June 20, 2015 - Aromas of roasted game, bacon, cherry and dark fruit. Flavors of cherry, red fruit and iron but the acidity is a bit much; it seems disjointed.
September 9, 2014 - Notwithstanding reviews over the past several years regarding the bricking and likely early maturity of this wine, this bottle was decidedly, and surprisingly, not in decline. The nose was sharp and spicy, opening considerably over the next 1-2 hours. It is light-medium bodied, with a vibrant structure; flavors of spice and a touch of orange peel, along with some pungent cherry. This needs at least an hour of air time. Paired beautifully with a sautéed chicken breast with mushroom/rosemary sauce.
April 17, 2014 - Maybe 92.
March 6, 2012 - Some noticeable bricking, but not as mature looking as I'd expected from other reviews. Not much on the nose--a little mushroom, but no fruit. On the palate the first thing one notices is a peppery, spicy sensation, which is felt more than tasted. A hint of raspberry, but there's not a lot of fruit to balance this out. Finish is slightly bitter. I may have waited too long on this one, but it's pleasant.
After 4 hours this wine softened a bit, but was not much different. Same nose, a little less spice, and same slightly bitter finish. Drink up if you have it. I don't see it getting better from here.
April 1, 2010 - Served at my birthday so did not get a lot, but the wine is nicely mature and bricking and pleasant to drink and worked nicely with the earthy foods served...would gladly drink this again and paid a very nice price
January 29, 2010 - Filling in w/the Friday Brown Bag Group (Rich & Dana's): Pale ruby color, again bricking at the edge. Notes of licorice, herbs, cherries and currants. Gorgeous cherry, spice and barnyard tones. More full across the palate than the previous wine, with terrific balance and acidity. Shows similarities to the previous wine, but has more of that funky quality. Gorgeous. Burgundy. 91+ pts.
November 23, 2009 - Decent enough wine with reasonable fruit and tannins fairly mild...not especially strong oak flavors....not really my thing in general
October 9, 2007 - Quite nice!
August 7, 2007 - Opened after the '01 Magnien "Chatelots" proved disappointing. This one was even more so. Dark and extracted, consistent with most Magniens I've had. Much too sweet and cloying for me, I could barely finish one glass. This style is not for me.
My discrete CellarTracker scale: 95-extraordinary; 90-very good; 85-good; 80-fair; 75-poor