Good god what a surprise - fresh and energetic, sultana, treacle, butterscotch, sandalwood, and leather. Savory sweet, rich and deep. Immortal and beautiful. Drunk slightly chilled in a burgundy stem, this is a delight.
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My (second) 50th birthday lunch (Restaurant The Beehive, White Waltham, UK): JNV REF seal. I have recorded this as Cossart Gordon, but I should point out that the stencilling on this bottle did not mention the name of the shipper and there is no paper back label either (unlike with other bottles which I have had) and the wax capsule seems (much) younger. Because of the JNV seal, the authenticity is not in doubt however. Pale amber colour; open and attractive nose, honey, cedar, lemon curd, spice, Grande Champagne Cognac; intense and powerful palate, off-dry, tangy acidity and candied fruit, touch of caramel, woody but not too austere, orange and lemon zest; dry but beautifully delineated finish, very good length. We finished this bottle on 2 Octobre, when it was still in fine fettle.
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Medium deep amber golden colour, green rim signifies great age; explosive nose of wood and brine, quite austere initially but then with fleshy peaches, Grande Champagne flowers, and caramel too, VA noticeable but in check; the palate is off-dry, dominated by soaring acidity but with just enough juicy fruit and caramel sweetness for balance, very intense and concentrated if not extremely complex, incredible drive and energy however, with quite imposing bitters; excellent length. After 24 hours in the decanter, the wine has rounded out a bit and has developed notes of orange and chocolate, but without losing any bit of its grip; it remains like a clenched fist.
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Baby Jesus (Bouchard), Yquem, Madeira, Rhys, RM (John V.'s): Gorgeous wine. The nose has milk chocolate, oranges and a bit of slight golden raisins. On the palate, smooth with minimal alcohol. Great orange/ctrus streak. Smooth. Long finish.
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Lovely ruddy colour in the decanter, in the glass ambergold with a green tinge. Opening up well, caramel, spices, dried apricot, deep; delicious, tangy acidity, salted butter, amazing length. Has not been on oak for very long (some 25 years?) and therefore not as layered but with lovely intensity.
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4/30/2020 - englishman's claret wrote: 96 Points
Good god what a surprise - fresh and energetic, sultana, treacle, butterscotch, sandalwood, and leather. Savory sweet, rich and deep. Immortal and beautiful. Drunk slightly chilled in a burgundy stem, this is a delight.
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9/22/2018 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 95 Points
My (second) 50th birthday lunch (Restaurant The Beehive, White Waltham, UK): JNV REF seal. I have recorded this as Cossart Gordon, but I should point out that the stencilling on this bottle did not mention the name of the shipper and there is no paper back label either (unlike with other bottles which I have had) and the wax capsule seems (much) younger. Because of the JNV seal, the authenticity is not in doubt however. Pale amber colour; open and attractive nose, honey, cedar, lemon curd, spice, Grande Champagne Cognac; intense and powerful palate, off-dry, tangy acidity and candied fruit, touch of caramel, woody but not too austere, orange and lemon zest; dry but beautifully delineated finish, very good length. We finished this bottle on 2 Octobre, when it was still in fine fettle.
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12/31/2014 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 95 Points
Medium deep amber golden colour, green rim signifies great age; explosive nose of wood and brine, quite austere initially but then with fleshy peaches, Grande Champagne flowers, and caramel too, VA noticeable but in check; the palate is off-dry, dominated by soaring acidity but with just enough juicy fruit and caramel sweetness for balance, very intense and concentrated if not extremely complex, incredible drive and energy however, with quite imposing bitters; excellent length. After 24 hours in the decanter, the wine has rounded out a bit and has developed notes of orange and chocolate, but without losing any bit of its grip; it remains like a clenched fist.
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12/18/2014 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 95 Points
Baby Jesus (Bouchard), Yquem, Madeira, Rhys, RM (John V.'s): Gorgeous wine. The nose has milk chocolate, oranges and a bit of slight golden raisins. On the palate, smooth with minimal alcohol. Great orange/ctrus streak. Smooth. Long finish.
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9/6/2008 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 94 Points
Lovely ruddy colour in the decanter, in the glass ambergold with a green tinge. Opening up well, caramel, spices, dried apricot, deep; delicious, tangy acidity, salted butter, amazing length. Has not been on oak for very long (some 25 years?) and therefore not as layered but with lovely intensity.
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