Hello; When we told our friend, Mad Man Mårten, about our aqusition of a bottle of same, he was lsightly less than enthusiastic (if not downright sneering, which, as the Good Guy he is, he would not stoop to[1]) since, apparently, 1973 will not go down as one of the previous century´s number one vintages. Anyway, we decided to open it in closed comapny (Xina, self, and TIm the 30 year old) to accompany a back, or saddle, of deer. As expected, color was tending towards brick, not very dark at all. Nose needed some time in the glass to clear up from some immediate impurities, but, thank heavens, no cork taint. Released a massive attack of grass, green pepper, black currant leaves - obviously a very Cab Franc driven wine, hard to discern any Merlot. Aromas of maturity (sweetness and rowan jam) almost drowned out. Attack of fresh acidity, tannines more subdued, titillating tastes of black currants and spices. Overall impression: nowhere near fading, happy to have made its aquaintance ...
Cheers
Nils Gustaf