2001 Fourcas Hosten

At two decades old and displaying marginal bricking at its rim, the 2001 Fourcas Hosten has an attractive, slightly medicinal bouquet that has retained more freshness than I expected. Hints of sloes and black plum gain momentum, and it ends up more similar to, say, a 2000. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and moderate weight. Perhaps here it does show its age more; the structure seems softened by time. Mulberry, mint and tobacco vie for attention before the somewhat conservative finish. All that said, there is plenty of freshness in this 20-year-old Listrac. Bottles should be consumed in the near future unless from large format. Tasted from an ex-château bottle for a Fourcas Hosten vertical.