Licorice and violet smoldering in a broken mineral oil. Roasted Calabrian figs. Espresso. Cherry cordial. Mint. Graphite. Quite sweet and thick with tannic upholstery. Game bird, broiled and dripped over truffle-scented, earthen, ash pottery.
While this was the weakest of the Bordeaux that day it was not without interest. Sadly, just too thin and too old for much pleasure. The subtle aromas of dried licorice and earth were more compelling than the palate and the finish was short. We left almost half the bottle.
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Incredibly powerful, almost fiery wine -- plenty of life left to go, even after 60 years. Full and vibrant on the tongue, with integrated tannins and a long, satisfying finish. Did not fade after 24 hours.
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Somewhat cloudy crimson with brick edges in the glass. Nose is initially ashy and smoky scorched earth over darker red berry and darker currant fruit. Quickly brightening up and blossoming on the nose. Softer and sweeter red fruit coming up. Not herbaceous but a certain menthol and mintiness. Nose is highly detailed and intricate: graphite, stone, ash, menthol, spice, dark chocolate, and dark red berry. Beginning to show nice ripeness. Don’t see the classic bell pepper. Palate is surprisingly lush if just a little tart at the edges. Chocolatey, but also with blood and iron. Texturally soft and silky, round with a sort of stone mineral texture. A little dusty but mostly fresh. Best off a fresh pour and a quickly fleeting thereafter if critical. Very good and certainly a special bottle, technically strong, detailed and nuanced, but not a towering powerhouse like left bank first growth ‘59s.
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12/26/2022 - Putnam Weekley Likes this wine: 99 Points
Licorice and violet smoldering in a broken mineral oil. Roasted Calabrian figs. Espresso. Cherry cordial. Mint. Graphite. Quite sweet and thick with tannic upholstery. Game bird, broiled and dripped over truffle-scented, earthen, ash pottery.
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11/8/2021 - sdr Likes this wine: 90 Points
While this was the weakest of the Bordeaux that day it was not without interest. Sadly, just too thin and too old for much pleasure. The subtle aromas of dried licorice and earth were more compelling than the palate and the finish was short. We left almost half the bottle.
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8/9/2020 - ashaley Likes this wine: 98 Points
Incredibly powerful, almost fiery wine -- plenty of life left to go, even after 60 years. Full and vibrant on the tongue, with integrated tannins and a long, satisfying finish. Did not fade after 24 hours.
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7/6/2019 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 96 Points
Somewhat cloudy crimson with brick edges in the glass. Nose is initially ashy and smoky scorched earth over darker red berry and darker currant fruit. Quickly brightening up and blossoming on the nose. Softer and sweeter red fruit coming up. Not herbaceous but a certain menthol and mintiness. Nose is highly detailed and intricate: graphite, stone, ash, menthol, spice, dark chocolate, and dark red berry. Beginning to show nice ripeness. Don’t see the classic bell pepper. Palate is surprisingly lush if just a little tart at the edges. Chocolatey, but also with blood and iron. Texturally soft and silky, round with a sort of stone mineral texture. A little dusty but mostly fresh. Best off a fresh pour and a quickly fleeting thereafter if critical. Very good and certainly a special bottle, technically strong, detailed and nuanced, but not a towering powerhouse like left bank first growth ‘59s.
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6/1/2019 - G_H wrote: 95 Points
Cheval Blanc Vertical ‘Chez Elke’ (Hotel Hohenzollern, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler): Second bottle from the same source and the same negociant. This one showed so beautifully. Iron, blood, barnyard notes, but balanced with a richness and length that just developed into a fabulous balance.
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