2009 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco, Altare

2009 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco, Altare
This needed a few hours to really open up but then is displays gorgeous notes of cherry licorice, graphite, fir wood, violets, paint and undergrowth. Very, very deep and refined. Still very young.
The taste is tight, concentrated and juciy with notes of hard cherry candy, bakelite, rosehips, forest floor and candle grease. Very, very long. Blotting paper bristly in the finish. This will need plenty of time, 10+ years. A great wine but not as marvellous as the 2008 or the 2011.
95p   (tasted 2019/02)

Fine Wines From Quercia Al Poggio

I was invited by Valid Wines to meet the charming and articulated Paola Bianchi from the Quercia Al Poggio Quercia Al Poggio. We got to taste the following wines at Prinsen.

2015 Chianti Classico
Very, very good a year ago, and even better today. The same sweet/sour cherries, rosemary and Tuscan gravel dominate the nose but there is now also some leathary and cool tobacco notes. Very classic and fine.
The taste is cool, medium bodied and elegant with notes of ripening cherries, dry licorice, violets and herbs. A very fine acidity. Pure and fine. A real bargain at 14 Euro.
91p   (tasted 2019/02)

2016 Chianti Classico
The 2016 is about to be released on the Swedish market. This need some more time in the bottle. Today the 2015 shines more clearly. The nose is light and fresh with notes of ripe red cherries, rubber, earth and herbs. Very good.
The taste is young and tight with notes of almond paste, lingonberries, Tuscan gravel and violets. There is a fine warmth in the finish. Very, very good. 4+ years.
88p   (tasted 2019/02)

2011 Chianti Classico Riserva
The Riserva is 100% Sangiovese from a 38 year old vineyard and has lied 30 months on tonneaux before bottling. The 2011 shows of a deep, warm, barnyardy nose with notes of cooked strawberries, sage, moist earth and bonfire smoke. Open for business and wears its heart on its sleeve.
The taste is big and warm with notes of dried up cherry jam, warm tiles, bonfire smoke and pipe tobacco. Rich and fine but a tad loose around the edges for my palate to be great. Very fine with the food though.
88p   (tasted 2019/02)

2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna La Cataste
Ooooh boy, this is a stunner! The nose is deep, refined and racy with notes of sweet/sour cherries, dry licorice, lots of violets, salted bread, ripe flowers and warm rocks. Very, very fine.
The taste is sappy and fresh with notes of hard cherry candy, rhubarb licorice, warm tiles, rosemary and Tuscan gravel. Very long and balanced. Salivating tannins. 5+ years. Great wine. The 2012 is the first vintage of the Gran Selezione but last year I tasted a 1999 from the Le Cataste vineyard.
94p   (tasted 2019/02)

Long Overdue Notes - The Barolo Boys In Piedmont April 2018 - Part Three - A Tasting Of A Lifetime - 1947-2004 Barolo, Cappellano

It was time.

Several years of planning. Bringing the bottles from Sweden to Piedmont six months before the tasting. Getting three busy wine makers in the same place on the same evening.

Hard work, but on one April evening of 2018 we managed to get all together in our favourite restaurant in the Langhe area, La Coccinella (thanks Miran for all the work behind this).

Every bottle was in perfect shape, and the older ones was just marvellous, a testament to the old school of wine making (these bottles was probably undrinkable for the first 20 years...). We let Alessandro (one of the brothers who run La Coccinella) take care of the bottles and decide the pouring order so they would fit the food.

When I was sitting in La Coccinella on that evening, eating their fabolous food, drinking Cappellano from the 1947 up to 2004 and listening to Augusto, Maria Teresa and Roberto talking about wine making in the past and the state of wine making today in Langhe, I thought to myself, life can´t get any better than this.
A night to remember.

