Tried this with Susan Christmas Eve:
1. Dom.de Sau Rancio SEC IGP: Cotes Catalanes DryAmberWine (GrenacheGris; 70 yr old bush vines; MeBalP; 18.5%; HausAlpenzImports) Herve Passama/Thuir NV (2006 & 2007): Deep amber/burnished bronze color; very strong sherry-like quite oxidized/aldehydic slight mousey bit orangey quite saline/savory some earthy rather complex nose; quite acidic very dry/austere/severe rather oxidized/aldehydic/astringent slight orangey very savory/saline rather sherry-like complex flavor; very long/lingering quite dry/austere/acidic strong oxidized/aldehydic somewhat astringent slight orangey complex finish; much like a sherry & very austere/aldehydic & astringent; not very good to taste on its own; a classic rancio better than most I've tried. $34.00/500 ml (AV)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This was a pretty classic example of a rancio wine. Not very pleasant to taste on its own and badly needs strongly savory food to accompany it. The aldehydic character pretty much dominates everything. Sorta an acquired taste.
The 18.5% alcohol is not fortified, merely comes from the evaporation of un-topped barrels. Herve died in 2014 and this is probably the end of this wine.
Tom