May 29, 2023 - To be tasted 1/6
January 23, 2023 - Casual wine dinner at De Golden Spoon Seafood: Surprisingly I preferred this to the Barton. Clearly a modern producer but had more elegance than the Barton. Not too concentrated or oaky despite the plum fruit being predominant, think the vintage helped here to restrain the modernist tendencies.
December 11, 2021 - Excellent now! It needs decanting and aeration, preferably 1 to 2 hours. Very closed in upon first pour; prior to decanting. Not a pop and pour. Has dried herbs, hints of pipe tobacco, black cherry aromas mingled with ample oak. Not yet developed fully the forest floor, but that aroma came out upon the second pour. Medium bodied, elegant style. Not overly extracted, but not very concentrated either (08). Some would call it a “classic style”. High (75%) of Cabernet Franc for a St. Emilion, but nicely offset by the 25% Merlot. All together an intriguing style for those who want classism than opulence in a Right Bank Bordeaux.
January 19, 2021 - Nose of cigar box, red cherry, plum, dusty earth, black berry, and allspice, on the palate, big body, delicious, very tasty, elegant, mouth filling fruit, might have higher score with more cellar time but why wait when delicious now, medium/long finish and lovely aftertaste. Photo uploaded.
June 21, 2020 - Elegant and fragrant first impression. There are top notes of plums and violet with roasted fennel and licorice, savoury vanilla pods and cinnamon in the middle, followed by undertones of camphor and cedary oak. Nose is gentle and reserved. Palate is full of minerality, cocoa and leathery stewed plums on the medium-bodied mid-palate. Not much acidity and finish is somewhat watery. Good nose but let down by a weak finish. Not sure if it is due to a bad bottle. 89 pts for now. Will assess another bottle next time.
Retasted in Apr 2021, it is so wonderful plush with stewed tomatoes and leather on the nose. Initial minty chocolate disappeared after an hour in the bottle. Palate echoed the nose, this time it is deep, rich and layered with a long and lingering finish. The density is not overpowering and has the right refinements. It is very likely that the first bottle is bad. This wine has many years ahead and will continue to develop well for the next 8-10 years. Adjusted score from 89 to 93 pts.
May 28, 2020 - Nose of cigar box, dusty earth, black berry, and allspice, on the palate, big body, delicious, very tasty, elegant, mouth filling fruit, showing well tonight, easy to enjoy but will reward cellar time, long finish and lovely aftertaste. Photo uploaded.
March 23, 2020 - Nose of raspberry, boysenberry, black berry, hints of mint, cigar box, and allspice, palate shows silky, smooth texture, young but showing great promise, mouth filling fruit, elegant, very tasty, lovely medium/long finish. Uploaded label photo.
January 3, 2020 - Nose of cigar box, black berry, black cherry, slightly floral, and dusty earth, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, needs 3 years to peak, mouth filling fruit, cellar time should really help this wine, great pedigree, and a long finish. Bottle coated with lots of sediment. Photo uploaded. At $77 an auction bottle, this was a winner for me
November 28, 2019 - Paid $89.00. My bottle took more than two hours to become enjoyable. But once there, it was an elegant and a fine wine.
April 17, 2019 - Wine number four in a flight of four Cabernet francs. Bordeaux is all over this (as it should be) with the more delicate and savory herbal notes next to some leather and pepper spice. This is probably beginning it’s prime drinking window (where I’m sure it will remain for a good while). Showed a lot of complexity. Most guessed left bank cab blend. Not very tannic, solid acidity. Old plum, black cherry core and dusty graham cracker highlight the aromatics. There is a mix of red and black licorice on the palate next to bay leaf and cocoa dusted dates which works really well.