Tasting Note
93-96 Points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Cuvee #5 (from the vines at the base of the hill): Bright ruby-red. Sappy aromas of spicy, crystallized blackberry and blueberry. Juicy and penetrating, with precise flavors of cherry, licorice and spice. Long and firmly tannic. #4: Spicy, peppery aromas of black raspberry and black cherry. Dense but brilliantly delineated; this has superb texture and lively acidity for '99. Finishes with great thrust and very persistent dark chocolate flavor. #3: Bright ruby-red. Intensely spicy nose combines dark berries, flowers, leather, game and espresso. Powerfully structured, with a mineral firmness and fruit of steel. Finishes with strong but fine tannins. #2: Deep red-ruby. Subdued but very pure aromas of maraschino cherry, briary blackberry and licorice. The sweetest of these components, but also quite powerful, even a bit aggressive today. Like #3, this boasts excellent density. Finishes with firm tannins and a flavor of bitter chocolate. #1: Brilliant ruby. Exhilarating aromas of raspberry and bacon fat. Essence of crushed raspberry and blackberry in the mouth; combines great density and almost confectionery sweetness. Here the substantial tannins are buried in fruit. A hypothetical blend: Brilliant ruby-red color. Crushed raspberry, blackberry, licorice, mace, pepper and bacon fat on the multidimensional nose. Extraordinary sweetness and lush texture on the palate; a fruit bomb with superb depth, concentration and vibrancy. Compelling sappy spice adds verve. Finishes with outstanding class and grip. Should make an amazingly subtle essence of Burgundy.Review Date: 01 Mar 01
