Fantastic wine - still showing great primaries, red cherry, cranberry, cassis, blackberry and hedgerow, combined with forest floor, mushroom, cedar, tobacco and hints of liquorice and vanilla. Good acidity and supple tannins. Drinking very well - perhaps another 2-5 years left.
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There seems to be a good deal of agreement on here about this wine.
I bought a case EP. Stored for 10 years and been drinking since 2015. My view of this wine hasn't changed too much.
First bottle for a few years. Opened and poured. Lovely colour, deep blood red. Dripping with legs. Lovely inviting, flowery perfume on the nose, followed by deep red fruits - not sure what fruits though, but you know what I mean.
However, this promise is not delivered on the palate which is out of balance for me. Fading red fruit gives way to still noticeable tannins but with a thin finish. I can't detect too many developing tertiary flavours, that I would expect by now.
However, it's a really good, food friendly wine, and mellows out with food and is more balanced.
If drinking now still worth an hour or two in the decanter especially if sharing with others.
Would I buy it now?
No.
Currently retailing at ~£100.
At this price, and for an 18 yr old wine, way better value for money/ flavour elsewhere, especially for me Spain.
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Agree with Fussyeater. It’s a fragrant, well balanced wine, but not much depth, length, or complexity. Floral notes and red fruit give it some Margaux character, but in a vintage like 2005, I was hoping for more energy, lift, depth and complexity.
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Still singing - tannins, acidity and fruit integrated nicely, providing a full smooth mouthful beautifully paired with seven hour slow roast Easter lamb, bringing out the flavours and with a long extended finish. A nice bottle shared with great friends, I wish I had more than two left. Double decanted (back into bottle) half an hour before serving.
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3/5/2024 - markloveschampagne Likes this wine: 97 Points
Fantastic wine - still showing great primaries, red cherry, cranberry, cassis, blackberry and hedgerow, combined with forest floor, mushroom, cedar, tobacco and hints of liquorice and vanilla. Good acidity and supple tannins. Drinking very well - perhaps another 2-5 years left.
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4/9/2023 - ProfAvi Likes this wine: 88 Points
There seems to be a good deal of agreement on here about this wine.
I bought a case EP. Stored for 10 years and been drinking since 2015.
My view of this wine hasn't changed too much.
First bottle for a few years. Opened and poured.
Lovely colour, deep blood red. Dripping with legs.
Lovely inviting, flowery perfume on the nose, followed by deep red fruits - not sure what fruits though, but you know what I mean.
However, this promise is not delivered on the palate which is out of balance for me. Fading red fruit gives way to still noticeable tannins but with a thin finish. I can't detect too many developing tertiary flavours, that I would expect by now.
However, it's a really good, food friendly wine, and mellows out with food and is more balanced.
If drinking now still worth an hour or two in the decanter especially if sharing with others.
Would I buy it now?
No.
Currently retailing at ~£100.
At this price, and for an 18 yr old wine, way better value for money/ flavour elsewhere, especially for me Spain.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2022 - davergny wrote: 89 Points
Agree with Fussyeater. It’s a fragrant, well balanced wine, but not much depth, length, or complexity. Floral notes and red fruit give it some Margaux character, but in a vintage like 2005, I was hoping for more energy, lift, depth and complexity.
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9/4/2022 - NMIZ Likes this wine: 92 Points
tannins resolved. smooth. long finish. good with steak. quite fragrant.
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4/18/2022 - nickuk Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still singing - tannins, acidity and fruit integrated nicely, providing a full smooth mouthful beautifully paired with seven hour slow roast Easter lamb, bringing out the flavours and with a long extended finish. A nice bottle shared with great friends, I wish I had more than two left. Double decanted (back into bottle) half an hour before serving.
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