Charlie Tapp

9.3

Red licorice, ganache, cedar, barnyard and forest floor.

At the peak. Drink them if you’ve got them. — 6 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.4

Dark ruby robe, showing some bricking at the rim. Nose of cedarwood, top soil notes, cassis, asian spices. Oh so good in the mouth, in spite the very tannins of the vintage. Starting to open up, will probably get even better in another 5 years or so, no rush but already very very enjoyable now. Great bottle and we loved it.
— 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

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

Paul Secombe

9.0

Yum .., just yum!
smooth berries and spices all along the palate, with a remarkable length to the whole experience.
Just yum! — 18 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 1989 Lynch-Bages is arguably the pinnacle of a fecund era for the Pauillac estate. The aromatics bowl you over with their intensity and precision, complex and brimming with personality: black fruit laced with graphite and blood orange. It would shade many a First Growth. The palate is medium-bodied with gorgeous, multi-layered black fruit on top of graphite and tobacco with just a faint touch of meat juices towards the entrancing finish. Frankly, there is nothing more that you could wish from a Pauillac that is audacious and utterly charming. Tasted at the château both in bottle and double-magnum formats. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — 4 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!

The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish. — 5 months ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2920 vintage. Loved it. Superb on a hot night. — 3 months ago

Shay A

9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Poured alongside the 2003 Mondavi VHR as a comparison. 60 cab/40 merlot.

Decanted an hour. The similarities between this and the ‘03 Mondavi VHR the first hour was shocking…even as the host, I wondered if I switched the wines. Slight hint of brett but certainly not overpowering. Leather, herbs de Provence, sweet vanilla pipe tobacco, graphite up front aromatically. Dark roast mocha, red and black berry fruit, cassis, really nice vein of acidity and tannin. This remained unchanged during the lunch. Seems like it’s in a peak window (maybe close to the top?) where I imagine it will hold another 5-7yrs easily before turning more tertiary. — 4 months ago

Sean Sims

8.9

Another yummy Zin from this producer. Nose is fresh and pleasant. Color is purple with a slight brown rim. Tastes is light on fruit but a nice finish. — 5 months ago

vinokeeno

9.6

2016 vintage. Need to order some more of this-pronto. Obviously too young but firing on nearly all cylinders at this point. The go-to BDX for those that want to drop coin on BDX but aren't familiar with BDX. For those of us that are familiar with the area/wines, this producer and vintage are delivering overtime. Voluptuous and sexy mixed with just enough down to earth(iness). Drinking phenomenally now. Too youthful to accurately speculate on the end game/potential of this vintage now. Much of the baby fat is gone yet there are a few strands left. Going back to the 1988 vintage, this is in my top three Cos offerings- like now, man... 4.29.23 — 7 months ago