November 23, 2023 - Distinct bricking in the colour. Nose is rather off-putting. Vegetal and murky. Spiky acidic finish and overall a bit grumpy and tannic. This slowly unfurls and cleans up over 2 hours. By the end it's certainly a lot better, showing some rose oil and lots of autumnal notes. Yet it never really gets out of second gear, offering promise but not getting there.
February 25, 2022 - Alright! This is coming alive now. Lovely dusty libraries, cherry, tobacco and on day 2 some rose too. Tannins definitely present but to give it structure. Pretty ready IMHO. V good stuff and great value.
October 26, 2020 - Tar, licorice, morello cherry and cocoa powder. V fine, elegant, pretty and fully resolved.
April 21, 2018 - At a nice stage in its development, still approaching maturity but not having to fight to throw the tannins off
Colour wise, it's edging from garnet to red, with a decent band of orange at the rim
Quite high toned fumey nose, but backed up by quite dark fruit and sweet violet with a hint of vanilla.
Vibrant acidity carries the wine well, and doesn't overly dominate, whilst the light but grainy tannins add more grip, which only became noticeable after eating the food. Still youthful dark fruits lead and there is emerging complexity and good length, but it feels like there is still quite a bit more to come.
July 2, 2016 - Relatively pale (for the modern era) with some age showing at the rim, commensurate with a 10 year old wine.
Very attractive nose with tar/figs and milk chocolate marrying beautifully with more lifted floral scents/parma violet. Plenty of complexity.
Quite approachable on the palate though with less complexity than the nose, but a good spine of acidity keeps it refreshing and there are some deceptively persistent tannins still.
This seems to be opening out, though still should be a handful of years improvement and no reason to expect it not to hold for a while after that.
September 20, 2014 - Sadly all gone now. Finally tasted as though they had peaked, however, so not so terribly sad to be moving onto the 07s.
May 3, 2013 - Showing some orange/mahogany at the rim, just a little more than I'd expect at 7 years of age. Still reasonable colour at the core though.
Not especially fragrant, but the fruit is light and bright, offset against the more savoury 'tar'.
Still firm structure on the palate but there is enough complexity and typicity.
Doing ok at what should be a difficult age. Try another one in 4-5 years time
June 9, 2012 - Wow !! this has moved on since I tasted this back in 2010.
Plenty going on takes you on a journey for sure, multi layered, great length a really well made wine.
March 4, 2012 - The single buggered bottle of this - and it had to be the one we took with us to share with friends...
March 4, 2012 - Amazing wine - and I think it will continue to improve for at least 5 years, if not longer. Lovely complexity, slosh it around the mouth and it rewards you with layers of enjoyment.