As I recall, this was a massive, almost undrinkable brute in its youth. Now it is still deep maroon, almost opaque, loamy/mushroom with some iodine on the nose, full body with crisp acid, well balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose reminiscent of old Bordeaux, slight bricking on the rim. Was closed at first, with the finish chopped off by tannins. Decanted and returned in one hour, finish longer but still dominated by tannin. At the hour and a half mark it opened up and rounded out, and displayed well for an hour or so, before the fruit began to fade in earnest. Handle it carefully and drink it up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
12.5% Low neck level, the cork pulled nicely. About a tablespoon of sediment stuck at the bottem of the bottle Medium color, with some light bricking. On opening, light dark cherry nose, with overtones of blackberry, red current, with hints of basil and oak. Sour cherry, lots of acidity and medium tannins upfront, hiding the blackberry and touch of cranberry until the moderately long finish, when it emerges. An 88/89 out of the bottle.
+45 minutes. The cherry on the nose has strengthened,on the nose, upfront, and also now in the very long finish, giving just hints of the other flavors. Tannins and acidity still strong, too. The body has gotten richer and fuller as well. Easily a 92+ at this point
+75 minutes. The blackberries have come out fighting on the nose and upfront, taking the lead from the black cherry while leaving the previous flavors intact. Very intense, still balanced by the acidity and to a degree the slightly weakening tannins. 95
+105 through 165 minutes, fruit intensity lessening slowly, but still excellent. The tannins are lessening slowly as well. The acidity is still strong. This certainly didn't have the fruit for a long decant, but overall, wonderful
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
9/25/2017 - Nyindallas Likes this wine: 89 Points
Amazing but still drinkable. Purple color, plum and leather nose. Hints of red fruit and cocoa. Drink up. Note this bottle was very well cared for.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2015 - Office Rat Likes this wine: 93 Points
As I recall, this was a massive, almost undrinkable brute in its youth. Now it is still deep maroon, almost opaque, loamy/mushroom with some iodine on the nose, full body with crisp acid, well balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2012 - lockestep Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nose reminiscent of old Bordeaux, slight bricking on the rim. Was closed at first, with the finish chopped off by tannins. Decanted and returned in one hour, finish longer but still dominated by tannin. At the hour and a half mark it opened up and rounded out, and displayed well for an hour or so, before the fruit began to fade in earnest. Handle it carefully and drink it up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2008 - DrT999 wrote: 92 Points
12.5% Low neck level, the cork pulled nicely. About a tablespoon of sediment stuck at the bottem of the bottle Medium color, with some light bricking. On opening, light dark cherry nose, with overtones of blackberry, red current, with hints of basil and oak. Sour cherry, lots of acidity and medium tannins upfront, hiding the blackberry and touch of cranberry until the moderately long finish, when it emerges. An 88/89 out of the bottle.
+45 minutes. The cherry on the nose has strengthened,on the nose, upfront, and also now in the very long finish, giving just hints of the other flavors. Tannins and acidity still strong, too. The body has gotten richer and fuller as well. Easily a 92+ at this point
+75 minutes. The blackberries have come out fighting on the nose and upfront, taking the lead from the black cherry while leaving the previous flavors intact. Very intense, still balanced by the acidity and to a degree the slightly weakening tannins. 95
+105 through 165 minutes, fruit intensity lessening slowly, but still excellent. The tannins are lessening slowly as well. The acidity is still strong. This certainly didn't have the fruit for a long decant, but overall, wonderful
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2008 - Italiana wrote: 70 Points
Way too old. . .sour and bitter. Too bad
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment