March 19, 2024 - Touch of brick at the rim, clear red, 10 years outside its recommended drinking window but still enjoyable. Delicate forest notes. See how it emerges in the next two hours. Afternote. Opens out, delicate, but not drying out. Enjoyable, but lacking the normal punch.
December 10, 2017 - Challenging. On the other side of the hill.
April 28, 2017 - Definitely a challenge to accept and not for everyone. Pouring a medium ruby color with orange bricking and long legs, the wine seems innocuous enough on first inspection. On the nose, it tells a different story. Almost devoid of fruit, the bouquet consists mainly of hay, fermented prune juice, coriander, damp earth, used teabags and mulch. Only at the slightest suggestion of blackberries do I pick that nose up. On the palate, the wine is quite supple as the tannins have long been integrated. Though the body is somewhat thin, the wine's flavors are generous and yield a bit more fruit than the nose. Flavors of tobacco, hay, truffles, forest floor and sour cherries are present. The wine ends in a somewhat acidic and smoky note, with a bit of alcoholic bite even. Interesting in profile, this bottle is certainly a challenging wine to enjoy.
July 7, 2016 - Lovely! Subdued but pleasant nose. Heavy sediment. But what flavour! Lovely light soft fruit, with a great finish. Not going to get any better.
July 2, 2016 - Stinks. An off bottle.
June 7, 2016 - Dark red centre, orange rim, heavy sediment. Old leather on the nose, with alcohol coming through. Medium weight, drying out, but fantastic tobacco and leather finish. Lost the fruit of its youth, but still delightful. Fire in the finish, chewy and tannic. Fascinating, but best drunk younger. Agree with the recommended curve.
August 2, 2015 - Solid sediment. Dark brick red going translucent. Smell of farmyard decay, smooth, medium weight in the mouth. Tobacco and leather dominate the finish. Great, if you like the taste of old Rhone. Delicate and harmonious. Lingers for a couple of minutes. Not thin or dry, just elegant. Drink up.
March 24, 2015 - Really lovely meaty, savoury nose with aromas of old leather chairs and cedar wood. Still a bit of red fruit on the palate, it’s smoky and almost fragrant and fully mature; dominated by a leathery, gamey, meaty character. There is a little touch of sourness hidden in the back of the palate which feels a little off compared to the balance through the rest of the flavours.
March 20, 2015 - Cracking wine. Mature, light, leathery. Just as hoped for.
November 14, 2013 - This is mature but showing no sign of fading. Great leathery, gamey nose with a peppery herbal and dark berry note. All in balance and kept fresh with a gentle streak of acidity. Very true to the region. Moderate to good length and great value for money. This is one of the better 90's thalaberts and am glad that I have several left. I have kept this wine in a cool cellar since purchase which I think is reflected in its longevity.