Opened for Karen's 50th birthday....to think these grapes were picked in the year she was born, and this bottle has been waiting, traveling wherever it has been, for this day is amazing when you think about it. Hard to find a '74, but settled on this bottle. I highly recommend saving important old bottles for special events. Cork so delicate it was brittle on top, spongy and broke in half at the bottom. Ruby to tangerine at the edges. Floral, green, savory elements of strawberry, new leather, clove, cinnamon on the nose. Feminine, with crisp acidity. Fruit nearly all devolved....hints of underripe strawberry, crisp orange, cran. Lithe and smooth. After several hours of air and on day two, gained much flesh and body, even better with more depth and mid-palate. Cherry notes, with a smoother finish. Didn't last long enough for more notes, but quite enjoyable. I would strongly recommend opening, giving air before pouring, and take your time to enjoy as this got better with air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Maybe my WOTN only because it was exactly in its drinking window (the 98 Grange was stunning and yet too young). WeLLC aged, well integrated, still just a hint of the fruit. A bit savory. Drinks nicely. Another example of a good winemaker and bad vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A splendid bottle from a lesser vintage. The nose was pure and fresh, showing notes of violets, cedar, tobacco and cassis. It was not particularly deep or long in the mouth but has terrific proportion and balance. Flavours were all bright and clear and whilst there's some tertiary nuance sneaking in, it remains youthful and expressive the whole bottle through.
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.
2/7/2024 - Senso-beak wrote: 92 Points
Opened for Karen's 50th birthday....to think these grapes were picked in the year she was born, and this bottle has been waiting, traveling wherever it has been, for this day is amazing when you think about it. Hard to find a '74, but settled on this bottle. I highly recommend saving important old bottles for special events. Cork so delicate it was brittle on top, spongy and broke in half at the bottom. Ruby to tangerine at the edges. Floral, green, savory elements of strawberry, new leather, clove, cinnamon on the nose. Feminine, with crisp acidity. Fruit nearly all devolved....hints of underripe strawberry, crisp orange, cran. Lithe and smooth. After several hours of air and on day two, gained much flesh and body, even better with more depth and mid-palate. Cherry notes, with a smoother finish. Didn't last long enough for more notes, but quite enjoyable. I would strongly recommend opening, giving air before pouring, and take your time to enjoy as this got better with air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2024 - Hugo Hilde Likes this wine:
While showing its age, this remains energetic with aromas of cigar box, leather, cranberry and blackberry.
The palate is still alive, showing smoke, heather, black pepper, band aid and a dry, dusty finish, which has decent length.
Absolutely stunning that this is from 74, it has to be one of the best Bordeaux wines from that vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2023 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Maybe my WOTN only because it was exactly in its drinking window (the 98 Grange was stunning and yet too young). WeLLC aged, well integrated, still just a hint of the fruit. A bit savory. Drinks nicely. Another example of a good winemaker and bad vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2019 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
A splendid bottle from a lesser vintage. The nose was pure and fresh, showing notes of violets, cedar, tobacco and cassis. It was not particularly deep or long in the mouth but has terrific proportion and balance. Flavours were all bright and clear and whilst there's some tertiary nuance sneaking in, it remains youthful and expressive the whole bottle through.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2019 - ManniDB wrote: 91 Points
Still nice and tasty. Good color and structure.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment