Bill Bender

9.5

This wine is a uniter not a divider. I could open it for any audience—inmates, in-laws, ingrates....anybody—and they would all love it. Cork dorks and the casually ignorant can join together and hug it out over the modern day Spottswoode. It has a perfectly delicious simplicity for the masses while still possessing incredible complexity for the more discerning. Pure sweet plum, fine dusty smooth swirling tannins, dark chocolate and pure luxury on the finish. It was dancing with my dry aged bone-in ribeye tonight. — 2 days ago

Bill Bender

9.3

Musty nose on pop but after a decant and swirl the violets kick in and the bouquet delivers a whiff of truffle as well. Classic Barolo tar on entry, massive red fruit, rose petal and fig. A bit grainy and less vibrant than I’m used to from Giacomo Conterno. Good, not great length. A serious Barolo. More substantial than flashy. My preference runs to the Aldo Conterno wines but these are perhaps more “traditional” and worthy of contemplation. — 10 days ago

Bill Bender

9.1

I get a lot of heat here, both on the nose, which delivers an explosion of chambord and stewed cherries, and in the mouth with its heavy syrupy Vick’s cherry cough drop flavors and clipped warm stinging finish. This is an agitated hottie right now. Too much of too much. I respect a big wine, but I appreciate when I can look past the muscle and appreciate the dexterity and heart. This is all baby rattlesnake at present—biting indiscriminately. I hope it matures and smooths out the rough edges in it’s teens. I wouldn’t touch for 5 years but I’m not confident of improvement based on what I see right now.

DAY 2 UPDATE: after being open for 24 hours the heat has subsided substantially but it still exists. Softer edges now and the finish is markedly longer and fuller. I’ve bumped my score 3 points. I still say hold but if you open audoze in the morning and decant 2 hours before consumption. — 15 days ago

Bill Bender

9.2

This is the 6th or 7th batter in your line-up who consistently comes through with the game winning hit more than the big boppers. Youthful opulence and grainy cherry tar. It’s herbaceous and curvaceous and I’m pairing it with mushroom ravioli and “The Staircase” on Netflix tonight...the Betta fish got shutout. — 2 days ago

Bill Bender

9.5

My maiden voyage with Coche-Dury Rouge. This was all kinds of pure and fresh with an admirable brawny, ripe and chewy mouthfeel. Ruby red and black cherries, rich soil and substantial tingly length. Balanced through and through. Will only get better. Thank you @Matthew Beckman — 10 days ago

Bill Bender

9.1

Quite youthful and shy, a little thin now and lacking a full finish. Tannins outweigh the fruit. I still love this house. My bad for opening this early. Source the ‘97 which is gorgeous and available at inviting prices. Hold for now. — 19 days ago

Bill Bender

9.7

Ric Forman is a warlock. This bottle was perhaps the biggest surprise of my wine life. I’ve known Jessica for 18 years and we’ve shared a few ‘81’s and I’m always impressed by this completely overlooked North Coast vintage. But this bottle was just everything. Substantial up front fruit, balance, tannic backbone and a lengthy smooth classy finish. I’m blown away., — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

@Matthew Beckman is the master of sharing aged wines and I’ve never seen him sink a cork no matter how dilapidated and crumbling it appears. Because of him I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying so many beauties from bygone eras. This one was DOA. At first it was dusty cardboard, rusty pipe and VA. Later in the night it was quaffable but didn’t necessarily resemble wine any more than it did 2 year old flat root beer....but it’s always fun to visit a 60+ year old wine and I have him to thank for the opportunity. — 10 days ago

Bill Bender

9.5

Sulphuric salty air on the nose gives way to the impeccable lavish Raveneau mouthfeel and palpable tension. These wines are just so compelling and readily identifiable. I like to think I could identify them blind. Lots of depth here with citrus zing and honeysuckle. A slightly off putting waxy finish dissipated quickly. Even better on day 2. — 10 days ago

Bill Bender

9.3

After a spirited tussle between myself and the Durand vs a dry and crumbly cork I was able to double decant this and segregate away the remnants of floating debris. I was immediately struck by the bouquet which was unmistakably borne from Cabernet Franc (and I believe this blend is less than 10%). It was a positive sign. The wine is completely intact and boasts ample fruit albeit waning acidity. Simple Concord grape, bruised black plum and sweet oak flavors are holding on 2 hours in. This has some time left, but not much. This is a testament to Opus One quality in the early days (I believe this was the 3rd or 4th vintage) and while I think the ‘87-‘97 era was their best, this is an profound example of an exemplary wine at age 37! — 21 days ago