Boxing day at NY Verden: Similar to previous note, still in an excellent place. Old-school Bordeaux funk on the nose, some plum and cassis. Displayed the lightness of a Margaux but not qutie the elegance of the best producers. Still an excellent value.
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Deep red in colour, dark fruits with silky tannins, exactly what a Margaux should be like. Aged in 50% new oak, primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon, it is balanced and not too extracted. Subtle and understated, a velvet glove kind of wine which I adore.
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13% alcohol. Very good long dense cork with virtually no wine penetration. Decanted an hour ahead. Deep colour with no sign of evolution, even at the rim. The nose is immediately pleasant, with a rich plummy feel and some pencil shavings (for those of us who remember this antiquated and wonderful implement). Definitely a maturing Médoc (says he with the wonderful assurance of someone who has seen the label). The mouth is just as good, if somewhat less mature than what the nose would lead you to expect, but very enjoyable nonetheless; blackcurrant mostly and a lively juicy feel, with some residual tannins in the finish (but nothing offensive unless you are a Perse-and-Magrez worshipper). No obvious oak. This will improve for the next five years and last another ten years. Whoever labelled 2002 a weak vintage in Médoc is an ass.
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This has improved further since the last one I tried in 2014. A very aromatic nose of blackcurrant and cherry, a full-bodied, rich mouthful of blackcurrant, then blackberry before a rising, blossoming seam of raspberry and cream flavours and a persistent finish. As good and probably better than the 00 must be today. It probably won't reach the heights of the prodigious 1990 but there is enough fruit and grip for this to hold for a number of years. Great performance in the most underrated vintage ever.
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Ripe black cherry and blueberry on the nose, quite intense, then a big, full-bodied attack of blackberry. Surprisingly rich, with a second wave of redcurrant and blackcurrant. The finish is slightly disjointed, with on the one hand a wonderful searing sensation of intense fruit slipping down the throat, and on the other, a dryness on the tongue that gives a feel of greenness. Overall a very welcome surprise - this is better than the 00 at the moment.
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Fruity nose. Still very young and fruity with lot of tannins. Potential to 89+ I`ll try my other 2 bottles in a couple years. Decanted for 45 minutes. Drink now -2018
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Deep dark rim. Nose is limited - heavy fruit that does not expand with time. Mouth is full and broad with some cedar and fruit varietals. Acidity remains bright and tannins full. Seems improved from previous reviews.
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Garnet in colour. Purple flowers and violets on the nose. Complex aromatics. Good minerality. Balanced velvety tannins. Good mouthfeel. Long finish. Enjoyed on its own and with Roast Beef on Mother's Day.
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Quite closed on the nose, some cassis. Good acidity and still v firm tannins. Quite smooth nonetheless. Medium to lean body. Could improve with more cellaring.
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12/26/2021 - melvinyeowq Likes this wine:
Boxing day at NY Verden: Similar to previous note, still in an excellent place. Old-school Bordeaux funk on the nose, some plum and cassis. Displayed the lightness of a Margaux but not qutie the elegance of the best producers. Still an excellent value.
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1/1/2019 - melvinyeowq Likes this wine:
Deep red in colour, dark fruits with silky tannins, exactly what a Margaux should be like. Aged in 50% new oak, primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon, it is balanced and not too extracted. Subtle and understated, a velvet glove kind of wine which I adore.
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2/8/2018 - Eudemis Likes this wine:
13% alcohol. Very good long dense cork with virtually no wine penetration. Decanted an hour ahead.
Deep colour with no sign of evolution, even at the rim. The nose is immediately pleasant, with a rich plummy feel and some pencil shavings (for those of us who remember this antiquated and wonderful implement). Definitely a maturing Médoc (says he with the wonderful assurance of someone who has seen the label). The mouth is just as good, if somewhat less mature than what the nose would lead you to expect, but very enjoyable nonetheless; blackcurrant mostly and a lively juicy feel, with some residual tannins in the finish (but nothing offensive unless you are a Perse-and-Magrez worshipper). No obvious oak. This will improve for the next five years and last another ten years.
Whoever labelled 2002 a weak vintage in Médoc is an ass.
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2/26/2017 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 91 Points
This has improved further since the last one I tried in 2014. A very aromatic nose of blackcurrant and cherry, a full-bodied, rich mouthful of blackcurrant, then blackberry before a rising, blossoming seam of raspberry and cream flavours and a persistent finish. As good and probably better than the 00 must be today. It probably won't reach the heights of the prodigious 1990 but there is enough fruit and grip for this to hold for a number of years. Great performance in the most underrated vintage ever.
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12/30/2014 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ripe black cherry and blueberry on the nose, quite intense, then a big, full-bodied attack of blackberry. Surprisingly rich, with a second wave of redcurrant and blackcurrant. The finish is slightly disjointed, with on the one hand a wonderful searing sensation of intense fruit slipping down the throat, and on the other, a dryness on the tongue that gives a feel of greenness. Overall a very welcome surprise - this is better than the 00 at the moment.
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7/27/2014 - demiurg wrote: 89 Points
Nice classic Bordeaux. The bottle was at a good point.
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5/20/2012 - MJ_777 wrote: 88 Points
This time decanted for approx. 3 hours.
Tannins integrated in the wine, cassis and black fruits.
Drink now - 2018.
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5/6/2012 - MJ_777 wrote: 86 Points
Fruity nose.
Still very young and fruity with lot of tannins. Potential to 89+
I`ll try my other 2 bottles in a couple years.
Decanted for 45 minutes.
Drink now -2018
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7/13/2009 - Steve C wrote: 88 Points
Deep dark rim. Nose is limited - heavy fruit that does not expand with time. Mouth is full and broad with some cedar and fruit varietals. Acidity remains bright and tannins full. Seems improved from previous reviews.
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3/2/2008 - gowrie wrote: 89 Points
Garnet in colour. Purple flowers and violets on the nose. Complex aromatics. Good minerality. Balanced velvety tannins. Good mouthfeel. Long finish. Enjoyed on its own and with Roast Beef on Mother's Day.
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10/28/2006 - Baron Samedi wrote: 81 Points
Quite closed on the nose, some cassis. Good acidity and still v firm tannins. Quite smooth nonetheless. Medium to lean body. Could improve with more cellaring.
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