10/24/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Very young but very powerful wine. Will look for more for consumption in years to come.

8/14/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Delightful mature claret with a lovely sweet nose finally pinned down (after much deliberation) as apple, blackberry and cinnamon compote, some sous bois and a hint of cedar

The palate was like velvet with more of the sous bois character, very fine tanins and a 20s plus finish.

Fabulous wine. Only one left sadly - probably to drink over the next couple of years.

7/30/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Found this to be a very pleasant suprise. A lone bottle that had loitered for a few years on a forgotten shelf. On opening the nose was full of spice, chocolate and epsresso roast. Sadly in the glass over 10 minutes a small element of TCA came to light (2/10 on my scale). I decanted to a plastic sandwich bag and sealed in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The next evening I could not spot the TCA and the underlying wine was back to very near its best. Very impressive length and as initially on the nose, the spice and chocolate came in layer after layer. Wonder just how good a pristine bottle might have been. Very good.

7/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Also an agreeable surprise at the Crus Bourgeois Offline. Not quite up to the standard of the 1996 (but few wines were on the evening). Full, mature, claret. Most agreeable.

7/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Pleasantly suprised by this at the Wine Pages Crus Bourgeois Offline. Will look for more. Very well balanced wine with great structure for its level.

7/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Good for the genre. Agreeable youthful vivacity; may well improve over 12-18 months.

7/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Lovely wine. Nice balance between refershing acidity and some great fruit. Lovely waxy quality to the mouthfeel.

7/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Oxidised... Grrr.

7/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Past it...

7/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Shared with the Perks. Dry but not rasping acidity. Very nice.

7/5/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Pleasant enough steely acidity. Not really my bag.

7/5/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Stunning nose of espresso roast, twigs, iodine, cassis, assam tea, blueberry cream with a subtle note of tomato leaf.

Very well balanced refreshing palate of more cassis, white pepper and berry fruit. The acidity, fruit and fine tanins were very well balanced.

Fantastic wine. Glad I have 10 left. Had a two hour decant then enjoyed over a further hour. Improved by the glass.

6/26/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Agreeable enough wine, not quite enough to it for a better score.

6/28/2006 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Pleasant if a little young will leave the remainder for a while.

6/28/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Very enjoyable, round Rioja. Enough spice and vanilla but not over done. 89 Points

5/22/2007 - Neil F. Holland wrote:

Lovely rose, great fruit and some mattiere too. Not ribena.