smoke, flint and burnt matches, raspberry, cranberry and a subtle, soft structure, earth, tobacco and black truffle, very smooth, poised, herbs, black currants, cassis, coffee, roasted beans, a hint of leather and meat, chocolate, caramel, and a dark sweet finish... Earth, cedar and spice box, Asian spices, angostura bitters on the finish, quite deep and contemplative, complex and long. Slightly medicinal, this is a wine that you either hate or think about. Some graphite and crushed rocks. It reminds me of a very soft version of Vega Sicilia Valbuena, more red fruits and subtlety than anything else. Plum and more freshness with time, minty, eucalyptus and green pepper, some wood spice, there is some oak still to resolve. With time it seems to close in and become more intense (but red fruited) and concentrated. A wine to think about! 67-72+?/100
After some time in the Decanter
deep, poised, graphite, rocks, roasted nuts and coffee beans, bitters, almost a gin and tonic type zip, quinine, slightly medicinal still, mint and eucalyptus, more depth, kernel, plum, sandstone, white truffle, rosemary, cherry, wild raspberry, forest fruits and decaying leaves, very complex, subtle and entrancing, lifted, haunting and beguiling with a length that draws you in and holds you tight, more slight and pretty than others, more Led Zep's Misty Mountain Hop than Santana's Black Magic Woman, because it is deep and draws you in but the exterior is more playful and easy. Really quite special and with the poise and precision to age nicely. 71+/100
Jono Beagle's hundred point scoring system.
0-29/100 not worth bothering with
30-49/100 good wine but I wouldn't buy a case
50-59/100 very good showing grape and terroir character
60-69/100 excellent example of a wine from this country/region/grape
70-85/100 one of the very best wines that the region has to offer.
86-100/100 one of the very best wines you are ever likely to drink