Fine, open, light smoked meats and gingerbread on nose, full ripe sweet and still youthful, dried cherry, some minerally ironstone aromas, palate soft long and persistent, soft tannins and balanced acidity. (NB- first vintage after Latour went back to Stainless steel fermentation tanks).
Open ripe, earthy fine paprika and smoked chorizo aromas, some confit tomato, cedar wood and cigar smoke hints, palate solid with big tannins and quite grainy on finish. Still lots of tannin, bit hard. Youthful – magnum, bottle probably better now.
Open earthy, round leather and truffle aromas with soft red fruits, cherry and strawberry, sous bois and mushroom, damp earth, very good long complex, soft and elegant. Slightly disappointing length.
Starting to develop a brown aged rim, open earthy, full tobacco and cedar wood cigar box aromas mixed with leather and dark dried fruits, plums, damsons and cherries, minerally and lean acidity, full palate – still young, but with elegant and silky tannins, great balance, will last 30+ years.
Tight solid firm nose and palate, acidic and full bodied, disjointed and slighty green fruit? Strange bottle? Big and more tight than 96, less giving and seems like less potential.
Nose wonderful, complex and open, developed yet youthful, mature damp earth and charcoal hints, dark blackcurrant fruit, cedar wood with cranberry and ripe black cherry, very complex and deep, just starting to open up. Excellent.
Nose solid and firm, quite tight, very fine and elegant, hiding lots of power and complexity, fruit on palate solid, weighty tannins very youthful, great elegance and class, young thoroughbred racehorse. Will age fantastically.
Open with ripe blackcurrant pastille aromas, wet tobacco and mûre, slight violet flowers and a little bonfire smoke, liquorice and black cherries, very complex and sexy. Palate rounded with a clean acidity, slightly chewy tannins, lush fruit round and long.
Nose very young, closed and not expressive, palate quite firm, very fine grained young tannins, juicy fruit to acid balance, supple and quite charming although youthful and still finding harmony. Needs time.
Having worked with Ronan for over 10 years i have nothing but admiration for his drive and energy and the way he embraces new idea's to improve not only himself but the business' he works for. He is always entirely professional, generous with both his time and knowledge and a true showcase of leading by example. Ronan's knowledge of not only wine, but every aspect of the hospitality industry is impressive and he is always, it appears, a step ahead when embracing innovation to deliver a better result.
Phil Weeks, Sales Director, John Armit Wines