1986 vintage. Ripped through six bottles (one corked) for a 1986 BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. All bottles appropriately aged fill and decent+ corks. Double decanted and tasted over the course of 5 hours. Mix of powdery and stubborn (non-chunky) sed amongst the 6 bottles. Light-medium body throughout. Somewhat muted experience overall. None of the bottles (with variation) shone/sung. Wine is firmly on the downside of the bell curve with best days behind it (based on the 5 + corked bottle examples). There was none of the usual P-L flavor markers but the body hung in there. Pains me to say this but drink up now unless you've got a larger format bottle. Maggie (+) would probably yield a higher score. 3.14.24. — 8 months ago
2022/8. As I’ve noted lately, it feels like the de Villaine whites have added another level in the last several years - deeper, more complex and more satisfying, without sacrificing any joyousness and without trying to be Meursault or anything like that. — 2 years ago
Fantastic — 4 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days; consistent throughout with very little evolution. The cork basically disintegrated when trying to open. The 2009 Gran Reserva pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving gradually towards a rust colored rim. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated red fruits: Bing cherry, mulberries, spiced plum, cumin, dill, Balsamico, chocolate chip banana bread, toasted coconut, leather, cigar box, dry earth and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory and super delicious. What a drop dead gorgeous Gran Reserva from Hermanos Pecina. This drinks well from the pop and pour opens up considerably with air so decanting 30min before would be advisable. Enjoy through 2039+. The cork was doing its job as it was only partially saturated, it just came apart in little pieces. I have several remaining bottles and I’ll plan on using an Ah-So or Durand with the next bottle. A stunning, ultra-traditional Rioja Tinto. — 7 months ago
Very delicious Pinot, but was expecting a little more complexity. Wonderful pairing with salmon. — 2 years ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over an extended, 10 hour period. The 2009 Reserva pours a deep garnet with a nearly impenetrable, translucent core. I say nearly because some light is just barely able to find its way through. The rim shows a slightly more orange color. Viscosity is medium+ with moderate staining. On the nose, the wine is developing and initially was a bit reminiscent of a damp horse stable. With time, it relaxes to show a heady, balanced mix of ripe and desiccated red and black fruits: both morello and black cherry with leather, anise, dill, cumin, cigar box, toasted coconut, cocoa, and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is dry. Tannin and acid are both medium+. There is noticeable density. Confirming the notes from the nose however I would say the fruit is showing a bit more freshness than the nose; slightly more tart and ripe than ripe and desiccated. The finish is long and sapid.
This is an outstanding Reserva with remarkable class. This is drinking so well right now, even on the pop and pour but I would suggest decanting a couple of hours if you want to get past the more feral stage. Expect a long, long life; 2039+ — 6 months ago
Wine #1400th for me. I suppose destiny is destiny. Sort of has a special way of it find you, not you find it. Finally was able to try this highly coveted wine and with some age. Great chard, fresh and crisp with hints of stone fruit and citrus plus an earthy finish. Cheers. — 9 months ago
Nathan Renfro
An enjoyable vintage, even if it’s not a top vintage, it still portrays typical P-C. Always enjoyable. Drinking very well with just a short decant. — a month ago