Her Mir Tage

9.6

Charles Noellat 1976 Richebourg

Each bottle opened is one less in existence; without it, there would be no subsequent legends of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or Henri Jayer.

Aged yet remarkably robust—it’s surprising how well this bottle has been preserved.

· After opening for half an hour: notes of honey, dried rose petals, and dried preserved fruits.
· After an hour: aromas of red dates, cinnamon, and a hint of spices.
· Overall impression: The fruit profile still dominates, with no woody notes emerging. The structure of Richebourg remains present, showing a rounded, ripe fruit character.

The year 1976 was renowned for its "hot, dry summer." The growing season offered ideal conditions—plenty of sunshine, high temperatures, and almost no damage from hail or other severe weather. These conditions led to perfect grape ripening. The wine is full-bodied and lush, with mature, soft tannins and very ripe, almost jam-like red fruit flavors (such as ripe cherry and strawberry jam). It still has aging potential, and this bottle retains well-balanced acidity.

What’s more, 1976 saw the famous "Judgment of Paris"—a tasting that broke the myth of the Old World’s invincibility, reshaped the hierarchy of the wine world, and established New World regions (especially California) on the international stage. It truly shows how fascinating blind tastings can be!

Next time, I’d love to try a 1976 California wine and compare the experience. — 9 months ago

Neal Ferry

8.9

Charles Shaw, Charles Smith…whatever very good — 5 years ago

with TwiLea

Daniel Mark

9.8

Finally found a crisp dry rose that isn’t sweet (as far as roses go) definitely repeat now that summer is here — 6 years ago

ScottandTina

10

A favorite dryer red — 7 years ago

Justin Kline

9.0

This was an already opened bottle that belonged to my father-in-law who passed away one week ago from today. I may be a bit generous on my rating given the situation. — 7 years ago

David Walser

9.5

Had to transfer the wine into an empty French Merlot bottle (the only included red wine at this all inclusive resort, think Charles Shaw) then sneak it into our Valentine dinner, self-served Home Town Buffer style. Joker glass didn't do this wine justice. Awesome beach location but not the best Valentine dinner experience. Was a wonderful wine experience after 4 nights of cheap Merlot. — 8 years ago

Brian Kostreba

9.0

I just opened a 2011 Robert Shaw merlot it was not bad to my amazement. I stored it for 13 to 14 years. I thought I would be pouring it out. It had a very nice taste. — a year ago

Kim Gerarden

9.7

Very smooth enjoyable mellow flavors — 3 years ago

Morgan Goldberg

10

Had with 1000 day aged gouda, very good, $3.99 — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Pale Lemon in colour. Some initial caramel notes, light fruited and light weight from the cool climate Orange district. On the palate under ripe nectarine with grapefruit notes - quite a delicate Chardonnay with light acids. Has Medium intensity for Its light palate weight. Philip Shaw has quite the CV as a winemaker. From Chief Winemaker at the huge Lindemans, headhunted by the Oatleys to be Chief Winemaker at Rosemount which became a world wide brand before being sold to Southcorp (now Treasury) for a fortune to the Oatleys, and a stint with Treasury all the while developing his vineyard at Orange now run by his sons and he has gone on to his next venture. He has collected International Winemaker of the Year twice in 1988 and 2000. — 6 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

An over-deliverer always, that Charles Smith. I suppose when your name is that close to Charles Shaw you had probably better show up on point. Smith’s wines though—dependably tasty, more complex than your average bear which is saying something because bears are in fact fascinating mammals. Anyway. You know what else? This is a rosé of Pinot Gris aka Grigio ooooh. Tropical and a bit of funk and stone. It’s a disco-themed dance party. Which is a great party. I stand behind this statement. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A lovely aromatic perfume showing cherry and some stemmy characters but more fruit driven than gamey earthy notes. A medium + intensity palate - supple and smooth. Not built for extended cellaring. A delicious wine and since 2012 has put Tasmanian Pinot on the International stage being a favourite of Jancis Robinson. Owned by Shaw and Smith and vinified in the Adelaide Hills would you believe. I was talking to the Tolpuddle viticulturist in Launceston last Saturday who said it takes only 24 hours for the grapes to get from the Coal River in Tasmania in refrigerated containers, by truck and ship to the winery in Adelaide Hills South Australia. They have found the cooling of the grapes has added to the quality of the wine. Suckling has just given the 2017 vintage 99 points - Good Luck getting a bottle when it is released in mid September!! Drank my last bottle 45 weeks later on 13th June 2019 and it was amazing. At its peak. Perfect balance of whole bunch influence, restrained oak and savoury red fruits. An annual purchase for me and 96 points on this latest tasting. — 8 years ago

ScottandTina

9.1

Great with kung pao — 2 years ago

Bradley Randel

9.0

Great for the price — 3 years ago

Brenda Lambert

9.1

Not bad for “2 buck Chuck”! — 4 years ago

Jamal Jaffer

9.0

yes u know it u love it its the one :) — 5 years ago

Rachel Donahue

9.5

I actually really like this wine. Simple. Nothing fancy. Just a nice glass at the end of the day. — 6 years ago

ashley

9.2

Not bad for the price — 7 years ago

Rhyes Adoh

9.0

Buttery.. nice — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is surprisingly for sale through Delectable...buy a bottle. If you haven’t had a well made Napa Cabernet this old, it’s a fun & enjoyable experience. This is a library selection release and was it a steal for under $50. Its a very classic BV. Especially, for the time period. On the nose; notes of Cognac; which I get in older BV’s. Ripe & slightly baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, rhubarb, figs, dates, cherries, dry, loamy, brown, top soil, steeped tea, dry & decayed brown florals with violets. The body is leaner to medium. Tannins completely resolved. There are noticeable tannins but it’s the acidity holding this wine together so well. The palate is ripe with baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, rhubarb, figs, dates, cherries, strawberries, and notes of light blue fruit. Some black licorice, cognac notes are very present on the palate. Loamy, brown, top soil, steeped tea, soft spice, clove, used leather, very soft chalky volcanic minerals, crushed dry rocks, dry & decayed dark florals with violets. The acidity is like rain. The well balanced finish is long and beautiful. Photos of their tasting room on Hwy 29, Rutherford vineyard just after harvest and tasting room on 29. Producer notes and history... Beaulieu Vineyard BV is a vineyard near Rutherford, California locates in the Rutherford AVA. It was established by Georges de Latour and his wife Fernande in 1900. BV was an initial a purchase of 4 acres of land in 1900. Beaulieu Vineyard derives its name from the French phrase "Quel beau lieu" which translates in English as "What a beautiful place!". Legend has it that Fernande uttered these words when she first saw the land. The following year, they purchased a nearby winery originally built by California Statje Senator Seneca Ewer in 1885. De Latour's knowledge about phylloxera; which had ravaged many Napa Valley vineyard and his decision to import a rootstock variety resistant to the pest helped secure his stature as one of the early pioneers of California's wine industry. When Prohibition in the United States began in 1920, most wineries in the country were forced to close. However, Beaulieu smartly obtained a contract to supply sacramental wine to churches nationwide. The demand for such wine increased dramatically during the years of Prohibition and the winery repeatedly expanded. By the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, production had grown to over 1 million US gallons per year. When Prohibition ended, Beaulieu hired Andre Tchelistcheff from France as winemaker and the quality of its wines increased significantly. Tchelistcheff also became a mentor to other important winemakers such as; Mike Grgich at Chateau Montelena who’s Chardonnay won (The Judgment of Paris), Joe Heitz of Heitz Wine Cellars, and Robert Mondavi. By the 1940s, Beaulieu wines were served at all major White House functions. In the mid-1940s, Beaulieu was owned by Marquis de Pins, whose wife was a member of the French wine-making de Latour family. In the 1950s and 1960s Beaulieu was considered one of the "big four" Napa Valley producers, along with Inglenook, Charles Krug (I have mad love for their 50’s & 60’s wines. Perhaps, their greatest period) and Louis Martini. The winery was purchased by international conglomerate Heublein Inc. in 1969. Heublein was later acquired by RJR Nabisco, then sold to Grand Metropolitan in 1987. Grand Metropolitan became Diageo in 1997 through a merger with Guinness and is now the largest multinational beer, wine and spirits company in the world. In 2016 Diageo sold Beaulieu Vineyard to Treasury Wine Estates. Between Treasury, Jackson Family Vineyards and Constellation, they own a huge chunk of the wine producing world. Beaulieu Vineyards is one of the largest land owners in Napa Valley with more 1,100 acres in vines. Their best parcels are located in the Rutherford appellation. They have plantings of all the major Bordeaux varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They also have vineyards with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. In addition, they maintain a vineyard that is used to experiment with a wide variety of different grape varieties including; Carignane, Petite Sirah and Valdiguies. Today, Winemaker Jeffrey Stambor continues the tradition of finely crafted wines handed down to him by legendary BV winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. — 8 years ago