Chateau L’Arrosee, St. Emilion 1984

WSET-Style Notes

The wine appears pale garnet.

It has medium intensity on aroma, with strawberry, cherry, blackcurrant, damp earth, marmalade, light vanilla, black tea, old antique wood, and some medicinal notes.

On the palate, it is medium intensity. The wine is dry, medium acid, light tannin, medium alcohol, medium bodied, with a medium plus finish. Strawberry, red plum, raisins, wet leaves, and leather.

Based on its current condition, I would rate it as a good wine. This wine is past its prime, though not too old to drink.

Experiential Notes

I bought this on a whim. 1984 wasn’t exactly a great Bordeaux vintage. But the wine was there. I hope that makes sense. It was available to purchase and then drink. Expectations were not high. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I could expect. And that was a part of the appeal. If the wine was old and decrepit, then I would learn what old and decrepit tastes like. If it was great, then that would also be a win.

As it turned out, it was neither great nor disgusting. And that was not a disappointment either.

There was more fruit than I would have imagined for a wine this old. Some earthy, floral aromas came out, along with black tea and leather over the next hour. And not long after the wine unraveled into simple, strawberry and kirsch wine.

Just being able to drink something that has been around for 38 years is itself an uncommon experience. The wine wasn’t spectacular or awe-inspiring, though I was able to enjoy the aroma and taste for a short while.

The delight I found in this bottle came from satisfying my curiosity than anything else. I’m not at the point where I can say, “Been there, done that.” for things like this yet, so that made the bottle well worth its value!