1988 Taltarni Cabernet Merlot

Community Tasting Notes (1)

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  3/19/2008 - Ian S wrote:

  Recently bought, but level well into the neck and the wine was a fine rich, vaguely cloudy, claret colour, with appropriate (for it's age) browning at the rim.
  Initially perhaps a bit volatile, this one settled down over an hour or two. There's some maturing oakiness giving a slightly austere impression, together with a firm, albeit faintly herbal, body of what seemed relatively typical Cabernet Sauvignon fruit (except the Cabernet in this instance is Cabernet Franc!). However there is a vaguely floral touch still, so perhaps that's the giveaway. As the dominantly declared grape variety in this blend, I find the merlot playing the supporting act rather than the lead - or maybe this is how merlot is supposed to taste ;¬)
  
  On the palate this wine is mature, but far from croaking. There's still a grip to it (to be expected with old school Taltarni), but the fruit is travelling well. There's good depth and complexity, though whilst the acidity is nicely refreshing, there's something slightly 'not right' about it and on the finish the wine seems to lose a little composure.
  
  Will enjoy sharing my other bottle of this with francophile friends, who I suspect may appreaciate the charm of this wine. By way of a back-handed compliment I'd expect them to liken it to a decent mature Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux.

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