Omen Number 1: Upon removal of the foil, the top of the cork is moldy, but that is not necessarily an indication of spoilage. Number 2: The cork came out too easily for comfort. 3: The dealbreaker -- TCA. Too bad. But there are still some good things to say about this wine. The vestigial fruit aroma is lovely -- mostly sweet and sour cherry, with some green olive and a little licorice or anise in the background. The spice presents as more like cedar on the palate with stawberry and cherry. All of which, of course, must be discerned through the cork taint. There is none of the vegetal or meaty character of some cabernet francs, but also not herbal. The color is light for a cabernet and brickish, perhaps the color of a young tawny port. I bought this from the sale bin at my local grocery market. Olga Raffault 1990 Chinon "Les Picasses".
- posted
14 years ago