Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of days. Solid on Day 1 but even better on Day 2. The 2011 “Elivette” pours a deep garnet/purple color 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: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, purple flowers, tobacco, Poblano pepper, cocoa and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Yet another example of the 2011 vintage in Napa proving it’s better than originally advertised. This still has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2041. Bottle No. 12026 — 4 days ago

Andrew Eddy

9.3

Superb. New Year’s Eve 2025.  — 7 days ago

with Lisa

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 3 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

Well, here we are two years later, back at the same BYOB for New Year’s Eve with the same wine. I figured 35 years was enough—it was time to drink it.
Same treatment as in 2024: opened and decanted, then poured about two hours later. This time the nose offered noticeably more—cedar, a touch of vegetal character, and dark berries. On the palate, dark berries again took the lead. The finish was good, but at the very end it seemed to stop just a bit short but still giving it a 95. At Anthony’s — 6 days ago

Kelley Raymond

9.1

A little jammy - needs air and time — 2 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1979 vintage. Last tasted 8.15.25 (9.4) and 7.15.25 (9.4). Decanted and tasted after 15 minutes. Still giving and surprisingly filled with life. Forced, begrudging retirement but still über-active and outpacing every senior member in your zip code...er...cellar. Just won the yearly Pickleball tourney-again. Suck it, neighbor. 12.10.25. — a month ago

Charlie Tapp

9.3

Dark fruit, iodine, red candy and espresso. — 3 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

Another consensus favorite, the ‘16 version is stellar. So deep, but with that elusive (for Zin) old-world sense of balance, structure, and restraint. Paired beautifully with both kinds of steaks — 5 days ago

with Dan and Angelo

Heather Robinson

8.9

We have this at Bravo - nice and bold but goes well with restaurant dishes — 5 days ago

Paul K

9.3

So consistent, so good. — 22 days ago