April 12, 2024 - As a few years back I have not been impressed by this wine at all. It lacks the usual complexity and elegance of DRC wines, especially in a vintage that was kind to red wines. Light bodied, and somewhat incomplete. Overall a decent wine, but a real letdown considering the maker and the vintage.
February 11, 2024 - It's been a long time coming - my intro to DRC. Slow-ox for 90 minutes before service - upon first taste, we elected to decant the remainder; a bit of tannic roughness right at the tail end of the finish that needed a bit more air to resolve. In the glass, pale rose at the rim, shading to a deeper, somewhat opaque dark berry red at the core. On the nose, a fascinating, focused mix of crushed cherries and rose petals, and a hint of peppery cinnamon. On the palate, delicate, silky, and smooth, with light cherries, rosewater, orange pith, bay leaves, and mild floral/herbal elements weaving in and out of the mix. Mild tannins assert themselves on the finish. Not quite the religious experience I was hoping for, but there's no question that this is a delicious, outstanding wine, and the aromatics are unique - that seamless blend of cherry and rose sets it apart.
December 8, 2023 - Birthday Celebration (State Street Manor & Racquet Club - Chicago IL): Something was slightly off and muted here, was it ever-so-slightly corked?
August 6, 2023 - This was singing. Gorgeous candied red fruit, dried flowers, spice and stems. Light on its feet but plenty of power. Just delicious.
August 5, 2023 - Weekend in Michigan with Wine; 8/5/2023-8/6/2023 (Asian Spice House - Buchanan MI): I haven't tasted this wine in over a decade and tonight's bottle was (by far) the best it has ever been for me. Fresh and mature red berries and cherries come in and out of focus over the course of several hours with both sweet and savory spice. Good enough weight, great length. Really fantastic bottle, even with fully soaked-through cork.
March 4, 2023 - magnum
January 28, 2023 - My first time with RC. Moderate density and concentration. Nose and palate both very complex, like a firework of aromas. When starting to identify one another one pops up, sour cherries come back and fourth. Already shows some tertiarty aromas (mosty earth-like). The balance and elegance are just extraordinary. To me more a piece of art than a bottle of wine so scoring would be pointless
November 12, 2022 - Stemmy, complex d fruit is ripe but the tannins are a bit harsh. Intensity and density but not quite the elegance and finesse of the east of the lineup. Though the freshness of fruit and acidity augers it’s got more time left
June 30, 2021 - Superbe bouteille, plus prête que la dernière il y a déjà plusieurs années, bien qu'elle promette encore un long vieillissement.
D'un classicisme d'école ...
January 27, 2021 - oak, red cherries, red florals, stemmy underbrush, earthy spice, raspberries, crushed minerals and a hint of soy.
Vibrant mouthfeel, energetic and racy, spicy and tart red fruit upfront.
Always love the aromatics, hate the price tag