5/4/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Slow ox for 30 minutes. Nose was really funky to begin. Blood, pine/cedar, and just plain funk. Mid-palate was thin, bloody and lacked fruit and structure - not great…. Interesting might be all I’d have given it. After another 30 minutes in glass it started to come around. Another hour in, the wine had totally transformed. The middle had filled out, there was pretty red and dark fruit and it had somehow added a bit of structure to balance things out. There was still a bit of a bloody note along with a bit of cedar, but these added complexity and interest instead of funkiness.In the end, this is a fully mature wine that definitely needs a decant. It’s super interesting. Pair with steak or even boar.

5/3/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Still a bit young and tough. Stemmy and a bit green. Softened up after about an hour. Don’t think it’ll ever be exceptional but should be solid. Still seems to have potential.

5/3/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Tasted for reference. Probably not ready yet. Has potential for good QPR. Oak definitely needs to integrate

5/3/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Corked - Noticing from notes that the last bottle had some funk as well. I'm hoping I didn't get a bad six-pack.

5/3/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Champagne Uchiko dinner. We drank this in a flight with Krug '95, 2000, and NV. The '02 was much more vibrant and alive than the other two vintage bottles, with more depth and nuance. Incredible mouth feel and balance. Almond, almond paste, meyer lemon, biscuits. Very long finish. This seems to just be coming into a VERY good place. It should hold and evolve for many more years.

4/29/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Not sure if this bottle was a little off. Kinda clunky, prunish and dark. Not terrible, but far from on song.

4/27/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

NR - champagne dinner at Uchiko. Drank at end of night and my palate was done. Drank in a flight w/RD 2007. The 2002 was drinking much better. Topical Bolli big biscuits. Seems to be in a good drinking window, but no real hurry on other bottles.

4/18/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

NR - this was a puzzling bottle. Not giving much on the nose or palate, but it didn’t seem tired and done. Didn’t feel corked or otherwise compromised lVery dense and with a green, bitter note on the finish that wasn’t nice.

4/18/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Super! Apricots, canned peaches, straw in the barn, and a hint of petrol. Peaches, dried apricots and candied lemon tastes. Super balance, with good supporting acid and clean pure finish that goes a long time. Can age another ten, at least.

4/13/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Still a bit course and stemmy, typical to NsG. Balance has come around a lot since my last bottle. Drank or hold.

4/5/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

From memory- drank at Asti w/Pat and Jennifer. Medium to lighter body. Good balance of acid to structure. Nose is roses, used book store and licorice. Taste, licorice , red cherry and dirt. Medium finish. Drinking well now but has room for further development.

4/5/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

No formal notes/from memory - drank at Asti w/Pat and Jennifer. Lovely and balanced. Leaning to the full body, biscuits and honey side of the road. Can drink now or hold.

3/27/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

PnP... This started out very tough and a bit out of balance with hard tannin and deep overpowering dark red/blue fruits. After a couple of hours in the glass it did start to even out. Day two (under glass) the balance was much better. Wait another 2-3 on other bottles.

3/27/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drank at unicorn night at Susan's. Many thought this was WOTN - up against 07 DRC, 96 Krug, etc. Double decanted. Poured in glass the perfume filled the room. Nose of flowers, licorice, blueberry, and dark cherry. Tasted like biting into a chocolate covered cherry - with the most amazing chocolate on that cherry. None of this Hershey stuff! Superb balance; not bloated or flabby. I thought this might be too young but it was sensational. I'm thinking other bottles being able to age much longer.

3/18/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

PnP at Asti with Matt. Tight and not giving very much until last sips. Very prominent licorice on the nose. Some cherry and rose. Decent balance but on the acidic side. Wait another 5 for remaining bottles.

3/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

PnP with burgundy group. Confection and cotton candy when first opened. Out of balance with not much pure fruit. Opened up after an hour or so in glass. More typical burgundy notes, better balance. Red fruit some mineral. Too young. Not sure how good this will get though… Solid but not exceptional.

3/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Fantastic! Drank with burgundy group. Soft but dense mouthfeel. Perfect balance. Grapefruit, honey and field clover on the nose. Much the same on the palate but with a creamy chalkiness that was wonderful. Wish I had a case.

3/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Had this bottle in our cellar for a number of years (2011?)…. Fine, softer mousse. Golden yellow. Oxidative and vinous. Notes of marzipan, vanilla clover, and honey. Long layered finish. Excellent!

3/12/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

PnP.... Tight on opening, but still enjoyable. Nose not giving off a lot until about 1 hour mark. Then opened to classic Brunello notes. Drank over about 4 hours. Dark and red cherries, coffee, spice, cedar and fine cocoa powder. Excellent balance. I see some comments that this might be over the hill, but I'm of the opposite mind that it's still a bit early to drink. I'm at the 3-5 year mark before opening others - if I can wait that long!

3/10/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drinking well. Classic CdP notes. Wonderful balance. 2010 seems good to go.

3/10/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Absolutely delicious right now. Decanted for about 90 minutes and drank over a couple hours. Classic Barolo notes. Good balance. Not the last word in depth and finesse but very solid and enjoyable.

3/3/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

PnP, tight and a little tough when first opened. Nice fruit and structure but also a bit thin in the mid-palate. After a couple of hours it really started to fill out. Day two was lovely. Almost there.

