SF | Onyx black; nose of soot and cassis, the medicine cabinet and the Medieval apothecary; tannins are a little softer, at first blush, maybe the result of micro oxygenation, but then they kick in and refuse to concede any ground at all. Younger than youthful, this is an embryonic statement of intent, taking fewer than no prisoners and intent on spreading the Tannat gospel with vigorous impetuosity and vice versa. ., 91
AJ | Saturated, dense midnight black. Very much the pure Tannat fruits which shimmer from this, like mist gathering on the water in the evenings: fine-contoured, pure and alluring. All scented damson and sloe: a super nose. Dense, profound, tight-knit and resonant on the palate: the rustic Gascon baroque in all its glory. A splendid wine, and ready for 30 years' ageing. Not everyone will like it since it may seem intimidating, but if you want to see what the region can offer then this is a great place to start. Pure, long, smoky, fiery, uncompromising: a great mouthful of twigs and roots, woods and stones, streams and meadows. Opulent and big in the mouth, and there is oak here though happily not obtruding, helping it march through time, and it will eventually self-efface in this case. The Terminator, and a grand wine with which to see out the coming climate apocalypse. Where else can you find extracts like this? Nowhere, not even in Piedmont.Drink Dates: 2025 - 2055. 95
DW | Dense, intense, opaque, tight in appearance, taste and texture: tautly packed with extract, almost impenetrable at this stage; some gentian, aniseed, and mulberry – lots of just-ripe dark cherry-like acidity, a sense of thick-skins giving up just a little juice. Furled concentration, energy and potential. 92