I always pop an ‘85 on my bday and I have several of these left…this one was a whiff. This vintage has always been on the green end of the spectrum (compared to, say the perfectly ripe and balanced ‘89). I’ve found the wine charming in the past, but this particular bottle was like drinking leaf juice. We’ll see next time I open one whether this was just a bad bottle or if the wine in general has finally entered its terminal decline
I always pop an ‘85 on my bday and I have several of these left…this one was a whiff. This vintage has always been on the green end of the spectrum (compared to, say the perfectly ripe and balanced ‘89). I’ve found the wine charming in the past, but this particular bottle was like drinking leaf juice. We’ll see next time I open one whether this was just a bad bottle or if the wine in general has finally entered its terminal decline
Sep 11th, 2022Loved every drop of this in its weedy, vegetal, fading glory. But the tart black cherry and red currant fruit is still very much there amid the dried tobacco, leather, stewed tomato and (of course) bell pepper. The riper, glossier ‘89 is without question the superior wine but this has a certain crepuscular charm, enhanced by the fact that it’s my birth year...like me, it’s not getting any younger :)
Loved every drop of this in its weedy, vegetal, fading glory. But the tart black cherry and red currant fruit is still very much there amid the dried tobacco, leather, stewed tomato and (of course) bell pepper. The riper, glossier ‘89 is without question the superior wine but this has a certain crepuscular charm, enhanced by the fact that it’s my birth year...like me, it’s not getting any younger :)
Apr 16th, 2020Olga never misses...@Scott DeBenedett called this blind, impressive considering we were like 10+ bottles deep at that point
Olga never misses...@Scott DeBenedett called this blind, impressive considering we were like 10+ bottles deep at that point
Oct 29th, 2018
My gal....
1 person found it helpfulJun 30th, 2014
Very well made, drinking very well right now. It's pyrazine driven and the nose is a fajita: roasted bell pepper at its peak.
#cabfranc #chinon #loire
Very well made, drinking very well right now. It's pyrazine driven and the nose is a fajita: roasted bell pepper at its peak.
#cabfranc #chinon #loire
Jul 2nd, 2016
Vegetal, still lively. I approve.
Vegetal, still lively. I approve.
Apr 24th, 2016
Right in its zone now. Tannins have melded seemlessly w/ tons of tobacco and funk. Even a bit fresher than another btl I had recently--maybe this one was reconditioned? Regardless, a delicious btl of Chinon!
Right in its zone now. Tannins have melded seemlessly w/ tons of tobacco and funk. Even a bit fresher than another btl I had recently--maybe this one was reconditioned? Regardless, a delicious btl of Chinon!
Sep 19th, 2015
Holy jalapeño. Plum falling off the pit. Well integrated tannins. Mature, elegant old bird.
Holy jalapeño. Plum falling off the pit. Well integrated tannins. Mature, elegant old bird.
Sep 10th, 2015
Pure elegance. Absolutely remarkable. Still fresh and showing some decayed fruit with charcoal, smoke, pepper and tobacco leaf.
Pure elegance. Absolutely remarkable. Still fresh and showing some decayed fruit with charcoal, smoke, pepper and tobacco leaf.
Sep 10th, 2015
Peak of maturity, sliding down the hill into all savory - damp earth and humus and old leather. Certainly rustic. Still graceful.
Peak of maturity, sliding down the hill into all savory - damp earth and humus and old leather. Certainly rustic. Still graceful.
Jun 15th, 2015
Chinon, Touraine, Loire Valley, France