2004 Barolo Piè Rupestris
A deep, seedy nose with notes of juicy cherries, smoke and some stables scents. Very fine. Still young.
The taste is spicy and warm with notes of plums, mushrooms and herbs. A fine sweetness to the fruit. Compact. Very, very good. 5+ years.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

2004 Barolo Piè Franco
The 04 Franco is deeper and tighter than the Rupestris with fine notes of raspberry licorice, tobacco, ripe lingonberries and forest floor. Very complex and fine.
The taste is concentrated and multi layered with notes of ripe cherries, licorice, asphalt and spices. Very long and lingering. Great wine. 6+ years.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

2008 Barolo Piè Rupestris
A young, perky nose with notes of ripe red cherries, paint, chrushed rocks and fresh mushrooms. High and intense. Very fine.
The taste is racy and refined with noticable polished tannins alongside sweet cherry fruit. Very long and luscious. This will turn out fantastic with 10+ years in the cellar.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1990 Barolo
A fabolous nose flows up from the glass with stunning notes of Christmas spices, dried cherries, pipe tobacco, sun warm rocks and dried ceps. Amazing. Mature but oooh so vibrant and fine.
The taste is like liquefied velvet but at the end of the finish there is some small biting tannins. Lovely notes of strawberry licorice, tobacco, dried mushrooms, incense and leather. Top three for me.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1998 Barolo Piè Franco
There is lots of mushrooms, ceps and even a hint of truffle on the nose of the 98 Franco. Deep and fine. A lovely beginning maturity. Some smoky aromas and autumn leaves as well. Intoxicating.
The taste is firmer than the nose leads you to believe with notes of tar, hard cherry candy, rosehips and dry licorice. A long finish with silky tannins. 4+ years.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1999 Barolo Piè Rupestris
A refined nose with notes of a forest walk in the autumn, ripe lingonberries, herbs and bakelite. Opens up beautifully in the glass, becoming fatter and sweeter by the hour. Just lovely.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe red cherries, rose petals, paint, cool tobacco and mushrooms. Very long and lingering with polished tannins. Will become glorious in 7+ years.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1971 Barolo
The 71 displays a lovely mature nose with notes of moist earth, dried wild strawberries, roses, old leather and dried up mulled wine. Fantastic too just sit and smell.
The taste is mature and dry, and at the end of the finish maybe a tad so, but it still has fine notes of dried strawberries, dried herbs, rosehips and earth. Very good with the food.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1974 Barolo
An impressive, vital, racy nose with notes of dried raspberries, expensive tobacco, iron and dried flowers. High and migthy with energy and intensity. Given this blind I would have guessed a 89 or a 90.
The taste follows suite with an ethereal quality and gorgeous notes of dried strawberries, iodine, ceps, tar and tobacco. Very long. Bottles like this will go on for 10+ years. Just outside of the top trio.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1985 Barolo
The 85 is a perfect mature Barolo with lovely notes of cinnamon, dried raspberries, sweet tobacco, roses and the scent of a warm Christmas tree. Perfectly mature. Ripe, round and rewarding.
The taste is mature and fresh with notes of undergrowth, dried flowers, tobacco, tar and Christmas spices. Very long with a perfectly dry ending. As with the 74 just outside the top trio.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1958 Barolo
I have written down several words of profanity when I sniffed and tasted this wine, since my vocabulary is to limited.... Words can´t do justice to this almost perfect wine, only eclipsed by the 52. Everything is in place, a high, etheral nose, a perfect maturity on the palate with still some perky notes and the taste just lingers on and on and on.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1961 Barolo 
A very fine, mature nose with notes of rosehips, fresh stables, dried strawberries and warm rocks. Some smoky notes after a while. A very fine dried up sweetness. Very fine.
The taste is mature, dry and finely tuned with notes of dry licorice, gravel, smoke and undergrowth. Fully mature and drinking fine but I guess it was even better 5-10 years ago.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1967 Barolo
The nose of the 67 is a dream with gorgeous aromas of roses, dried strawberries, forest floor, sweet lingonberries and mild tobacco. Beautiful, racy and complex. Perfectly mature.
The taste is pure, high and multi layered with notes of chrushed rocks, dried wild strawberries, tobacco, black tea and spices. Long and lingering. I would love to drink this every day of the week.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

