Basedow 1996 Johannes Aug 04

Wine was decanted for about 90 minutes. A touch of VA, the nose is youthful, fragrant, with sweet spice, vanillan oak, coco, milk chocolate, and plums.

Palate has a load of flavour from the oak and it does seem to dominate, however the tannins are not overbearing and appear to be derived from the fruit. A touch of sweetness under the savoury and off sweet layers of flavour can be found. Ample weight, the wine has good length and reasonable persistence. Pencil shaving on the finish. The wine is not as harmonious as it should be at this age. May still improve.

As time went on, the core of ripe fruit became more obvious and with food the wine was far more enjoyable and would rate Highly Recommended.