Hos Thea- Oslo — 5 months ago
Just entering its drinking window. It has 40 years ahead of it. Excellent with Ribcap from Costco.
Interesting that there are some vegetable notes on the nose.
Very good evolution. Medium plus tannins. Juicy, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, darkest cherries, black plum/ with skin, ripe strawberries, some blue fruit hues, cedar, black licorice/cola, dark rich earth w/ leaves, sandstone, steeped sun tea, light limestone powder, ripe, light, dark spice, clove, light cinnamon, hints of nutmeg, vanillin, moist volcanic clay, fresh red, dark flowers, framed in violets, round acidity with polish/balance, softly tensioned, elegant that falls on mineral & clay that lasts two-minutes. — 7 months ago
My continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.
The nose shows, rich, candied and floral fruits that are: blackberries dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries on the edges with just a touch of freshly picked rhubarb. Soft minerals & baking spices and bright candied dark, red and purple flowers.
The palate shows ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, caramel notes, red cola & licorice, fresh & dry herbs, dark, smooth spices, dark, rich, forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twigs, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, dry stone & top soil, barrel shavings, dry tobacco w/ ash, limestone, grey volcanics dark, red candied with some withering flowers with violets, excellent acidity with a round, lush, well made, balance, mid tension, elegant finish that last ninety seconds and lands squarely on spice, clove and dry minerals.
This should be cellared 8-10 and enjoyed over the next 15-20 years plus properly stored.
At $1,140 a bottle, a hard pass for many, but excellent wine with potential for another 2 points w/ age. — 21 days ago
Classic 20 year port
Mildly tannic medium body. Perfect slight acidity and sweetness.
Aromas and taste of butterscotch date fig raisin orange peel hazelnut — 6 months ago
Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 8 months ago
Dinner at the Villa w The peeps from Mass. and chef Enzo — 7 months ago
Ripe, indulgent, satisfying. — 3 years ago
Doug Powers
[8 hour decant] The spirit in this bottle seems non-integrated, which is the first 1985 Graham’s we’ve drunk where I recall this being the case, this is less sweet as well, so ultimately a good, but not great, bottle of 1985 Graham’s. We’ll see how future bottles of this wine show. — 3 days ago