March 30, 2024 - I think #9 of 12, sound cork, 1-2 mm ullage. Dinner party with rack of lamb and similar fare. Good depth, complex, length, but I think Ducster72 has this right: the primary fruit aspects are no longer present but the wine seems to be at an awkward "not quite secondary aromatics yet" stage. The gorgeous aromatics of ~ 5 years ago have become hidden again. Decanted an hour before tasting, that was not enough time. 4 hours after decanting it was still relatively tight but had not declined at all. I will let my last 3 bottles sit for a while!
March 27, 2024 - Retains deep colour; expressive, primary & rich bouquet, shows fine breed; suave & sophisticated palate, velvety, modest weight yet depth & structure; bold,ample finish. Drink over the next decade.
March 3, 2024 - This has a gorgeous, sweet, red-fruited middle. Lovely.
October 21, 2023 - {Bottle 8 of 12, opened and then decanted x an hour, sound cork} Initially a bit reserved but then superb fruit, big wine, very sophisticated tannins, forever length. Nose a bit reticent and then ... grew and grew. 94+ and easily the match of many Grand Cru Gevreys tasted recently with Confrerie group in June. Inching towards 95 points ... An hour decant might be too short a time, it was still improving during the 30 or 40 minutes it was in the glass at a neighbor's dinner party.
October 9, 2023 - Aging well and at its plateau. Earthy tone with elegances. Touch of mushroom tertiary notes at a good spot
April 14, 2023 - I enjoyed this, but wonder if I should hold off on drinking the rest of these for another 3-5 years. Dark fruit, but certainly not primary. Soft texture and not tannic or bound up at all. I think this might be at the point where the primary fruit has receded but there's not been a a great deal of secondary development. If I do open another one soon, I'd give it more than the hour of air I gave this one to see if more emerges.
March 10, 2023 - Popped'n poured at friends for dinner. Contrary to most '05s, this has been drinking beautifully for several years. Sadly, this may have been my last bottle. Purchased a case for (I think) $45/ bottle - this was a great purchase.
February 3, 2023 - My last bottle was Jan 2022. This benefitted from a 5 hour decant and continued to improve throughout the night. At this point, it would be hard to over decant this. This has bright and tart berries up front with a persistent finish. This is just slightly out of balance mid way through. This is in its prime with at least another 15-20 years of good drinking. Revisit 2024.
January 21, 2023 - This is drinking so nicely. Mushroom, loam, black raspberry, cedar, spruce needles and vanilla.
December 31, 2022 - My earlier btls from'14 & '17 showed a fair amount of oak to resolve so I gave tonight's btl a 4hr slow ox in two Riedel Burgs & btl. That really helped bring the oak in balance and bring forward the fruit. Semi translucent ruby red. Enticing aromas of berries, spice & underbrush. The palate has excellent concentration & intensity w/ deep raspberry, hint of plum, mineral, spice and some forest floor. At age 17 this is drinking well in Riedel burgs combined w/a 4+ hrs slow ox & time in glasses and along w/ Nita's chicken stir fry. Purchased on release locally & cellared temp controlled. Delighted to have 2 more. Next 2025+. 13.5% alc. Virtually no sediment. 93+