Community Tasting Note

• COWineLover wrote: 94 points

  May 6, 2023 - I have two 6 bottle OWC’s, and ordered two single bottles to test drive during the lengthy aging ahead. Decanted for two hours before the first sip. I acknowledge longer time in the decanter would have been preferred, but weekend activities took longer than expected. It will be interesting to compare half the bottle which is expected to be consumed with dry rub ribs on day 2.
  
  Served with grilled lamb sirloin. The cork is stained like pen ink. As expected this is aromatically dense, with smoked wood predominant, clove, mint, black raspberry, anise, and iron. Gripping tannins with energetic acidity on the attack give notice this has a long way to go before settling down. The chewiness of the tannin worked well with the fattiness of the lamb. The tannic grip on the attack is accompanied by a bolt of iron, anise, and chalkiness in the mid-palate. As this moves toward the finish there is a faint note of iodine that coats unripened blackberries before turning back toward the anise and smoke on the chewy lengthy finish. The first glass was bold and heavily influenced (but not objectionably so) by the oak. Good material here. Not a fruit driven experience - first glass is all about the tannin, acid, and earth influenced character.
  
  At the 4+ hour mark I poured a second glass. I would say the additional two hours has not evolved from my first glass. On the palate the fruit that shows up is decidedly black, but remains behind the wall of anise, smoke, and iron/chalky minerality. I really appreciate the acidic lift that strikes a great balance with the tannin. Day 1 - Score 94. Update to follow after recorking and storing overnight.
  
  Day 2 - Strikingly similar to day 1 with a tannin influenced tasting experience with a touch of additional dryness. Retains the chewy character on the palate with the iron and iodine notes predominant. Aromatically this retains a pronounced anise and smoked wood.
  
  Overall impressions are this has good material, but fruit had a cameo appearance with this bottle and nothing more. Having tracked this with decanting and multiple glasses at different intervals, this bottle offered a classic Bordeaux (and Barton) tasting that I would never confuse with a New World wine. Holding until 2030+.

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2 Comments

• Mark1npt commented:

  5/6/23, 6:26 PM - Yes, very much in progress.

• jmoon commented:

  5/20/23, 2:10 AM - Very good and helpful note thanks.

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