1947 Super Barolo
This is not your regular Barolo. This is a Super Barolo! Why the 47 have this label with that peculiar name, I have no idea. Anyone who knows, please leave a comment.
What about the wine then? Thanks for asking, its great! Not as marvellous as the 90, 85, 74, 58 or the perfect specimen below, but is surely holds its on. The nose is deep and warm with notes of dried lingonberries, asphalt, tobacco, dog fur and old leather. Complex and fine.
The taste is tight and mature with notes of lingonberries, undergrowth, dried flowers, tobacco and spices. The warmth of the vintage comes through in the long finish. A very fine bottle of mature Barolo.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

Augosto, Maria Teresa & Roberto

1952 Barolo
Why not finish on top! Alessandro put this rightfully last, for no wine could top this. I have had my share of perfect wines through the years, but this is maybe the one that top the bill. How can a 66 year old wine appear so bold, racy, refined and perfectly mature? Everything is harmonious, every knot and bolt is in the right place, and the maturity, when everything has melted together perfectly, is just aaaaah. Not too old, not too young, just perfect. One of the best wines ever tasted.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2018/04)

2010 Barolo Gabutti, Giovanni Sordo

2010 Barolo Gabutti,  Giovanni Sordo
A finely tuned, still youngish nose with notes of forest floor, luxuary soap, hard cherry candy, asphalt and the scent of an cool evening after a hot summer day. Very fine.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of dry licorice, hard cherry candy, smoke and fresh mushrooms. Sandy tannins. Long. Very, very good. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2019/02)

Long Overdue Notes - The Barolo Boys In Piedmont April 2018 - Part Two - Visits To Marengo, Produttori Del Barbaresco & Rattalino

More notes from The Barolo Boys trip to Piedmont in April of 2018. Only 40 days until we go again...:-)

Marengo
It is always a treat to visit Marco and Jenny and taste their stunning wines.

Disclaimer - the importer of Marengo and Luigi Pira to Sweden (Origo Wines) are friends of mine and co founders of The illustrious Barolo Boys. I, however, have no financial interests in these wines, I just call them as I see them.

I am spoiled to have tasted these first poured wines several times before the last year or so, see links below, so I just give a score for them, and focus on the new vintages.

2016 Barbera d´Alba Vigna Pugnane
89p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore
91p   (tasted 2018/05)

2014 Barolo
90p   (tasted 2018/04)

2014 Barolo Bricco delle Viole
92p   (tasted 2018/04)

2014 Barolo Brunate
94p   (tasted 2018/04)

2012 Barolo Riserva Brunate
95p   (tasted 2018/04)

1996 Barolo Brunate
But before we got started with the new vintages I opened this 96 Brunate which I had brought with me. Popped and poured. The nose is direct, mature and open for business with notes of rosehips, Finnish licorice, tobacco and lots of moist forest floor. A touch of menthol after a while. Very, very good. Perfectly mature.
The taste is mature and dry with notes of dried cherries, earth, tar and chocolate biscuits. A long, silky, dry finish. Very fine. Bottles like this will go on for 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2018/04)

2015 Barolo
A fine, open nose with a lovely warmth and notes of salmiak, hard cherry candy and forest floor.
The taste is playful and inviting with sweet fruit, sandy tannins and a long finish. 6+ years.
90p   (tasted 2018/04)

2015 Barolo Bricco delle Viole
A high, pure nose with lots of violets (!) and additional notes of rubber, roses and gravel. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe red cherries, violets and licorice. Finegrained tannins. 7+ years.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2015 Barolo Brunate
Deep and meaty with notes of dark flowers, ripe cherries and Christmas spices. Powerful.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of ripe cherries, raspberry licorice, tobacco and tar. Very long. 10+ years.
94p   (tasted 2018/04)

