Beautiful nose on this with a strong showing of that smokey gravel character often found in Graves, along with lots of fresh lemon, charred oak, crushed rocks, and bitter papaya seeds. Quiet tropical on the palate yet continuing on with the smokey character of the nose, now showing some passion fruit, more papaya, along with lemon oil, charred oak, and kiwi. Great crisp acidity accents the palate and brings a nice balance to this wine. Long length finish ending on notes of tart lemon juice and charred oak. Quite enjoyable, this was my first time trying this wine and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. Very good.

Corked

Fantastic expressive nose displaying rich black cherry and dark fruits, along with a a good amount of lead pencil, black pepper, tobacco, mint, and charred oak. The fruit starts to lean a bit more towards the red side on the palate showing red cherries, tart raspberries, lead pencil shavings, black pepper spice, licorice, and more smokey oak. Generous crisp acidity is balanced by a moderate amount of sandy tannins. Long length finish ending on notes of black licorice and red cherries. Although not stuffed with complexity, the balance is there and this is just coming together and entering it's drinking window. This will continue to improve and should be given at least a couple more years of bottle age. Very good.

Tasted blind. Lots of red cherries upfront on the nose, followed by aromas of spicy black pepper, lead pencil shavings, black plums, a bit of asphalt and a slight green note. The strong showing of spice carries through onto the palate with clove and black pepper, as well as black cherries, charred cedar, graphite, red currants, and a hint of green bean. High acidity, almost tongue numbing, with lots of gripping tannins. Medium length finish ending on notes of anise and red cherries. While displaying some age, this bottle was showing very youthful which lead me towards a guess of mid 90's left bank. Was a tad surprised when this was unveiled as an '89. Still needs at least a few years in bottle to come together. Very good.

Corked

Corked

Initially quite tight and restrained on the nose, with aromas of bright red fruits, cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, anise, and a touch of charred oak. Fairly muted on the palate as well, displaying more red cherries, black pepper and clove spice, bitter red currants, menthol, and the typical lead pencil shavings. Lots of acidity coupled with hard gritty tannins. Medium length finish ending on notes of tart red currants and lead pencil. This clearly is in an awkward spot right now and is hard as nails. Astringent, tart, and bitter, but the foundation is in place. I wouldn't try again for at least 3 years. With time, very good.

Tasted blind. Huge, concentrated nose displaying sweet ripe aromas of stewed pears, honey, candied apricots, fresh coffee grounds, orange zest, and some floral notes. Very fat and round on the palate, dominated by caramel and spicy gingerbread, along with stewed stone fruits, vanilla bean, as well as a bit more coffee grounds and lemon. Long finish ending on notes of espresso, spicy ginger, and caramel. This was a bit soft and syrupy and in need of more acidity for my palate, but was a nice way to finish off the meal. It was clearly an '03 and I guessed as such. Good+