Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Still remarkably youthful, it’s rich, dense and dark fruited, layered with classicism of cigar box, cedar and spices. The palate is concentrated and powerful with a silky texture and incredible length. 95 is nowhere near its peak. Many more years to go. And while I’ll never be a real Bordeaux lover, it’s clear what makes these first growths special. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured, enjoyed over two hours. The 2006 “Faustino I” Gran Reserva pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of dark, cherry, dried leather, cigar paper, organic earth, pencil eraser, mocha, and a hint of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The body is silky and lean. The finish is tart and long. Tasty now but should drink very well over the next decade. Definitely a more traditionally made Rioja and I’m here for it. Bottle No. 1629/247680. — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Dinking well with good acidity that kept it youthful & fresh showing black fruit, cassis, cedar, leather, pencil, cigar ash & sweet tobacco — 3 months ago

Shengli Hu

9.4

Herbal and minty ROSEMARY. DARK CHOCOLATE. Red cassis, currant, crushed minerality. Empty cigar box. Intensely concentrated. — 19 days ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.4

This is my fav. Cigar. So good. 1999 — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Great vintage for LB that was singing, suave & polished with its red & black fruits, graphite, leather, licorice, sweet savory spice & cigar ash. Just entering its drinking window with many years ahead. From an owc purchased on futures — 2 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

This bottle of 1983 Pichon-Lalande (I really can't be bothered to type out its full name) is the best of many encountered over the years. This offers gorgeous melted red fruit, woodbines, smoke and cigar humidor scents that could only come from Pauillac. Hints of black truffle and morels follow after about an hour in the glass. The palate displays lovely balance, poised and fresh, perhaps more vigor than I ever expected, with just a hint of dried blood on the finish. Impeccable provenance played a role here, but it is still a 1983 that should not be underestimated. Tasted blind at Pichon-Lalande. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 4 months ago

Jocholla

9.1

Consistently good for the price. Light enough to pair with something other than red meat but sturdy enough to hold up to most cuisine. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Celebrating with a couple of fun bottles tonight. 2 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A stunning dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: lightly fragrant notes of stewed red fruit, cassis, floral, little cigar box, herbaceous. Taste: silky, elegant, soft wine with a great mix of dark plum, currants, iron, scorched earth, tobacco, and cedar/bitter chocolate medium plus finish. YUM! Drinks well with the decant and more time to go. — 2 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.1

The fruit is way lusher that you’ll get from basically any other Pinot, but somehow still very drinkable. Ripe rasberries and strawberries, spicecake, nougat. Ultra plush and flamboyant. — 3 months ago