2017 750mL bottle drunk 3/27/26.
Brilliant, juicy, authentic raspberry emanates forth as soon as the cork is popped, and after 9 years, it's still a vigorous pop. Excellent mix of fruit, malt and light oak without overdoing it anywhere. Not overly funky, but still has some funk to it.
In the mouth it still has a considerable amount of juicy, fruity, deep raspberry character and, initially, it's followed by a big oakiness. Chewy, wheat-like textures help soak up the acidity, but there's no acetic and the lactic character isn't too aggressive. Thankfully, as it progresses, the oak seems to relax (or the palate accustoms, or both). So many standouts here and it DOES feel like I'm drinking a lambic. Sure, it doesn't have the deep funk, poop, horse, barn of the best Belgian lambics, but it feels elevated from just your average barrel-aged American wild ale. Very structured and polished without the brutal acidity of a lot of American examples. And the fact that this is in flawless condition, with zero oxidation after 9 years speaks to its quality, as well. Excellent flavors, fruit intensity, body, attenuation, carbonation. Maybe a bit more acid than I'd like, but I think that's more my tastes having changed over the years to prefer lower acidity. This is not a highly acidic lambic, by any means.