Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: black cherry, plum, some cocoa, dry leaf tobacco, vanilla and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The alcohol is medium. This is tart and tasty; young and built for age.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend including Bordeaux varieties), Zinfandel (with a decent amount of Petite Sirah, Tempranillo or even Malbec from France, the US, Spain or Argentina. But I think the wood is playing a key role in the tannin here, meaning that I think it spends a lot of time on it. I don’t think it’s all American because it don’t get a bunch of coconut and dill…but this is probably a modern leaning Rioja. So that’s my call. This is Tempranillo from Spain, Rioja, Reserva level and younger, 2019. Boom. This is solid and reliable even though I don’t think it has the personality of Heredia or Pescina. Drink now through 2049. — 14 days ago

Shay A

9.2

I don’t have much experience with the Bin 407 from Penfolds compared to others in the portfolio, but I was curious to see how this was drinking at 20yrs after recently getting locally for a steal.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Even knowing this is cab, I still expected a Penfolds Shiraz type aromatic, and while I didn’t exactly get that, the American Oak in the background alongside the ripe fruit do help bring Penfolds semi in to focus. This needed about 90mins in bottle to wake up…initially I was concerned I had missed a window as it was very stewed and fig dominant (not much fruit). The American Oak notes started appearing (faint coconut and dill) and then high toned red fruits. After 90mins, the palate bulked up and showed some black fruits, cassis, espresso, and even some Andes mint at the finish. Plenty of tannin too.

I’d open soon if you have any left, but give it some time to wake up. (Yes, the ‘94 Monte Bello was insanely good, as was the still young ‘06 Unico). — 2 years ago

Charlie Tapp

9.3

Black fruit, cedar, dill and dark chocolate. This ripe vintage is on the plateau — drink over the next couple of years. — 4 years ago

Chris McClellan

9.5

Absolutely incredible..well integrated tannins..blackberry/blackcherry/plum, ripe, leather, anise, mint, green herbs..spice, dill weed, vanilla..very long finish with incredible fruit..delicious..paired with filet/ribeye.. — 6 years ago

Blake Walker

9.1

Baby Todonia. Dried cherries and dill. — 6 years ago

Daron Watson

9.3

perfume of sandalwood, baking spices, eucalyptus, wild berry bushes, and soft licorice ~ tastes of mulled and stewed dark berries w lavender, dill and a hint of hoisin pork belly! — 7 years ago

Libbi Odessa

9.2

Stands up to its name....bright red fruits (cherry/cranberry) but more exquisitely roses, violets, and wet earth....and just a touch of herbs (thyme/dill). — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

It’s been a few years since I last checked in to the 2011 vintage of LdH Viña Bosconia and, to my palate, time has been kind. This is far more balanced and open than my previous experience. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2011 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe cherry, dill, toasted coconut, leather, tobacco, dried earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Delicious. Drink now through 2036. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 2. The 2018 pours a deep purple color with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, dill, vanilla, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and pretty decadent with a velvety texture. Drink now through 2033. — a year ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

Not sure if reviews of the Crianza got mixed in here, but this is the Riserva from a great Rioja vintage & is a solidly medium bodied wine. The nose alone is worth the cheap price of admission: ripe cherries, leather, all the classic barrel aged notes of dill & vanilla. Very very fresh though on the palate. Those ripe cherries, dark chocolate notes pick up intensity. For a rich wine ( which is not to my taste) & producer I never tried I was impressed — 2 years ago

Brent Young

9.3

Outstanding as always. Dill notes on the nose. Complex with both fruit and savory elements. Cherries and raspberries with iron/blood notes and tobacco — 5 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.4

Plenty of American oak on the nose. Dill & vanilla with some dark plum aromatics. Medium bodied with a classy weight & texture. The oaky notes are there, but a pretty array of red fruit & tobacco leaf add some complexity. Structure is receding at this point and the wine is beginning to show some clove & herbal secondary character. Excellent. — 6 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.2

Cranberries, warm plumpudding, compost, porcini, cinnamon, dill and gingerbread.
Well-judged acidity adds freshness and intensity to the otherwise slightly gloomy and brooding aromatics.
Very nice. — 7 years ago

Bill Mowry

9.0

Coconut, chocolate, dill, cherries, and a hint of pepper. Milder tannins and medium bodied with a big mid palate and earthy finish. — 3 months ago

with Lou

Ruud Verhagen

9.7

dill-coconut-galore 🫶🏼 — 10 months ago

Daniel veit

9.3

Delicious, bing cherry, dill and leather. — 2 years ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

Always a solid Sonoma cab. Some anise and dark fruit, dark chocolate and anise. Slight bit of dill and vanilla. Drinks young, this could go for a bit longer. Good strong tannins but smooth enough to balance my prime rib. — 3 years ago

with Jillian

Brent Young

9.2

Old School Spanish Blanco

So spectacular b/c it’s many flavors of fruit, herbs and minerality fade in/out with each sniff/sip. Complex & ephemeral
Not everyone likes the oxidative notes and savory elements

DAY1
Served with Vinloq System and immediate fireworks
👃Honey, wax, and herbs like dill etc
👅Citrus, pear, with nuttiness. Flavors are dynamic and varied

Stored in fridge under Vinloq Preservation
Forgot about it actually…

DAY24
Outstanding again
The leading flavors of lemon, honey with that nice nuttiness are there again. So is the prominent waxiness that shrouds those ghost-like flavors
No signs of deterioration as the fruit and intensity of the flavors are still there in spades
Beautiful 💕 — 4 years ago

Denice Carney

9.1

Very enjoyable! Spanish wine, aged in American oak, coconut, dill. — 7 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.1

Vanilla, coconut, sweet and sour red cherry and plum, clove, spearmint, licorice, compost, clay, dried flowers, IODINE, dill, cola. Elevated to high acidity, smooth integrated tannins, medium plus alcohol and body. — 7 years ago