Brick red with a garnet bowl, still so youthful for 45 years! Nose lovely sweet ripe cherry liqueur fruit, black chocolate and spices, candided dry fruits and cranberry mulled wine aromas, very christmas like, xmas pud with dried fruits, palate sweet rich not too heavy or alcoholic, warming with a well balanced thick texture.
Mahogany with brick orange rim, wonderful lustre still for age, nose open old Italian piedmont character, like an old Barolo with a touch of olorosso sherry, rancio nuts, leather, sous bois, figs seche, prunes, round soft palate frits still sweet, superb.
Pale red garbet, brick rim, nose little closed and light, earthy and vegetal forest floor with rowan cranberry aromas, not too complex, fruity round and rich on palate bright cherry acidity, easy drinking medium to long length. Pleasant.
Deep black purple, rim fades slightly to garnet, nose soft chocolate and earthy damp soil, spiced plums and cedar wood aromas, very well balanced earthy cedar flavours and black cherry, cassis. Superb balance.
Wonderful shine and lustre, deep garnet bowl fading to a mahognay rim, high viscosity, nose raw and sauvage very ripe hedgerow and mulberry fruit, little volatile and candied fruits, chocolate and wet earth, tomato leaves and a hint of ketchup (vinegary VA), very complex darl chocolate liqueur and wet tobacco.
Black bowl with purple rim, a little maturity, thick, coloured tears, nose deep and concentrated classic Bordeaux aromas, black leather cedar and cassis, deep and complex, palate little shorter than expected but good.
Lovely colour deep bowl, mahogany rim, very bright lustre, nose earthy and growbag like, polished cedar and tobacco, tanned leather, very complex, rich earthy fruitcake palate, perfect right now, truffles and gamey tobacco.
Very deep purple bowl fading to a red rim, high viscosity, nose delicious (after 2 hours open) ripe fat and rich raspberry/kirch aromas, meaty and bloody with bacon fat and a touch of undergrowth. Ripe fruit on attcak, medium acidity, developed tannins, length very short and disappointing compared to nose, short length and grippy mean dry tannis on sides of mouth.
Pale red brick fading to an orange rim, nose open forward and complex, gamey raw meat, undergrowth, damp forest, souis bois, not bretty but mature mushroomy, leathery, truffly like and old Barolo, touch volatile, great nose. Structure similar to an old Burgundy. Round, complete and balanced, mature and gamey palate with dried strawberry and cranberry flavours.
Nose classic youthful syrah, cracked blackpepper and tar, elegant big and spicey just taking on gamey meaty, truffle and leather characters now, still very young.
Ronan Sayburn was one of the first true Sommeliers who welcomed me into Sommellerie over 10 years ago, opening his door to share his knowledge and assist in developing my sommelier skills whilst working in Michelin starred establishments. He has been a direct influence in my professional development and wine studies including national and international sommelier competitions. His willingness to assist and support anyone with a true desire to further themselves in the hospitality industry is effortless, and one which echoes across the UK and abroad through world-wide recognition and respect amongst his peers and leading industry figures.
Matt Wilkin M.S., UK Sales and Marketing Director, H2Vin Ltd.