January 12, 2023 - A bit over three years since the last bottle. Decanted at 1900, this is now a dark ruby, with a bit of mahogany. At 1930, newish oak and earthy nose, but it quickly develops an attractive modern gloss of ripe berry and polished wood. The fruit and wood find each other jolly nice company. At 1 hour, there are dried stalks, sandalwood and some raspberries about. It is quite a delight to experience how positively the nose has evolved over three years.
The palate is fullish bodied, with oak initially dominating the sweetish fruit, but it balances out quickly, with the gloss from the fruit hitting the taste buds 45 mins after the wine was decanted. There's still some noticeable grip here. At 75 minutes it doesn't seem to have the length it had 3 years ago, but the density and sweetness are the winning features here. Fine again.
December 1, 2019 - Decanted. Broad, dark core. Ruby fringe. Prominent raspberry, then mineral dust which turns into cacao. Subtle new barrique, but older wood too, comes into the picture, getting more assertive. After a good while, the nose hints at cherry liqueur. Later on, it's oak and dark chocolate, but, at three hours, the oak has retreated, leaving dusty fruit. Full body. Raspberry-like flavours initially, followed by very concentrated darker plum. Long, but the cloak of oak seems too heavy for the fruit that shoulders it. Dark chocolate mid-palate. A bit modern. At 2.5 hours, the fruit is getting sweeter. The last hour convinced me that this was fine, but needing a three hour decant. There's easily another decade in this.
May 9, 2018 - Lalande de Pomerol makes some sneaky good stuff that outperforms its price point. This is a traditional Bordeaux with deep flavors of plum and pleasant aromas of sandalwood and cassis. Structured and easy to drink.
October 7, 2016 - Inky maroon. Nose of charred herbs and leather. Palate of earth, coffee grounds and dark fruit. Clean finish. Throwing a ton of sediment.
June 13, 2015 - Ok as a pop and pour. Modern style, very merlot. Not my kind of wine, but would appeal to those who like the warm, soft Right bank style.
May 2, 2015 - Well balanced with subtle fruit and spice. Kind of a short finish, but very drinkable now. Great PnP.
February 11, 2014 - Dry, fleshy, sweet chocolate notes, red plums, mouthfilling. Medium bodied nice tannins . Roasted coffee notes filter in. Nice finish.
April 4, 2011 - Good nose - quite fresh and perfumed, exotic violets; nice flavours on the palate. Quite opulent. Very well-made, fine and elegant. 90-92.