September 25, 2021 - Excellent. A pleasant surprise, given some of the underwhelming recent reviews. Great complexity and a long finish. Definitely not a "fruit bomb", but still had plenty of stuffing. From a maturity standpoint, I would guess this is a bit past its peak, but probably has a few good years left.
September 14, 2020 - Wonderfully perfumey, raisin, anise, oxidative sherry notes, underlying Grenache/Syrah backbone which became more apparent as it opened up. Opened with a bit if a barrel aged ale funk that cleared after 10-20 minutes. It also threw off quite a bit of sediment (unsurprising for a 22 year old vintage).
September 10, 2020 - Labor Day family dinner outside. From memory. Garnet with rusty tint. Nose of garrigue, black pepper, lavender. Still vigorous on the palate with layers of peppery plum, earth, Rosemary, and sweet grip. Moderated tannin and ample acidity. Longer finish of garrigue and smoky plum. Aging well.
July 14, 2019 - Showing very well with good faded dark ruby and light amber edge; classic black licorice, almost bitter anise, old cherry syrup/kirsch, slick, gycerin, pot-pouri notes; Great shape, doing very well, but the Negly Porte du Ciel and SHL did much better with the rack of lamb. EWG Entre Nous. 91-92
June 22, 2019 - Last tasted nine years ago, there were similarities in my notes, but clearly this is a much different wine, though still performing well at 21 years. Certainly there was a lot going on. Rich concentrated black fruits with a meaty characteristic and some earthiness. Blackberries, plums, black raspberries, blueberries, chocolate, licorice, and hints of spice and floral. A full bodied wine with nice complexity and a long finish.
February 3, 2019 - Similar notes to last time. Sulphuric/reductive nose at first that blew off after about 10 minutes. Tar and blackberry on the nose. Cherry and anise flavour developed after about a half hour. Lots to chew on but pretty monolithic. Fully mature it seems.
Score: 89. Relative to expectations: 0
December 25, 2018 - Pop and pour. Some bricking. It is definitely on the end of it's life but opened up nicely after 30 minutes. Everyone enjoyed it.
October 14, 2018 - Not very subtle. Bashes you over the head with dark cherry, root beer/ cola, mocha, sweet spice, driven by enough alcohol and tannin to torpedo the Bismarck. Good fun. A dreadnought of a wine. Pair fearlessly with anything, it will be victorious. Seems close to maturity, more like a perpetual teenager.
Score: 90. Relative to expectations: 0
October 13, 2018 - From MG; fresh, clean, focused. There is alcohol here, certainly, kirsch galore, it is not a shy wine, but it is still very much alive and fresh - from this format.
#dinnerparty
April 7, 2018 - Dark cooked fruit, leather, earthy barnyard.