December 27, 2023 - clearly on the downhill slide now. Glad this was my last bottle.
December 6, 2023 - More garnet than ruby now from age. Forest floor and a touch of strawberry on the nose, which was somewhat muted. Tastes of cola, black cherry and red meat. Tannins are soft, but maybe too much so. Near the end -- better drink up my remaining bottle.
July 25, 2023 - Burg/Bordeaux Dinner with BYO Gang (The Kongsee): Pale garnet, and visible browning and fading edges. Aromas mainly of dried cherry and tomato, then hint of dried florals and hay. Tannins nearly completely resolved, while flavours mostly of forest floor, slight fungals, nutmeg, five spices, and meat roast, while the cherry fruits felt rather receded. It's one that had seen better days years ago, but I think is past its best now. Quite a pity
September 9, 2022 - Opened 3hrs prior to dinner & finding this very stern I decanted immediately. Served in Riedel Burgs. The decant helped but this still felt reticent and standoffish after 3hrs plus in the decanter. Looking back after the fact, I noticed a couple critics started their drinking window at ... 2028+. In hindsight that seems like pretty good advice. Not a total loss as this did show some of its potential and was fairly enjoyable with steak kebobs. Right now ...89-90pts. I only bought 2 and guessed wrong that 14yrs out made sense for btl 1 :). I'll likely be 75 when I open btl 2.
September 18, 2021 - Nose of red cherry, candied cherry, and pomegranate. Palate shows firm layers of earth, fat tannins, dry red fruits, and a light oak note. Long caressing tannins on the finish with cherry put, white pepper, wet soil, and bark. This win is hard to break down into component notes, it comes across as a complete package.
April 30, 2021 - brown sugar, black cherries, and a hint of orange. better with food rather than a quaff.
April 30, 2021 - corked
February 19, 2021 - Decanted and drank over 2 hours. Ripe cherry, plums, hints of brown sugar, a touch sweet, good concentration, low acid, some earth at the end. Nicely done.
December 10, 2020 - Strong effort from Bouchard in this vintage. Will easily age for another decade, but was a pleasure! 93-94
April 25, 2020 - Pnp. Hot and spicy. Tangy. Thoroughly encompassing. Wonderful texture. Pinches and plays with you. No rush to drink.