September 19, 2023 - 16th of 18, opened 30 minutes, perfect level, cork quarter stained, unchanged from last bottle in Feb 22, fine fruit, layered, now tertiary, some unresolved dry tannin, possible upside, 10+ years. F+ (18).
April 17, 2023 - 기억이 흐릿하지만...
올빈의 산뜻함과 깔끔함
January 7, 2023 - Purchased as a library release from the winery, via Zachy’s (pre-COVID, and stored in proper cellar). This is a classic example of “patience pays”. First, unlike what the drinking window on CT is suggesting, this wine is clearly not past its prime. Secondly, decant decant decant, for at least 6 hours. As others have commented, this drinks like a well aged Bordeaux. Consumed over a few hours, after an initial 7 hour decant (which was a really good call). Balanced, supple, well integrated, nothing over the top. Tannins tamed. Dark red fruit ever present. Prune, quince paste, red figs, touch of cacao, cigar box, new leather, camphor, eucalyptus. Really great stuff, but requires a lengthy decant. Consider yourself lucky if you have any of this stashed away, and drink up!
December 16, 2022 - No time like the present. As others have commented, cork is in great shape. Dark ruby in the glass with just the slightest hint of browning at rim. Does not look 25 yrs old; this bottle has weathered the years magnificently.
Initially, the wine was a bit underwhelming. I tried a very small glass on PnP, thought it tastes closed down, and poured the rest into a decanter. Drank half the bottle over a couple hours with food, and it was…ok. Vaguely dark fruited with some damp earth, tobacco, a pleasant acidity in the mouth, but nothing special. Half the bottle stuck into the fridge, and this wine blossomed overnight!
Day 2: This is a serious wine! A wonderful aroma of delicate black cherries, both brandied and fresh, ripe blackberries, some warm citrus aromas, undergirded by cigar wrapper, pipe tobacco, and deep earthy notes. What nose! In the mouth: acidity is high, tannins are medium (they seem more pronounced on day 2 which is surprising), lots of cherry, earthy, mushroom, and tobacco flavors. To me, this tastes mostly like Bordeaux, but with a very high acidity level that focuses the whole wine very nicely. Maybe it’s the Sangiovese inclusion, idk.
So glad I saved half the bottle. The improvement overnight suggests this wine has a long way to go. If drinking soon, and the cork is in good shape, decant it for a while. Really nice.
December 3, 2022 - Past it’s time
February 23, 2022 - 15th of 18, opened 90 minutes, cork quarter travelled, perfect level, even more fragrant and nuanced, fine length, still some unresolved tannin on exit, maybe upside, good for 10+ years. F+ (18).
August 11, 2021 - 14th of 18, opened 90 minutes, perfect level, cork half travelled, little changed from last July's bottle, big wine from hot vintage, some upside still. F (17.5).
December 25, 2020 - Decanted over one hour and then drank over another two hours. This has a attractive nose showing aromas of cassis, garrique, and cigar box. The wine is mature but still vigorous with notable tannins. Black currant, black cherry, leather, earth and a little spice come through. This is drinking nicely and can continue to age for at least five more years.
November 13, 2020 - Garnet with slight and thin orange rim. Corked in perfect condition nearly without been soaked. Stored under perfect conditions since release. Ready from the start without decant. Sweet cherries, white chocolate, black currants, cowberries, beef and on the palate in addition spicy, minty notes as well as a burnt rubber flavor, that is however not at all disturbing. Still quite tannic without food with balancing acidity. The scents show high complexity and elegance combined with more power than I remember. This is vivid and dry, with a structure that should carry it through another decade if optimal stored since release. Tannins a bit to high for my taste for receiving an even higher outstanding score. 5/13/18/10. -2030
September 25, 2020 - WIMPs is Back, (La Trompette, Chiswick): Nose is dark fruited, touch of mineral and spice. Medium/full bodied, spicy, dark fruit on the initial attack, decent acidity but falls away a bit on the finish