will do now — 5 years ago
Great wine🍷💞 — 6 years ago
One half of a double-blind, France Vs. USA 1990 vintage showdown that also included a Chateau Meyney Saint-Estephe. Both wines had great provenance and were properly cellared over the last thirty years. I opened both bottles about three hours before we got into them. Corks on both wines had held up very well but looked pretty gnarly. The Rafanelli exhibited great color, noticeable darker than the Meyney and quite a bit of sediment too which left the appearance a bit cloudy but certainly not murky. The fruit was remarkably fresh! Red and dark fruits with leather, red rope licorice, mushrooms and a heavier amount of smoke than the Meyney. Full bodied. This was remarkably tannic still! As I mentioned in my note about the Meyney, it was really hard to chose a favorite between the two. I think the Meyney had a more compelling nose but the Rafanelli had a slightly more gratifying palate. Regardless, we were all winners tonight! Sort of blown away how well this Rafanelli has aged and it has years to go before it dies. Bravo! — 2 years ago
Stringent floral/current aroma fades away after 1.5 to 2 hours' decanting, and the beautiful character reveals. On the nose there are ripe plum, vanilla, freshly crushed almond nuts, black current, leather and a hint of pen ink. Very smooth and rounded front and mid palate with certain degrees of licorice. Full- body, medium+ acidity. Velvety tannins reveals later with a mix of slight bitterness and bursting plumy fruitiness. Finishes long. Thirst quenching. — 6 years ago
Very nice, and only $9 at Table & Vine — 9 years ago
Nice dry bordeaux — 4 years ago
Incredibly smooth with fully evolved tannins, elegant cedar leather and tobacco flavors with spicy overtones. Great wine. — 4 years ago
Delicious but very soft fruity nose. Flavor of rich sweet fruit and very Soft tannins with a gentle haunting finish . Totally at its prime - drink soon — 6 years ago
Iwan
Notes of vanilla and oak on the nose. Almost reminiscent of a traditional Rioja. Still quite young and chewy on the palate, with mouth coating tannins. Black fruit and some green in the aftertaste. This is good now but will be better in 3-5 years. — 4 months ago