Opened for the virtual TFP tasting with Sophia from QdlR.
+0 days
On opening this has a rather unusual nose. Heavy on the eucalyptus and something else green/herbal that I can't quite put my finger on. A touch of chocolate, red cherries and maybe molasses? Deliciously punchy on the palate, red cherries followed by huge peppery heat (that has faded to a medium spice after about 15 minutes) and more chocolate - almost caramel and milk chocolate. A fairly dry finish. This is surprisingly drinkable straight out of the gate! Very good already.
+1 day
A similar eucalyptus nose with a slight red cherry note; whilst the nose is muted compared to yesterday, on the palate this is no less explosive. A beautiful red berry entry with caramel sweetness that then gives way to a huge, delightful peppery punch. The eucalyptus shows in the mid palate alongside chocolate, but it's not as forward as in the nose. There's a lovely minerality in this that I can't put my finger on, but it's wonderful. While this is has some tannic grip and dryness, it's still very smooth and silky. This is a very enjoyable wine and extremely impressive as an LBV.
Some nuttiness showing through later in the evening.
+2 days
Nose is more muted still. Softer with much less punch on the palate, this is still a lovely wine but maybe with less shine and the pepper is now less forward, coming more around the edges. Slightly more tart red berries mid palate with a little nuttiness.
+4 days
Faded but that's definitely user-error, I should have finished this off much sooner but I was intrigued to see how it progressed. Lesson learned! Still enjoyable but not a patch on its peak.