I opened a bottle of 1995 Leoville Las Cases five days ago. As my wife and I did not finish the bottle, but rather had a small glass each, I decided to record some mental notes as for when the wine was at its best.
O
Quite mute on the nose with subtle scents of leaves and tea. Medium bodied and quite smooth with good strcuture. Mute on the aftertaste.
30 mins
Wine has opened slightly. More notes of dry grass and soil. Slightly broader on the palate. Better length on the aftertaste and a bit more complex
60 mins
Not much different. If anything, the alcohol seems to peak more through now
2 hours
No significant change. Perhaps slightly more open on the nose, but I'm splitting hairs.
4 hours
Almost completely closed now. More narrow on the palate and slightly lean.
Day 2
The alcohol is quite prevalent now. The wine does have a more interesting flavor profile now with hints of wet tobacco, toast bread, and leather.
Day 3
Noticable oxidation and alcohol on the nose. Flavor profile similar to Day 2 save for the end of the aftertaste which seems diffuse.
Day 4
The wine is fading fast. Not so pleasurable anymore
Day 5
The wine is no longer pleasurable to drink.
It's hard for me to conclude anything here, other than to my preference the wine was most enjoyable for the first 120 minutes, even though the flavors on Day 2 were slightly more interesting. I am not sure whether this wine is anything to go by, but I have found most 96's more approachable than this wine, recently.
Overall the wine was an 89 pointer for me...
I hope it helps.
Posts: 3576 | Location: Florida | Registered: Jun 10, 2005
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