Solid day one. Then Corivined for 3 days. So much better on day 4. Deep spices, anise, cocoa. Almost imperceptible smoke. Constant emery paper gritty tannins last for minutes after each sip.
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2 hr double decant, but really need 3-4 hr. Young, big, tannic, vanilla from the oak, plum, some darker fruit. Really needs more time sideways. Try again in 2027-2028.
I’ve been wanting to try this based on others’ high praise here in CT. The adulation was merited.
Three and a half hour slow ox, followed by a 90-minute decantNearly opaque vibrant magenta color. Blackberry, boysenberry, coconut cream pie, milk chocolate, violet, and subtle thyme. Very dry, velvety palate, with alive, active acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish.
This strikes an interesting balance between Bordeaux elegance and Napa fruit and power. Great mouthfeel and plush, spirited tannic structure. The fruit is currently a touch restrained, but the nose is beautiful nonetheless.
I’ll try to wait a year or two for the next bottle. Should be richer and more integrated, although it’s surprisingly integrated for its youth.
Double decanted and then left in bottle for 24 hours - did the trick nicely. Allowed good dark fruit with some savory tones to emerge, with only the last barely noticeable whiff of sweet oak. Delicious, but I’m going to leave my other bottles alone for 5+ years.
The interesting Blair version of Bard...an SVD, but shares the name "Bard" with the 7000 case blend and apparently this may be the only version of it. Not sure how they came up with that, but I was willing to roll with it to the tune of three bottles. Only about double the price, so my fiscal side was sleeping again, as tends to happen with wine. After that mess of an intro, I have to say, this is really good wine.
Right now the best part of this wine is the bouquet (aroma, nose..etc). It is soooo striking, with violets jumping out glass bringing with it blackberry pie, crushed rock, forest floor and deep, grainy earthy notes. That's a $500 napa nose right there - amazing. The nose led me to believe this was going to be rich and possibly extracted, but shockingly, it's restrained, with excellent balance a great purity, The tannins are powerful, but sweet and integrated, and the spine is powerful, bringing great overall structure. It is by no means a fruit bomb either, with really impressive savory notes to complement the deep purple expressive fruit. Powerful and somewhat tannic finish. Overall, this is really good and better than the "blend" Bard. I don't think it will keep up with the more established Realm SVD's over long periods of time, but for the next 5 years or so, this is going to be fabulous.
First bottle of this gem and it does remind me of the excellent The Bards from earlier vintages, circa 2012 and 2013. The Blair Vineyard is in Calistoga and this wine looks and smells like Calistoga in a good way.
Full in body, The Bard Blair (which is a stupid/curious name because The Bard is a blend of vineyards and this is a single vineyard designated wine) looks like red, purple and black but tastes like blue and black fruit. This wine is also signature Benoit Touquette -- Big, rich, not extracted at all, silky smooth and with a mouth coating finish that goes on and on. Blackberry, blueberry, currant, milk chocolate, coffee, and licorice. The gravel and mineral component is just excellent and is prominant from the 1st sip, mid-palate and on the finish.
I would rate this 97. It should get better as it has more air in my decanter for today and over the coming years.
1/27/2024 - Artbreadman Likes this wine: 97 Points
Solid day one. Then Corivined for 3 days. So much better on day 4. Deep spices, anise, cocoa. Almost imperceptible smoke. Constant emery paper gritty tannins last for minutes after each sip.
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10/22/2023 - Geaux Tigers wrote: 92 Points
2 hr double decant, but really need 3-4 hr. Young, big, tannic, vanilla from the oak, plum, some darker fruit. Really needs more time sideways. Try again in 2027-2028.
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10/13/2023 - ews3 wrote:
corked - could see underlying quality that was there from a few tastes
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9/9/2023 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 96 Points
I’ve been wanting to try this based on others’ high praise here in CT. The adulation was merited.
Three and a half hour slow ox, followed by a 90-minute decantNearly opaque vibrant magenta color. Blackberry, boysenberry, coconut cream pie, milk chocolate, violet, and subtle thyme. Very dry, velvety palate, with alive, active acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish.
This strikes an interesting balance between Bordeaux elegance and Napa fruit and power. Great mouthfeel and plush, spirited tannic structure. The fruit is currently a touch restrained, but the nose is beautiful nonetheless.
I’ll try to wait a year or two for the next bottle. Should be richer and more integrated, although it’s surprisingly integrated for its youth.
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2/10/2023 - Bob23 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Double decanted and then left in bottle for 24 hours - did the trick nicely. Allowed good dark fruit with some savory tones to emerge, with only the last barely noticeable whiff of sweet oak. Delicious, but I’m going to leave my other bottles alone for 5+ years.
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11/27/2022 - happy712 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted 8 hours. Still could have used a few more hours. Rich and creamy. Slightly bitter. Phenomenal nose. Drink with salty meat and cheese.
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11/4/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 96 Points
The interesting Blair version of Bard...an SVD, but shares the name "Bard" with the 7000 case blend and apparently this may be the only version of it. Not sure how they came up with that, but I was willing to roll with it to the tune of three bottles. Only about double the price, so my fiscal side was sleeping again, as tends to happen with wine. After that mess of an intro, I have to say, this is really good wine.
Right now the best part of this wine is the bouquet (aroma, nose..etc). It is soooo striking, with violets jumping out glass bringing with it blackberry pie, crushed rock, forest floor and deep, grainy earthy notes. That's a $500 napa nose right there - amazing. The nose led me to believe this was going to be rich and possibly extracted, but shockingly, it's restrained, with excellent balance a great purity, The tannins are powerful, but sweet and integrated, and the spine is powerful, bringing great overall structure. It is by no means a fruit bomb either, with really impressive savory notes to complement the deep purple expressive fruit. Powerful and somewhat tannic finish. Overall, this is really good and better than the "blend" Bard. I don't think it will keep up with the more established Realm SVD's over long periods of time, but for the next 5 years or so, this is going to be fabulous.
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10/23/2022 - #1Winelover Likes this wine: 97 Points
First bottle of this gem and it does remind me of the excellent The Bards from earlier vintages, circa 2012 and 2013. The Blair Vineyard is in Calistoga and this wine looks and smells like Calistoga in a good way.
Full in body, The Bard Blair (which is a stupid/curious name because The Bard is a blend of vineyards and this is a single vineyard designated wine) looks like red, purple and black but tastes like blue and black fruit.
This wine is also signature Benoit Touquette -- Big, rich, not extracted at all, silky smooth and with a mouth coating finish that goes on and on. Blackberry, blueberry, currant, milk chocolate, coffee, and licorice. The gravel and mineral component is just excellent and is prominant from the 1st sip, mid-palate and on the finish.
I would rate this 97. It should get better as it has more air in my decanter for today and over the coming years.
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