This bottle was a library release from the Chave cellars. Decanted about an hour prior to service (but could have benefited from more time) and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2001 Chave rouge pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of charred blueberry pie, mushrooms, scorched earth, grilled meat, coffee, black pepper and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super complex. With more and more air, this really came into its own. Totally Chave. Totally Hermitage. Totally awesome. Drink now with a little patience and through 2041. — a day ago
1970 | Red Blend
Chateau Beychevelle
Bordeaux; Médoc, St. Julien, France
(91-93; Drink 2015-25)
3H decant
(Typical blend as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc & 4% Petit Verdot; it's unknown to me the exact percentages for this vintage)
Nose has dried plum, truffle, old wet leather, earthy notes, moist tobacco and damp forgotten firewood.
Palate has dried cherry, vanilla/cedar, dried blackberry, sweet cherry, dehydrated plum, garden soil with faint tannins and fading acidity.
Happy Father's Day 2024 to all. — 21 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2003 pours a deep ruby with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some light light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark fruits, green bell pepper, leather, tobacco, earth, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and satisfying. This was pretty impressive right out of the gate and seemed to show really well despite the challenging (historically hot at the time) vintage. Drink now through 2044. — 12 days ago
Opened around 8pm the evening prior, double decanted and left in room temperature until service on Friday evening. In total, this was opened 24hours before service. The 1995 pours a beautiful garnet with transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate stating of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with surprisingly boozy dark fruit. Brambles, cassis, bell pepper, licorice, spearmint and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with great acidity. Overall, remarkably youthful. While it’s certainly ready to go, it will likely continue some positive evolution over the next couple of decades. Drink now with a long decant through 2045. — 13 days ago
Bottle was a little bit off but still an excellent wine in an underrated vintage. The better crust like Ducru Beaucaillou have done much better in 2001 than in 2000. This is so evident these days. Classical vintage and starting to get accessible now. — 16 days ago
Pretty deep ruby , with a narrow ruby , garnet rim . Quite aromatic with nice blackberry , cassis , cedar , spicy grafite , smoky mineral nuances . On the palate quite sweet , juicy black fruits and creme cassis , round and generous , with mineral grafite , earthy notes on the reasonable length finish. Balanced acidity and rounded fine but noticeable tannins . Drinking well now but will continue to show well over the next 10 years . — 19 days ago
Shelly Murray
This was really nice. Surprised as it’s a Shiraz. — 14 days ago