Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1989 vintage. Last tasted 3.28.24, 5.5.23, 4.4.23 and 12.9.22. Solid fill and cork. Recommended decanting but was denied. Mmkay. Eventually got clearance to decant after the bottle had been open for 1.25 hrs. Tasted after being open 5 mins, 45 mins and 2 hrs. Light-medium body throughout. Wine was funky and super tight initially. Had to talk a few of the “participants” down from their “this wine ain’t nothing” perch by telling them it needed at least an hour in the glass (since it hadn’t been decanted at that point). Wine threw expected sed on the decant. Started to loosen up at the 45 mins open stage and fairly exploded at the 2 hrs open (45 mins decanted) point. Dude that didn’t want to decant it gave me a wistful, regretful look at that point (since it blew the other 4 reds at the table away and was getting better) and it took waay too much willpower on my end not to say “Congrats on minimizing a fantastic wine experience, bro.” It wasn’t the best 1989 P-L specimen tasted semi-recently but feel this coulda delved into the 9.4 range without the unnecessary power trip from someone that didn’t even bring this wine to the shindig. Hopefully, this individual learned their lesson. 7.6.24. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

This is a delicious Bordeaux blend from Columbia Valley in Washington State.

Very dark in color, and looks very young.

Full-bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth and coffee.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Smooth and elegant. Rich and extracted, with a great mouth feel.

Good by itself or with food. A great wine to sip on and talk about.

Robert Parker 94 points.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle as well.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc and a splash of Malbec. Winemaker is Philippe Melka.

15.4% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$65 (current vintage). — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.3

Easily one of the finest aromas I’ve experienced in a Rioja, and indeed any wine, in the past year, truly a beguiling and complex experience that begs your nose to remain in the glass. I must note for my own posterity that on the palate I was initially a little underwhelmed. I’m not sure why. I think because this is such a subtle and elegant Rioja, and that I’m so out of the habit of drinking wines from this region and perhaps even, by extension, subtle and elegant wines as a whole. But the more I tasted it, the more I enjoyed it. I had a similar experience with the Viña Ardanza 2010 (which at the moment I prefer to this). But this 904 Gran Reserva is a beautiful, medium to light-bodied Rioja, very fruit-forward with Burgundian delicacy and a charm so typical of the finest wines of this region. A melange of coconut, vanilla, dried cherry and Mediterranean herbs are followed by an impressively saturated palate with medium orange peel acidity and very fine, resolved tannins. I must admit I cannot yet calibrate this wine with the notes of prominent critics, who talk about power, acidity and tannin, but maybe time will tell. This should be a terrific wine to follow over the next ten to twenty (plus) years. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Hints of Maple Syrup in the nose.

This is still very fresh. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, black plum pudding, strawberries, notes of blue fruits, dark spice, black licorice, mid berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, anise, cedar to sandalwood, dry herbs, mint/eucalyptus, used leather, dry, crushed, rock powder, notes of maple syrup, caramel, dark, red withering rose petals with violets, waterfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, softly tensioned, well knitted, smartly polished finish that lasts minutes.

Color is still dark. Cork came out whole with a Durand but was completely soaked.

What a treat to drink well stored old Napa Cabernet. Will hold another 3-5 years.

Bottle semi-recently acquired from the property via a Somm buddy. — 7 months ago

"Odedi"

9.5

#AgedWineTuesday

Ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, blueberries, dried figs, raisins, light oak, licorice, light tobacco, light earth, chocolates, eucalyptus, light vegetables, herbs, wildflowers, cola and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, figs, dried fruits, coffee, light cedar, tobacco, chocolates, cola, vanilla, licorice, spices, light earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This gorgeous 18 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully now.

This is a great surprise, as the cork totally crumbled, and I expected the worst, but it really delivered.

Shows nice balance, and great complexity with a velvety mouthfeel.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. As it opens up, tannins come in (45 minutes), and make it more structured and interesting.

A great sipping wine to have all by itself and talk about. The nose is just gorgeous.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$80. — 2 years ago

E & K G

8.9

Talk about cost performance! If you ever find this on sale and like white burgs, load up. Some oak on it but plenty of tension, acidity that keep it all in check. Always a crowd pleaser and sure to surprise those that have yet to discover the potential of NZ wines. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Talk about an enormous wine. The 2005 is downright youthful and packed to the gills with fruit and character. Dark fruited with anise and black pepper. It was just so dense that everything seemed locked up right now…and we can thank Mourvedre for that. This was very tasty with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. If I were going to open another one of these, I would probably hold until 2030 and this will probably last for another 25 years beyond that. A massive wine with a long future yet ahead. — 9 months ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.4

@Lee Ibarra thanks buddy. This was drinking excellent (as expected) in fact it was my favorite wine from dinner and just in a perfect spot — 2 years ago

with Lee

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.2

Older bottles of Chianti are some of the wine world’s unknown treasures. Everyone is happy to age Brunello but you don’t see many people putting away Chianti in the cellar. And they’re missing out. If you can find old bottles you can sometimes get them for a song, as I did a bunch of these from @garagiste_wine. You want to talk about punching above your weight?!? These suckers are classy AF. Dark fruit with leather, a touch of graphite and earth. Great acidity still, decant and watch them shine. 1996 Terreno “Riserva” Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy. ⁣ — 3 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.4

This is a wine that a buddy of mine and I had made at Crushpad. This is the To-Kalon Vineyard. Absolutely gorgeous. — 4 years ago