I picked this up in Vienna in November. I spoke with Gernot Heinrich the next day and he said it should probably be at peak. Cut to this Sunday, popped the cork with my Wife and enjoyed with Roast Lamb, Confit Potatoes, and some Brussels cooked in Brown Butter.
On the nose, a really pronounced initial impression of blood and the thought that, “this is going to be a top 5 wine for me”. Just super super sanguine. Then a real prune-y Dr. Pepper-y aroma with some soft cedar undertones. On the palate, Baked Plum, Creme de Cassis, Dried Prune, Tobacco, and a hint of mint.
After about an hour it took on some qualities that reminded me of Recioto Amarone. Brandy-soaked Raisin and some very pronounced menthol cigarette on the nose.
Almost completely resolved tannin. It’s a very concentrated wine with a ton of fruit left. Acid was Medium/Medium+. I honestly think could go another 20 years though it felt like a great merger of primary and secondary characteristics.
And yes, definitely a top five wine for sure.