KARUIZAWA Vintage 1999&2000 LMDW Cellar Book

Nose : rich, opulent. The initial nose reveals fruity notes that burst with sugar (Mirabelle plum, very ripe bramble), dried fruit (walnut, almond) and a peat with animal (leather, bacon) and chocolate tones. The overall effect is remarkably well-balanced. Allowed to breathe, it becomes floral (peony, rose, geranium), juicy (orange, lime) and medicinal (tiger balm). Gradually, soot fills the aromatic palette. Pipe tobacco and rubber._x000D_

Palate : clean, precise. Peat takes center-stage, or rather a curtain of smoke that hasn’t yet been lifted. On the mid-palate, once this screen has evaporated, lots of spices (pepper, ginger, clove, star anise and more) accompany fruity (mango, persimmon) and honeyed (lime blossom, pine) notes. Its charcoal character assesses a heady (iris, lily), hot and increasingly earthy palate. In the distance, we glimpse a fruity looking finish._x000D_

Overall : long, silky. As presaged at the end of the palate, red and black fruits arrive in abundance, including raspberry, redcurrant, bramble, blueberry and blackcurrant. Lingers with notes of forest floor (mushroom, dead leaves, chestnut). The retro-nasal olfaction is animal (smoked meat) and jammy (Mirabelle plum, greengage plum). The extremely powerful empty glass inspires us to start the tasting again.