Impact
AA support group members just falling off the wagon now have a suitable substitute. Glazier De Vries’ usual crystal terrarium; here pimped with tinted windows.
Appearance 5 / 5
| Color: | orange crushed into brown |
| Surface: | marble |
| Temper: | high lumens |
| Snap: | breaks the sound barrier & shears it |
Aroma 8.1 / 10
the impossible Zen concentration: potent yet light; more naked chocolate than any De Vries to date - though still very secondary to (in descending order) balsamic, olive, funk-de-cheese-funk, grape, grilled toast, & a potpourri of green herbs
Mouthfeel 13 / 15
| Texture: | young lean flesh w/ just a little fat on the bone |
| Melt: | streamline |
Flavor 43.4 / 50
pure chocolate bangs right off -> red grape sweetens then intensified by souring acidity -> cream (sign of pedigree) brings welcome relief... briefly -> here come the beef, vegan style – black olive & portobello, good for the blood w/ lots of bitter iron, lasts throughout remainder -> astringent walnut (tough stuff / does manhood good) -> balsamic (circa 20 yr vintage) & that girding bitter hangover... whoosh -> lays out grass to spikenard, backcrosses to olive -> clears mildly astringent on hard cheese... & more of that iron
Quality 19 / 20
Master craft; most approachable De Vriesian yet. All the signatures intact – short ferment, super-length conche, & playful roast – allows in light & air... granted, very little – but at least some.