February 24, 2024 - Tasted out of the bottle and decanted for 90 minutes which was definitely needed. Very closed on open and probably peaked 3-4 hours after opening. Beautiful bouquet, dried cherry, cedar cigar box, forest floor, a bit of mushroom. Taste was a bit more simple than the nose, but still getting a lot of textbook Bordeaux tertiary. Red fruit and acidity still present, but tannins quite integrated. Could potentially improve further but tasting fabulous right now. Incredible with wild mushroom pasta, but probably wouldn't stand up to a steak at this age. Randomly found this at a neighborhood liquor store for $66. Unreal QPR - I will likely go buy the rest of their inventory.
Out of the 3 5th growth Pauillac Bordeaux tasted tonight, this was the clear outperformer versus the 2009 Chateau Pedesclaux & 2010 Chateau Lynch Moussas. Although without food, some friends with a more new-world palate preferred sipping the Pedesclaux.
February 5, 2024 - In a beautiful state. Fresh, resolved silky tannins, complex
January 22, 2024 - Cherry, I think, gentle and beguiling. Luscious, soft mouthfeel with layers of interest; suggestions of graphite and forest.
Muted on the nose and all the good stuff going on is low key, which works ever so well.
This won't blow you away with fireworks but is beguiling and a wonderful companion on a winter's evening by a log fire.
It ends with a full, fine, peppery, lasting finish that remains for an age.
This is better after 4 hours in the decanter and suggests that it has years of life yet.
December 24, 2023 - 4th of 24, opened an hour then decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, as bottle noted July 22, sweetish core, cassis and mineral, quite deep and comforting if not particularly complex, upside, 15+ years. Strong F (17.5).
October 3, 2023 - Gornet. Nose of pepper, black fruits, touch of seasoned salt. Taste of black fruit, hint of seasoned salt, pepper. Medium weight. No overripeness, can age 5-10 years more.
September 30, 2023 - Ripe cassis, dark cherry and blueberries. Graphite and pencil shavings mature notes.
September 6, 2023 - Shockingly great! Big fruit and licorice, sand, honey notes Really nice. Still 5+ years easy.
August 13, 2023 - Great wine. Vital and kicking. Can last years. Has a very resolved bag of currants, lead pencil, excellent sweetness and acidity. Tannic structure though the palate fades at the back end. Really nice win, I bet large formats are even better. Folks who dissed this on release were wrong.
July 30, 2023 - Pencil shavings, leather and dark plums. Intriguing palette and long finish. No sign of the hot vintage in other 03’s. Really very very nice
July 10, 2023 - Proper classed growth claret. Still plenty of life left.