Jay Kline

9.4

Let’s get one thing clear right away: this was more about checking in on the early days of a wine that has a history of lasting for decades. Having that out of the way, it’s fun to check in on great wines in their youth, when you get the opportunity. Splash decanted sometime before service, no formal notes. The 2016 “Unico” is already showing its quality with abundant, beautifully ripened fruit and effortless elegance. That being said, having some experience with properly aged Unico, the better days (to my palate) are well ahead. Drink now if you have multiple bottles and can’t help yourself. Give it some air at least. Otherwise, better after 2036 and through 2076, probably. — 11 days ago

Conrad Green

9.8

Both intense and haunting at the same time. Lovely clear complex fruit with raspberry, deep cherry, a hint of orange rind. Spice and brooding dark gnarly fruit underneath but still light and deft. This is so complex and beautiful — a year ago

with Matt

Antonella Criscola

9.2

Smell: strong tropical smell, combination of peach, melon and passion fruit.
Taste: strong taste of peach and pineapple. Off dry taste with low acidity and low tannins.
Appearance: clear liquid with a very pale intensity.
Conclusion: very good wine. — 3 years ago

Vino Joe

9.2

I have been sitting on this awhile so I was looking forward to trying this style. Not yet enjoyed this wine before. I liked it but didn’t love it. Peppery and with clear but mellow meat notes. It was solid and I suspect would have been better with a more appropriate food pairing (I had a homemade turkey burger with it). Will look forward to the next time. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Dark tawny center with amber color and clear rims. Barely translucent. Massive nose of tobacco and Cuban cigar with notes of sweet black fruit, moist dark soil, unsweetened chocolate, pencil lead, old cedar desk wood and a little barnyard. Great mouth feel and texture. Very much alive. Opened and slow-ox’d for a few hours, then put in a decanter an hour before. This powered up all night. Last sip was the best. I’ve probably had more LB than any other Bordeaux (young and old, mostly old), and this was head and shoulders better than any previous bottle. Great juice! — 4 years ago

Brett Owens

8.9

Very good for price — 6 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.0

We are tasting this 2013 against its 10 year older brother and while they are clearly siblings, this 12 year-old bottle is still quite muted and hasn’t entered the 2nd maturation phase - clear yellow color and earthy stone fruit flavor profile — 8 months ago

with Ruchia

Conrad Green

9.4

Monty and clear. Lovely supple fruit. Lots of character. Savory — 10 months ago

with Peter, Gregg and 1 other

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.6

Two great thanksgiving wines but with a very clear winner and not even difficult to guess. I have zero emotion with the Margaux and love the elegance of the Rayas even in a year that may be a bit less. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1998 vintage. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Upper shoulder fill with good (not great) cork. Desired and anticipated "funk" in the nose throughout enjoyment. That light-medium L'Evangile body...the Burgundy of Pomerol. Usual spice box, cloves, tobacco and dust flavors coming in loud and clear with plenty of punch. In a great place currently. Don't see this improving but easily holding firm for another decade. It was ready steady good from the get go and neither gained nor lost anything noticeable during the 2 hour show. 12.8.23. — 3 years ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Beautiful clear fruit with plum, wild strawberry, some herbs. A touch of sweet syrup. Still quite contained and compact. Very good — 4 years ago

with Paul, BOT and 1 other

Mike Saviage

9.5

Old tawny color. Mostly transparent with clear rims. Great old wine nose. Notes of ripe plum, red fruit, some earth and spice, a little kirsch and some herbs. Silky in the mouth. Great texture. Very Burgundian. Still at a nice peak in terms of where it’s at. This was from a great looking bottle with a high fill. Good stuff. — 5 years ago

Gaurav Tiwari

9.2

This is a classic! Decanted for 3 hrs. Clear watery hue, beautiful pale Garnett in the middle. Medium viscosity, medium alcohol. On the nose, red cherry, strawberries, flowers, spices - thyme, clove, wet cigar, wet leaves. On the palate, confirmed red cherries, strawberries and powerful/rigid but silky tannins and racy acidity to balance it all. Long earthy finish. Elegant yet tough...like a ballerina! Very well balanced and serious wine from a good producer. This is their entry level Barbaresco that punches above its weight for what it costs. Stocking up.. this will drink even better in 5 years. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.5

My contribution for a large, annual BYO champagne dinner. While this was a standout, others were: La Closerie LC20, ‘07 Cristal rosé en mag, ‘19 Westborn BdB

This vintage had 20% addition of red wine.

The notes below about bottle variation is exactly what was experienced this evening. A friend also brought the ‘06 Dom Rosé but there was a clear difference between the two. Whereas my bottle was deep, rich and an interplay of florals, juicy red fruits, fleshy peach and strawberry shortbread cookies, his seemed like a slightly less vibrant (not off putting) and more muted version (maybe low trace TCA?). The significant portion of red wine in this vintage has provided great structure at nearly age 20, and not as evolved as the regular 2006 Dom (more vinous than the creamy ‘07 Cristal rosé).

If I had another, I’d open it in the next year or two for this same profile but wouldn’t be worried about holding another 5+. — 10 months ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Clear and light. Pear and hints of lime. White pepper, a bit of tang. Slate. Salty edges and great texture. Very correct. A touch of sweetness. — a year ago

with Paul and Ara

Conrad Green

9.2

Surprisingly fresh with a really pretty mulberry and black cherry nose. A blackcurrant confit center with hints of oak and a bit of musk. Stop a bit of hidden power but clear and precise. Very good — 2 years ago

with Bex

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Not clear appearance , medium bricking garnet core and browning rim . Quite a lot of tobacco and slightly green spicy notes , cassis, decayed red fruits , soy sauce meatiness. On the palate medium bodied with good acidity still , rounded tannin , slightly hollow palate but still notes of cedar , tobacco and sous bois, red floral notes also. Ok balanced finish , quite enjoyable still and actually fills out with a bit of time in the glass . Commendable , probably past best but still provides enjoyment . Drink now . — 4 years ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Bright and fresh. Light and clear citrus with slate and lime. Structured and deft. Delicious — 4 years ago

with Bex and Gregg

Sarah Noh

8.9

Super light bodied, fresh cranberry — 6 years ago

with Jean

Conrad Green

9.5

This is really classy. Restrained but powerful and clear. A hint of lanolin, lemon oil, steel, oyster shells. A soft plasticine like thing. This is lucid, focussed and gorgeous. — 6 years ago

with Bex and Major-General