1992 HENRI BONNEAU Réserve des Celestins 1992

(01-2003)
The 1992 is unquestionably the “wine of the vintage.” How Bonneau managed to produce such an amazing beverage continues to boggle my mind. It did not show that well when tasted from the various containers in the cramped cellars, but out of bottle, it’s the real deal! Aromas of grilled meats, barbecue spices, lavender, smoke, cedar, and kirsch liqueur soar from the glass of this dark plumruby-colored wine. Its power and richness in a vintage such as this are hard to believe. Long, chewy, and close to full maturity (unusual for a 10-year old Reserve des Celestins), it can be drunk now and over the next 12 years.