2015 Barolo Riserva Brunate
The nose is a dream with depth, concentration, elegance and height. Stunning notes of rosehips, sweet lingonberries, forest floor, tobacco leaves and iron. Very complex and fine.
The taste is very concentrated and intense with jaw gripping polished tannins and gorgeous cherry fruit. The finish goes on for minutes. Brilliant. 10+ years.
~97p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Barolo
Again, 16 will turn out to be a exceptional vintage. This Normale shows what´s in store in just a years time. The nose is upfront and seductive with notes of raspberries, licorice, gravel and lots of ripe flowers. Very charming.
The taste is pure and structured with fruit, tannins and acidity in perfect balance. Energetic. Really fine.
~92p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Barolo Bricco delle Viole
Aaaah, light and vibrant, yet with a low keyed power and intensity. Lots of iron, violets and tar. Plus heaps of ripe red cherries. Very, very fine.
The taste is pure and racy with brilliant fruit, sandy tannins and a uplifting finish that goes on and on. This is going places...
~94p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Barolo Brunate
The 16 Brunate is a bruiser at this stage, with a deep, restrained nose with notes of black cherries, model clay, gravel and a hockey puck. Very, very deep.
The taste is very tight and concentrated with notes of iron, herbs, cool tobacco and warm sand. There is some rugged tannins at the end of the finish. This will need time to come around.
~94p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Barolo Riserva Brunate
The 16 Riserva follows the 15 in its intensity, clarity and potential perfection. The nose is bottomless deep with gorgeous notes of ripe black cherries, sugared coffee, cigarr smoke, asphalt and earth.
The taste is brilliantly pure and vigorous with notes of cherry licorice, tobacco, tea and asphalt. The finish goes on for minutes. Just stunning.
~97p   (tasted 2018/04)

2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole
A fresh, luscious nose with notes of tobacco, violets, red apples and iron. A very fine energy. Classy.
The taste is fine and elegant with notes of ripe cherries, tobacco, rosehips and chrushed minerals. Long and lingering.
~94p   (tasted 2018/04)

2017 Barolo Brunate
A fine, uplifting nose with notes of raspberries, some blueberries tossed in for complexity, herbs and warm gravel. Very fine.
The taste is cool and refreshing with ripe black fruit and additional notes of tar, damsons and cool tobacco. Very long and fine.
~93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2017 Barolo Riserva Brunate
Another racy Riserva, the 2017 displays a deep, tight nose with notes of raspberry licorice, cold coffee, Finnish licorice and dried flowers. A wonderful sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is pure and concentrated with notes of rosehips, raspberry licorice, tobacco and asphalt. The finish is counted in minutes. Another fabolous Riserva.
~96p   (tasted 2018/04)

The Barolo Boys visit Marengo in December 2016
The Barolo Boys visit Marengo in May 2017
The Barolo Boys visit Marengo in November 2017

Produttori del Barbaresco
My first visit to the Produttori. We was meet by the energetic Aldo Vacca who described the history of the cooperative and current state of affairs, before he hasted away and left us in the competent hands of Luca Cravanzola, who we also meet at BaroloBarbaresco (BaBa) in Turin a couple of days later (more of that in a coming post).
There are 54 wine growers that are part of the cooperative and the total area is 105 ha, which means that on average they are very small land owners and grape growers.

