Bill Bender

9.5

Birth year wines are a tricky thing. We all want them to show well because we are opening them for an occasion. ‘81 North Coast is not a vaunted vintage but this is the the 3rd year in a row I’ve shared a birthday bottle with one of my all time favorite females....and each and every time the ‘81s deliver. Fully mature and delicious. The fruit is still going strong, ripe plum, tobacco, sandalwood and blackberry. Lots of length and silk on silk. — 10 hours ago

Bill Bender

9.4

This was fantastic. Lots of lift and sweet but not cloying fruit. Kudos @Michael Meyer and thank you for helping get us spiffed out at Solare. A fun, special evening. — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

9.2

Bold racy red fruits. There is substance here. Thank you @Matthew Beckman — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

9.3

Substantial tannins at 9 years but also significant fruit purity and depth. An astonishingly well made wine. Enjoy now or reward yourself with patience. 5 years will ratchet this up approachability wise two fold. — 10 hours ago

Bill Bender

9.0

Very stoic and brooding wine. Dark and inky in the glass, creosote and black licorice. Well made but not ready for prime time. — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

9.1

Not shut down but not really very expressive right now. Some graphite, purple fruit and obvious stuffing but relatively dormant and still undeniably youthful. — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

9.2

Still holding on very well and didn’t fade over the course of the night. There was a Amarone type of raisin dominated character, Asian spices, a dash of pepper maybe. Less vibrancy than the bottle we had a couple years ago but great to see two ‘66 Burgs doing so well at 53 tonight. — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

I felt this was flawed. TCA punches you in the face on first whiff and although it wasn’t as terribly compromised as the bouquet would indicate, there was still something that wasn’t right. No rating. Cool pull though. — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

8.5

Me no likey. Thin and astringent. — 4 days ago

Bill Bender

9.4

My favorite BDX of the night in a runaway. Inviting warm sweet red fruit, some oak treatment, full mouthfeel and ample lush length. In an excellent drinking window. Good to see the 03s settling down a bit. Thank you @romo — 4 days ago