Deep dark colour, slightly fading rim, powerful dense deep nose, classic cedar and cassis, little ironstone and earthy maturity. Palate big and solid, slightly hard fruit and tannin, very young still not forgiving, not sure if hard tannins will soften before fruits drops, hard metallic aftertaste. Needs time.
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.
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.
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