September 20, 2020 - This was the fifth bottle from a mixed lot of 1972 Alexis Lichine Clos Vougeot 375s. The first 4 were Meo, 2 were wonderful, 1 was corked, and one was madeirized.
This is the Pierre Engel bottling and it's quite different. Very pale color. Beautiful , captivating nose of underbrush and cherry. On opening palate is long and round on the entry but quite tart on the long finish. With air the tannins of the vintage show up in spades along with strong cherry notes. It's really demanding food at this point and a T Bone steak is an excellent match.
So great nose, good but given the performance of the Meo wines a bit disappointing on the palate.
April 16, 2019 - An unusual nose of almond paste, toffee, soy, bacon and brown butter; umami qualities of soy sauce and iodine; probably a hugely solid wine with initial oxidative elements.
April 15, 2019 - Darker fruit profile here; a bit somber with caramel/toffee suggestions over dark, dank forest scents, coffee inflections throughout. The aromas started off a bit impenetrable but then opens out a bit. I have limited experience with the vintage and perhaps another bottle would have a clearer profile to dissect.
June 9, 2018 - from half bottle, fruit quite deep and intense. bit of Cherry. color quite deep. not much of a mature Burg nose. no idea how it got there for this vintage - blind this could be a Rioja. nice drink - but kept wondering if this is really 100% pure Pinot Noir.
February 8, 2017 - Tasted blind: Solid garnet with slight clear rim; rich, ripe fruit profile with hints of leather and shoe polish; missing the autumnal qualities I love in old burg; rich ripe palate with soft acidity and no apparent tannins. Shocked to see the vintage as I guessed it to be mid-late 80s.
July 18, 2016 - Translucent hue in tact with no browning at the edges. Classic Burgundy palate with the fruit still very much in tact. A nice wine.