Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1990 vintage. Last tasted 12.11.22 (9.6) and 8.20.16 (9.2-slightly off bottle). Tasted side by side with the 1989 (9.4) version of this wine. Ridiculous 1-2 heavyweight punch. Opened but not decanted. Tasted at the conclusion of lunch after an hour open. Not much in the nose but bringing it in the flavors. Still heavy bits of ripe plum and cherry with a substantial mid-palate. Larger format of this wine likely clocks in as a 9.6/9.7 but this was a 750ml. In the 750ml format, not improving and it's drink now and until 2028. Still, most likely, the best wine this producer has ever made. The 1989 has a case as well. Like the Lebowski rug, this one just tied the late-80's/early-90's BDX room together. 10.10.25. — 13 days ago

Brad Jensen

9.1

Smooth and gentle, with a prominent nose of crisp red fruit, somewhat dark, with strawberries, pencil shavings/graphite, with some notes of blood orange rind, maybe some coffee and a hint of vanilla and iron. Deep garnet color, with hints of purple to the edges. Palate is somewhat meaty after some time and air, with well integrated tannins, — 11 days ago

Joe Flo

9.9

Wine Spectator #1 wine dinner. By far the crowd favorite. — 11 days ago

leon egozi

9.4

NY wine spectator event — 4 days ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

With a short decant , drinking with long finish after a fragrant nose. — 4 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Best valve at the duty free shop. This over the 2013 Altagracia that was twice the price.

While this is showing some nice evolution, if I had others, I would wait another 3-5 yrs…I’m leaning 5 yrs as this still has some astringency and has earthy dominance.

The nose reveals wild, dusty blackberries, black currants, black cherries, poached & backed strawberries, some slightly, stewy plums, leathery, dry tobacco, graphite, loamy earth, subtle baking spices, dark spices that show intensity and yet some restraint, dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, withering to dry dark flowers and floral violets.

The fruits are ripe but have a dusty coating. Wild blackberries, black currants, black cherries, poached & backed strawberries, black plum skin, plums, notes of boysenberries as it lingers, leathery, dry tobacco, oak barrel to cedar, string graphite, loamy earth, subtle baking spices, soft caramel chews, dark spices, dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, sage brush, withering to dry dark flowers and floral violets, good acidity, well made for a selection second, the balance isn’t quite there and still shows big structure/tension, dry, powdery M+ tannins that finishes with dry earth tones and ripe fruits over the top and lasts nearly 90 seconds.

If you have this vintage, it is a hold for another 5 yrs and has 15 yrs ahead. — 23 days ago

Paul T HB

9.4

This will be a day 2 wine. 1 glass today and it just has that day 2 feeling. — 4 days ago

Norman

9.3

Rehearsal dinner wine for my nephew. I thought this probably WOTN. — 4 days ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Thought we’d had our last bottle 4 years ago but then found this one. Probably better then, but still very nice. Definitely quite secondary, but the core of fruit and acid carries through. Wonderful pairing with dry aged strip steaks and wild mushroom risotto for our 10 year anniversary. — 19 days ago

Martijn

9.4

Paired with an excellent prepared CdB. — 11 days ago