Tasted Saturday, August 12, 2005.

Pop and pour. On the nose, Cherries, peppery spices, and a small trace of brett. On the palate, cherry and red licorice, green tea, plums, noticeable heat, and a long, dry, woody finish. Too much oak in this baby. Heavy, drying tannis. Into the decanter it goes.

One and a half hours later: Cherries and smoke on the nose, the brett has blown off. On the palate, add some black licorice and black cherries to the nose and palate, full bodied, and then the wood and drying tannins make themselves felt on the medium-long finish. More of the Syrah influence is showing through, I just noticed how dark this wine is compared to the others. Alcohol is very present, but not quite as much as the Viuex Donjon.

Ten hours later: Both the nose and the palate show more of the black fruit influence. Blackberries enter the picture, along with black licorice and earth. The alcohol is fairly well hidden at this point, but not the drying tannins. The wood is much more under control, which may bode well for its integration. Highly enjoyable at this point.

On this day, a more enjoyable wine than the Vieux Donjon. I have never been a huge fan of this winery, but this bottle worked today. Still, I would not buy it. Too much wood on the end, which may well integrate with time, but there is that pesky alcohol issue. Again, one bottle left, I may try it later this fall before buying any more.

Mike

P.S. Day two, the syrah influence showed heavily. Very enjoyable. Tonight, day four, it retained the black fruit profile, but with the finish shortening dramatically. The alcohol is still there too. While heavy decanting does not equate to aging, this one may have some potential. I will check again in the fall.