Still good and very enjoyable with, and after, food but it really does need 4+ hours to begin to open after de-corking. Given more time, the deep, dark fruit was ‘sweeter’, the tannins softer, and the wine much better integrated. Very good indeed. Good next day, too. It gradually recovered all the positive qualities described in my earlier notes. This is not a wine to ‘pop and pour’ even after 14+ years.
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Still drinking beautifully. Nothing to add to my earlier notes except to say that half the bottle was very soft and enjoyable next day with attractive savoury hints developing. Lovely wine.
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A little reticent and tannic at first, then black fruits kicked in. Quite savoury, rich and spicy it developed heat, which might be pleasing on a chill winter’s night but actually reflected that the wine was not totally in balance. The tannins and the heat were my final impression. CHP 84pts
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Dark, opaque hue. Very good fruit and plenty of depth of character. Still quite youthful. I said in my last note (2020) that, after 24 h, the wine was even more enjoyable so we opened this 6h early. It retained the excellent nose (fruit and spice) and a palate with 'sweet' dark cherry fruit and soft spice. Soft, integrated tannins. Lovely claret. I said earlier the wine has benefited from a decade of cellaring. I honestly think that most people have tasted this wine too soon. It is now nearing its peak. I have extended the ‘drink by’ date slightly.
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A similar reaction to my notes over the past couple of years (easy to find because everybody else has either drunk this or is holding it in their cellars!). Dark, opaque hue. Very good fruit and plenty of depth of character. A bit tannic at first but, as before, it opened nicely over an hour or two developing good balance but retaining enough tannin to be very good with meat-based food. Still quite youthful. Note added next day. After 24 h, the wine was even more enjoyable. An excellent nose (fruit and spice), a palate with much 'sweeter' dark cherry fruit with fine, integrated spice, and markedly softer tannins. Lovely! This wine has definitely benefitted from being allowed to mature for over a decade. I'm happy that we have over half a case left - it still has a good life ahead. I have raised my score a point.
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Dark colour with good fruit on the nose. Quite nice when opened with dark cherry fruits and spice but relatively simple at first. It improved a lot over 2-3 hours. Typical sweet Merlot character with dark fruit, some violets and spicy complexity from the Petit Verdot. Quite long with soft tannins. Very attractive now.
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First of a case of 12 bought en primeur. Disappointing when first opened but it was decanted and given 4-5 hours to open. Dark colour with good fruit on the nose. Mainly black fruits, ripe with some spice and hints of liquorice on the palate. Some chocolate flavours developed with time. Rich and solid claret with good extraction. Quite long with firm, leathery tannins which softened with food. Increasingly complex as it opened with sweet dark plums developing. It certainly has life ahead. I am surprised that the last tasting note was posted 4 years ago - it seems to me that this is just beginning to show. I'll see how the rest of the case develops over a few years.
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Nose of savory herbs, ripe, juicy black cherry and black currants Palate very earthy, woody, firm with some smoke, leather, bold, very left bank aligned. Finish was long and dry with good backbone and some spice
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I found this an excellent example of approachable Bordeaux from the 2009 vintage. I agree with both 'Grape Juice' and 'Jeff Leve' on taste profile, but with 'Jeff Leve' on the rating. This is much more complete, refined, and intriguing than say a Chateau Macard 2009. Lots going on now, tastes great, but still unresolved. My only qualm at present is that alcohol is quite noticable at the mid-palate, kind of a strange point for alcohol to come through. Nevertheless, this will certainly improve with time.
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This is definitely a steal for the price (~S$32). Sweet and expressive aromas of licorice, sweet herbs, blackcurrant and blackberry fruits. Vanilla showing up with some swirling. Excellent richness and concentration (for its range) here. When you thought this is a fruits forward wine and drinking well now, the firm, fine tannin backbone that kicked in after the entry tell you it deserves min 3yrs to really show what its got. Medium - long, quite intense finished with roasted coffee bean bitterness. Well done. 85-86+
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Dark ruby red. Quite expressive and high tone on the nose: licorice, earth, deep dark fruits in the core with touch of mineral at the background. Medium bodied, good fruits, structure, and slightly creamy texture to buffer the firm but ripe tannin. There is this inner perfume mix by the stem, herbaceous, dark fruits and floral which is really intriguing. Really juicy and tasty, though a bit young now but there is quite some sappiness to make this approachable. but really promising and a real deal with such a price! Good length with mineral an cigar box aftertaste. give it another 1-3yrs and will be singing beautifully. 85-86+
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Licorice, boysenberry, milk chocolate and cherry, medium bodied, with an open, soft, lush personality that drank well the day it was released. This is an outstanding Bordeaux value wine. The wine was produced from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot. For close to $20, it's going to be hard to find a better wine!
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12/15/2023 - johnrm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still good and very enjoyable with, and after, food but it really does need 4+ hours to begin to open after de-corking. Given more time, the deep, dark fruit was ‘sweeter’, the tannins softer, and the wine much better integrated. Very good indeed. Good next day, too.
It gradually recovered all the positive qualities described in my earlier notes. This is not a wine to ‘pop and pour’ even after 14+ years.
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10/7/2022 - johnrm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still drinking beautifully. Nothing to add to my earlier notes except to say that half the bottle was very soft and enjoyable next day with attractive savoury hints developing. Lovely wine.
