1926 Château de Rayne-Vigneau

Community Tasting Notes (4) Median Score: 92 points

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  1/4/2015 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 94 Points

  I had this wine over a year ago and it was quite nice though fading. This second and last bottle is more of a mystery. It has the same amber/brown color and clarity of the previous bottle but the comparison ends there. On the initial pour there is a smell of alcohol rising from the bowl but it blows off very quickly. It is replaced by aromas of cognac, green apple and a touch of nutmeg. One drinker described it as a high-toned calvados. Everyone agreed that it was very pleasant if unusual. There is a nice richness and roundness in the mouth that is followed by medium-sweet apple, raisin and honey flavors ringing true and clear. There is also a vibrant and cleansing tartness and the faintest whisper of heat at the end. The whole flavor profile is reminiscent of tarte tartin and quite delicious. This wine proved a much appreciated curiosity at the table and by the end of the evening there was not a drop left. This may not be representative of other bottles but boy was it good. 94 points.

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  10/7/2013 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Abundant tartaric crystals at the bottom of the bottle. The wine has a very dark amber/brown (malmsey madeira?) color with fiery red flashes and dazzling clarity. A volatile nose blows off quickly and reveals complex scents of almond, mango, dried apple, orange blossom, vanilla and nutmeg. Very attractive. Good weight in the mouth with medium sweetness and crisp acidity. There are quite lovely though slightly muted flavors of raw honey, orange marmalade, peaches and apricots. The finish is only medium in length but pleasing nonetheless. After an hour in the glass a malty scent develops, indicating a wine falling apart. A fading grand dame enjoyed by all but whose days are certainly numbered. 89+ points, and another 3 points for sheer persistence.

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  10/28/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 70 Points

  More alive than Julius Caesar, but not by much. Murky in color, with very little discernible fruit, there was not a lot of pleasure in this overly acidic wine. If this wine was a person, we would have called 911, hoping to revive it before it was too late.

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  12/16/2008 - Rupert wrote:

  Brown, and too much oxidation on the nose, but sweet and tangy on the palate - nice enough, but I don't think that extreme age here has added anything

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