March 30, 2024 - The one with Old Bordeaux (Praelum): Generously shared by a friend and what a treat this was! Admitedly, there were doubts around the table when this was announced and poured but we could not have been more surprised by the sheer longevity and structure of this wine! Cigar, dead leaves, smoke, leather and soy first hits you on the bouquet in a fashion that gives cause for concern that you might fall sick after drinking this wine but a second whiff 2 mins later and all that concern disappears when cassis, blackberries, macerated plums and violets emerge with such purity and vibrancy. This opens up on the palate with violets, cigars, cherries and soil with a dense yet elegant mid palate texture. Palate is perfectly balanced with plenty of fruit, with a hint of tannins and acidity - surely a legendary wine and perhaps one of the greatest bordeaux I've tried.
January 7, 2024 - Developed, verging on mature, nose. Full, rich and very complex, hedonistic, nose. So extremely typical, left-bank Bordeaux. Cedar, gravel, smoke, tobacco and ripe (but not dried) black currant. Unbelievable! Complex notes of savoury herbs. But also minerally ink and mature notes of nuts. So noble, so impressive.
Medium-fullish palate. Very, very elegant, balanced and smooth plate. Very Péssac, very (Mission) Haut-Brion. Smoke, tobacco and gravel in the foreground, ripe black fruit in the background. So complete, so impressive.
Stored in a very, very cold, natural cellar since the 60's, this bottle emerged in impressive form. This is why Bordeaux has the legendary status it has in the wine world.
The best old wine I have tasted, in some competition with 1978 Chateau Latour. Based on this experience and most of the tasting notes here on cellartracker, this wine can probably be drunk with enjoyment for decades ahead.
December 28, 2023 - Fill was top shoulder. Color was near garnet with surprisingly little amber. Incredible nose of cedar, cigar, but also currant, blueberry, spice. Hard to believe that months from its 70th birthday there was still so much fruit. Could honestly see the drinking window push the century mark, but at least to 2040 seems a lock. Not the most intense, but more than compensated by the complexities and finesse.
November 28, 2021 - From a half bottle purchased with impeccable provenance, this is liquid perfection. It is incredible that a 66 year old wine can have such freshness. Old leather, bitumen and ripe plum and blackberry overwhelm the the sensory process and you could almost hallucinate on the aromas. The palate is seamless with everything perfectly integrated, but surprisingly the tannin still has a perfectly balanced bite on the finish. Even the cork was perfectly intact!
May 3, 2021 - Tangy and energetic red fruit. Nicely balanced by sweet soil tones, complex but rounded sweet and savory spice, and wood notes. This bottle still had some youthful elements and arguably would have been better in another decade.
March 25, 2021 - This bottle was in great shape, such a distinct and incredible nose of roasted meats. Great balance, definition, weight and length in the mouth, a touch metallic. Phenomenal wine and I feel very lucky to have tasted such a great example of this legendary wine.
January 8, 2021 - Delicious, complex and in the case of this bottle still young. Many decades of evolution ahead. Above average bottle. 97+
December 15, 2020 - This is one of my all time favorites. Tasted it 3 times and every time, it's just as good. Perfect bottle. Beautiful aromas. Classic velvet and rich minty nose. Extremely seductive. Palate wise it can be more concentrated but after all these years, I'd say it's still hold up very well. Last all through dinner 2-3 hours and did not drop off. Love
September 28, 2020 - Not a good condition bottle. Funky and earthy.
July 18, 2020 - Soft, elegant and expressive. Still time left here. 95-96