Opened 2.5 hours before pouring but did not decant. Cork was crumbly - fortunately I have a Durand. Tiny hint of old socks on the nose initially but blew off once in the glass. Fading colour but not real bricking. Smooth mature Bordeaux style, still some fruit and some tertiary notes but main impression is of elegance rather than bold flavours. Presumably past peak but not yet any clear deterioration - I think this was better drinking than the 96 Lynch-Bages which was quite austere by comparison.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Stereo Night (Wanaka Wedge House, Queensberry, Central Otago, New Zealand): Beautiful wine in full maturity. Gorgeous Hawkes Bay Fruit, with a touch of herbaceousness. Resolved tannins lend a creamy, open texture to the currant, earth and beautiful mocha notes. Served at the same time as the 1995 Leoville Barton, this was the less-concentrated of the two, but in some ways, it was the more enthralling for its transparency and sense of total maturity. I imagine this wine will continue to endure, and evolve, but I sense it is at a very interesting point in its full-late maturity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine Group at home: Cassis, cedar, pine, blackberry. Aromas jump out from the glass. Very appealing. The palate is so elegant. Medium bodied, integrated tannins, silky, long. Just a terrific bottle. Easily mistaken for quality Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still looking youthful enough for it's age. The nose shows some bell-pepper/leafiness and a combination of blackcurrant, red fruit & floral notes. Medium bodied on the palate, with good balance including pleasantly refreshing acidity, a soft reprisal of the green aspects from the nose and remaining fruit that seems to fill in any gaps. No tannin to speak of and a medium-length and somewhat low-key finish.
I doubt this would rank high when compared to other vintages of this wine, yet it is charming and works very nicely alongside food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opens with striking fresh ripe Italianate cherries, but with air moves more towards a mainstream classical Bdx blend. Fine quality for a less than lauded vintage and no rush to finish remaining bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Te Mata Coleraine vertical (Institute of Directors, London): Funky barnyard nose, green nose, deep cedary fruit, quite tannic, long. (John Buck was adamant the funkiness was not brett, but more likely the effect of completing the malo in barrel rather than tank - a practice they flirted with in the mid 90s which has now been abandoned)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
5/13/2023 - Get Real wrote: 91 Points
Opened 2.5 hours before pouring but did not decant. Cork was crumbly - fortunately I have a Durand. Tiny hint of old socks on the nose initially but blew off once in the glass. Fading colour but not real bricking. Smooth mature Bordeaux style, still some fruit and some tertiary notes but main impression is of elegance rather than bold flavours. Presumably past peak but not yet any clear deterioration - I think this was better drinking than the 96 Lynch-Bages which was quite austere by comparison.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2021 - Marc wrote: 90 Points
Stereo Night (Wanaka Wedge House, Queensberry, Central Otago, New Zealand): Beautiful wine in full maturity. Gorgeous Hawkes Bay Fruit, with a touch of herbaceousness. Resolved tannins lend a creamy, open texture to the currant, earth and beautiful mocha notes. Served at the same time as the 1995 Leoville Barton, this was the less-concentrated of the two, but in some ways, it was the more enthralling for its transparency and sense of total maturity. I imagine this wine will continue to endure, and evolve, but I sense it is at a very interesting point in its full-late maturity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2015 - fizz wrote: 95 Points
Wine Group at home: Cassis, cedar, pine, blackberry. Aromas jump out from the glass. Very appealing. The palate is so elegant. Medium bodied, integrated tannins, silky, long. Just a terrific bottle. Easily mistaken for quality Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2010 - TiggerK wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful condition, and a wonderful wine. Very popular with the tasting group and still has some time in it. Elegant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2009 - Ian S wrote:
Still looking youthful enough for it's age.
The nose shows some bell-pepper/leafiness and a combination of blackcurrant, red fruit & floral notes.
Medium bodied on the palate, with good balance including pleasantly refreshing acidity, a soft reprisal of the green aspects from the nose and remaining fruit that seems to fill in any gaps. No tannin to speak of and a medium-length and somewhat low-key finish.
I doubt this would rank high when compared to other vintages of this wine, yet it is charming and works very nicely alongside food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2009 - Ian S wrote:
Opens with striking fresh ripe Italianate cherries, but with air moves more towards a mainstream classical Bdx blend. Fine quality for a less than lauded vintage and no rush to finish remaining bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2008 - Rupert wrote: 88 Points
Te Mata Coleraine vertical (Institute of Directors, London): Funky barnyard nose, green nose, deep cedary fruit, quite tannic, long. (John Buck was adamant the funkiness was not brett, but more likely the effect of completing the malo in barrel rather than tank - a practice they flirted with in the mid 90s which has now been abandoned)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment