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. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. Sourced from a single vineyard in Grezzana, the 2016 Case Vecie pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and dried red, black and blue fruits: Bing cherry, Craisins, pomegranate, Fig Newtons, red flowers, fine cocoa, espresso, gentle warm spices and a mix of organic and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high. However, it’s remarkably balanced considering its extraordinary ABV, 16.5%!! That being said, you would hardly know it…until it got you turnt! For real though, I don’t drink a lot of Amarone…but this is damned good. Drink now through 2041. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

From Magnum. Served blind alongside what was later to be revealed as the 1970 Mayacamas. This was universally determined to be from Bordeaux. But what wine and which vintage? The other wine served alongside seemed almost androgynous, relatively speaking, and at least one at the table was absolutely convinced that wine was the 1970 Mayacamas. And if that was this case, then this must be the 1970 Montrose…a wine which nearly epitomizes masculinity in Bordeaux.

A little later in the evening, this was a fun side by side with the 2000 Montrose which was served in a separate blind pairing. Truthfully, they seemed to be at a point where age was only a number. Both were unashamedly masculine with dark fruit, tobacco, and earth with ferrous minerals. Finish was long with great acid. For me, only notable difference between the two was the integration of tannin for which the 2000 was still holding fast. To be honest, both of these wines seem everlasting. The structure is that of Helms Deep and yet, there is juuuuuuust enough balance of fruit to make it worth the wait. That being said, you gotta be patient and/or have generational plans for your cellar. For both, drink now until…2070+? — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I think my posts on this producers Napa Cabernets with this kind of age have been clear. 2005 not the shinning star vintage of Napa Valley, yet non the less very consistent & punches above its price point. Pretty sure I bought this in the $35ish range. She is smooth with no bittiness on the palate.

The nose shows; used coffee grounds, dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices, black licorice, steeped black tea, sandstone,moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers.

The palate is elegant & still fresh; dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate to pudding, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, steeped black tea, dark spice with palate heat, sandstone, moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers framed in violets, very round acidity with balance, evolution, structure/ tension & elegance for minutes and lands on earth & spice.

Still has 7-10 yrs ahead. You could make a case for 94 here. — 2 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.6

Very aromatic, very fine tannins, light in color. Amazing as usual. — 6 months ago

Pooneet K

9.4

Happy Valentine’s Day! Continuing our tradition of pulling one of these each year - 11 down, only 1 more to go after this! Reminder that we need to choose a new case of something soon.

This is excellent as always but I’m not sure hits quite the same high note as last year’s bottle. Fine mousse, nose a bit more restrained. Palate is explosive and so deep with wonderful candied caramelized lemon peel. Wonderful pairing with carbonara! — 2 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.2

A bodacious nose that is a mixture of red and black fruit. A little more weight on the palate than what I have encountered with Soldera. .Tons of fruit and energy take control. — 4 months ago

Bruce Leboff

9.7

Brilliant. Elegant and well balanced. Superb. Outshone the Biondi Santi - albeit completely different character. Love the smooth caressing finish. Beautifully balanced — 4 months ago

with Michael and David

Ron Siegel

9.4

A surprise at a burg event — 8 months ago

Robert Gaines

10

Last bottle of a case bought in 2010 — 3 years ago