Held from release in a cold cellar in Normandy by the father of the person who brought it. ‘74 was the only Bordeaux vintage between ‘61 and ‘21 that I had never been served and I wasn’t expecting much. But it had a perfect level and the cork came out intact. Fully tertiary (bordering on quaternary) but with decent colour and fruit. A hint of burning tar on opening but dissipated 4 hours after opening. Tobacco and blueberries. Minimal tannin but great balance. Very enjoyable with cote de bouef. And a delightful surprise.
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New Years Eve: Quirky Sparklers and Two Reds: Lovely old-Bordeaux nose with woodsy tobacco elements in front of red fruit. But in the mouth this hardly tastes like anything, and a bit of tannin dries out whatever flavor there is. Interestingly, the dregs of the bottle tasted the next day showed more fruit.
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An impressive wine! Certainly considering the vintage. Expressive and complex bouquet with beautiful cedar. Full bodied, powerful and creamy. There still is enough soft tannin for cellaring several years.
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2/26/2023 - TomC1369 wrote: 90 Points
Held from release in a cold cellar in Normandy by the father of the person who brought it. ‘74 was the only Bordeaux vintage between ‘61 and ‘21 that I had never been served and I wasn’t expecting much. But it had a perfect level and the cork came out intact.
Fully tertiary (bordering on quaternary) but with decent colour and fruit. A hint of burning tar on opening but dissipated 4 hours after opening. Tobacco and blueberries. Minimal tannin but great balance. Very enjoyable with cote de bouef. And a delightful surprise.
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1/1/2012 - coremill wrote: 87 Points
New Years Eve: Quirky Sparklers and Two Reds: Lovely old-Bordeaux nose with woodsy tobacco elements in front of red fruit. But in the mouth this hardly tastes like anything, and a bit of tannin dries out whatever flavor there is. Interestingly, the dregs of the bottle tasted the next day showed more fruit.
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4/18/1995 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 88 Points
Christie's Pre-Sale Tasting (Amsterdam): Showing remarkably well; supple, rounded and creamy, light but well-balanced.
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10/21/1986 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
An impressive wine! Certainly considering the vintage. Expressive and complex bouquet with beautiful cedar. Full bodied, powerful and creamy. There still is enough soft tannin for cellaring several years.
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