Opened a 1996 Beaux Freres Pinot Thrusday evening. Bottle decently stored (60 degrees F, 60+% RH) since receipt direct from winery. Cork out, looks new. Color, looks new. Nose and palate, undrinkable. Overpowering menthol/phenol both on the nose and palate. Vacu-vin-ed, back to cellar. Next evening. Still all menthol/phenol. Pumped, back to cellar. Third evening, finally, menthol is diminished enough to permit drinking. Medium weight, some earthy notes, restrained black cherry, moderately tannic. All in all, disappointing. I have more. Guess I'll wait another 5 years before trying again.
Marc