Opened the bottle one hour before dinner. Decanted as we sat to dinner. It was very nice in the nose at first - soft floral notes typical of Margaux. But there was a tiny bitter/sour note at the tail end on the tongue. That did not improve with more time. I think this wine may be crept past the prime drinking window. Perhaps it’s just shut down for now? But I would say drink up. Not sure this is going to improve with time…
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This wine reminds me why I fell in love with Bordeaux in the first place. Classic. Elegent. Complex. As the color moves to the center, a layer of intense garnet gathers around a clear rim. A highly aromatic nose-exotic with spicy incense as the first impression, so inviting. the blue fruit and red fruit have evolved into a combination of leather and cedar box and stones, but also difficult to describe and delicious smelling. The tannins have softenedan d melded with the vanilla in the oak leaving the tang of dried fruit. The balanced but moderate finish seems to end abruptly but then reemerges in a minute or so. Fascinating.
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This wine way has become a dramatic over-performer. Four years ago I thought its best days were gone. Not so. Gorgeous Bordeaux nose - dusty leather, cigar box, cassis and spice. Unmistakably Bordeaux. Beautifully balanced wine - old wood, cassis, red plum and a lively spiciness carried by lively acidity, making for a lengthy finish that shuts down late with a lovely tannic feel. Drank alongside 1999 Monte Bello and that was fun - both wines blind for my tasting partner. He ultimately got there - though thought the wine was Pauilliac, not Margaux. A reasonable conclusion and a fun, engaging wine.
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I wrote a note 3 years ago saying that the wine's best years were behind it, though I still enjoyed the nose. I also pointed out that on teh third day, the wine was gorgeous. Well, The nose is still there - that unmistakably beautiful, enticing old Bordeaux nose of dirt, leather and cigar box. The wine was now a beauty after six hours in the decanter. Soft and lush - earth, leather, cassis. Some red plum. Lovely finish. Really good.
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4/30/2024 - WineTraveler42 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened the bottle one hour before dinner. Decanted as we sat to dinner. It was very nice in the nose at first - soft floral notes typical of Margaux. But there was a tiny bitter/sour note at the tail end on the tongue. That did not improve with more time. I think this wine may be crept past the prime drinking window. Perhaps it’s just shut down for now? But I would say drink up. Not sure this is going to improve with time…
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10/1/2023 - hosscrow Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine reminds me why I fell in love with Bordeaux in the first place. Classic. Elegent. Complex. As the color moves to the center, a layer of intense garnet gathers around a clear rim. A highly aromatic nose-exotic with spicy incense as the first impression, so inviting. the blue fruit and red fruit have evolved into a combination of leather and cedar box and stones, but also difficult to describe and delicious smelling. The tannins have softenedan d melded with the vanilla in the oak leaving the tang of dried fruit. The balanced but moderate finish seems to end abruptly but then reemerges in a minute or so. Fascinating.
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4/23/2021 - randyjc wrote: 93 Points
This wine way has become a dramatic over-performer. Four years ago I thought its best days were gone. Not so. Gorgeous Bordeaux nose - dusty leather, cigar box, cassis and spice. Unmistakably Bordeaux. Beautifully balanced wine - old wood, cassis, red plum and a lively spiciness carried by lively acidity, making for a lengthy finish that shuts down late with a lovely tannic feel. Drank alongside 1999 Monte Bello and that was fun - both wines blind for my tasting partner. He ultimately got there - though thought the wine was Pauilliac, not Margaux. A reasonable conclusion and a fun, engaging wine.
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9/20/2020 - randyjc wrote: 93 Points
I wrote a note 3 years ago saying that the wine's best years were behind it, though I still enjoyed the nose. I also pointed out that on teh third day, the wine was gorgeous. Well, The nose is still there - that unmistakably beautiful, enticing old Bordeaux nose of dirt, leather and cigar box. The wine was now a beauty after six hours in the decanter. Soft and lush - earth, leather, cassis. Some red plum. Lovely finish. Really good.
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2/15/2020 - brianfrederiksen@mail.dk Likes this wine:
The last of 12, perfect balance between fruit and tartaric - has never been better ....
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