April 6, 2024 - PNP. The cork was amazing with no hint dampness - it looked perfect which left me with a lot of anticipation. Sadly I was disappointed. The colour was extremely light with a clear edge. Initially it tasted very port-like. After 30 minutes is opened up a bit with very soft flavours and bouquet that continued to smell like port. Possibly an off bottle. NR
March 14, 2024 - 6 of us enjoyed a fav old haunt, Tilia in south Minneapolis's quaint Lynden Hills neighborhood tonight. CV,DM,LI,JG, SS & MA. Mark's glorious btl from a Mag. Anticipated this would be good & it exceeded my expectations. The format added an extra layer of purity & depth. The arrival of our short rib course sealed the deal. 25+ yrs in btl finds this in the pocket and drinking superbly. There's zen balance here with a tasty array of raspberry, plum, mineral, meat, licorice on the palate. Aromas of berries, cedar & forest floor. At first the Beau felt a bit weighty coming on the heels of our Burg last flight sips but, the short rib magically erased the short awkward transition from the more lifted & svelte Burgs. This really blossomed with the short rib pairing. 94+ Thanks Mark!
March 9, 2024 - From 375. Port notes dominate the nose and palate. Disappointing
March 9, 2024 - Dinner with Polly & Edmund at their home
February 11, 2024 - Consistent with the last bottle. All the sharp edges have been smoothed out. Elegant and delicate. Needed 45 minutes and continued to open in the glass.
February 7, 2024 - drank alongside 21/09/04. 09 was the best however this was showing better than 04. Hot vintage, showing good grenache fruit still, subtle but nicely aged, big sediment now so decant.
January 21, 2024 - this also was oxidised and not rated
January 15, 2024 - Great relief since the previous bottle a couple of months ago was disappointing—dried out and uninteresting. I sadly rejected it in favour of a good 2001 bottle. This one, from the same 1998 case, was every bit as excellent as it should be. The cork was in good condition, though saturated all the way to the capsule. Lots of deposit on decanting—best to keep it vertical for a while before. Wonderfully attractive nose coming out of the glass. Then really complex, rich, elegant darkish fruit, very long, exactly what I hope for in a great Beaucastel. Notably better than even the very good but relatively simple, or perhaps immature 2001 as far as I can remember it. Seven bottles left and evidently no hurry to drink them if I can restrain myself.
December 29, 2023 - Strong nose of sweet, spicy, grassy fruits, rich on the palate and a super lengthy finish! Brownish colour!
December 28, 2023 - Plenty of fruit left, on the palate: raspberry soda, licorice, smoke, earthy. Maybe could go another year or two but drink now.