92-93 for me.
Consumed half bottle at pop, then corked for another 4hrs before consuming the rest. No change.
What a beautifully elegant and refined ‘09. The highest compliment I can give this is that it was a simplistic joy. Some wines make it easy to get nerdy and command your attention…some wines are underwhelming and not worth your time. This was squarely in the middle. It was a joy to not feel the need to overthink…it’s exactly what it should be. No bricking at almost 15yrs. Decidedly black fruit heavy (black currant, cassis, underripe blackberries) with a sprinkling of raspberries and black cherries. Aromas of sweet pipe tobacco, dark florals. Integrated on the palate with good structure and acidity…not a massive wine, but it put on a bit of weight/length the longer it was open. Still sporting a fair bit of tannin at the finish, but it’s balanced. Drink or hold. — a year ago
Pop and pour, notes from 1 hr open. Better than I remember my last btl being, but still not up to the level of that first '11. On the nose: lavender, incense, loads of garrigue, and soft red raspberry..very pure grenache. On the palate: serious acidity, hi-toned red raspberry, more herbal notes, with some salinity, almost olive brine/game, though I believe this is 100% grenache, and attenuated tannin on the finish. This has taken a very savory turn, and the tannin on the finish is slightly attenuated. Yum! — 4 years ago
Pop and pour. A striking medium gold color. On the nose: wonderful aeromatics of apple, honeycomb, floral, lemon, almonds. Taste: lean, waxy, balanced mouthcoating wine with tart apple, saline, lemon rind, crushed stone, and a minerally orange peel lingering finish. YUM! Should have more time to go. — 4 months ago
1 hour decant (little fine/cloudy sediment). A remarkable dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: tart cherry, creme de cassis, eucalyptus, orange rind, cinnamon. Taste: smooth, soft, rich, juicy wine with cherry/raspberry, leather, herbaceous, graphite, little spiced chocolate espresso and a nice medium plus finish. YUM! Bodes well for the 2015 Scarecrow wine, and I should pop one to check it out. — 3 years ago
Ni trop sec ni trop fruité. Très honnête — 4 years ago
Deep ruby in color with slight brick color on the rim. Nose is quite pleasing with berry compote, lavender, and dark chocolate. Also a bit of earthiness. Wow. A great mouthfeel on this wine. Well balanced with tannins still a bit heavy. That said, I like my wines with a bit more tannic backbone. These notes are from pop and pour taste. Will let it open up a bit and will update if it changes significantly. — 7 months ago
Something different - a pear cider from Normandy produced from pear trees estimated to be about 300 years old. Poire Granit had 25 to 50 grams of sugar per litre yet it doesn’t taste particularly sweet. The nose and palate are nothing more complex than pear juice with a slight effervescent bubble. Very refreshing and only 6% ABV. I bought 2 other Cuvées from Eric Bordelet - one had zero ABV. Had a 2nd bottle 21 weeks later on 3rd January 2023 with consistent notes. Refreshing, tasty and uncomplicated. — 3 years ago
Aussie Nero D’Avola Pet-Nat. Need I say more? — 5 years ago
Tom Garland
Pop and pour. A majestic pale straw color. On the nose: Intense nose of green apple, lemon curd, pear, floral, orange rind. Taste: oily, fresh wine with white peach, apple, lemon, saline, crushed rock, grapefruit. YUM! More time to go, glad to have a few more bottles. — 2 months ago