Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured but not something I would recommend. The 2017 Cuvée Réservée benefited from some time in the decanter and the Cuvée Laurence would enjoy the same. However, a decanter we had not; nor was the setting appropriate. And while I wouldn’t have described this as shy upon opening, it certainly went from strength to strength with exposure to air and by the last glass, this was sensational. Beautiful dark bramble fruit, salmiakki, black pepper, red flowers, bacon fat, garrigue, old wood, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long lasting and ever so sexy. As a reminder, no “Cuvee da Capo” was made in 2017 so there’s no wonder why this is special. Drink now through 2042. — 13 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Last bottle. No formal notes. Wow. Just one of the best values I have ever had. Unreal density, purity and length. Saline and flowers. Just brilliant. — 9 months ago

Troy Clark

9.8

No sophisticated descriptors here. But this was off-the-chart good!
Hosted our company party. Went perfect with our apps- cheese puffs, pigs in a blanket and blue point oysters. Perfect way to kick off the party. Everyone keep their glass refilled. No leftovers. We are buying more next time — 2 years ago

MaJ CappS

10

Sooo good.
A nose of honeysuckle and lemon.

Picked this up at the winery when I was in Austria some time back.
With 20 years this has such an elegant tone. Honeysuckle, citrus, caramelized sugar, tangerine, love.
So many layers peel back and show the cornucopia of fruits under each one.
This hits, and over exemplifies what I want in a dessert wine.
Everyone should have a Kracher on the shelf,
Then let it sit for 20 rotations of the sun.
— 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened just prior to service and poured into a decanter. This is the second time I have had the opportunity to enjoy the 1967 Riserva although, the previous bottle was a more recent library release from the Borgogno cellars. This was a period release and yet, the experience was similar.

The 1967 Riserva pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and some slight signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous but showing much more power than the ‘67 Abbazia SS Annunziata we drank on the same evening. Again, there is a lovely mix of ripe and desiccated red and dark fruits with forest floor, porcini, dried roses, tar, some tobacco, dried herbs, dusty earth and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry; medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long a savory. My previous notes suggested to drink now and while I still hold fast to that statement, twice in the span of 18mos with two separate bottlings encourages me to be a bit more bullish and suggest this has many years, perhaps decades left in the tank. — 22 days ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.8

2018:
Bouquet is oak and berries. Just like being there when the juice is placed in the barrel. The initial palate is outrageously good! Big oak up front. Large dark berry presentation. No butter. Very dry.Lots of cigar box and soil flavors. No spice. No chocolate. No sour. 14.5% abv. Wonderfully dry finish. Simply amazing. Nothing to confuse your palette. I LOVE this wine. My favorite of 2023 so far. 67 dollars from wine.com. And for the record, this 2018 is perfectly aged for my palate. My palette disagrees with those who say otherwise. I LOVE IT!!!!!! Drink now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! — a year ago

Matt Perlman

9.2

It’s no Cuvee Buster but few wines are. Delicious Sancerre, crisp and balanced yellow and green citrus notes, green apple, flint — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.6

Sniffing upon opening, this had me jumping for joy – and I’m not exaggerating. What an introduction! I immediately chose to decant the wine, although in hindsight I don’t think that’s really necessary. The ‘Cuvee Monsignori’, one of the flagship wines from Estate Argyros in Santorini, is 100% Assyrtiko from ancient (~200 year old) vines, the minimal yield of which is then fermented in stainless steel, and aged for ten months on its lees. The island was never affected by phylloxera, hence the vines’ great age. It’s a muscular, chiseled, lean wine with the precision of the very best Chablis and impeccable concentration of fruit. It carries the smoke of the island’s volcanic soils (this is no floral language: it really smells of it), beautiful flinty reduction, depth and harmony on the palate and a long, saline finish. It may count among the world’s finest whites, and all for around £30 (if you can find it). Why didn’t I buy this by the case? I’ll never know. Superb. — 6 months ago

Shay A

9.8

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

I’ve had a few days to think on this wine, and I finally feel comfortable saying this is the greatest dessert wine I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. 100% semillon. Each grape is picked one-by-one by hand. This was the 9th time this wine was made since 1943.

Between dark gold and deep amber in color. Aromas of honeyed tropical fruits and sweet espresso that fill the room like a candle. Unctuous and oily on the palate, there is coconut richness with an insane amount of brown sugar and orange marmalade too…honey roasted cashews, pineapple upside down cake. As massive as this is, it still has structure but also a vein of acidity to keep this thing afloat. At 35yrs, this is unbelievably good and shockingly youthful. If you have a bottle, it’s no good. Send to me so that I can dispose of it for you… — 10 months ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Tight bead, lovely Blanc de Blancs!! — 3 years ago

with Jim