Community Tasting Note
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RoyaltyCoins wrote: 96 points
October 18, 2019 - Deep ruby, completely opaque, neon ruby rim.
Nose: Cassis and blackberry jam at first pop, as it drinks up the air it takes on a richly spiced ganache character, wafting up through notes of singed cedar, wet earth, and powdered graphite.
Mouth: Deep, full blackberry and cassis seamlessly morph into a smooth dark chocolate and black mole. Finish is an extended mix of cedar notes, along with spice and graphite firing amidst fine grained tannins. The black fruit achieves a perfect synergy with the chocolate notes.
Overall: Standout here is two things, namely the balance first which is beautifully done: The fruit is vividly rendered and well blended with itself, a melange of forest berries that with the help of well buried acidity and fine-grained tannins sing together.
Beyond that, where this stakes a claim is in the chocolate/mole notes that are unlike any I've seen. These accent the larger picture gracefully and make it a complete package along that dark/chocolate/earth/spice axis. The fruit sets the stage, but the additional notes here make the show. 85% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
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6 Comments
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Mark1npt commented:
10/18/19, 7:54 AM - Couldn't agree more. Balanced is the key. Just ordered a couple more for myself out there last week.....cheers!
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DrBad commented:
10/18/19, 8:01 AM - Just picked up a few of these '16s as my first Bards and can't wait to try them, Did you decant?
Mark where'd you pick yours up? -
RoyaltyCoins commented:
10/18/19, 8:05 AM - Yep, I did a decant for at least an hour before touching it.
After about 90-120 minutes decanted, it knits together and then continues to evolve over the course of a night. Finished the bottle after about 4 hours. Really a living thing that evolves over time.
I got these direct from the producer after doing a tasting with them in the Summer. That may be the only way to still get the 2016s, unless you find one on the secondary market. -
Mark1npt commented:
10/18/19, 9:35 AM - DB....I was at Realm last week and tasted again so picked up a couple from them @$140-150/bottle. Had previously picked up some from a shop in CA over a year ago at about $130/bottle. You can pnp this wine and do just fine but if you do as RC recommends it is even better.
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DrBad commented:
10/18/19, 9:49 AM - I just got 3 off WB Commerce Corner for $115 plus '14 and '15 Tempest for $105. 3 '17s just arrived as well. Might try one of the '16s tonight as you know I'm anxious to taste this against an Insignia so might pop one of those too but will have to be earlier vintage like '14 or '15.
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Mark1npt commented:
10/18/19, 9:54 AM - Wow....those are great prices! But I think you'll be disappointed comparing
Bard and Insignia. Dis-similar wines, IMO. And staggering the vintage will not compare fairly either. Insignia requires another red fruited BDX blend for comparison. Bard, especially a '16 will be blacker, heavier and more powerful. But please let me know what you think! Mark
ps....I would compare the Insignia with something like a Verite if you have any, especially if they are comparable years.