April 23, 2024 - Acquired recently at auction in Switzerland this magnum must have been owned by someone with a good cellar. We didn’t decant (probably the right decision as it peaked 2-3 hours after opening). It needed an hour or so to get going - really great wine - the spice of the Syrah in harmony with the cab. In this format this wine will be great for 5+ years.
August 15, 2020 - Second bottle from a two bottle lot purchased at auction in 2016. Upper shoulder level, approximately 3 cm below the long cork, that was wet but firm and came out in piece. Not decanted, opened for one hour. Light and mature but perfectly healthy colour, a glowing bricky-ruby red; the nose is fresh and vinous at the same time, with the warmth of roasted chestnuts, aromas of cedar and garrigue and a meaty quality, some mint and just a touch of volatility, good depth; the palate is fresh and silky, light on its feet and transparent with some rosehip fruit, but the acidity is turning ever-so-slightly metallic; the finish is light but long and displays a hint of sweetness and some herbes de Provence. From this bottle it is still a pleasant drink, but it is clearly starting to show its age. Drink up. (89). There was about 1/4 left in the bottle, which I kept overnight in the wine cellar. I tried it only out of curiosity, but much to my surprise, it had not only remained intact - it had actually improved a bit, with more soft, crushed red berry fruit than on the first day. Always keep an open mind...
August 15, 2017 - wonderfull fruit with great acidity and long finish
July 31, 2016 - First of two bottles from a good, old cellar. This one showed some signs of recent seepage, level just below upper shoulder, wet cork but extracted without difficulty. No apparent reasons for concern. Lovely colour, light to medium, warm but lively red, wide orange rim without any browning; warm and cedary nose, glowing with vinosity and spices, but there is also a lifted touch that hints at unresolved carbon dioxide; this would also account for the unusual freshness and acidity on the palate, but also the lack of body and tannins; rosehip and strawberry type flavours, light finish but good length. Not unpleasant but probably not correct. Not rated. After 24 hours in the decanter the wine is completely unchanged - if anything a bit more harmonious and together, with a distinct note of raspberry. In both respects this is quite untypical for a 31 years old, Cabernet-based wine. I will stick to my initial assessment: not unpleasant as a drink helped along by some carbon dioxide, which is also its nemesis. Not rated.
February 10, 2016 - exceptionnel de part sa densité néanmoins fondue avec les années , arôme primaire de cassis très réussi! c'est admirable et quelle longueur en bouche! Il tiendra encore une bonne décennie pour sûr à ceux qui ont la chance de déboucher ce cru
September 21, 2015 - Dinner with the Perrin family, very gracious and generous hosts in CdP. First experience with this wine, they went deep in the cellar to find this one. Cabernet/Syrah mix...Decanted and drank over 45 minutes
Color showing signs of age, browning and getting clear at the edges but still good core. Nose earth, cedar, old furniture...barnyard blows off quickly. Palate was dusted dark fruits, plums, earth. Fruit is faded but still there, savory notes on the back palate
Improved in the glass over 30 minutes, would benefit from a little air time/warming but otherwise good. Probably peaked 7+ years ago, but still enjoyable and interesting to drink.
February 20, 2013 - Another lone straggler from the cellar. Garnet color with some clearness at the edge. A somewhat piney and woody nose leads to a medium bodied, raspberryish, and smooth earthy palate with mostly resolved tannins. The finish, however, shows signs of brett and at least to my palate some overripe qualities that some might call savory, but for me were off-putting. This brettish quality grew as it sat in the glass. Enjoyable for what it is -- a mature, hot-climate red that would have been better10 years ago but which still offers some immediate pleasure.
October 25, 2011 - Much better, and one of the wines to drink at the moment. Touch of barnyard on the nose, withered fruits and violets. Warm and inviting, it's in balance, with no harsh edges. Justva delight to drink. Imagine it's lost a bit of fruit from it's youth, but at this age it does not need it.
March 11, 2011 - Farewell Chertsey (Home): Sweeter-fruited nose from the off. Definately a touch of the south here - olive grove and warm summer breeze. Similar on the palate; a sense of more alcohol, ripe fruit and the syrah content coming through balanced by a savoury element towards the finish. Slightly grainy tanninscompared to the LLC & Palmer. Initially the showier and more expressive of the three, but although it evolved in glass it didn't improve in the same way that they did - this the tortoise to their hare. Lovely wine though. ****
May 9, 2008 - Domaine de Trevallon (Rouge) Offline (Alba, London): Lovely nose, fresh pure and focused. Mineral. Best yet. Smooth, refreshing, balanced palate. Really lovely. 85 Claret-like. Just lovely. *****