February 26, 2022 - A bit of a voyage into the unknown, opening this old bottle.
Delicate work to remove the cork in one piece, but did so. Then carefully decanted, leaving sediments and crystallisation (which were not excessive behind).
Marked browning around the edges, and a slight brown tinge to the overall colour. Initially offered little on the nose, but after some time in the glass menthol aromas emerged, along with subtle final notes; reminiscent, overall, of mothballs.
Though clearly well past its peak, with fruit long gone, and power faded, flavours – dominated by woody oak – were still in balance. At its best through the mid-palate, trailing out to a relatively short, dry finish.
September 4, 2021 - 还有一定的新鲜感，黑樱桃和黑李子融化成了黑果酱，加上蓝莓阿尔卑斯糖，带点青味。中段开始有着金属铁锈、烟熏肉、甘草、旧皮革、肉桂粉之类的，还有点奶油味，有点旧皮革。入口中，单宁还是多且坚实，布满口腔，开始呈颗粒状随后转变为细粉，带有紧致的收敛感。果味为黑果和黑果干，陈年之下显得没那么分明和厚实，还有点蜜枣味，轻微有一点干花香，除了点嫩枝的青味外，还有不少植被气息。后段甘草、烟熏、烟草碎和旧皮革等。89/100
July 31, 2021 - Unfortunately there is only so much life in even a stellar vintage from a good, but unclassified growth. This was over the hill
December 23, 2018 - Earthy nose. Light. Vegal with Oak and tobacco. Drink up.
February 4, 2017 - Getting thin with a touch of bricking. Lightly decanted. Fruity nose with a hint of tartness creeping in, but not unpleasant at all. A nice old-style Bordeaux. Currants and leather, with earth and a touch of cherry. This has aged and lasted longer and better than hoped for.
May 7, 2016 - The initial funk blew off and this wine really blossomed.
March 12, 2016 - Based on the previous note, I will call the flawed. Cork was soft and broke even using tongs.
Significant bricking, and almost no fruit or tannins. Fine sand like sediment.
I was looking forward to the experience the other reviewer has last night. It gave me hope. But I think the private cellar I bought these from was not properly maintained.
March 12, 2016 - Drinking beautifully as structural elements and flavours are at one with each other. There's some smoked meats, tobacco, chocolate, leather and berry aromas. It is generous and full in the mouth with a nice balance of sweet and savoury things. It is taking on some teriary notes but remains fresh and engaging the whole bottle through with enough cut to partner a piece of rib eye most amiably.
July 24, 2015 - Nice treat to try this wine. Still has great color, little bricking around edges. Fading quite a bit, but impressive amount of cedar, leather, some faint fruit in the background. Still has a pulse after 33 years from this celebrated vintage and probably a bit past its prime but drinking well enough and will likely remain so for longer.
November 29, 2013 - Drank at Berns Steakhouse with a chateau briaun. Cork was in perfect condition. Good dark fruit still on nose with cedar and cassis. No tannins left but a good finish. Great bottle for the price.