31 years old and still looks juvenile. No signs of evolution. First nose packed with red fruits and violet. Not very long, medium bodied, but so inviting ! — a year ago
One of the better older Bordeaux I’ve had in quite some time. Absolutely at peak with so many layers. It outshined an ‘03 Grand Puy Lacoste (which showed thin), ‘03 Montelena (sadly corked), and an ‘03 BV Georges de LaTour (rich/sweet).
Absolutely on fire from pop, this 20yr old left bank Bordeaux showed none of the overripe/too hot characteristics of the vintage. Deep purple/black in the glass with no bricking. Full-bodied. Mocha, truffle, roasted blackberries and raspberries, graphite on the nose. Ripe (but not overly so) dark berries, plum, cassis with vanilla pipe tobacco and even some iron. Still a good bit of tannin on the finish. This shows as a “modern” style due to the warmth, but balanced. Wish I had more. Pop the corks and enjoy! — 3 years ago
Just needed time, both in storage and decant. Better on the 2nd day
Some historical stuff I found online,
The Chateau Caronne Ste. Gemme property has been making wine since the French Revolution and has existed since the mid 1600's. Now in the hands of the Nony family, who is related to the Borie family of multi-chateau fame, the estate is in excellent hands.
The vines average about thirty years of age and are located in the southwest corner of Saint Julien. The grapes are fermented in cement vats where they also undergo malolactic fermentation. From there they're aged in one third new French oak for one year before bottling. — 4 years ago
With cassoulet — 6 years ago
Blackcurrant, clay, liquorice, cigar, leather, tobacco. Medium bodied, acidic, well integrated tannins. Elegant, understated wine with brilliant structure. 22 years…. What a wait 🔴⚪️ — a month ago
Lovely day! — 8 months ago
Ruby , with a ruby pink rim . Slightly cooler , tobacco , grafite edged Summer fruits, with red cherry and spicy blackberry, cassis . Blackcurrant , spicy red cherry , some grafite , tobacco hints . A little drier and more linear on the palate than the Lalande Borie , but also shorter and a little less complex on the medium minus finish . Drink now and over the next 5-8 years . — a year ago
Medium ruby color.
Aromas of baked blueberry/blackberry, vanilla, clove
Dry. Flavors of baked blueberry/blackberry, vanilla, clove. Fruity and juicy.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 3 years ago
Robust red with black fruit and heady wafts of heath-land shrubs and pepper on the nose. Very full palate of ripe and powerful dense black fruit and berry flavours. — 4 years ago
Perfect tasting red. Beautiful flavor explosion on the tongue — 5 years ago
This is what French wine is all about - 2004 hand carried back from France; pouring into decanter, a reddish-brown golden caramel color sweet to the nose; after 20 mins it returned to a deep ruby red ; subtle, with hints of fruit - cherry, strawberry, cocoa dust and chalk - slight tannins - could go another 10 but delicious now. — 7 years ago
Pretty dark fruit, black pepper, and herbal nose.
Voluptuous yet lean palate; big fruit start with good acidity and low heat on the alcohol.
Young, but refined:) — 2 years ago
Oak, traditional Bordeaux. Oak and Leather. 10 years, rounded , good to drink. Matured black currant, cherry etc. Domaine Francois-Xavier Borie Pauillac Red Blend Bordeaux 2013 @1800(300/G), T Enoteca, 230225 — 3 years ago
Surprisingly light — 4 years ago
Smooth, makes you want to drink more. — 6 years ago
John Howard
Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries
Great bottle this time. — 11 days ago