Had been 9.5 years since my last bottle and pulled this last bottle from the cellar, in hopes that the oak had calmed down 12 years after bottling, but unfortunately the OAK MONSTER was still making a prominent appearance. Oak and cedar dominated the nose, but not in a bad way, when first opened, and the oak was definitely present on the palate, along with plum, blackberry, elderberry - lots of deep, dark fruits. The longer it stayed open, the less the fruit shined and the more the oak controlled, to the point of it going from appealing to just ok. Not sure if any length of time would be enough to tame the oak on this one, but if you still have some, keep them stashed for at least another 5 years to see if they will calm down.
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Pop and pour from the cellar @ 60deg F. The nose is there right away with black currants, cassis and oak, on the palate it is sweet dark fruits, medium body, mild oak, light spice, acid and smooth tannins. Second day it was a bit fuller on the palate and offered additional notes of cedar and glycerin. Quite enjoyable - 88
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Dark dark dark rich purple color. On the nose I get dark cherry, cassis, and plum with waaaay too much oak and alcohol. On the palate I get more of the cherry and plum and a little chocolate with a huge oaky spice and a little heat on the back end. I am kind of disappointed because the fruit is wonderful and the tannins are nice but it all gets drowned out by this overwhelming oaky spice. Meh!!!
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9/8/2018 - Louisiana George wrote: 88 Points
Had been 9.5 years since my last bottle and pulled this last bottle from the cellar, in hopes that the oak had calmed down 12 years after bottling, but unfortunately the OAK MONSTER was still making a prominent appearance.
Oak and cedar dominated the nose, but not in a bad way, when first opened, and the oak was definitely present on the palate, along with plum, blackberry, elderberry - lots of deep, dark fruits. The longer it stayed open, the less the fruit shined and the more the oak controlled, to the point of it going from appealing to just ok.
Not sure if any length of time would be enough to tame the oak on this one, but if you still have some, keep them stashed for at least another 5 years to see if they will calm down.
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6/12/2011 - lleblanc wrote: 88 Points
good with steak, plum, red currant, oak, may be my sinus problems but I get a hint of cotton candy. don't know why...
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5/29/2011 - sbernardelli wrote: 87 Points
I tend to agree with Briangray77. On the nose the tones of plum are very nice. Went well with meat even if tannins were not so strong. Decent acidity.
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2/8/2011 - mikesvins wrote: 88 Points
Pop and pour from the cellar @ 60deg F. The nose is there right away with black currants, cassis and oak, on the palate it is sweet dark fruits, medium body, mild oak, light spice, acid and smooth tannins.
Second day it was a bit fuller on the palate and offered additional notes of cedar and glycerin. Quite enjoyable - 88
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1/29/2011 - Briangray77 wrote: 88 Points
Dark dark dark rich purple color. On the nose I get dark cherry, cassis, and plum with waaaay too much oak and alcohol. On the palate I get more of the cherry and plum and a little chocolate with a huge oaky spice and a little heat on the back end. I am kind of disappointed because the fruit is wonderful and the tannins are nice but it all gets drowned out by this overwhelming oaky spice. Meh!!!
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