Community Tasting Note

Hank Gillespie wrote:

Thursday, June 3, 2004 - June 3, 2004 : Decanted in mid-afternoon. A 2" cork, in very good condition. Also brought back some fond memories of our visit to the Chateau in May, 1987, where we had some barrel samples to taste.The wine is impenetrably opaque, black in colour with just a thin rim of purple, easily one of the darkest wines imaginable; hugely aromatic, with endless waves of black currant pouring forth from the decanter, even as you pass the table; in the glass the aromas were more focused, offering up an excess of black currant fruit, some light smokey oak, and hints of black pepper; the aromas push forth with great intensity, extending well up the nostrils; very full bodied, with great concentration; there are some significant tannins, but there is so much fruit riding over them; with all of this fruit, the tannins seem softer, almost agreeable on the palate; flavours are principally sweet black currant, with notes of black pepper; it finishes remarkably long, seemingly still full on the palate after several minutes; the finish is all about the massive fruit.The wine appears very young, in spite of its 17 years, and clearly needs much more time to fully evolve. At this point it seems like the wine would have no trouble lasting 40 or 50 years. The remaining bottles in my cellar are not going to be put to that test, however. Unless I get overanxious, I'll probably be looking at opening the next one in 4 years time. HRG

Post a Comment / View Hank Gillespie's profile
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (19,451 views)