Personally, I think the consensus rates this a touch too low. Lots of correct Medoc character, with graphite/pencil shavings and a tiny bit of funk/barnyard. The palate has a lovely seam of acidity and plenty of dark fruit…this is not an austere wine! That said, the tannins are still rather foresquare. I think it could handle another few years in the cellar. Canny buy by Qatar Airways at a time when all the airlines seem to be downgrading their wine offerings. 91-92
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From a single bottle purchased at retail. This was thin and unbalanced from a Coravin pour on day one but was open for business from Coravin on day two. (Was it me or the wine? Not sure.)
On day two, this showed very good concentration and balance and a bright beam of acidity and lots of slightly rustic but not unripe tannins that provided an old-school framework for the rich cloak of cassis, black cherry, red fruits, and leather that made up the nose and palate. There was just a touch of undergrowth starting to show.
If people are trying to drink this from PnP, I can see why they give it so little love. If I had scored this on day one, I would have given it an 83/100 at best, but today is a completely different story.
This is a solid wine—a bit of a rustic, old-school Saint-Estephe bruiser—but very solid. At the full retail price of $36 US this is a good buy, but at the sale price of $30, it’s a little gem. If you know of an age-worthy, classed Saint-Estephe with almost nine years under the cork that can be had for the same price as Potensac, please let me know. I’ve bought a half case. 13.5% ABV (very good/***/16/92)
From a bottle purchased recently at retail because I was interested in trying this seldom seen, much unloved fifth growth. I was ultimately very favorably impressed, but it took three days to get there.
On PnP, it showed an open nose of red fruits with the same on the palate, but it seemed thin and disjointed. I didn’t even have one glass before I packed it away under vacuum in the fridge.
On day three, it was a totally different wine, showing full, pure red fruits (red currant and raspberries), roses, and a touch of cinnamon, along with excellent cohesiveness and balance and ripe, dusty tannins. At the $33 US/bottle case price, this is a good value. 13.5% ABV (very good; distinctive/***/16.5/92)
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5/9/2024 - Poussin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Personally, I think the consensus rates this a touch too low. Lots of correct Medoc character, with graphite/pencil shavings and a tiny bit of funk/barnyard. The palate has a lovely seam of acidity and plenty of dark fruit…this is not an austere wine! That said, the tannins are still rather foresquare. I think it could handle another few years in the cellar. Canny buy by Qatar Airways at a time when all the airlines seem to be downgrading their wine offerings. 91-92
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4/30/2024 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 92 Points
From a single bottle purchased at retail. This was thin and unbalanced from a Coravin pour on day one but was open for business from Coravin on day two. (Was it me or the wine? Not sure.)
On day two, this showed very good concentration and balance and a bright beam of acidity and lots of slightly rustic but not unripe tannins that provided an old-school framework for the rich cloak of cassis, black cherry, red fruits, and leather that made up the nose and palate. There was just a touch of undergrowth starting to show.
If people are trying to drink this from PnP, I can see why they give it so little love. If I had scored this on day one, I would have given it an 83/100 at best, but today is a completely different story.
This is a solid wine—a bit of a rustic, old-school Saint-Estephe bruiser—but very solid. At the full retail price of $36 US this is a good buy, but at the sale price of $30, it’s a little gem. If you know of an age-worthy, classed Saint-Estephe with almost nine years under the cork that can be had for the same price as Potensac, please let me know. I’ve bought a half case. 13.5% ABV (very good/***/16/92)
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3/23/2024 - Mads Eriksen wrote: 93 Points
meget flot og fint moden til at drikke.
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10/2/2023 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 92 Points
From a bottle purchased recently at retail because I was interested in trying this seldom seen, much unloved fifth growth. I was ultimately very favorably impressed, but it took three days to get there.
On PnP, it showed an open nose of red fruits with the same on the palate, but it seemed thin and disjointed. I didn’t even have one glass before I packed it away under vacuum in the fridge.
On day three, it was a totally different wine, showing full, pure red fruits (red currant and raspberries), roses, and a touch of cinnamon, along with excellent cohesiveness and balance and ripe, dusty tannins. At the $33 US/bottle case price, this is a good value. 13.5% ABV (very good; distinctive/***/16.5/92)
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2/19/2022 - NMIZ wrote: 88 Points
Dark purple. Powerful. Too tannic. Still too young. Pencil lead. Red cherries. Tobacco. Medium body. Long finish.
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