Her Mir Tage

9.7

1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"

Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.

Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.

Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.

Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.

Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — 4 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

Cheers to old-vine Chenin Blanc from South Africa! 🇿🇦 In South Africa, Chenin Blanc also goes by the name “Steen.”

It’s such a versatile grape and wine, capable of producing beautiful sweet, dry, still, and sparkling wines.

This wine is still and dry. We’ve paired it with sushi and it’s a delightful duet.

The grapes for this wine were grown organically in the Citrusdal Mountain district, north of Cape Town, west of the Olifants River, on the Western Cape. The bush vines were originally planted in 1957 (old!!), contributing to an intensity and a concentration of primary aromas and flavors in the grapes.

Indeed, the nose and palate offer medium(+) aromas and flavors of ripe pear, yellow apple, white peach, vegetal, boxwood, white blossom, crushed stone, and aged cheese rind notes. Lively acidity gives it lift and balances the high alcohol and intensity of fruit.

This wine was produced by Ginny Povall, American-born proprietor and self-taught winemaker of Botanica Wines. I love the botanical images on her labels, each an homage to the flower farm on which she began her wine production journey in South Africa.   

Botanica Wines, Chenin Blanc (Mary Delany Collection), 2019, ABV 14%. — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Ira Schwartz

9.5

When you have the opportunity to drink a wine like this I do not worry about infanticide because I might be a corpse when this is at its apex. Decanted 2.5 hours . Head spinning aromatics of flowers, spice , and plums. One should bottle a perfume with that nose. I always ask myself can the palate equal the nose and in this case the palate does exactly that. The palate seduces you with pure elegance despite the enormous concentration of fruit. Delicious flavors of perfectly ripe fruit that somehow takes great structure and turns it into silk. Tremendous density and energy that handles the vintage heat effortlessly. Most importantly the bottle was shared with my friend who made my wine journey in life possible, if that was factored into my rating this wine would score a 100. — 5 years ago

Rubychick

9.2

First taste of the 2014 and allow time to let the decanter evolution begin... The amazing journey from heady oak on the nose to musky fox on the palate, then delicate violets and ending up in a smoky barrel. 3 days of joy — 7 years ago

with Geoff

Lisa Hall

9.8

Love this wine. Perfect red blend, complex flavors that take your taste buds on a journey — 8 years ago

Justin Hart

9.1

The most pinot like syrah one could imagine! Maraschino cherries blast you initially, but nice tannic grip and lingering bright red finish make this an interesting treat. Yum! — 8 years ago

with Alex and Cherish

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye. — 4 months ago

Melissa Kingman

9.2

Well balanced and delicious after a spring day of snowboarding! — 4 years ago

with James

Marc Fagelman

9.2

Yummy tannins, dark fruit, mellow. 14.5% powerhouse. Long lasting on the palette — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Murky dark tawny. Opaque. Exotic nose. Notes of black fruit, menthol, smoked meat, some bacon and some spice. Rich and luscious in the mouth. Tasted blind one might guess La La. Great juice that is still early in its journey. — 6 years ago

Melissa Kingman

9.2

Feels refreshing and really well balanced with a nice long juicy but hint of butter finish. Mmmm — 7 years ago

with James

Clive McNish

9.4

A rare journey into the damned 2011 vintage and what a great surprise. This is excellent, very Bordeaux like, with a wonderful nose of cherries, violet, cedar, mushroom and menthol. The palate is very smooth without the spicy tannins of the neighbouring sunnier vintages. There is some delicate fruit, blueberry and plums with a creamy but relatively short finish. I really like this and will seek out some more and also challenge the ‘11 curse particularly from higher elevation producers. — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.8

At £240-£330 DP Rose is a decadent treat & the 2000 (David Lynch) is one of our favourite & a great bottle to pop for 1,000 Instagram posts 😁 Thank you friends for following my crazy wine journey 😘

🏵 97-98 points

🍇 55% Pinot Noir (25% is still) & 45% Chardonnay

🍷 Rusted copper salmon pink

👃 Grapefruit infused brioche, croissant w/ strawberry jam, fine citrus zest & red apple expressed in a #zalto glass 😍

👄 Med bodied silky creamy fine bubbled mousse of red berry fruits, red apple, grapefruit, citrus & drying minerals

🎯 Long mineral filled red & citrus fruit seductive dry red apple biscuity tongue licking linger — 8 years ago

Celeste Player

9.0

Solid Italian red…with hints of Napa. More than the deliciousness of the wine is the deep love I have for my life partner. Although we are wrapping up our 25th anniversary trip to France and Spain, we are embarking on the next 25+ still in deep love with one another. Can’t wait to see where our journey takes us next. Thank you God for delivering me my perfect mate. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1998 vintage. Bottom neck fill and flawless cork. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Some sed but not too much. Medium body initially (and later) rich, fruity nose that translated well down the hatch. Wine thinned out (light-medium body) when tasted after the 30 minute mark with more earthy flavors and then fattened up again approx 45 mins later. Ultimately, left feeling it needed another 1-2 hours of decant time before starting the journey. First time with this producer. Had some solid, old-school, durty dirt and tobacco in the profile at times. Would like to taste again in the next 12 months.12.17.23. — 3 years ago

Cecilia Barry

9.0

What a journey! Spritz to the taste and feel at first and slowly turning into a silky smooth, beautiful and juicy red. Lots of flavor, deep cherry and hints of iron/leather. — 4 years ago

Lindsey Alleman

9.5

Sweet but not too sweet — 4 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

8.9

Late post: Pic from 1/2020 - Continuing the Barolo journey! Cheers🍷 — 5 years ago

Paul M. HOGAN

9.4

Recommended ! — 6 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.5

Rather suddenly, and without much explanation, Bordeaux found itself in the middle of my crosshairs as being the next place I wanted to conduct a deep dive in. With this shift in my general attention from New World to Old World I began to do more research on the various appellations, prominent chateaus, and nuances of Left Bank and Right Bank, as well as compile a spreadsheet highlighting specific bottles I wanted to seek out. For a reason unbeknownst to me, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was the producer I wanted to start my deep dive with. I researched the history of the chateaux, learned about their wines, priced out vintages that were immediately available for my acquisition, and added it to my Bordeaux spreadsheet, waiting for the time to pull the trigger and purchase a bottle (or two) to start the trek with. As far as wines are concerned it was all I could think about: Ducru-Beaucaillou. Apparently, the mere act of researching a chateau left me beguiled, craving a wine I had never even had before! With all of this research in mind I’ve learned over the years that as much as I thoroughly enjoy researching and trying wine, it’s certainly more enjoyable to share the knowledge and the experiences with others. Enter @codyuzzel, who has heard more than his fair share of my wine ramblings over the years. One day we began discussing Bordeaux, Left Bank v. Right bank, and changes in our thought patterns about the region over the years, which eventually lead him to asking the million-dollar question: Are there any producers you’ve highlighted that you’re particularly interested in? I told him that Ducru-Beaucaillou was in my crosshairs, along with a handful of other producers that I’d explore once I’d tried Ducru. That’s when he texted me the picture; a picture of him holding a glorious bottle of 2012 Ducru-Beaucaillou. “I took this pic before we started this conversation.” Given the serendipitous nature of this occurrence he extended an invitation to pop the cork upon our next meeting, which is interesting in and of itself given that I had been thinking about visiting him at the wine bar just earlier that day. It’s moments like these that truly make the wine journey a sweet and rewarding one. Thanks, Cody, for your generosity and epic invitations.
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Anise, graphite, plums, and blackberries. Very polished and very delicious. — 7 years ago

with Cody