From magnum. No formal notes. The fill was top-shoulder. Underneath the capsule, the top of the cork looked nasty which I wiped down as best I could. About four hours before service, using a Durand (which is almost essential with old bottles) I was able to pull the cork completely intact and decant for sediment. The cork was completely saturated but appeared to have done its job! At this stage in its life, the 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild pours a garnet color but it doesn’t appear particularly tired and the nose supports that. While it’s certainly a vinous wine, there is a lot to like: a mix of red and black cassis, rip and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. The structure is still sound and while the tannins have integrated and the acid is keeping this very much alive. In fact, this seemed to brighten with air and almost get a second wind! As I find with all great Bordeaux wines once they enter this stage, they seem to live forever. This was a lovely pairing with a Prime, Niman Ranch porterhouse served with corn, squash and porcini. This is squarely in the “drink now” window, not that it will be falling off a cliff anytime soon. Decant for sediment and enjoy through 2030+ — 5 months ago
Visiting an old friend. Now I'm down to 2 bottles in my cellar . I bought a case 25 years ago and every once in awhile I enjoy this ageless wine. It still has a soft mid pallet lingering red berry and tannic flavor. The richness of this Cabernet has done nothing but improve over the years. I dare say it will not further improve but hopefully it will linger at this quality level.the mouth feel is an experience in and of its self. What a wonderful treat🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 2 months ago
Deeper ruby , narrower more intense ruby rim . Pretty closed , lots in there though not yielding much at first at least . Dark spicy cassis , tobacco and cigar , cedar , grafite, cranberry . Lots of weight and ripe black currant and red currant , cranberry , saline , marine influences. Very fine but quite noticeable tannins , longer with more structure than the 2001 . Wonderful freshness from crisp but balanced acidity. Hugely long on the palate. This needs more time , will improve over the next 20 years and probably maintain over a further 20. This gives a glimpse into what a future it has ahead of it . So complex and statuesque , perfect poise , supremely elegant . Wine of the night for me without a shadow of a doubt . — 6 months ago
MJ’s cellar is awe-inspiring. Once again, an absolutely pristine old wine from his cold, cold cellar - a 1980’s Krug Grande Cuvée! A first for me and gosh it blew me away. Still so fresh and energetic, yet rich and concentrated, all intensified by time. Complex aromas of orange peel, dried apricot, dehydrated apples, lemon oil, marzipan, and a touch of sherry. Full-bodied, textured, and deep on the palate, with mellow honeyed notes mind-bogglingly juxtaposed against zesty citrus notes; some cream and sweet spices, high acidity, and heaps of salinity. Gosh was this good. — a year ago
Another great Ridge. There is a bit of v/a - brettanomyces on the nose but the palate is solid. 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignane, 7% Petite Syrah, 2% Mataro & 1% Alicante Bouschet. This blend changes year to year but, the quantity is always solid. Once again, I’ve been at this a long time, but I have never opened a bad bottle of Ridge.
Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, boysenberries, raspberries over that hover over the top. Touch a black pepper, dry crushed rocks, volcanic limestone minerals, dark, rich soils, pine tar, melted, dark chocolate, caramel notes, vanillin, some black tar, notes of herbaceousiness, moist clay, violet for days, some lavender, amazing acidity with a well balanced, smooth structure/tension and a beautiful finish that lasts a full minute.
Happy Labor Day weekend! — 3 months ago
Raul Puga
Zin is my happy place 🍷 — a month ago