2016 Langhe Nebbiolo
A cool, earthy nose with notes of herbs, damsons and dried flowers. Very good.
The taste is young and tight with notes of lingonberries, earth and dry licorice. 3+ years.
87p   (tasted 2018/04)

2014 Barbaresco
The 14 Normale offers up an elegant nose with notes of dried cherries, tobacco and nuts. Very aromatic and fine.
The taste is racy and refined with notes of ripe lingonberries, warm earth, tobacco and roses. Very fine tannins. Long. Really good. 4+ years.
91p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barbaresco
The 13 Normale is more subdued and linear compared to the 14 with cool cherry fruit and a tight, dry finish. Give this 5+ years and see what happens.
87p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagöta
The 13 Riserva´s is something else compared to the Normale. The Muncagöta (the dialect version of Moccagatta) is the name on the label since 2007. The nose is deep and spicy with notes of bonfire, ripe flowers, herbs and lots of hard cherry candy. Very fine.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of chrushed rocks, tobacco, hard cherry candy and earth. Long and lingering. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barbaresco Riserva Pajé
The Pajé offers up a deep, distinct nose with notes of dried raspberries, licorice, violets and scorched earth. Warmer and rounder than the Muncagöta. Very fine.
The taste is taut and structured with lots of polished tannins and fine notes of dried raspberries, damsons, violets and cool tobacco. Very, very long. 8+ years.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2007 Barbarsco Riserva Pajé
The six year older Pajé displays some maturity in the shape of canned mushrooms, a hint of truffle and leather alongside fine notes of dried strawberries, mosquito repellent and rosehips. A very fine warmth. Complex.
On the palate this semi mature Barbaresco shows a taut backbone and notes of chrushed strawberries, moist earth, dry licorice and bakelite. Very long and structured. Very fine.
92p   (tasted 2018/04)

Rattalino
I met Michela in January 2018 when she worked at Brezza. Now she works at Rattalino, located in Barbaresco, so after our visit to the Produttori we headed there. Sadly, we were not that impressed by the wines.

2016 Langhe Nebbiolo 26
Dusty and earthy with low keyed lingonberry fruit and a correct yet simple palate.
82p   (tasted 2018/04)

2015 Nebbiolo d´Alba 27
A warm, dusty nose with some cherry aromas and a tight, dry palate with a warm finish.
83p   (tasted 2018/04)

2015 Barbaresco 42
This is rather good with earthy aromas intermingled with dried strawberries and licorice and the taste is warm, herbal and earthy.
85p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barbaresco Ronche 43
The 13 Ronche shows both depth and concentration on the nose with fine cherry fruit and chrushed rocks.
The taste is structured and fine with sandy tannins and ripe cherry fruit. Medium long. Very good.
88p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barbaresco Riserva 45
The Riserva mirrors the Ronche but the fruit is more of the dried kind and the tannins are a bit rougher, but it has a good length and some complexity.
87p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barolo 34
Plums, rosehips and old root vegetables in a dusty mix meets the nose when you put it in the glass. The taste is warm and compact with notes of plum brandy, rough tannins and it is rather hollow in the middle.
82p   (tasted 2018/04)

2012 Barolo Bussia 35
A cooked concoction of almonds, ski wax and plums with some road dust tossed in. The taste is warm and concentrated with cooked cherries and gravel. Some alcohol in the finish.
79p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barolo Serralunga 91
A 2013 Barolo saves the day. The nose is refined and perky with notes of ripe red cherries, sweet minerals, licorice and violets. Very fresh compared to the rest of the line up.
The taste is young and tight with sandy tannins and a racy cherry fruit. A fine structure for aging. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2018/04)

2011 Barolo Riserva Bussia 37
A big, mature nose with notes of (over) ripe cherries, spices and dark flowers. A bit top heavy.
The taste is big and warm and dries out a bit at the end. But the warmth and the dried cherry fruit is nice.
85p   (tasted 2018/04)

Alain Brumont At Tegelbacken

I was invited by VinUnic to meet Alain & Laurence Brumont and taste some wines from their excellent estate, alongside lip smacking good food at Tegelbacken.

