I purchased this with unknown provenance at auction, and the gamble paid off in spades!
The cork was a challenge. It initially broke in half. The rest was too hard for the Durand worm, but the Ah So grabbed with an audible “phhzzz”; a good sign. It still took a sharp worm to remove the last fragment.
The wine was beautiful in the glass, a pale amber with moderate bead. The nose, while intoxicating immediately, improved with a few minutes of air. Hazel nut butter, apple, orange, caramel and spice. On the palate, it’s luscious and complex, with orange creamsicle, honeyed pastry, apple, walnuts, mushroom and more. There’s just enough cut and bead to balance the glycerine through the enduring finish. I’m drinking the last glass now, after a night in the refrigerator. It confirms my opinion from last night; an ethereal wine, one of my WsOTY.
Cheers,
Warren
