Garnet core , terracotta rim . Spiced red fruit undergrowth , touch of brown sugar , grafite , tobacco , dried mushroom, touch of smoke . On the palate quite elegant red fruited , dried cranberry , red currant , still very much alive , just enough acidity. Slightly short on the finish , but with a round palate and a slightly sweet , brown sugar tinged finish . Still very much alive and enjoyable . Better than expected — 18 days ago
This had lots of rich dark berry fruit with notes of graphite, sweet, savory spice, cedar, leather & tobacco — 16 days ago
Fine and femminile nose, chewy and rich mouthfeel, deep expression of terroir on the palate. Austere aftertaste.
97-98 — 13 days ago
Austero e preciso. With the help of God and time it will reward your palate. 94+ — 14 days ago
Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
Fun to do a side by side with the ‘88, and also check in against the Montelena. Profile wise, this leans ripe and modern stylistically. There is a kiss of brett that takes you to Bordeaux but it’s mostly red and black fruit driven with a vanilla pipe tobacco sweetness, leather, cassis and a little bit of a floral note, especially aromatically. Big structure for the vintage, but open for business now if you can give it a few hours in the decanter. — 16 days ago
Steven Heydemann
The 99 is a favorite vintage for the sweetness of the fruit and the intense Mediterranean notes but this bottle was a little short on the finish. — 4 days ago