High fill, cork intact. Medium garnet colour. Black currant, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, plum, coffee, cedar, leather, tobacco, spices, liquorice, mint, and light herbaceous notes, with medium-level acidity and very good length. Some old-age sweetness. Lightly drying in the finish. The tannin is still present, but the wine is smoothly textured for a 1988, much smoother than most 88s. It only has average concentration, but great complexity, and a classic mature left bank Bordeaux profile. Very satisfying. But the wine is at a turning point, I recommend to drink now.
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Chinese New Year celebration with wine friends: Got a pour of this from another table, apparently they preferred the 2011 to this which was quite puzzling. Glorious, restrained classic left-bank claret whereas the 2011 showed similarly to my previous experience of being dark and unbalanced. This 1988 is in the zone now and is drinking beautifully with classic left-bank markers of cool dark fruit, tobacco and cassis.
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From Art's cellar. Wonderfully mature St. Julien. Color had started to go orange on the rim, good clarity. Red currant notes on top of forest floor and a hint of tarragon. In the mouth, the wine was smooth and integrated, no sharpness and a wonderfully long finish. Only bottle I had but it paired well with the prime rib.
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1/29/2024 - PSPatrick wrote: 92 Points
High fill, cork intact. Medium garnet colour. Black currant, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, plum, coffee, cedar, leather, tobacco, spices, liquorice, mint, and light herbaceous notes, with medium-level acidity and very good length. Some old-age sweetness. Lightly drying in the finish. The tannin is still present, but the wine is smoothly textured for a 1988, much smoother than most 88s. It only has average concentration, but great complexity, and a classic mature left bank Bordeaux profile. Very satisfying. But the wine is at a turning point, I recommend to drink now.
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2/2/2023 - melvinyeowq wrote: 93 Points
Chinese New Year celebration with wine friends: Got a pour of this from another table, apparently they preferred the 2011 to this which was quite puzzling. Glorious, restrained classic left-bank claret whereas the 2011 showed similarly to my previous experience of being dark and unbalanced. This 1988 is in the zone now and is drinking beautifully with classic left-bank markers of cool dark fruit, tobacco and cassis.
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5/1/2020 - Nels+ Likes this wine: 92 Points
Elegant mit sehr ausladender süsswürzig fruchtiger Nase. Top!
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8/26/2017 - Wrighty wrote: 87 Points
Nose was showing it's age with a little dusty funk. Palate was more mature Bordeaux with hints of dried herbs. Time to drink up
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5/4/2017 - OenophilistMN Likes this wine: 90 Points
From Art's cellar. Wonderfully mature St. Julien. Color had started to go orange on the rim, good clarity. Red currant notes on top of forest floor and a hint of tarragon. In the mouth, the wine was smooth and integrated, no sharpness and a wonderfully long finish. Only bottle I had but it paired well with the prime rib.
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