Open, damp earth and a little menthol lanolin/, fine and elegant, iodine light bretty characters developing, wet leather and damp forest mushroons, red cranberry and cherry fruit, earthy, very ripe fruit on palate round and complex, grilled red pepper aroma, very long, superb.
Very open nose fresh rich, mango and touches of passion fruit, aromas of thai basil and coconut (?) some menthol, quite complex but a light Yquem, palate balanced and long, soft ripe aprcots and peach with a saffron hint.
Nose open ripe round and complex, very tropical mango and pineapple seasoned with some botrytis spice, palate very balanced, rich ripe sweet with great balanced silky and long, amazing harmony.
Deep black bowl extending to rim, nose intense new wood sawdust aromas not yet integrated but lovely ripe cassis and bramble fruit little smoke, bit disjointed but shows massive potential. Palate firm tannins, youthful and full not harsh or angular very elegant, sweet ripe black fruit grippy length great with solid rich food. Great wine but young.
Round ripe, open earthy and full meaty complex, cedar wood, damp earth aromas, touch of volatile acidity, soft palate and tannins, firm acidity – elegant, fruit confit and dried, at its peak not to age for much longer.
Earthy mineral aromas, little softening and development, touches of leather, dark fruits and damp earth, bloody meat, cedar and tobacco, fine long well balanced palate.
Nose open soft, great ripe fruit spicy and rich, oak shows through vanilla and cedar with a rich fruit cake character of mixed black fruits, toasty charred wood, lovely fresh acidity, firm but elegant tannins and long length.
Dark colour, great lustre, nose big and tight, spicy new wood, quite open, dark fruits, minerally and coffee/chocolate, dark shoe leather polish, clean crisp and well balanced palate, young; although approachable now, fine elegant and long. Very good.
Bright cherry red centre fading to a mahogany rim, wonderful lustre. Nose still ripe and sweet, gingerbread, pain d’epices, dried orange rind, strawberry and cranberry aromas, some spicy cedar wood aromas, palate round sweet and long, complex sous bois and mushrooms hints, soft tannins, fresh acidity, very long.
Very elegant and fine, still big and powerful for a bottle this old, complex and showing youth, menthol hints, soft fine balance, long, complex, truffle and cinder toffee. Still incredibly showing lots of red ripe fruits, cedar wood and elegant tannins.
Ronan is a very valuable member of the Master Sommelier Organisation.
His knowledge and passion for wine is frequently passed on to candidates at all levels of our education programmes.
He is an accomplished lecturer, and has a way of putting his subject matter over to candidates in a manner which promotes the learning process. Candidates respond positively to his approach and up to date knowledge of the subject.
Ronan's skills also extend to his practical work in the restaurant where he demonstrates benchmark standards.
His ability to taste and analyse wine has been proved with his success in gaining the Master Sommelier Award.
Bryan Dawes, Education chair, Court of Master Sommeliers