This was one of the bottles from the auction from a private French collector that Ben and I won. A rare birth year treat. 77% Cab Sauv, 18% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc, 1% petite Verdot.

One word: eye-opening

Format: uncorked and left to breathe in bottle for 1hr 15mins. Poured into individual smaller glasses, and served another 15 mins later. Everyone got to nurse their own glasses for the next 3 hours.

As I gently pulled the cork out with the Durand, an aromatic burst of blackcurrant and tobacco unfurled from the cork and bottle. The cork was about 80% saturated, although not mushy and still in good condition.

In the glass: it’s quite remarkable. Deep inky maroon garnet core, with distinct bright garnet around the rim. Clearly aged, but that concentration of color for a 36yo wine.

On the nose: The nose took about 2 hours to really open up. this wasn’t some hyper complex aged Bdx that I expected. The surprising thing to me was how young and intensely primary, and how PRECISE and balanced it was. It was puuuure blackcurrant, graphite, tobacco, aromatic spices, and such delicate oak. It’s like a diff sorta beautiful from the 1995 Cos d’Estournel (which was this explosion of complex pri, sec and tertiary complexity) – this is like pure precision and balance. By the 3-4hrs mark, the spices and graphite became more dominant.

On the palate: SO energetic with its high acidity. Tannins that are still grippy upfront, but releases the tongue quickly. Mid body, but high intensity of flavor. Palate coating. It’s just stupid that this is 36 yo but it’s so. Intensely elegant.

On swallowing and exhale: such long finish. The way the aromatics linger in the nasal passage is just so beautiful and perfectly balanced.

When I say it’s eye-opening, I don’t mean it had the most mindblowing flavors. But it’s a glimpse into the insane ageability and quality of the first growth fruit. This wine probably started off with such incredible fruits, that at 36years old, it probably has another decade or so easily. Just ridiculous.