2003 Domaine Iris du Gayon Pauillac 13.0%
This comes from one hec. of an estate. Or, rather, a one hectare estate. But a heck of a hectare, right next to Mouton Rothschild. The neighbor who gave it to us said that a director of Mouton, on retiring, was given this plot (found no evidence of this provenance through google), that was later sold to Pierre Siri (Iris = Siri backwards), the current owner, whose first vintage was 1995. Hand harvested, biodynamic, 3.600 bottles, 12 months in oak. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot e 10% Merlot. Unusually high petit verdot.
Classic bordeaux deep garnet. Decanted for an hour, shows intense plums and blackberries over some alcohol heat and a touch of rubber. Tannins are very fine and quite mouth-puckering. Surprisingly decent acidity for the vintage, but also disappointing midpalate weight (though the finish is long enough). Rich fruit, but somewhat monochordic (says Marcia). No cedar, no cigarbox, few of the usual suspects. Once I stopped analysing and started drinking, it was quite a pleasure and ended quickly. If expectations were not so much higher, this would make one hell of a quaffer. Given the location, and the fact that it appears to be lovingly and carefully made, I wonder what, exactly, makes this so much less complex than (I presume) a 2003 Mouton would be today.