Last time I had the honour was in 2013 when we tasted two great verticals from Brumont:
Part I - Eleven vintages of Cuvée Prestige
Part II - Nine vintages of La Tyre

The Whites:
2017 La Gascogne 
A flowery, grassy nose with notes of ripening peach, elderberries and chive. Light and nice.
The taste is delicate and easy going with notes of grass, white pepper and a hint of cap gun smoke. Short. Very good. Gros Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc.
86p   (tasted 2019/02)

2015 Château Bouscassé Les Jardins Philosophiques
This Petit Courbu and Petit Manseng blend shows a cool, earthy nose with notes of dried flowers, apricots and gravel. Low keyed.
The taste is structured and fine with a very good acidity and notes of minerals, dried apricots and lemon. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2019/02)

2012 Château Montus Blanc
Oooh boy, this is good! If this had been poured blind I would have bet some serious money on a maturing Puligny-Montrachet. The nose is rich and creamy with notes of melted butter, lemon fudge, yellow flowers and spices. Lovely.
The taste is concentrated and fine with hints of maturity and notes of autumn yellow apples, grilled lemons, spices and sandelwood. Long and lingering. This is a real bargain at 30 Euro.
93p   (tasted 2019/02)

The Reds:
2014 Torus
Light, fresh and fruity on the nose with notes of ripening blueberries and fresh herbs.
The taste is uncomplicated but nice with a mix of lingon- and blueberries and gravel. A good acidity. Very good.
86p   (tasted 2019/02)

2015 Le Pinot Noir d´Alain Brumont
A refined, airy nose with notes of undergrowth, dried raspberries, Asian spices and leather. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and elegant with notes of raspberries, spices and minerals. For drinking now and the coming 10 years.
89p   (tasted 2019/02)

2014 Château Bouscassé
50% Tannat, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. The nose is cool and earthy with notes of damsons, dried black currants and bakelite.
The taste is tight and dry with notes of warm gravel, blueberries and dried herbs. A long, dry finish. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2019/02)

2015 Château Bouscassé Vieilles Vignes
The 15 VV sports a deep, refined nose with lots of Bx traits, stables, tobacco, black currants and autumn leaves. Very, very good.
The taste is structured and fine with sandy tannins an notes of black currants, iron and tobacco. Very fine. 6+ years.
91p   (tasted 2019/02)

2015 Château Montus
An earthy, stony nose with notes of blueberries, damsons, dry chocolate and bakelite. Not as open and direct as the VV above.
The taste is young and tight with notes of blueberries, iron, forest floor and clay. Long and taut. 6+ years.
89p   (tasted 2019/02)

2015 Château Montus Cuvée Prestige
A beauty! The nose is young and tight but oooh so perfumed, rich and energetic, with notes of ripe black currants, dried blueberries, warm sand, cool tobacco leaves and forest floor. Lovely.
The taste is concentrated and focused with notes of black currants, iron, bakelite, tobacco and clay. Very long, intense and balanced. 8+ years.
94p   (tasted 2019/02

2000 Château Montus Cuvée Prestige
This 19 year old wine seems, yes, a bit old. If I didn´t know the provenance of this bottle I would say it has been stored a bit too warm. It is a good wine but not as great as it was in the 2013 tasting were I noted that it should be cellared for 7+ years. It feels more like this had been cellared for 17 years.
The nose is big, ripe and outgoing with notes of wet earth, dog fur, cooked red and black currants and dades. Smells like a Bx from the 60´s which have been stored warm.
The taste is big, round and dry with dried up sweetness and notes of damp earth, cooked black fruit, and pipe tobacco. A tad dry at the end.
86p   (tasted 2019/02)

2010 La Tyre
This is a stunner with a very deep, refined, inky nose with notes of ripe blueberries, violets, dried dark flowers, chrushed rocks and veal meat. Broad shouldered yet very refined. Has some Syrah like aromas. Gorgeous.
The taste is tight and concentrated with layer upon layer of really ripe black fruits - currants, blueberries, blackberries - alongside notes of expensive tobacco, damp earth, violets and meat. Very, very long. Impressive stuff that will need 6 more years in the cellar.
96p   (tasted 2019/02)