Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Deep garnet in color; raisins, blackberries, and oak on the nose; medium minus acidity; medium tannins; tastes like black cherries, molasses, and a hint of chocolate with a long finish. Probably a little past prime, but still tasty. Jason says it's ok. — a month ago

with Jason

Adam Gäfvert

9.4

I had seen this bottle on the wine list (for only around €75) for a while but been worried it might be past its peak. But there is nothing to be afraid of here. Just an excellent example of how well quality old vine Californian Zin-blends can age in the skilful hands of the team at Ridge. Large ripe berries, spice, orange peel, dark chocolate, liquorice and charcuteries. Flavourful, expressive and balanced. Very enjoyable. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous note from a year ago. More medium bodied than I recall from previous tastings. Plum flesh aromas and flavours together with dark chocolate. This wine is obviously old vine Barossa Shiraz and is Peter Lehmann’s flagship. Still plenty of power and energy which will see it through for several more years. — 9 months ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Still shows some lovely primary redfruits, cassis, currants, quite tannic as well (characteristic of the 1986s I cellared), long, lingering finish, should show even better after my wife’s grilled lamb and my grilled steak come off the grill. I will say I was nervous when the final 1/8-inch of the cork severed off my old Ah-So cork puller, but not a problem!

Interesting sidebar — I purchased this upon arrival in 1989 at K&L in SF — by that time there were widespread reports of bad corks in Ducru from (at least) 1985 and 1986, so when I visited the shop I explained the situation and committed to purchasing 6 bottles, but only if I knew this batch didn’t have the cork problems — so, I said I’d pay for another bottle and we could open it together in the shop, I’d pay and also buy the other 6 bottles if it was NOT corked, and said if it was corked, then they’d pay for the opened bottle and I wouldn’t take the 6 other bottles — they agreed, we mutually tried the bottle then and there, no cork taint so I paid for 7 bottles total.

Telling the story in part because K&L has always been, IMHO, one of the classiest wine shops in the U.S., and they deserve credit agreeing to my deal (BTW, Wine Advocate had written about the cork taint issue within the preceding 3-6 months, so they were aware of the potential for it) — anyway, they’ve gotten a lot more of my business in the past 35+ years since!! — a month ago

with Jim

Ron Siegel

9.2

Pair of 19s on our last night in Vail that will need a lot more time. No corkage allowed so all of the wines shown the past few days were off their lists. — 9 months ago

Thomas McKee

9.3

Found this 2010 Portfolio buried deep in my cellar. Sightly past it’s peak but drinking beautifully. Needs time to open up. Rich and deep with dark cherry, blackberry and spice flavours it paired nicely with a New York Strip roast. A delicious wine from a great vintage — 3 years ago

Joe Cornwall

9.9

Well past it's prime but carefully stored. Notes of cherry tobacco, forest floor, blackberries and clay. Really quite amazing. — 4 months ago

David Hopkins

9.6

Purchased for my birthday-we share a birth year! And wholly dedicated to my grandfather who recently passed, and wanted to purchase this wine for me. The body is a clear, light ruby, with some bricking. The nose is very clean, pronounced and complex, bringing on notes of plum, raisin, blackberry, cherry, green pepper, mint, leather, and faint pipe tobacco. The palate has medium acidity, moderately integrated tannins, and flavours of cherry, plum, more pepper, herbs, and a finish of leather and olive.Brilliant wine! Drank 2017 — 5 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.4

A perfect SB. You can feel all of the nuances of flavours from citrus grapefruits to green apple, all extremely balanced. — 9 months ago

Jack Goldenberg

9.6

On the eve of Linda’s 75th birthday we drank Margaux of the same vintage. The last time we tasted this wine was at its peak in 1988. I was pleasantly surprised that it was still delicious. Good fruit…past peak, but amazing at 75! — 2 years ago

with Linda and Rachel