11/6/2020 - Robertito wrote:

Consumed over 8 nights, using VacuVin/refrigerator. From opening to last sip, a very expressive nose of leather, minerals and red fruit. Medium body, luxurious mouthfeel without heaviness, tannins fine and well in check, nice acidity. A joy to drink, and I think it will last another 10 years without much if any decline.

4/25/2017 - Robertito wrote:

Mike's anticipated drinking window is through 2018. I can not imagine this beauty lasting for less than another 10-15 years. Not a hint of the 14.9% alcohol, a panoply of flavors and aromas, bright acidity, very long finish— just about perfect. Consumed over several nights using Coravin.

6/7/2013 - Robertito wrote:

From the first release, my last of six purchased in 2005— the first note is slight mold under the capsule, and staining 2/3 of the way up the cork. Opened, and being very TCA sensitive, sniff the cork, and what a delightful experience that was— everything A-OK+++. Bottle number 5 had been horribly stripped of fruit and quite metallic, so I had been a bit fearful with this one.

The wine possesses beautiful color, with slight bricking throughout, glorious nose (my non-drinking wife was wowed), fine acidity with a hint of sweetness, wonderful mouthfeel and a panoply of flavors with excellent length. And needless to say, just grand with a broiled rack of lamb. I do not know how much longer it has, but it is in a beautiful place at this time.

7/22/2012 - Robertito wrote:

Consumed over three nights... open and smooth at first sip, with alcohol not noticeable, but from beginning to end the aromas and flavors of black fruit were a slight touch overwhelmed by the oak influence. Enjoyable, but not quite compelling.

10/29/2011 - Robertito wrote:

Opened Wed night (cloying, dull), a glass Friday was more balanced, and open, then... finished Sat night... brilliant, medium-full body, smoke, herbs, fine fruit... I may just share some of these with others ;-)

7/7/2010 - Robertito wrote:

Opened on Monday, 1.5 glasses consumed, dominated by burnt rubber and dark fruits; skipped a night, and on Weds., gloriosky. Rubber tones more subdued, wonderful balance good acidity and soft tannins, capped by a great finish of fruit and dried grasses that makes me wish there were more than 2 oz remaining.

5/8/2010 - Robertito wrote:

Last of 2 bottles. This one is better, though flawed in a different way. The brett, though not horrible, dominates the nose of this cloudy, dark ruby wine. The taste, though, is of sweet red fruits and vanilla, in a medium body, and the acid is in balance (unlike bottle 1 back in 2006), and has a fairly long finish.

5/1/2010 - Robertito wrote:

Haven't had this since release, and what a change... it took about an hour for the nose to open, and that beautiful blackberry, smoke with a hint of burnt rubber emerged. No trace of heat, medium-full body and silky mouth feel, balanced acidity, and tannins have nearly turned to dust. Very long finish.

4/30/2010 - Robertito wrote:

Bottle nine of nine... consumed over two nights. This was not up to the level of the last bottle, which showed much more complexity. Some faint cherry and leather aromas, acidity in balance, nice mouthfeel, but short finish.

12/8/2009 - Robertito wrote:

2nd night, wonderful, balanced, long finish

9/13/2009 - Robertito wrote:

Consumed over two nights, opaque dark purple, medium-full body, nose of dark fruit, licorice, smoke and cedar, taste of dark fruits, moderately tannic balanced acidity, velvety mouth feel and 30 second finish. Should probably evolve for a few years, at least.

6/4/2009 - Robertito wrote:

Since I have the palate of a chimp, please see prior "jc-mmb on 9/25/2007 & rated 98 points" for the note that matches my experience most closely.

Consumed over two nights... just keeps getting better.

6/14/2008 - Robertito wrote:

I must concur with ThomasKiel's earlier note... pretty much identical impression two years later, still no bricking, and even better (much) on night two.

