An old friend received a small sample of this remarkable wine. It was shared on a quiet morning.
Quite brown but with a reddish tint.
Sherry-like, with raisins and walnut on the nose. There's also some dusty leather. Remarkably fresh and bright. Lifts from the glass with little coaxing required. Caramel and cocoa arrive with time. Dark honey notes. Touch of smokey creosote underneath the sweetness. All of this, but gently, and in the proper place. More than a century and a half has smoothed out all the edges. Like a perfect skimming stone.
So much life on the palate. Juicy bursts of raisins soaked in caramel to start, cranks the saliva glands into overdrive, before the raisins turn to figs, with all that crunchy, seedy texture. Figs immersed in oranges and quince, then roasted, caramelising and burning the edges so very slightly. The journey on the palate is utterly gentle after that initial burst. Soft, and hangs around.
Quite remarkable.
*****
Tasted at Luvians 5/10/2012
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