2/12/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Tons of sediment. Nose was classic roses mixed with an old bookstore and stewed fruit. Taste was a bit more classic rinaldi but still with a cooked fruit/pruniness that I couldn’t get past. I’d guess this bottle got hot at some point. Too sad 😞

2/8/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drinking excellent. Light golden, slightly green. Lemon pie, honey and ginger, tangerine and orange, slight mint/wintergreen. Beautiful balance of fruit with plenty of acid. Long pure and light finish…. Wonderful!

1/28/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Very nice. Definitely putting on weight and adding some biscuits and yeastiness.... Feels like there's still upside on remaining bottles.

1/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

From memory. Tropical notes, apples, honey suckle. Creamy mouthfeel but with plenty of acid and structure. Really great bottle. Can drink now or wait.

1/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

From memory. Grilled meat, red and dark red fruits, rosemary. Just a brilliantly balanced bottle. Super powerful but also finesse. I agree with others that this still could use some age. Wait another 3-5 for next bottle.

1/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drank with wine group at Asti. Very creamy mouthfeel. Starting to loose some bubbles and become more vinous. brioche, pears, almond past. I absolutely loved this bottle.

1/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Ginger, candied pineapple, pears and hints of glycerine. Starting to loose some oomph and probably need to drink remaining bottles within five. Still wonderful and excellent.

1/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drank with wine group at Asti. Stunning and WOTN against some major players. Decanted for a couple hours ahead of time. Perfumes of roses, bright red cherries and licorice just seemed to pour from the glass. Much the same driving. Amazing and classic. Perfect balance. Can still hold other bottles.

1/15/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

From memory... Much different than the Marcoux from a couple weeks ago. More red fruit, iodine and linear. Notes of rosemary, sage and other spices. Very nicely balanced, Excellent now but I think this will still improve.

1/10/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Very nice. Big nose of citrus, green apples and tropics. Much the same for tasting. Big and powerful, full of acid and fruit. It will be nice to see how this evolves. Drinking now (young) and over the next 5-10 years, I think.

1/1/2024 - ovenmitt wrote:

Dark red almost opaque. Blue fruit and a little funk from the Forrest floor. Still shows big Blue fruit, blueberries, Booberry’s breakfast cereal, cocoa and eucalyptus. Drinking very well now, but with lots of years left to cellar. Very good balance - especially for CdP. Excellent!

12/30/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drank w/Steve Polly at Asti. Table decant for 30 minutes. Hollow mid palate and not showing much on the nose. Lacking depth and breadth. Started to open a bit more towards the end of our meal - classic Nebbiolo. Still seems way too young and if drinking now a MUCH longer decant. Wait 3-5 for remaining bottles. Upside to age much longer.

12/2/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Agree with others that 15% alcohol is not a problem. Very clean and well balanced CdP. Blue fruit, cocoa and baking spices. Entering drinking window but should age for quite a while.

11/27/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

One of the best Comptes I have had - at least new releases. Drinking quite well out of the gate. Incredible balance. Layers of marzipan, lemon and lemon curd, stones, green apples….. Excellent juice!

11/25/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Seems to just be entering its drinking window. Good balance with nice fruit. Classic burgundy. Should cellar a lot longer with further development.

11/23/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Excellent QPR on this one. Probably could use another couple of years, but it’s damn tasty right now. Classic burgundy, bright cherry and a bit of dirt. Lacks in depth and breadth but nicely balanced.

11/20/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drinking very nicely today, but will improve with more time. Nose is cherries, cola and mineral…. Some rhubarb and dirt. Bright cherry also on the palette, wild strawberry and mineral. The purity of fruit is off the charts…. Incredible balance with a long (pure as spring water) finish. Wonderful juice. Can’t wait to see how this one evolves.

11/12/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Good not great

10/24/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Corked

10/24/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Corked

9/28/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Asti, Kodie birthday. Excellent! Quick decant….. classic Barolo notes of tar, licorice and roses. Big and juicy (reflecting the vintage) but not out of balance. Nice structure and acid to go along for the ride…. Many years for remaining bottles, but drinking very well, if young, now.

9/28/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Drank with burgundy group - PnP. Needed a decant. Still a bit tough and burly. Serious strength but lacks nuance. No greenery to speak of. Hoping other bottles come around with age. Wait 5 at least for next bottle!

9/10/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Notes much the same as last bottle.

9/10/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Trying to wait on these, but it’s tough! Quick decant. Strong licorice notes, with classic roses, tar and a bit of menthol and pine. Nicely balanced. Beautiful dark red fruit; cherries, chocolate covered cherries, licorice and truffle. Tannins still grippy. Delicious!

8/18/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Much better than previous bottle. Drinking very nicely but with many years ahead of it. Medium golden. Peaches, mint and some mineral. Very nice balance.

8/18/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

No formal notes/from memory. Big and dense - for Burgundy. Darker fruit, black tea. Nice balance to a bit heavy. I think this will even out with some more bottle time. Wait another 3-5 for other bottles.

8/4/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Super nice! Drinking quite young at the moment but so full of bright citrus and acid loveliness that it’s just the thing in this summer heat.

7/21/2023 - ovenmitt wrote:

Really enjoyable. This is still drinking (somewhat) young by my tastes, but it is so darn good. Loads of tension, bright citrus, orange blossom uplifting acid. Some secondary notes of creamy almond and melon as well. This should hold for at least another 10. FWIW, I am not tasting the oak that some others have reported.