June 22, 2016 - A transformation from four years ago. Resolved and delicious, bramble, blackberry, quite light, correct. A lesson for me in when to drink this type of wine. If you've got em, tuck in now! 17
March 2, 2016 - 4hr slow ox worked well (don't recommend decanting for more than 30mins). Lighter than expected for an 05. Fair amount of tannins (mostly oak, and rather dusty and leathery) still need to integrate so this will improve to 2020 and hold for at least 5yrs afterwards. Lots of mint, some greenness, nose is dominated by pencil led, palate by blackcurrant. Lacks depth, complexity and body - seems to have come from young vines - but this is a correct Paulliac at least.
August 15, 2013 - I think it's ready now.
February 20, 2013 - As previous note on day one. Day 2 the drying tannins stood out (not crunchy, just furry teeth) and a faint note of mould appeared in the space where the fruit had been before. It must have been hidden on day 1 by that fruit which had seemed quite balanced and harmonious.
Not sure where to go with this.
September 6, 2012 - Developing nicely. Nose a little less reticent. Mouth nicely rounded with sweet, tannins and acid all playing nicely. Will check in for day 2
June 26, 2012 - Dark red with very little signs of aging. Nose was not very expressive but on coaxing revealed cassis, smoke, tobacco and vanilla. Fruity palate of dark fruits, pencil shavings, tobacco and oak. Earthy secondary characteristics were starting to develop. Moderate length.
February 19, 2012 - Much better than last time. Benefited from a good decant, served nice and cool and drunk with rolled shoulder of lamb. Took the edge of the acid. 16
January 27, 2012 - Lunchtime claret. 12.5%, light to medium bodied, quite high acidity, colour just starting to show a little age. Not particularly complex nose or long in the mouth. Seemed better after a couple of hours. This kind of 'third wine' claret doesn't really offer VFM I don't think. A reminder to always try one before buying a case... 15.5
Tasted again after a third of a bottle was left stoppered for two days. Significant improvement. Seemed a darker colour (can that be right?), stronger and more complex flavours, longer and altogether better. Leave the rest for several more years I think.
January 1, 2012 - Disappointing: very little nose, very tight and even after a couple of hours of decanting still tight. Light fruits, hard almondy core and finish. Not an advertisement for itself.
August 18, 2011 - Appealing nose of pencil case and baccy dustings with a bit of fruit but I had to sniff hard to coax them out. Very agreeable mouthfeel with smooth tannins, light fruits with a hint of medicine behind. Moreish. Not a powerful wine but a good midweeker with and without food.