5/31/2008 - Robertito wrote:

Consumed over three nights... vac'd and refrigerated overnight twice. During the first evening, the bottle was left open about two hours. Two glasses consumed the first night... alight bricking at edge surrounding slightly cloudy ruby, cherries and herbs on the nose, a vague fruit component in the mouth, light/medium body, very drying finish.

Night two... whoa, this is a delight, comparable to the 00 and 01, broader and richer bouquet, much depth of flavor, and a long, sweet finish. Night three, the final glass, closer to night two than night one, but fading slightly.

2/20/2008 - Robertito wrote:

What Salil said... with the addition that it held up very nicely in the fridge for 5 days, with almost no oxidation and very little diminishment of the fruit.

12/31/2007 - Robertito wrote:

Did not begin to open up until about 24 hours after uncorking... so the last glass was very complex and delicious, but I wasn't able to take notes.

2/28/2006 - Robertito wrote:

corked, returned

5/10/2007 - Robertito wrote:

Consumed with ribs from Smoque on 4/8/07... well, just see kStoddard's note... my notes would be nearly identical... remarkable stuff!!!

1/27/2007 - Robertito wrote:

2nd bottle tonight, again volatile acidity, dumped.

1/27/2007 - Robertito wrote:

Horrible Volatile acidity...undrinkable.

1/6/2007 - Robertito wrote:

Bretty, unpleasant. Second day, unchanged. Dumped.

1/2/2007 - Robertito wrote:

Early on Friday evening, beautiful cherries and garrigue, fine mouthfeel and balance, decent finish. Forgot about it for three days (in fridge, vac'd), and re-opened Monday night to a blast of beautiful cigar box that won't quit. A third of a glass left open overnight lost nothing. A delight.

1/2/2007 - Robertito wrote:

Opened 2PM, immediately showing strong aromas and flavors of mixed berries, just short of jamminess. Strong tannins, not overwhelming, no hint of alcohol, balanced in mouth.

By 10 PM, showed all of the good characteristics of the vintage, i.e. the smokiness, sweet fruit and concentration.

I don't know what the controversy is about this juice— it is very very fine now, and in 10-20 years, I imagine spectacular.

10/31/2006 - Robertito wrote:

really lovely wine...nose is a bit subdued, wonderful classic flavors and mouthfeel...very soft tannins, just enough acidity to give refreshment, ready to roll. Wish I had more.

9/23/2006 - Robertito wrote:

Horrid sewer smell... dumped.

11/23/2005 - Robertito wrote:

2002 Leoville Poyferré St. Julien... I guess what you would call a classic young claret. Leather, dark cherries and cassis, although the fruit is underwhelming (the leather dominates), a touch lean, not much fat, but not too tannic, finish keeps getting longer as I work my way through 1/2 of the bottle, with the remainder to be reserved till Monday. Perfect with pan-grilled prime aged rib steak. See ya in 5 years.

10/2/2005 - Robertito wrote:

Drinking alone, so Thursday night, poured half into a .375 (one of Brian's 02 sampler bottles kept handy) for the future. So keep in mind that the first night, I drank the bottom of the bottle. Medium-full body, decent fruitiness in the aromas and mouth, adding a little nutmeg on the last glass. Acid was slightly elevated, and the last glass of this half also was quite cloudy with sediment.

Tonight, with roast chicken and salad, it has shown more fruit and weight in the first two glasses, and the acidity was more tolerable, but after two hours, with four ounces left, the fruit has faded and the remains are a vague taste of Pinot-gestalt, along with alcohol and the acidity. Should have drank it faster tonight!!!

4/16/2005 - Robertito wrote:

First half decanted and consumed Thursday night, nice, balanced but not very expressive flavors and aromas.
Second half Saturday night (after pouring into a .375 and refrigerating VacuVin-ed Thursday), well, wowzah. This was a real treat.
Deep cherry, a touch of licorice and vanilla, a bit smoky, but not much finish. Hey, $23.00, what should I expect?