This was an interesting bottle to say the least. Nose opened with a blast of green pepper and herbaceous undertones very slight hints of black fruit buried deep underneath. The palette showed a little fruit but ultimately reinforced the nose. Medium weighted with some tannin hanging in. Deep in color with no bricking and no dusty or tired aroma, this has held up very well to its age and still has quite a bit of longevity. With more time in the glass a more leaden mineral character and savoury gamey note emerged on the bouquet a little chocolate there as well. Felt very Bordeaux in style. Over all the palette fell just a little short of the promise on the nose but a very surprising showing for something that I'd thought was well past its prime. Excellent — 9 years ago
Excellent bouquet of dried orange rind, violets, earth and fruit liqueur. Palette was full with beautiful structure preserved fruit touches of leather. Drinking exceptionally well right now this will be superb in 5-8years. — 9 years ago
Leaning to gold in the glass, the barrel has the upper hand here. Ripe melon and baked red apple ride underneath vanilla and white flower perfume. The palette washes a little short of the beach but overall a decent drop. — 9 years ago
A little candied and high toned. The nose showed tart strawberry and dried leaves. Overall a little acrid. Medium weighted but this drops considerably on the palette. Not going any further and not really worth the price tag. — 9 years ago
Closed behind a massive wall of mineral for the first hour or two. Slate, wax, exotic spice, cumin and touches of exotic pear on the bouquet. After time a stronger waxy crayon note appeared alongside a more exuberant fresh sauv character. The palette is full with spice notes predominating accompanied with asian pear/lychee with ample complexity and touches of oil and mineral. Not ready for another 3-5 years but with potential to be amazing. Excellent. — 9 years ago
From a relatively unknown producer this had a beautiful nose. Touches of earthy funk backed by substantial tart red fruit. Palette was medium full but lacked true power and depth. Excellent considering the price. — 9 years ago
Dark and ripe Pinot fruit but not without an element of earth. Saline blackberries with baked earth and stewed red currant. Dense and rich but quickened with a pervasive mineral palette. Long and complex finish with swells of brash tannin and punctuated acidity. Still on the up swing with easily 8-10 more. Very pleasant. — 9 years ago
Much better showing than the last bottle I opened. Color was beautiful purple red with little signs of bricking from age. Nose very North Rhone in style with deep dark fruit, black olive, meaty peppery notes and just a hint of vanilla from the oak. The palette was dense and full of dark fruit with the oak just a little more reinforced. This was much better then I expected given the last bottle. An overall great expression here. — 9 years ago
Beautiful nose of brooding fruit underneath polished oak, butter and dill pickle. The palette lush and deep with accents of plum, leather and earth. The balance is just slightly off with a lean towards the barrel but might even out in time. — 9 years ago
Justin Madol
Pink lady apple and lemon curd. Crushed shells and custard. Shimmering minerality in play with ample fruit and judicious oak. In a great place at the moment and at its prime in the next 2-4 years. — 9 years ago