Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured to celebrate a pretty cool personal and professional achievement; enjoyed over a two hour period. This particular bottle has been stored in my cellar since release. The 2004 “La Grande Dame” pours a brilliant yellow color with medium+ viscosity and a persistent mousse of fine bubbles. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of golden raspberry, Meyer lemon, some apple, some brioche and nuts; just a touch oxidative. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. However, I feel compelled to share that this gave me the overall impression of a sort of liquid lemon-raspberry custard croissant with shaved almonds on top. It was awesome. The finish was long and there is some palpable density in this wine. So much so that I think these easily have another 10-15 years in them. That being said, this was yummy and I wouldn’t hesitate to enjoy now. — 9 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

jesus o jaime c thimas greg @delectable — 2 months ago

John Osgood

9.2

Showing great, gave it a short decant — 2 months ago

with Matt

Pooneet K

8.9

Not flawed but just not great. Sometimes the vintage reports are correct. 2004 is not one to seek out. It’s oddly somewhat similar to how they are talking about 2021 Bordeaux, another rough vintage. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine. — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Sift in the nose with light lime and limestone and floral notes. A nice integrated spine of acid. Great balance and delicious right now — 2 months ago

with Paul, BOT and 1 other

Daniel veit

9.9

From magnum, this was a beautiful wine with still many more years of life ahead. Showing black currant, tobacco, dried thyme, squid ink and Chinese 5 spice. Stunner. — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Cool and collected. Gnarly blue fruit, dried herbs and a bloodiness. Lean but soulful — a month ago

with Paul and Ara

Tom Garland

9.4

Decant for sediment and pour(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable murky magenta color with bricking. On the nose: beautiful nose of stewed black fruit/currants, floral, herbaceous, burnt embers, spearment. Taste: classic old school Napa, juicy, balanced, savory wine with dark cherry, baking spice, smoke, sweet tobacco and a nice long earthy cocoa finish. YUM! Drinks well at year 20 and glad to have another bottle. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Conrad Green

9.3

Light and focused. Pretty lemon fruit with sweet edges and bright acidity with a pinch of salinity. Very good — 2 months ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other