December 29, 2023 - Needs another 5 years. After 4 hours still tight. No flaw but does not fit the profile of vcc. Odd.
November 24, 2023 - Lovely, soft plummy notes with leather chair, slight spice box; supple, full, seamless; expansive in the mouth with good tang in the finish. Excellent shape, would have been nice to give it 5-10 more years but still enjoyable. T-day at Bri's.
November 5, 2023 - Still taken very early. Balance perfect. Cool and mellow tannins. Served to french pigions.
October 9, 2023 - Almost creamy on the nose - red and dark fruit notes, spices, tobacco. Quite layered and expressive after some time in the glass. On the palate at first quite restrained and firm. Elegant and well balanced, lovely acidity, tons of fruit covering the still very noticeable tannins. A little too young still, but not unapproachable. Powerful, vibrant finish with exceptional length. Keep. 96-98
August 23, 2023 - Moving forward seamlessly and gradually, this is already a top notch Pomerol, and possibly a contender for the greatest VCC of all time. It is in the earlier stages of its drinking window, but with sufficient aeration, it really comes alive; this had 7 hours in the decanter, and agitated periodically in the glass for an hour thereafter, and it nailed it. (The lengths you have to go to when you are in your mid 60s, and want to enjoy your cellar without an intravenous drip!). The nose initially is primary, but eventually burst into life with ripe cherry, plum, cedar, chocolate, and graphite, and wonderful tell tale floral wafts. The palate is silky, but with sufficient bite to give a perfect balance. The finish is subtle, but is out of this world and keeps building and pushes towards 90+ seconds. This should deliver another point or two over the next decade, but at present the tannin is an initial distraction on the palate and finish.
August 23, 2023 - Lovely when opened, but really needed an hour or two to open up, as you’d expect, but what a transition… motor oil smoothness soothed my rusty pistons. Gorgeous deep dark delicous fruit, perfectly balanced, with great depth. Just a fantastic wine, with plenty of life left.
August 11, 2023 - 13.5% ABV. Deep ruby appearance with hints of garnet at the rim. Relatively youthful appearance for an 18 year old. Glass decanted for 30 min.
Upon first whiff, I’m immediately swept off my feet by a very floral-infused nose of violets and lavender. Underneath this flower garden is a bouquet of cassis, blackberry, black plum, dark chocolate, anise, graphite, sprinkle of meat, and freshly tilled earth, which lingers persistently on the finish. Medium density on the palate with a supremely plush and silky mouthfeel. The mouth-coating tannins are fine-grained, but still on its way to full resolution (or I probably just lack patience and it just needs a longer/proper decant). Alcohol is well integrated and acidity is vibrant at perfect levels.
This is a fantastic effort from VCC and I’m looking forward to following my other ‘05s for years to come. An absolute pleasure to drink now, but this will have a long life and not close to its peak powers yet. 96+ today.
June 27, 2023 - Dekantert. Ikke bra, ikke kork eller oksidert. Ekstremt dårlig flaske. Vent 1 år med neste. I sausen.
June 17, 2023 - Very seductive wine (although not my preferred style). Approachable, rich, blackberry, plum, some earth. This will live for a long time still.
June 3, 2023 - Lucky to have tasted this, opened by a good friend at dinner. Approachable and even enjoyable at this stage but this has got a long life ahead. If you are patient, recommend to wait at least til 2025-28 to try a bottle, let the tannins resolve a bit further, more evolution to take place, the fruit shouldn’t be a problem. Patience!