June 8, 2017 - Ruchottes dinner. Clear ruby with surprisingly deep, raspberry palate. Aromas turned cola then nail polish. Classy mature Burg.
April 8, 2017 - Reasonable balance to this bottle but a somewhat flat profile and a bit past peak. Modest fruit but low acid and overall not particularly expressive. 89-
April 8, 2017 - Wine Tasted at Acker Auction (Le Bernardin Prive - New York NY): Small glass, brief note. Identical to another bottle from same source a few days ago. Almost fully mature with very good balance, some roast beef notes, moderate concentration.
April 6, 2017 - Acker Merrall Pre-Auction Tasting (Le Cirque - New York NY): Tasting, brief note. Actually tasted twice, once shortly after opened, then again 90 minutes later. All black fruit, maturing nicely. Meaty with Engaging spice and Grand Cru concentration. Good balance, moderate length. Consistent both times tasted, 90 minutes apart.
January 25, 2017 - This had a fair bit of sediment in the bottle, so was stood up for time and poured gingerly. Cork was wet to the top, but came out whole. Good medium red color with no sign of brown. On first taste, still closed with a bit of medicinal band-aid aroma. This blew off within the first several minutes, replaced by pretty, high-toned red fruits. Evolved after 15 minutes to darker cherry fruit and more weight on palate, at this point it drinking very well, with the aromas, fruit, and acidity all in the right proportions. The wine peaked about 45-60 minutes after opening, after that the fruit dissipated a bit and a higher acidity on the tail end threw off its balance. It is time to enjoy these.
August 7, 2016 - I don't want to call it gone, but it is almost gone. Lots of acidity on palate, lack of depth. The wine later turns slightly more profound with some typical Leroy style unfiltered red fruit. Did not get much from this bottle
January 20, 2015 - This wine performed great out of the blocks but faded after 1.5 hours in the glass. Aromas and flavors of dried fruits, light earth, dried meat. The backbone of this wine seems to be fading. Drink now.
May 6, 2006 - A Super-Rhone Dinner (Naha in Chicago, IL): Charming, yet quite masculine bright, tart red cherries on the nose with classic sous-bois. Still youthful on the palate but starting to develop that wonderfully smooth, velvety texture. Black, ripe fruits and spice. Some coarse tannins remain that beg more age. Deep and pure with great persistence. Outstanding.
July 11, 2004 - Down to the last few bottles of this case purchase from long ago, it's like spending an evening with an old friend. This wine never disappoints. Every time I open one, I think it's at its peak, yet each time it gets better and belies its age. Still fairly dark in color, the wine has a great nose of mostly red fruit with some sauvage, some subtle forest floor and follows through in the palate with layers of fruit, a little soy, a little coffee, superb acidity that augurs for a long life ahead, balance and tremendous length. I don't know where Leroy sourced this Ruchottes (I've heard Esmonin), but it's clearly old vine fruit well-tended. I'm going to miss this wine . . . alan