Jay Kline

9.7

Poured into a decanter maybe an hour prior to service. The 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and absolutely brilliant with a mix of desiccated and ripe fruits: dried Morello and Montmorency cherry, cocoa powder, mushrooms, old leather bound books, an entire cabinet full of dried herbs and spices, a memory of barnyard and a deciduous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still: medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and makes me believe there is something bigger than us in this life. This bottle, on this afternoon, gives the confidence to embrace the mystery. Drink now with an hour of air but I get the sense this is one of those Energizer Bunny wines… — 23 days ago

Suzanne Hulsey

10

Had the distinct pleasure of enjoying this lovely vintage this evening with a nice bolognese - excellent! Initial taste after opening was nice but the longer it sat the more smooth it became. — 5 months ago

Mike McGlone

10

Legendary wine from the early 1970s. Still exhibits good fruit and excellent balance on the palate. Lingering aftertaste. Exquisite wine with no flaws. At its peak but should be around for years to come. A wine masterpiece. — 8 months ago

Jonathan Wall

9.7

Layers and layers that go on and on. Birth year gift from my father 14 years ago that we finally got around to now. Worth the wait. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This bottle had been cellared since release and cork was in near pristine condition. At 54 years old, it remains a deep garnet/purple and now with loads of sediment. Classic Rioja character with dried black cherry, toasted coconut, cedar, dried flowers, leather and earth. The structure remains intact and the acid is still pretty fierce. This should continue to age very well if conditions are good. — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Surprisingly fresh with a really pretty mulberry and black cherry nose. A blackcurrant confit center with hints of oak and a bit of musk. Stop a bit of hidden power but clear and precise. Very good — 8 months ago

with Bex

Conrad Green

9.6

A gorgeous supple soft nose with cherry and plum and violets in the nose. A lush silky midpalate with precise and not too punchy fruit. Exceptional — a year ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Conrad Green

9.6

intense fruit with tart edges. Bright and delicious. Fantastic — 3 months ago

with Paul and Matt

Michelle Royle

9.8

1970 vintage drank in October 2024. Absolutely stunning with minimal tannins. Wish I had more — 4 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

1970 | Red Blend
Chateau Beychevelle
Bordeaux; Médoc, St. Julien, France
(91-93; Drink 2015-25)
3H decant

(Typical blend as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc & 4% Petit Verdot; it's unknown to me the exact percentages for this vintage)

Nose has dried plum, truffle, old wet leather, earthy notes, moist tobacco and damp forgotten firewood.
Palate has dried cherry, vanilla/cedar, dried blackberry, sweet cherry, dehydrated plum, garden soil with faint tannins and fading acidity.

Happy Father's Day 2024 to all. — 8 months ago