November 23, 2023 - I enjoyed this bottle undecanted over a couple of hours, with tacos and beans and rice. I have had this bottle from numerous vintanges, and this vintage, many times. I was surprised at how fruit forward and vibrant it still is at this stage. I predict it will be in it's prime for another 3-5 years given the initial primary notes and the time it took to open. Initially dark fruit, then a bit of blueberry, then a core of cherry. Constantly evolving. A consistent, sometimes dominant note of spices. I could not identify the spice, but it was very pronounced and very unique. Harmonious, inviting on the nose. I would say it is more inviting and complex on the nose than the mid-palate, at least for me. Very good with food. Probably one of the veyr top wine values of my life. I would recommend buying several cases in a top vintage and starting in year 3-5. The quality and complexity belie this humble appellation.
October 27, 2023 - Still going strong
September 13, 2023 - A really good example of a Southern French red. Lots of Garnacha, no subtlety, a belter.
August 30, 2023 - Last bottle —- and still remarkably drinkable. Somewhat sweet actually, perhaps oaky. Licorice, medium body. Nothing much to write home about, but at this stage and this price, certainly no complaints.
July 18, 2023 - Past peak, immense bottle variation. The average filling seems to be far away from the bottle which WA gave 94 pts to. Even the better bottles I had, were below 90 imho.
May 29, 2023 - Gotta say I like it. And for the money can't be beat and wish I bought more. For the 28% of us still holding on CT, you are sitting on a nice night to come. Very Opaque in the glass between dark garnet and ruby. Thick, weighty; nose leads with red but settles on more blue fruits, cocoa dust, vanilla, a light airy gazpacho (?) note underneath. The front is punchy with red fruits but shifts quickly to a pure blueberry that carries to the middle, skins and all, with moderate acidity and tannin. The finish starts astringent, however brings all the fruits together yet initially disjointed down the back. HOWEVER... fast forward another 2 hours... nothing astringent, smooth with the fruit playing nice, some vanilla, and the tannins softened with acidity playing nice. Solid finish. Smoother and feels like a screaming value that can last for another few years and evolve a bit more to be more integrated. So to the 28% of us still holding, Na Zdrowie.
April 2, 2023 - Tasted this with a friend in 2020. It was amazing and resulted in my purchasing a case.
The case proved very inconsistent from bottle to bottle. Roughly half were excellent. Other bottles were overwhelming brettanomyces. Drank 2021 to 2023.
December 25, 2022 - Still vibrant and full-bodied. Dark fruits and black licorice notes. Ready now. An hour decant recommended.
October 25, 2022 - Not sure what happened with this bottle, suspect secondary fermentation given multiple ‘pops’ over 4 days and the tongue-tingles which have finally subsided. Did not get the great experience others had, but it wasn’t terrible either. So no rating here, simply too odd to judge fairly!!
October 4, 2022 - In an excellent spot right now. Smooth drinker, tannins have melted away. This wine lasted far longer than the stated year range. Great QPR