Domaine la Garrigue Vacqueyras 2004

Within 15 minutes of opening: Nose is plum and cherry along with mushrooms and wet leaves. I can actually smell the alcohol. I also think I am detecting a little "musk" in the mix. The fruit is definitely the primary component. As to taste, it is almost painful at first. All I can get is acidity and alcohol. My mouth is actually burning . . . I am getting a pleasant after-taste; though I wonder if this is partially brought on by a relief from the really nasty cough-medicine like overkill taste of the wine. After 3 hours plus of air: The aroma has changed dramatically. It is now very medicinal and herbaceous along with some eucalyptus and a surprising strawberry component. I can still smell the alcohol. The taste has improved. It is not painful anymore. There is more fruit now (cherry and strawberry) along with smoky tobacco. Though still a bit hot, it is far far better than it was initially. -----------------------------------Next Day Notes Below------------------------------- Plum/Cherry, musk, tobacco and mentholatum on the nose. A lot of tannins in this wine still and I notice that the finish is very short, "clipped" almost. A good deal of heat on the finish, but the bitterness (though still present) has greatly diminished. The flavor brings to mind an image of low-sugar Kool-Aid with a tannic punch, mixed together with wood and tobacco. This may one day be a really good wine (once the tannins and alcohol have integrated themselves better with the other flavors), but at this piont I just find it too disjointed. Even on my final tasting (a few hours later) when it had really settled down, I found it no better than a number of "under $10" pop-n-pour wines that I have had. My score is based on its drinkability at this stage. [83]

Within 15 minutes of opening: Nose is plum and cherry along with mushrooms and wet leaves. I can actually smell the alcohol. I also think I am detecting a little ""musk"" in the mix. The fruit is definitely the primary component. As to taste, it is almost painful at first. All I can get is acidity and alcohol. My mouth is actually burning . . . I am getting a pleasant after-taste; though I wonder if this is partially brought on by a relief from the really nasty cough-medicine like overkill taste of the wine. After 3 hours plus of air: The aroma has changed dramatically. It is now very medicinal and herbaceous along with some eucalyptus and a surprising strawberry component. I can still smell the alcohol. The taste has improved. It is not painful anymore. There is more fruit now (cherry and strawberry) along with smoky tobacco. Though still a bit hot, it is far far better than it was initially. -----------------------------------Next Day Notes Below------------------------------- Plum/Cherry, musk, tobacco and mentholatum on the nose. A lot of tannins in this wine still and I notice that the finish is very short, ""clipped"" almost. A good deal of heat on the finish, but the bitterness (though still present) has greatly diminished. The flavor brings to mind an image of low-sugar Kool-Aid with a tannic punch, mixed together with wood and tobacco. This may one day be a really good wine (once the tannins and alcohol have integrated themselves better with the other flavors), but at this piont I just find it too disjointed. Even on my final tasting (a few hours later) when it had really settled down, I found it no better than a number of ""under $10"" pop-n-pour wines that I have had. My score is based on its drinkability at this stage.