Jay Kline

9.5

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet with an opaque core and some rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, blackberry, black plum, tobacco, menthol, leather, and mix of cool 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 long. This is really delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend or other Bordeaux-styled blend or a Tempranillo based blend from the United States, France or Spain. This saw French oak so I eliminated Spain. I thought the fruit was outshining the structure…so I liked the USA over France. And, based off the appearance, I thought this probably had 30+ years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from the United States, from California, Napa, Rutherford; 1994. Ugh…the 1990 vintage in Bordeaux has bit me twice now recently. Really awesome stuff! Drink now through 2040+. — 2 days ago

Doug Powers

9.1

After giving up on the flawed 1990 Clos des Papes, this rich, lovely Lirac is beautiful tonight, with promise for 5+ more years of positive development, very fine! — 25 days ago

with Jim

William Lauder

9.5

One of the best Sauvignon Blancs I’ve ever had. — a month ago

Miguel Silva

9.2

Full body, berries mild tannins. Go well with game or lamb. Delicious for a Friday night for 2 — 18 days ago

GaryWEdwards

9.7

Drinking even more beautifully than 18 months ago. Beautiful nose, big fruits, and that whole cigar leaf thing going on, with hints of chocolate. But the reward here is the generously long finish. Wow! — 18 days ago

Ivor

9.1

Great wine combining southern burgundy richness, use of luxurious oak, great acidity and low alc levels. Wonder how this ages.. Tx @Jan A for pointing this one out!. — 2 months ago

Tony Machi

9.0

Riserva 2011 Baron’ Ugo Monteraponi Chianti Classico, better 2017-2019 — a month ago

Ericsson

9.6

This is poised power: cassis, cedar, cocoa, and fine spice carried by polished tannins and effortless balance. Long, composed, and confident. This is Mouton in a generous, expressive mood, built for pleasure now and poetry… officially my fav, first growth. — a month ago

Nicole

9.3

Light, mineral, oak, berries. Perfect with any food. — 19 days ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

After 10 years in the bottle, a decidedly savory second wine from this storied Second Growth château. Meaty, almost Northern Rhône character after uncorking. After a day in wine fridge the charcuterie notes ease a bit, blackberry, stewed cassis start to edge forward, classic #pauillac graphite and mineral notes that carry through on palate. Lovely tension on the palate and persistent fine tannins through the finish. — a month ago