Description

TASTING NOTE
Appearance : burnished gold with copper tinges.
Nose : full-bodied, concentrated. On the first nose, notes of precious wood (beeswax, oak stave) play opposite exotic fruits (pineapple, banana) and candied fruits (pear, apricot, apple). Allowed to breathe, it becomes increasingly floral (lily, violet) and herbaceous (cut hay, ivy). With time, the very mineral (slate, schist) aromatic palette allows the appearance of new fruits (blackcurrant, raspberry, strawberry) whilst becoming divinely honeyed (lime blossom, acacia). Gradually, smoke rings, soot and iris butter intensify the heady character of a particularly complex first sequence of aromas.
Palate : assertive, rich. With lots of class, the attack then provides its own take on the marvellously fruity and juicy character of the aromatic palette (William’s pear, black grape, pineapple). On the mid-palate, grains of malted barley and a fairly oily, light peat very gently envelop the taste buds. Tertiary (Corinthian raisin, fig), the flavour palette gradually reveals a very mature expression. The end of the palate is vanilla, chocolate, mentholated and slightly roasted (tobacco, coffee).
Overall : long, dense. At the start of the finish, strong spices (black pepper, nutmeg, clove) make a particularly lively entrance. They are accompanied by liquorice stick and aromatic plants (sage, verbena). At the end of the finish, notes of red and black fruits (blueberry, red currant) underscore the stunning influence of the port and red wine. Rich (biscuit, cake), the retro-nasal olfaction is also full of exoticism (mango, passion fruit). The empty glass is honeyed (lavender), ashy, spicy (cinnamon), profoundly malty and floral (carnation, hyacinth).