Community Tasting Note
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ohne_musik wrote: 92 points
February 21, 2022 - After a couple of overly glossy recent Malescots (most recently the 2004), I did not have high hopes for this, but nevertheless wanted to check in to see if I should sell my others. Suspicion seemingly confirmed on first open, there's a slug of glossy oak and anonymous modern sheen for sure. In the decanter it goes for 3 or so hours. On the other side of that, it still shows a little bit of gloss, but the underlying materials are so winning - gravelly mineral freshness, a nice melange of red and black fruit (cherry, black raspberry), pretty inner mouth florals, a touch of tar and animal funk, quite medium bodied and very elegant. The oak is actually only a little obtrusive after 3 hours. So charming, I forgive it for its glossiness.
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4 Comments
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Deux Chevaux commented:
2/22/22, 2:43 PM - Hi O-M, Nice note, as usual. But I’m wondering, what other word or phrase would you use for gloss /glossiness? Just trying to figure out exactly (or at least generally) what you mean by that. — Jake
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ohne_musik commented:
2/22/22, 4:54 PM - D-C, I tend to use gloss as a term to describe a certain slick, creamy, smoothed-over palate application of oak or texture-softening winemaking approach to making a wine more accessible. To me, this often leaves the wine feeling dull and anonymous, especially when it just coats your tongue with oak characteristics. In the worst cases, it remind me of sucking on a piece of varnished furniture (don't ask why I know what that tastes like). And I often can't tell the difference between a glossy Malbec, a glossy Bordeaux, or a glossy Brunello - it masks varietal character and terroir.
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Deux Chevaux commented:
2/24/22, 9:02 AM - O-M, Thanks for that explanation — and if you have not copyrighted the term, I may start using it with that same understanding. — Jake
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ohne_musik commented:
2/25/22, 5:16 AM - hehe, definitely no copyright! But I think you probably come across these wines rarely given your preferences; except maybe when errantly trying some new-fangled Rioja!