Tasting Notes

Not much has changed since my last review from cask other than the wood treatment is already integrating well. The aromas are compositionally similar but there are differences, in particular in terms of more ripeness, greater fruit density and not surprisingly, more complexity as well. The rich, intense and super concentrated broad-shouldered flavors possess a huge underlying reserve of tannin-buffering dry extract but even so, it's clear that this is very firmly structured on the massively long and overtly austere finish. Despite all of the size and weight however, there is absolutely nothing heavy or forced as this is a wonderful example of the phrase "power without weight". As I noted above, if you can find it, buy it though I emphasize yet again that this is a 'put it in the cellar and forget about it' wine. In a word, brilliant. - 96pts, Allen Meadows