This is the bastard step-child of the great Lafite-Rothschild Pauillac 2005… be aware of the difference. The words Reserve Speciale don’t sound like they’d mean “this isn’t the wine you’re looking for”, but basically it does. The noble father is valued at about $735 for a 750ml bottle, and hasn’t even been released yet. All that said, this IS an interesting, and even beautiful wine.
Color is medium, ruby red.
Aroma is at first big time oak, with spinach, bell pepper, spice box, floral, fresh cut grass, hazelnut, almond. Later, after a few hours, it becomes mostly floral.
Tastes of oak, black grapes, plum, and red raspberry, with a tiny hint of a floral flavor, which eventually becomes the dominant flavor after a few ours of decanting. I know, weird. Really good with dark chocolate though.
The aftertaste is pretty cool – dark chocolate, black pepper, and flowers. Never thought I’d get that combo in a wine.
This wine is really complex initially, and fading to some kind of flowery fruit (mostly flowers) after a few hours. If it were a little lighter in color I’d say it was the ultimate romantic wine. But again, at the price, you might be able to do better… on the other hand, it is very unique, and worth a try. I would love to see what this taste like in 2010, I bet it will totally rock!
Rating: 89
Price: $30
Read more