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1/25/2022 - platpeeps wrote: 84 Points
A little reticent and tannic at first, then black fruits kicked in. Quite savoury, rich and spicy it developed heat, which might be pleasing on a chill winter’s night but actually reflected that the wine was not totally in balance. The tannins and the heat were my final impression. CHP 84pts
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1/16/2022 - johnrm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark, opaque hue. Very good fruit and plenty of depth of character. Still quite youthful.
I said in my last note (2020) that, after 24 h, the wine was even more enjoyable so we opened this 6h early.
It retained the excellent nose (fruit and spice) and a palate with 'sweet' dark cherry fruit and soft spice. Soft, integrated tannins. Lovely claret.
I said earlier the wine has benefited from a decade of cellaring. I honestly think that most people have tasted this wine too soon. It is now nearing its peak. I have extended the ‘drink by’ date slightly.
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7/23/2020 - johnrm Likes this wine: 91 Points
A similar reaction to my notes over the past couple of years (easy to find because everybody else has either drunk this or is holding it in their cellars!). Dark, opaque hue. Very good fruit and plenty of depth of character. A bit tannic at first but, as before, it opened nicely over an hour or two developing good balance but retaining enough tannin to be very good with meat-based food. Still quite youthful.
Note added next day. After 24 h, the wine was even more enjoyable. An excellent nose (fruit and spice), a palate with much 'sweeter' dark cherry fruit with fine, integrated spice, and markedly softer tannins. Lovely! This wine has definitely benefitted from being allowed to mature for over a decade. I'm happy that we have over half a case left - it still has a good life ahead. I have raised my score a point.
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11/5/2019 - johnrm Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark colour with good fruit on the nose. Quite nice when opened with dark cherry fruits and spice but relatively simple at first. It improved a lot over 2-3 hours. Typical sweet Merlot character with dark fruit, some violets and spicy complexity from the Petit Verdot. Quite long with soft tannins. Very attractive now.
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2/23/2019 - johnrm Likes this wine: 89 Points
First of a case of 12 bought en primeur. Disappointing when first opened but it was decanted and given 4-5 hours to open. Dark colour with good fruit on the nose. Mainly black fruits, ripe with some spice and hints of liquorice on the palate. Some chocolate flavours developed with time. Rich and solid claret with good extraction. Quite long with firm, leathery tannins which softened with food. Increasingly complex as it opened with sweet dark plums developing. It certainly has life ahead. I am surprised that the last tasting note was posted 4 years ago - it seems to me that this is just beginning to show. I'll see how the rest of the case develops over a few years.
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3/2/2015 - heyjohnnyboy Likes this wine: 89 Points
I like. ..Will buy again. Robust claret.
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7/12/2014 - Chris Reppert Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nose of savory herbs, ripe, juicy black cherry and black currants
Palate very earthy, woody, firm with some smoke, leather, bold, very left bank aligned.
Finish was long and dry with good backbone and some spice
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5/2/2013 - j30 wrote: 87 Points
Forward nose of red fruit and licorice. Rich, balanced, fruity palate. Easygoing and ready to drink.
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4/4/2013 - thewineoceros wrote: 88 Points
Modern style of Bdx. Opulent nose, full of red fruit and toasty oak and cedar. Med-full bodied, ripe tannins and full of fruit with a good texture.
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12/18/2012 - Motz wrote: 90 Points
I found this an excellent example of approachable Bordeaux from the 2009 vintage. I agree with both 'Grape Juice' and 'Jeff Leve' on taste profile, but with 'Jeff Leve' on the rating. This is much more complete, refined, and intriguing than say a Chateau Macard 2009. Lots going on now, tastes great, but still unresolved. My only qualm at present is that alcohol is quite noticable at the mid-palate, kind of a strange point for alcohol to come through. Nevertheless, this will certainly improve with time.
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6/26/2012 - Sleepy Dave wrote: 85 Points
This is definitely a steal for the price (~S$32). Sweet and expressive aromas of licorice, sweet herbs, blackcurrant and blackberry fruits. Vanilla showing up with some swirling. Excellent richness and concentration (for its range) here. When you thought this is a fruits forward wine and drinking well now, the firm, fine tannin backbone that kicked in after the entry tell you it deserves min 3yrs to really show what its got. Medium - long, quite intense finished with roasted coffee bean bitterness. Well done. 85-86+
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6/21/2012 - Sleepy Dave wrote: 85 Points
Dark ruby red. Quite expressive and high tone on the nose: licorice, earth, deep dark fruits in the core with touch of mineral at the background. Medium bodied, good fruits, structure, and slightly creamy texture to buffer the firm but ripe tannin. There is this inner perfume mix by the stem, herbaceous, dark fruits and floral which is really intriguing. Really juicy and tasty, though a bit young now but there is quite some sappiness to make this approachable. but really promising and a real deal with such a price! Good length with mineral an cigar box aftertaste. give it another 1-3yrs and will be singing beautifully. 85-86+
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3/29/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
Licorice, boysenberry, milk chocolate and cherry, medium bodied, with an open, soft, lush personality that drank well the day it was released. This is an outstanding Bordeaux value wine. The wine was produced from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot. For close to $20, it's going to be hard to find a better wine!
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