New label, but cork had wine about 1/2 way up, so was probably originally from 1989. Light clear ruby, age-appropriate bricking; nose is aromatic, mulch, some tar and roses, some mushrooms; palate is light bodied, fully integrated textured tannins (not quite smooth, but not rough either), high acidity, red cherry fruit; medium finish. This is just at a superb age, showing maturity on both the nose and the palate but still with excellent fruit. It has enough complexity to be interesting, and is much better than I was expecting for $60. My last bottle should be good from now and over the next decade or two. 91-92 Double decanted, then in bottle for 8 hours: Really not that much change over the course of the day. Still lovely now though... didn't really fall off either. With a bit more air, just a bit more funk than fruit. Next time, just open and serve. 91 now.
From a 375. Still a lemon-golden color, lighter than expected; highly aromatic, light peach fruit, mandarin orange, some floral; palate is medium bodied, elegant styled, medium-plus vibrant acidity, medium sweetness, fruit is closed at this point, some vanilla; medium length finish. Very enjoyable, and this has all the structure and complexity to age, but it's closing down a bit in its awkward teenage years (not nearly as good as my bottles from the past few years). I need to tuck these away for 10 years until it matures a bit more. 90++ Day 2: Appropriate serving temp (cellar temp): moderately aromatic, palate is excellent, still superb acidity, excellent balance, but the fruit is somewhat hidden as before. Needs time. 90-91
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
From a 375. Light ruby; highly aromatic, red fruit, spice, some garrigue; light bodied, high alcohol, red fruit; medium finish. Seems a bit unbalanced for my preference with the high alcohol, but it’s actually very forward with fruit and showing well today. A lot of the group liked it a lot. 91-92
1989 Dante Rivetti Barbaresco Enprimer Cru Katia 92 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
New label, but cork had wine about 1/2 way up, so was probably originally from 1989. Light clear ruby, age-appropriate bricking; nose is aromatic, mulch, some tar and roses, some mushrooms; palate is light bodied, fully integrated textured tannins (not quite smooth, but not rough either), high acidity, red cherry fruit; medium finish. This is just at a superb age, showing maturity on both the nose and the palate but still with excellent fruit. It has enough complexity to be interesting, and is much better than I was expecting for $60. My last bottle should be good from now and over the next decade or two. 91-92
Double decanted, then in bottle for 8 hours: Really not that much change over the course of the day. Still lovely now though... didn't really fall off either.
With a bit more air, just a bit more funk than fruit. Next time, just open and serve. 91 now.
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2005 Château Guiraud 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
From a 375. Still a lemon-golden color, lighter than expected; highly aromatic, light peach fruit, mandarin orange, some floral; palate is medium bodied, elegant styled, medium-plus vibrant acidity, medium sweetness, fruit is closed at this point, some vanilla; medium length finish. Very enjoyable, and this has all the structure and complexity to age, but it's closing down a bit in its awkward teenage years (not nearly as good as my bottles from the past few years). I need to tuck these away for 10 years until it matures a bit more. 90++
Day 2: Appropriate serving temp (cellar temp): moderately aromatic, palate is excellent, still superb acidity, excellent balance, but the fruit is somewhat hidden as before. Needs time. 90-91
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2004 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 91 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
From a 375. Light ruby; highly aromatic, red fruit, spice, some garrigue; light bodied, high alcohol, red fruit; medium finish. Seems a bit unbalanced for my preference with the high alcohol, but it’s actually very forward with fruit and showing well today. A lot of the group liked it a lot. 91-92
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