March 4, 2023 - From magnum. this was rocking. cork perfect. structure is completely integrated and there is considerable sediment so should have decanted. Color belies its age, but this has wonderful composure and a lengthy very pleasant finish. Served with Cassoulet and was an absolute stunner/
August 29, 2020 - Perhaps a bit past its prime, this bottle emerges somewhat after 90 minutes or so of air. It still bears some astringency, however, but there is yet much to enjoy nonetheless. Sweet red fruit can be coaxed out of the nose, but it is rustic overall, full of iron and black soil. A surprising hint of greenness on the palate, but more red fruit and some liveliness emerge quickly, before falling too quickly for what you would love to have stick around for a while. Tannins all resolved, acidity remains, but the mouthfeel and body of the wine are past it’s best years, in my opinion
July 18, 2019 - Incredible! Drinking great now. Primary and secondary flavours combining and evolving over several hours. MNIGs note is on the money. Beguiling nose. Staring with darker fruit and barnyard, but opening up to very ripe cherry and strawberry, then to cigar, bacon fat, and smoke. Exotic and evolving. Had to share with other dinners. Cote Rotie elegance, thought a strong vein of acidity and a bit of tannins still there. British folks would dig it, though who wouldn't? Time for a final sip at home! Drink now, but not about to fall off a cliff.
November 3, 2016 - Blind tasting of wines from Northern Rhône. First signs of maturity. Most striking bouquet of the evening, with feral notes, barnyard, olive tapenade, graphite, old leather, pumpernickel, licorice, sweetish fruits and some raw meat. Medium-bodied, noticeable and adstringent tannins, and good drive due to the wine’s still lively acid. Flavors of cherries, gingerbread, plums, leather, licorice and fine wood on the palate. Long-lasting finish. Still quite fresh despite the partially more matured flavor profile.
Blindverkostung Nördliche Rhône. In der Nase erkennbar erste Reifenoten. Auffallend animalische Noten, stallig, Oliventapenade, Graphit, altes Leder, Pumpernickel, Lakritz, süßliche Früchte und etwas rohes Fleisch. Im Mund mit mittlerem Körper, guter, trinkanimierenden Säure und präsenten, adstringierenden Tanninen. Aromen von Kirschen, Pfefferkuchen, Pflaumen, Leder, Lakritz und Holz am Gaumen. Langer Abgang. Wirkt noch recht frisch trotz der Reifenoten.
April 29, 2016 - Badly corked. Color looks good, underlying fruit seems nice, no tannins, but oy! the wet cardboard stink! Saving it to help friends identify corked wines.
February 26, 2016 - I know, it is 20 years old. Pleasant, slightly earthy. Was rated 95 when first out. Very very slight bricking at the edges but actually still a deep crimsom color overall, surprising (to me) for a 20 year old wine. Not surprisingly the fruit on the nose is muted. A little thin on the palate and a tiny hint of effervescence and lively acidity. Kind of thin and short on the palate (12.5% abv), but balanced. My experience with old french wines is extremely limited so this might be one should expect.
September 21, 2015 - No notes taken, but this was a real beauty. Pop and pour. This took 30-40 minutes to open up. Beautiful nose of black fruit, smoked meats and mineral. Equally nice on the palate. Mid-weight. Expansive red fruit flavors with a nice iron/mineral component. Just enough acidity at the finish, which was still fairly tannic.
December 21, 2014 - Dark red-garnet color, clear edged. Low intensity nose, of blood, black pepper, cherry. Sulphur stick. On arrival, soft tannin and medium acidity. Coaxing much flavor here - beyond olives and red fruit - is difficult; a good Cotes du Rhone masquerade ? Over cropped or misvinified or stripped by filtering; there's just not much Cornas size or character here.
January 28, 2014 - no formal notes taken but it was a hedonistic drinking experience
October 14, 2013 - Just entering the early stages of maturity, the Voge offers florals and bacon on the nose and a palate of dark berried fruit, firm acidity, and resolved tannins. Only light-to-medium-bodied yet assertive and almost meaty. I'll hold my last bottle for another 5-10 years.