Tuesday I had a board meeting, decided on a half-bottle of red to
unwind afterwards. The 1996 Havens Bourriquot seemed initially a
severe disappointment- thin flat fruit, some baked notes that made me
worry re provenance (this was an auction wine), short finish. But a
little patience (and air) worked wonders- the fruit filled out and
rounded, what I initially percieved as baked fruit became more of a
brambly earthy note, and this turned into a rather robust if
medium-bodied red. Cherry and red plum fruit with spice and a little
sage, and underlying it all some attractive damp earth/mushroom notes.
Quite good. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.