Freshness, alpine note to it, fresh cut herbs, eucalyptus, strawberries, Balsamic, dried figs, sandalwood, cedar, dark chocolate, violets. Beautiful, eternally complex, and so delicate, soft, silky, and vibrant for its age. — a month ago
#AgedWineTuesday
This is a fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Napa Valley.
Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.
Full bodied and smooth.
Dry and fruity on the palate with medium acidity.
Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, light vegetables, coffee and black pepper.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 23 year old is elegant and powerful. Rich and extracted, with a nice mouthfeel.
Good by itself as a sipping wine. Well balanced with great complexity. I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.
Robert Parker 98 points. Wine Enthusiasts 94 points.
A great quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.
A blend of of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
96 points.
$400. — a month ago
Tasting group meet up with many of the regulars not able to attend . I knew the organizer invited someone whom we had not tasted with in about 15 years . He certainly made an entrance bringing this, in magnum no less. When poured it showed a fine mousse but it faded quickly. A very broad nose that hinted of some age. In the mouth it was like a sports car traveling a highway. Almond , brioche and some oxidative notes sped thru my mouth. The flavors accelerated only to linger similar to when you take your foot off the accelerator. Coasted effortlessly with no need to step on the brakes — 23 days ago
What a treat to enjoy a perfectly aged Opus One with friends over dinner. The wine was gorgeous, great color, classic nose with black fruit and spice, lovely weight and texture with a long satisfying finish. I wish more people had a chance to taste this wine when it is at this age, outstanding! — a month ago
Blend of mostly Tempranillo with about equal amounts of Garnacho, Graciano and Manzuelo, deep Ruby with a graceful bouquet of berry fruits, cigar box spice with fresh earthy tones, a traditional Rioja, still reticent. On the silky smooth palate, elegant with layers of flavors of ripe blackberry and cherry, tobacco, smoky cedar, dark fruit, vanilla spice, very well balanced with fine soft tannins and a clean structure ending with a nice long chalky earthy character. Delicious! Still has room to age. — 2 months ago
There are worse ways to start a Saturday then tasting & talking wine with Tor Kenward & Andy Beskstoffer having the 1980 BV George Latour Private Reserve & multiple vintages of Tor. Wine 94 technically but age & style 96. The overall experience is a 10.
These bottles came from his cellar so they are perfect. So silky smooth elegant. Beautifully ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, understated baking spices, fresh & used tobacco, sandalwood, raspberry, limestone powder, fine, dark spice, bright, withering dark & red florals, excellent acidity, sheer, balance, elegance and perfect finish that lasts a full minute.
Andy Beckstoffer sold fruit for $150 a ton in the late 1970’s, early 80’s. Today, $50,000 plus a ton and a percentage of the producers bottle price. — 21 days ago
I guess I’m drinking this too soon! Need to better manage the cellar… tremendous fruit on the nose as I decanted that became more vegetal with time. Bright and leathery on the tongue, rich and luscious in the mouth. Strong tannins — easy to see how others are enjoying it at twice the age. — a month ago
Leoville Barton is one of my favorite St. Julien producers and still one of the best values upon release of Left Bank Bordeaux’s. If my memory is correct, I think this was WS’s wine of the year a few years ago.
I haven’t had this since the release at UGC. It was so fresh then. It has definitely put on weight and showing some nice evolution. But, Anthony made his wines for the ages. This will rise 2-3 points with 20 years bottle age.
It is round and lush. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, blueberries, some creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Anise, light graphite, tobacco ash, leather, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, limestone marl, dark spice, dry herbaceous notes, hints of black olive, black licorice, dry stems, mix of dry & candied dark flowers, very nice round acidity and a well; balanced, structured, tensioned and polished finish that last minutes.
Would open this in 2032 and beyond. — 2 months ago
Lorna Hajdini
June 2022 - last visit at WS. This was a 1939 vintage (not 1989). Unbelievably “fresh” and good level of acidity for its age. Very special! — 15 days ago