Galen Hasler

8.9

Meyer lemon and stone fruit. Subdued nose and palate. Soft tannins with slightly sharp aftertaste. Unusual — 18 days ago

Ira Schwartz

9.6

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 — 9 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

What a wine and did not show it’s 43 year age at all. The color was very dark with no brick edge. The nose was a bit subdued but had the typical berries, herbs and meat notes that carried over to a very tasty wine. The finish was okay not super long but long enough.

I started buying Beaucastel maybe a few years before this 1978 vintage and in Parker’s reviews of the 1978 vintage was a consistent hold but he did change his mind years down the road and said it was over the hill; well not by a long shot. I constantly purchased 2 or 3 bottle of every vintage till the price was out on my reach in 2001. I also had visited the winery in about 1990. The real kicker with this vintage is the current price estimates of $150 to about $250, current vintages run $80+ and I purchased this bottle for $11.99.
— 3 years ago

with Matt and Barbara

Lauren Young

9.0

Interesting but didn’t really go with the Trader Vic’s food — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Dark violet/purple color. Aromas of blueberry, black cherry/currants, tobacco and cocoa. Same fruits on the palate along with dark plums, black licorice, coffee and spicy oak. Long lasting note of dark chocolate on the extended earthy finish. Medium-plus bodied with reasonably smooth tannins for such a young wine. Opulent, bold and rich. It will interesting to see how this wine evolves over the next few years. Presented by Nick Goldschmidt, winemaker. — 7 months ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.5

Tasted blind. This is an elegant expression from Henri Bonneau, whom I luckily once met when he was still alive. The combination of a fungus contaminated wine cellar, old barrels looking like they are about to collapse and wines of extraordinary quality remain a mystery to me to this date. The 1995 Réserve des Célestins shines with wafts of dried Provence herbs such as garrigue, dried strawberry, cranberry, red plum along with an earthy undertone and a pinch of iodine. It doesn't reach the same heights as 1989, 1990 or 1998, but is still full-bodied, extremely smooth on the palate and has well integrated alcohol. The long finish confirms a wine of outstanding quality, which can easily hold for another 10 years. Drink now until 2032. — 2 years ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.2

v19. Very good! Soft, dusty, candied black cherry nose. Luscious, deep, rich, black cherry fruit. Long, bright, slightly tart, chocolate cherry finish. Enjoyable!! — 2 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Deep scarlet color, almost opaque. Sweet fruit nose. Notes of red and black fruit, spice, some wood and moist dark earth. Has great complexity in the mouth. Awesome juice, but this bottle of the 61 did not reach the superlative heights of others we've had of this. — 2 years ago

Mark Eastom

8.9

Slate, flint, broad mouthfeel, citrus and nice acid. Great with shrimp and grits. — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

This is a dead ringer for a mature Pessac-Leognan. Nose features intense cigar box, sweet cassis, sandalwood, and humus. Broad and soft mouth feel, with mature dark red fruit and lots of sandstony minerality. — 3 years ago

with Angelo