Barnyard nose, looks light but deepens in the glass, lots of tannins which are slightly rustic (stems+wood?), noticeably high acidity and a lovely satisfying menthol tannin finish. The agricultural nature really adds to the appeal as there aren’t actually many fruit notes - it’s winemaking imperfections add to the appeal. Perfect with charcuterie and pate (paired wonderfully with fennel saucisson tonight), don’t drink this on its own. 93pts (with food), drink to 2028
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This has been fully mature for awhile now but this might have been my best bottle yet. On the decant the color was surprisingly pale especially knowing what a superfruit beast this used to be, but the aromatics leave no doubt that it still comes fully packed. It's pungent with earthy funk and has such grippy fruit it practically sticks to the roof of your mouth like peanut butter, yet still has a sharp acidic slice. I could almost see myself confusing this for super-old Hermitage if I didn't know what it was.
This has got my surprised. No 1996 high acidity, instead very nice fruits and softnesss, with decent acidity and fine tannin. Earth, Sous Bois, has flakes and autumn leaves. Initially pretty funky and old notes but refreshes with air. Slightly dried fruits. Juicy, leathery in a good way. Still very lively with good juice. Decent complexity and depth too.
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Light ruby center, faded outer quarter. Blackberry, creosote, and menthol aromas. Medium to light weight, pure, persistent clay base. Cooler, more classic profile without any trace of wood. Black berry more than red fruit with a teasingly sweet component, classic 1996 acidity that has been very well incorporated, outstanding poise, refinement, and length. Waiting on this has proven to be completely worthwhile. Best showing by far and perhaps not even at its potential apex. Certainly at least 2 or 3 more years of pleasure here.
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10/24/2023 - JulianSkeels wrote: 93 Points
Barnyard nose, looks light but deepens in the glass, lots of tannins which are slightly rustic (stems+wood?), noticeably high acidity and a lovely satisfying menthol tannin finish. The agricultural nature really adds to the appeal as there aren’t actually many fruit notes - it’s winemaking imperfections add to the appeal. Perfect with charcuterie and pate (paired wonderfully with fennel saucisson tonight), don’t drink this on its own. 93pts (with food), drink to 2028
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7/30/2022 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 97 Points
This has been fully mature for awhile now but this might have been my best bottle yet. On the decant the color was surprisingly pale especially knowing what a superfruit beast this used to be, but the aromatics leave no doubt that it still comes fully packed. It's pungent with earthy funk and has such grippy fruit it practically sticks to the roof of your mouth like peanut butter, yet still has a sharp acidic slice. I could almost see myself confusing this for super-old Hermitage if I didn't know what it was.
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8/13/2020 - Sleepy Dave wrote:
This has got my surprised. No 1996 high acidity, instead very nice fruits and softnesss, with decent acidity and fine tannin. Earth, Sous Bois, has flakes and autumn leaves. Initially pretty funky and old notes but refreshes with air. Slightly dried fruits. Juicy, leathery in a good way. Still very lively with good juice. Decent complexity and depth too.
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8/9/2020 - drwine2001 wrote:
Light ruby center, faded outer quarter. Blackberry, creosote, and menthol aromas. Medium to light weight, pure, persistent clay base. Cooler, more classic profile without any trace of wood. Black berry more than red fruit with a teasingly sweet component, classic 1996 acidity that has been very well incorporated, outstanding poise, refinement, and length. Waiting on this has proven to be completely worthwhile. Best showing by far and perhaps not even at its potential apex. Certainly at least 2 or 3 more years of pleasure here.
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3/25/2020 - SeaSea Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely farmer’s grand cru. Smells of barnyard and tastes of ethereal. Happy
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