May 4, 2024 - Very light for a caronne , light in colour and on the palate it’s light too, high acidity . Sour strawberries , leather , damp earth , cigar box a hint of herbaceous. Showed more fruit after a few hours.. very nice ! Second night and not a huge difference, a little vanilla and a tiny bit of spice that wasn’t there yesterday
February 23, 2024 - First bottle in 2 years. This is developing nicely. Plenty on the nose with cedar, blackcurrant, earth, a touch of vanilla. Still a little lean and acidic. Another bottle in 12 months.
February 20, 2024 - Has really developed with tertiary notes starting to emerge. Dusty, leather, tannins subdued, fruit prominent
November 21, 2023 - 13% alcohol. CS 65%, M 30%, PV 5%. Half bottle. The cork has reasonable length and is of pretty good quality; no wine penetration but some tartrate deposits. Not decanted as I found the last bottle to be on the soft side. Deep colour with minimal thinning at the rim.
Good nose with a harmonious mix of reddish fruit and élevage; similarly poised in the mouth with excellent acidity and good grip as well as a commendable juicy quality; significant confectionery in the finish, although less so than the last time when I decanted. A perfect companion to grilled lamb chops.
A perennial overachiever in a no non sense sturdy mode, now sadly subsumed in the Magrez morass.
November 5, 2023 - Decanted for 7 hours, the 2016 poured as a beautiful accompaniment to roasted lamb chops. On the palate, it was well-rounded with restrained tannins. Hints of bayleaf and leather on the nose, with gratifying taste on the palate. Satisfaction continued thru the cheese plate, where it was an excellent pairing with aged English cheddar.
October 3, 2023 - Lightweight, the perfume is enticing. Second night still holding together, there is some good fruit here. 60% Cab.
September 19, 2023 - Light to mid weight, with a nice flinty core ans cedar spiced fruits. Crisp ans clean with wonderful bdx typicity. Tannins light but present. In a good spot. Doubt this will make old bones but it’s balanced.
July 1, 2023 - Much better than the bottle I had 8 months ago, the issues I had last time have gone.
I decanted this a couple of hours ahead, but then it drank well over 4 days, so still has years ahead of it. It has plenty of tannin still, but well covered by the developed fruit. Over the days it gained in balance and elegance. So nice to drink now, but keep some for later.
June 20, 2023 - This really is very good. Plenty of fruit but stacked with tannic structure with a long finish. Ste. Gemme always used to be good but a bit austere. This is still classical stuff but is also now seems fun to drink. Brilliant
June 17, 2023 - Initially subdued on the nose and a little thin and dilute on the palate. Given a couple of hours and allowed to warm from cellar temp, it has opened up. Low acidity, some tannic grip, sweet blackcurrant fruit and slightly leafy. Not complex or long, but easy drinking and does the job. A good old-fashioned lunchtime claret!