Tasting Notes
2013
On the nose: truffle, licorice, black cherry, hints of forest floor. Full-bodied, with ripe, juicy fruit balanced by gravitas. Texture is round, supple; tannins still present but well-integrated. Dark fruit (blackberry, black cherry), savory notes (mushroom/shitake, anise, smoke), some graphite/leather with age.
2016
Aromas: crème de cassis, ripe plums, black cherries, with wild thyme, violets, charred/grilled notes, potpourri hints; also smoke / charcoal / wild herbs. On the palate: full-bodied, rich, concentrated; densely packed fruit; finely grained, ripe tannins; mineral sparks and freshness to lift the richness.
2018
Nose: cherry pie, baked plums, blackberry preserves, red roses, underbrush, cigar/unsmoked tobacco, licorice, oolong tea. Palate: black fruit, exotic spice layers, plush tannins, freshness balancing richness, very long fragrant finish. It’s lush, sumptuous, yet with the precision and lift that allows it to feel alive.
Food Pairing
Here are foods that would pair beautifully with these wines, whether opening one now or later:
Red and Game Meats: Roasted lamb, venison, beef ribeye or prime rib, especially with herb crusts (rosemary, thyme), or sauces with dark fruit or wine reduction.
Mushrooms & Truffles: Wild mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, or dishes incorporating earthy mushrooms to match the tertiary / forest floor notes especially in older 2013.
Charcuterie & Cured Meats: Prosciutto, salami, game sausages; aged charcuterie with herbal/spice notes.
Rich Poultry: Duck breast (especially with berry or port reductions), goose, or even roast pheasant.
Cheese: Aged hard cheeses such as Comté, aged Gruyère, aged cheddar; also pungent washed-rind cheeses if you like contrast.