Rich and powerful champagne. Lots of mousse initially. There's a distinct oxidative style here which compliments the complexity of the wine.

Level in to the neck. Lovely old wine. Still quite deep in colour with a fading rim. Developed aromas - leather, earth, iodine, dark chocolate. Gained more palate weight and opened up with time. There was a little note of oxidation in this bottle which suggested that it was perhaps not at its best. The impression is that completely sound bottles would be be singing.

Decanted 6 hours. Fresh and bright red cherry fruit. Plenty of food friendly acids, savoury nuances and a little grip on the back end, typical of the grape. No rush on this one.

Decanted around 6 hours. Dried herbs and cherry aromas lift out of a pale coloured wine. It smells attractive. The palate is finely tuned and if anything carries a little oak touch. It's firm, a little crunchy even. Tea-like tannins, raspberry and cherry. Lovely with food though.
Better on the 2nd and 3rd days.

Level was well in to the neck still. Cork was removed in multiple dried pieces. Decanted and served. Only slight bricking. The aromas are well developed - earthy, cedar, tobacco, with some dark berry fruit. The palate is wonderfully elegant, with some spice and dark fruits harmoniously wrapped by the soft tannins.

Fine and elegant, with developed flavours now. Gentle red and black berry fruits, tobacco, dried herbs, cedar. The acids are there, and keep the palate fresh. Excellent drinking now.

Dark and lush still! Black plums, licorice, mocha. But it's so integrated. It's still a big wine, but all components are in balance.

Red and dark fruits are still apparent, on a fine backbone of acids and tannins. Not too much complexity here. A little overshadowed by a powerful 1994 Lawson's.