secondary leather, cigarbox and sous bois on the nose and palate make this a delight. Great pairing with the buttery steak, the acid in the wine really helps cut the brown butter drizzled on tip.
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9/6/2019 - skurtz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for an hour. Wow! Huge leathery oaky cigarbox nose, on the palate, intense red and black fruit, oaky mineral, hints of pepper in the long finish. Outstanding. Tonight with spicy sushi. Left open in the decanter overnight, still very tasty on day 2.
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3/1/2019 - skurtz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for an hour at Fleming’s. Huge dirty bose, compost and black fruit on the nose. Delicious earthy profile. Smooth and easy to drink. Tonight w bone in ribeye.
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8/5/2018 - Ericsson wrote: 91 Points
Bu après un séjour de 3 semaines aux USA.
Ouvert et bu, servi un peu frais vu la chaleur.
M’a d’abord fait penser à un grand cru bourguignon à cause de ses notes de cerises, puis le côté bordelais s’est affirmé avec le temps.
La robe montre déjà une certaine évolution et le vin est prêt à boire, en mode plutôt léger, fin mais avec une belle fraîcheur compte tenu du millésime.
Bien fait mais n’a pas la concentration et la complexité des plus grands millésimes.
A boire.
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8/31/2017 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
A private tasting (at home): Tasted blind. Quite a developed colour, pruney nose, powerful yet fresh palate, elegant and rich, juicy but firm tannins, light flavours, lovely balance, relaxed style, hard finish but good length.
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2/12/2017 - jonanator wrote:
Maybe it is just bottle variation, but this bottle didn't even come close to the heights achieved by previous bottles. This had a lovely finish, but didnt have that same depth on the palate as previous bottles. Maybe just sleeping right now?
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1/18/2017 - Vinomarcus Likes this wine: 90 Points
January Wine Group Dinner (Campagna at the Bedford Post Inn): Very tasty, good amount of roasted cherries, touch of spices, some cracked pepper, medium to large bodied, good mouthfeel and texture. Overall a very enjoyable wine.
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12/31/2016 - skurtz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pretty phenomenal. Decanted for over an hour, sampling all the time. Initially massive barnyardy, compost, earth, cedar nose - almost off putting - followed by muted dark fruit at first. With time, the nose quieted down to a more earthy, cedary perfume, extravagant to be sure, but more composed and integrated. The palate too came together, the blackberries and dark cherries adding some red cherries, cassis, ripe plums. Oak and sandalwood, faint tannins and acid on the finish, nothing over the top. Smooth.
After about 3-4 hours this had shaken down to a more subdued shade of its former self, this really showed its best in the first 2 hours after opening. In this time period, it is a notch better than the '88 margaux I tasted a few days ago at a fraction of the cost. After 2 hours it was a good but not outstanding. Superb fun!
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5/13/2016 - cbforever1 wrote: 92 Points
I am always amazed by how slow bordeaux are to develop over time.
This is 13 years old and still in great shape, although the bitter finish spoils a bit the overall score
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7/16/2015 - Yagil wrote: 91 Points
Wine-Septet meeting hosted by Yair (Hotel Montefiore restaurant): opened 2 hours prior to drinking
quality mature tertiary Pomerol aroma with leather & chocolate notes
excellent harmony, high quality on the palate, ripe fruity flavours, chocolate, earthiness, nice complexity, good finish.
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5/27/2015 - jonanator wrote: 95 Points
Silvia's Birthday (Zen 8): Phenomenal wine. Stunning and in a great place right now. Plenty of power and finesse. Tons of depth on the palate and a long lingering finish. Dark, rich fruits galore. The nose was heavenly. In a perfect place right now for my tastes, but will hold and probably continue developing.
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3/2/2014 - jonanator wrote: 93 Points
Absolutely fantastic. Still on the young side but coming into its own. Beautiful nose.
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10/19/2013 - ckinv368 Likes this wine: 93 Points
CT Offline VI--San Antonio Edition (San Antonio, TX): Sweet, spicy, tannic, astringent. Blackberry, spicebox, oak, cedar, cigar-box, white pepper. Powerful. Will improve even more with age, and imagine it will become extremely refined in its old age. Has the bones to make it, and become great! Hold.
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10/19/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote: 92 Points
CT Texas VI - Return to San Antonio; 10/18/2013-10/19/2013 (San Antonio): This surprised me. I thought it would be all about power, but this has quit a bit of finesse too. Nose of dark fruits, espresso, mocha, hints of cedar. On the palate dark plum, black cherry, mocha, espresso, creamy texture. Substantial chewy finish. Hold for a while, great upside here.
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5/25/2013 - KimBot Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine is just perfect now, complete balance
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8/11/2012 - GFischer wrote: 92 Points
Powerful nose with dark fruits, chocolate, coffee, very complex. On the palate well structured acid and tannins, again complex aromas, balanced - impressive. Very long finish.
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7/22/2012 - neng Likes this wine: 94 Points
Good fruit with good balance. Tannin still firm and can keep for couple years. Really enjoy until the last sip.
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3/30/2010 - KimBot wrote: 94 Points
This wine is in perfect balance right now, really great
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11/13/2009 - noppakit s. wrote: 93 Points
Believe it or not...
I feel like drinkin' Lafite 2000 or 2003. The Pomerol/Merlot fruit contains chocolate, coffee cream, very smooth then becomes Lafite's chareter, hints of cedar, clean, dramatic and delicious. Not over-did at all. Moreover the aftertaste is full-dimensions finished. Strike !!!
Drink now - 2022.....................93-94/100.........................
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