Interesting timing, I opened the 2012 VT last night and it was good enough but not special. Maybe some
Chambord character in retrospect. Hmm I have no idea on the vintage but I expected a bit less heavy of a wine. Reminded me of the 2011 consumed a couple months back, that one was even a bit raisiny.
1 Like
I think the 2011 showed better when it was younger, the 2011 Chateau de Beaucastel also seemed very precocious when it was released.
-Al
2 Likes
It’s been a long time since I had the 1995, one of my favorites, along with the 1998. I prefer the pre-2013 label.
2 Likes
By a longshot!
2 Likes
There was unanimous agreement among those of us at the tasting who discussed it that we also preferred the old label. I don’t understand the change. It hasn’t been changed enough to make it modern, it just changed enough to lose character and look kind of cheap.
2 Likes
Interesting take, Mike. I haven’t had much since the '15, but have tasted a lot of the wines from the late '80s on multiple times and even most vintages back to the '71 at least once. I used to get to visit the Bruniers on the KL buying trip and had a number of older vintages with them. I have never had one that felt too old to me, and even the vintages that are considered lesser in CdP are often delicious from VT. I find the wines really don’t start drinking well until they are 12-15 years old, some even more, depending on vintage. The '95 is one of my favorite vintages and I wish I had more. I liked the '05 on release a lot, but it’s a structured vintage and probably won’t be at its best for another 10 years. The '94 is in a great spot right now, as is the '99, although that might improve a bit more. A recent '06 was showing very well, but still a ways away to my palate.
2 Likes
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to excavate a 1994 from my cellar, but I plan to pull one of those and a 1998 soon and will try to post notes.
I’ve had a lot of the 1994, bought more (case) when it was still pretty inexpensive since not a touted vintage. As Marshall wrote, they often do well compared to other producers in lesser vintages.
-Al
2 Likes
2003 today, with a careful decant and an hour of air, completely exceeded my expectations, about as good a bottle of VT as I’ve had since finishing my 90s bottles a few years ago. Quite a pleasant surprise.
2 Likes
Good to know and maybe I’ll give one a shot when I’m back in the new year.
I ditched all of my '03s and '07s. Maybe premature, but I did not like them at all compared to others on release.
By 2018, I finished all of my 2003s at release-purchased bottles. All 4 of them.
It was simply an uncomplicated VT and not cloyingly-heated which was deservedly expected, in general, from the vintage.
This was pretty much my experience, except it’s my son’s birth year so I left the last bottle on the rack with other '03s and ignored it. Fast forward to now with no expectations, and was rather pleasantly surprised. Likely not repeatable, great bottle vs great wine and all.