January 26, 2024 - Deep colour, showing some age.
Lightly honeyed fragrance, soft.
Honey, ripe fruits, mineral spice, but in a rather muted style, not overly expressive. Structure is also a bit soft and gentle, without the usual presence. Nothing oxidative, just feels like this one is past its best. The warm vintage no doubt an influence here.
January 13, 2021 - [Blind] Nose is initially rich, unctuous, and heavy with orange zest and saffron. Palate is also oily. Not oxidative at all but has that waxy and oily character of a blanc Rhone or Bordeaux. Gaining some floral high notes and more detail with air. Brightening up considerably. Lots of depth and power and showing good wood. Orange zest has turned to more lemon citrus. Two hours later this is more in the honey and lemon category. Still pretty great drinking. 92 - 93+ if a little fresher.
November 4, 2018 - Drinking quite well, pieces all in place -- acidity, salty rocks, citrus, and that Raveneau muskiness.
April 17, 2015 - Passé
November 24, 2012 - Dusty and earthy aromas, but otherwise restrained.
Rocky tart dry lean citrus, finished with punch, yet dull middle. Not a typical Raveneau. 91
November 23, 2012 - Friday after Thanksgiving (FAT) (Palm Beach Gardens FL): Tasting, brief note. Rough edges, not neatly balanced. Little fruit remains. Slightly past its prime.
March 1, 2011 - Classic Raveneau aromas...Slightly sweet with honey and lemon merangue pie notes. Nice mouthfeel and finish.
October 12, 2010 - Alzero + misc (Terkels place): yellow tropical fruits on the nose with passion fruit and a little glue. Steel and minerals showing nicely.
The palate has a lot of steel and minerals coming through with a little yellow plums and a lot of white flowers. Mostly lillis.
Just after opening the wine is a little one-sided however but it does seem to be opening up.
+2h:
Has really developed nicely and is now really nice. Very pure flavors with a long complex aftertaste. Does also seem to get more tropical on the palate.
November 20, 2009 - Five Days in Paris; 11/17/2009-11/21/2009: Healthy full yellow color. Uh oh, the first blast was one of maderization. Shot? No, just a wine in 3 distinct acts. The apparent oxidation gave way to magnificent oyster shells and salinity, and the palate showed typical mature Raveneau richness balanced by significant acidity. Broad and long with truffle flavors and hazelnut. Alas, this glorious phase did not last forever, with the hints of oxidation reappearing about 2 hours after the bottle was opened. This will not appeal to everyone, and in truth, this vintage is probably right on the precipice, even with the superb storage conditions that this bottle saw. Fascinating and I'm very glad I got to try it.
December 25, 2008 - This is holding up really well. Excellent fruit/acid balance.