This is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It is a more forward style of Bordeaux, but certainly not a fruit bomb.
This has a different shaped ullage so saying low-shoulder fill is quite accurate. The fill was about four inches down from the top of the cork. The cork was removed and the bottle blew off stink for a bit and then we tried it. It did get a bit better over the subsequent 20 minutes before dying a quick death. Garnet in color, mostly clear and a bit flat. On the nose there is dust, saddle leather, dusty attic and just a hint of dried cranberries. Medium bodied. On the palate, there is just a hint of cherries with leather and earth. A bit tart. Clipped finish. There are surely people
This is a blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc that sees 100% new oak. . Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, spice and slight cigar. Medium bodied. On the palate, cherries, some black cherries and underlying earthy tobacco notes. Moderate finish. This will work better with food than on its own. Slow cooked, braised beef or lamb would work well. Drink over the next five to seven years.
2005 was an excellent vintage, but, especially the right bank Merlot based wines, is now starting to really drink well. 100% Merlot. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is lovely with black cherries, cassis, chocolate and spice. Light tannins. Medium bodied. On the palate, black cherries with underlying funk. Good finish. This seems to be about at peak but should drink well for another five to seven years. It drinks well on its own but will work better at the dinner table with perhaps roasted fowl.
A nice white from Bordeaux. A blend of Sémillon 20%, Sauvignon Blanc 40%, Sauvignon Gris 30%, and Muscadelle 10%. Medium golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has a nice lemon streak with a Schist rock quality to it. On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture. Lemon fruit although there is a bit of a bitter quality especially on the finish. Also a touch of lemon candy. Drinking well now, but this probably should be consumed in the next year or so. Nice on its own, it will work with lighter foods.
What more can be said about one of the truly great wines made. Golden in color, deep and shimmering bright. On the nose there is honey, some dust, pineapple and orange marmalade. Viscous. On the palate, this is so smooth as it coats the mouth. Notes or apricots, honey, pineapple and slight caramel. Long, long finish. This is not an opulent year for Yquem nor is it lean. It drinks great on its own. It would work with a less sweet dessert, but this is one of those wines that deserves 100% attention. Drink over the next thirty years.
One of my favorite dessert wines. At age 12, this is drinking beautifully from a 375ml bottle. Light to medium golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is gorgeous with oranges, blood oranges, honey and spice. Full bodied. Viscous texture. Excellent balance and acidity. On the palate, oranges, orange peel and honey, layered and complex. The finish is quite long. Delicious. As good as this is, it may still get better with age. This is contemplative on it own but will work for less sweet (not chocolate) dessert. A polenta cake would work nicely.
Wonderful wine. Finally worth opening after waiting all these years. Bought on release and cellared. This was open and decanted for sediment and allowed to breather for an hour or so before trying. Deep ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is classic with cassis, pencil lead, tobacco and a hefty amount of earthy funk. Full bodied. On the palate, this is complex and layered but still fresh and vibrant. Cassis with underlying earthiness and a bit of coffee and mushroom. Long finish. Contemplative. This drinks great on its own and will work well with
This is an inexpensive 100% Merlot. In good vintages, these are great places to look for values and nice wines that are accessible. And this one, hits all the marks. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has raspberries, plums and slight spice. Medium bodied. On the palate, the raspberries continue along with some black cherries. Moderate finish. This is a tasty, fruit forward style of Merlot. It improves with a bit of air. Drinks fine on its own but will work better with some food. Roasted veggies or fowl would be a nice match. Drink over the next three to five
Tasted from a Magnum. Purple in color with ruby swirls, opaque and bright. The nose is earthy with cigar tobacco but plenty of fresh cassis. The wine is mostly clean with just a hint of funk. Medium bodied. On the palate, there is tart cassis and cranberry fruit with underlying earthiness. Showing some complexity. Good finish. In Magnum, this is drinking well today and probably close to peak. This certainly could go another ten years but I doubt it gets better. It will work better with food and went well with a tomato tart, but fatty meats would be a good choice.
