Extracted the cork easily enough with a Durand. It was wet to two thirds of its length. Decanted and served after 30 minutes. In decanter the wine was a medium garnet but by the time it made it to the glass it was a mid-tawny with cracking to the rim. The wine had thrown off a fine sandy sediment. The aroma profile was medium intensity, complex and hard to identify. There was some fruit including mulberry, plum, raisin and pomegranate with some parsley and tarragon. Also beef extract, leather, and mushroom. Overall, it could have been a Madeira or a Port from the nose. The acidity was medium+, the tannin low, and the finish medium+. Flavour intensity was medium+ with plum, mulberry, mocha, walnut, cinnamon. It was passed it best by some distance, but it went well with food and its complexity was its charm. At this stage it is not well balanced. Scored for what it is rather than what it might have been.
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Tasted in a mini vertical of 94, 91, 84, 83. Two were great to outstanding the others were very good. All bought from same source on release.
The 84 is not seen as a great year but having tried a few bottles over the last 5 years this one fitted type. The nose is now dried out and quite straw like. There is however residual fruit and tannin in the wine. The fruit notes are still there with a hint of black cherry
If this had been served on its own I would have been perfectly enjoyable but against the other three it was overshadowed.
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Lovely evolved colour with orange reflections towards the rim. Very fragrant and complex nose with lots of forest notes, herbs, spices and some dark fruit. On the palate a bit of a letdown, lean, drying, not much fruit, fading very quickly. Drink up. 86-88
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Lovely nose - pronounced with notes of roasted red pepper, fennel and freshly cracked black peppercorns. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and fine, ripe tannins. Significantly better than it's reputation indicates although definitely on the edge so maybe lots of bottle variation? Drink now.
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With Kathy and Miranda at home at dinner (spaghetti carbonara). Medium ruby color, fairly viscous. The nose is very attractive; beautiful bouquet of flowers, berries, and bacon. Excellent. In the mouth, smoky, gamy, with a dry finish. Medium bodied, and fairly lengthy. Doesn't have the opulence or power of the best vintages, but very good varietal character in a slightly less concentrated wine. 5-12-15-7: 89/100.
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10/31/2022 - Elliot Vale Likes this wine: 87 Points
Extracted the cork easily enough with a Durand. It was wet to two thirds of its length. Decanted and served after 30 minutes. In decanter the wine was a medium garnet but by the time it made it to the glass it was a mid-tawny with cracking to the rim. The wine had thrown off a fine sandy sediment.
The aroma profile was medium intensity, complex and hard to identify. There was some fruit including mulberry, plum, raisin and pomegranate with some parsley and tarragon. Also beef extract, leather, and mushroom. Overall, it could have been a Madeira or a Port from the nose.
The acidity was medium+, the tannin low, and the finish medium+. Flavour intensity was medium+ with plum, mulberry, mocha, walnut, cinnamon.
It was passed it best by some distance, but it went well with food and its complexity was its charm. At this stage it is not well balanced. Scored for what it is rather than what it might have been.
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11/2/2021 - RAD2626 wrote: 90 Points
Despite being high shoulder fill, still a lovely La Chapelle. Have had numerous 83s but only a few 84s. Leather, tart, great Rhine taste and feel.
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5/20/2021 - fcxj wrote: 88 Points
Drink up.
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12/31/2015 - Charles c Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted in a mini vertical of 94, 91, 84, 83. Two were great to outstanding the others were very good. All bought from same source on release.
The 84 is not seen as a great year but having tried a few bottles over the last 5 years this one fitted type. The nose is now dried out and quite straw like. There is however residual fruit and tannin in the wine. The fruit notes are still there with a hint of black cherry
If this had been served on its own I would have been perfectly enjoyable but against the other three it was overshadowed.
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2/9/2015 - rossi.wine wrote: 87 Points
Lovely evolved colour with orange reflections towards the rim. Very fragrant and complex nose with lots of forest notes, herbs, spices and some dark fruit. On the palate a bit of a letdown, lean, drying, not much fruit, fading very quickly. Drink up. 86-88
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9/19/2013 - Prioryraf Likes this wine: 88 Points
Good colour. . Faint cigar only. Pleasant but slight attenuated. Pleasant, reasonable body considering the poor year. . Better than expected
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5/11/2010 - Rupert wrote: flawed
Hermitage La Chapelle - complete vertical 1961-2005 (Institute of Directors, London): Oxidised - Linden hadn't bothered to pour it - but it wasn't as bad as the 86 and the 96
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12/31/2009 - wolverinetraveler wrote: 88 Points
Bad Cork. Had to decant and strain with cheesecloth. Disappointing--past its prime.
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11/30/2008 - Art_Vandelay wrote: 92 Points
Lovely nose - pronounced with notes of roasted red pepper, fennel and freshly cracked black peppercorns. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and fine, ripe tannins. Significantly better than it's reputation indicates although definitely on the edge so maybe lots of bottle variation? Drink now.
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11/29/2008 - SimonG wrote:
Hermitage La Chapelle Wine-Pages Offline (Vinoteca, Smithfield, London): Surprisingly full and deep colour and nose. Dry, savoury quality. Nice though the fruit is slipping a bit. Excellent for the vintage. ***1/2
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7/29/1990 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 89 Points
With Kathy and Miranda at home at dinner (spaghetti carbonara). Medium ruby color, fairly viscous. The nose is very attractive; beautiful bouquet of flowers, berries, and bacon. Excellent. In the mouth, smoky, gamy, with a dry finish. Medium bodied, and fairly lengthy. Doesn't have the opulence or power of the best vintages, but very good varietal character in a slightly less concentrated wine. 5-12-15-7: 89/100.
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1/1/1988 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine:
Drunk at Square One with Michael Lehmann and Brett Raven. Great color. Very fine nose. Not quite so good to taste, but still quite flavory.
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