March 27, 2024 - After 15 yrs in cellar this was disappointing. Intensity and acid was not really enjoyable. Not bad - just not nearly what it should be. Left a bit in bottle and tried next night, no improvement. One dimensional.
March 8, 2024 - Lots of structure still, tannins fairly robust, but the mid-palate is on the weaker side. Not sure what additional aging will reveal.
March 8, 2024 - Don’t think this ever got to a great place. Still drinkable, but fruit faded before balancing with the structure. Actually best third night under pump, but even then a bit harsh.
October 27, 2023 - Past
October 14, 2023 - Best so far. Worth the wait . Still has some legs. Leather, dark fruit.
August 17, 2023 - I'll update this review when i have my next bottle. I';ve4 moved platforms and have not had this wine in almost 18 months.
But in general, here goes:
Pretty classic St. Emillion, with Dark fruit, maybe some cocoa/coffee notes, much earth. But i'll leave it there from multi-year memory.
Yet this wine, in 2005, is, ahem, structured. Or bulletproof.
I was lucky to buy two cases as futures way back int eh day and have been trying it every few years since. Early on it was a waste to open. The first one that seemed close to ready was my last bottle, in 2022 (I believe). It still requires quite a long decant or other method of opening it up and getting it air. I'm pleased to see many mention that below.
OTOH i cannot believe that the official calculated CT drinking window is "2012-2021". That is just stupidity. Have patience people. I bet that low scores correlate to a combination of short decant (maybe none) and unrealistic expectations. My goal is start in maybe 2025 and drink over the next decade, +. This, of course, assumes a capable cellar. Mien is NOT temperature controlled, but it changes temp at the speed of a glacier. (its real northeast, in the dirt, unfinished, unheated, oncrete cellar)
OK, rant off. :-)
March 1, 2023 - Best after a 5 hr. decant. Just delicious with beef stew, but also great by itself. Very balanced, with nice structure, fruit, and chocolate. Lovely finish, too.
November 19, 2022 - 13/20 Marron bien évolué. Le nez est bien avec cette nette évolution vers le tertiaire. Ne pas chercher le fruit, il a disparu…..
En bouche, tanins astringents. Notes de pruneaux. Unidimensionnel.
Heureusement, la cave s’est maintenant libérée de ces StÉmilion….
September 29, 2022 - Needs a good 3 hours in the decanter. Beets. tomatoes, black and tart cherries, plums, and a little baking spice. Some creaminess on the finish. Mouth-watering acidity and noticeable tannins still. This sure seems like it can hold up for another 10-15 years.
August 18, 2022 - Nothing wrong with this at all, and even has a little character. Good balance, depth and flavors. Forgot what I paid, but may have been around $25 or so at the time. Good deal. Probably not getting any better, but no rush to finish the last bottle.