Ughsmash (2835), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA Sep 10, 2007 Bottle, Batch 4 (Nov. 2002), kindly shared by David! Poured black with a tall, deep, well-retained dark brown head.. just lovely!, with intricate lacing following it down. The aroma was of rich dark chocolates delicately intertwined with darker grapes.. some sherry was also present, and the oak made itself known.. the vinous presence was greater than anticipated, but was fantastic!
The flavor was also rich, with well-roasted darker chocolates and heavy vinous notes at the core.. sherry and increasing vinous notes ride out the roasty finish with drier chocolates and cocoa.. this was like candy to me! The body was not much heftier than medium-bodied, but filled out a bit as the drink progressed.. great roast and barrel influence!.. creamy middle balanced well with sour oaky accents. Brilliant!
ratman197 (2190), Arvada, Colorado, USA May 29, 2008 750 ml bottle 2002 vintage poured a translucent black with ruby highlights and a small lasting brown head. Aromas of chocolate, vanilla, cherries, grapes, earthiness, raisins, light coconut, light wood and hints of leather and spice. Palate was light to medium bodied and crisp with a lightly tart finish. Flavors of wine grapes, bitter chocolate, earthiness, carmel, light roastiness and light wood with a smooth lingering lightly tart vinous finish. Marsiblursi (1270), Göteborg, Sweden May 1, 2008 Updated: May 15, 2008(Bottle, thanks to JCapriotti) Pours black with thin dark brown lines. Medium brown head. The aroma is very vinous and port like with tones of blue grapes, black berries, raspberries, juicy black cherries, red currant, raisins, figs and hints of wood/okay vanilla. Dry roasted malt is also present with a straight forward chocolate boost. Undertones of lactose, cheese, liquorice, brown sugar and wet earth. The flavour is also very red wine/port-ish vinous with tones of fancy tart blue grapes, cherries, black berries, raisins and some buttery oak. A nice dark chocolate roast from the malt gives the beer another layer of complexity. There are only subtle hints left of the hops both in aroma and flavour. Bit peppery, light salty, some brown sugar and a sting of liquorice. A touch of cheese and milk in the flavour as well. The mouthfeel is tart, fat and light oily. Light sweet, light to medium bitter and medium tart/acid. Aftertaste of sourish grapes and dark chocolate. Medium to full bodied. After 7 years this beer still is a great treat, all though almost all the hops are gone. Like a half and half of fine red wine and a good stout. Marsiblursi likes. kmweaver (1813), Takoma Park, Maryland, USA Apr 29, 2008 750mL bottle, Batch 4, courtesy of nflmvp. Thanks, Steve! Pours an oily, dark chocolate color; dark tan head with medium-bubbled lacing. Dark chocolate, Baker’s chocolate, and dark red fruits (currants, cherries) in the aroma. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: slightly chalky, Baker’s chocolate, cocoa, and dark red fruits; intense, chewy chocolate and nougat at the coure; a bit coarse at this point, but still very tasty. Lengthy finish, showing dried red fruits, chocolate, and a touch of toasty oak / toasted bread. Angeloregon (1549), Portland, Oregon, USA Mar 18, 2008 Thanks to Abe for the taste of this one. Poured a dark, slippery black-chestnut with little to no head. Somewhat sweet, oaky and quite lactic. The cabernet really came through in this one. I preferred the newer versions to this one, but overall, quite interesting. AmEricanbrew (824), Left Coast, Louisiana, USA Feb 7, 2008 Batch 3. Black with a fleeting tan head. Smell is wet wood, vinous with blackened malts. Smooth mouthfeel with a port wine taste up front. Fairly complex taste after that with blackened malts, wet wood, red wine. Enjoyed this one. 21406
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