David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I purchased this yesterday from an A+ wine storage facility that also sells its clients wine when requested. This has been stored there since its release. I bought this perfect bottle for $35 because it has sentimental value and for $35 bucks…come on!

In a former life, I only drank well made CA Chardonnay. I know it’s hard even for me to imagine, let alone remember & admit it. Now, I hardly drink CA Chardonnay.

My sisters were visiting and they like reds. So I stopped at the former “Wine Club” retail shop in Santa Clara. It was the 1999 Pine Ridge “Stag’s Leap Cabernet” (2x) I bought that started me down the red rabbit hole. The Andrus is as close to that as I’ll get to their Stag’s Leap bottling at this point. Close enough and one of their best. We enjoyed it with Chinese takeout! 😂

This 99 is just and I mean just the other side of its peak bell curve. Still has another 5 years of life left. It is its unbelievable storage that has kept this 99 fresh as it’s not from not an awful vintage, but certainly not a great one, not like 98. Yet, it still shines 25 years later.

The nose reveals dark currants & cassis. Hints of barrel toast. Brambly blackberries, black raspberries, stewy black plum, poached, dark cherries & strawberries, burnt cranberries, black tea, burnt brush, old tobacco w/ ash, old baking spices, baking soda and dark, red, withering florals.

The palate shows; ripe, juicy, brambly blackberries, black raspberries, stewy black plum, poached, dark cherries & strawberries, burnt cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, black tea, mid berry cola, burnt brush, touch of black pepper, softened, dark spice, old tobacco w/ ash, well used leather, baking spices-clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, cooked caramel. Some dry sage, baking soda, limestone powder, dry top soil, grey volcanics and dark, red, slightly withering florals set in violets, rainfall acidity with an elegant, juicy, well balanced/structured & still showing nice tension on the finish that lasts two-minutes plus.

I had this corvined over two nights and at the halfway point threw some very chunky sediment.

What a great remembrance! — 2 months ago

Kimberly Drake Rebchook

9.0

Smooth, yet earthy, rich, but not overpowering Cabernet. Good balance. Tannins are just right. Hints of black cherry and chocolate. It would be good with a steak. — 3 years ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.6

The crown jewel for my family — 3 months ago

Sharon B

9.5

Very delicious! Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec & Petit Sirah. It’s almost Friday!! — 6 months ago

Roger Custer

9.0

Nice Bordeaux blend from upstate New York. We aerated the first day and it added color. — 2 years ago

Amy Simone

9.0

Heavy tannin, dry/sharp finish, full bodied — 3 years ago

Ron Comeau

9.3

Had the 2020. A little fruitier than I was expecting, but very nice. Very low tanning. Great finish! — 4 months ago

Mark Weber

8.9

Nice flavor pretty good body- even tannins — 6 months ago

Mike Nelson

9.0

At the vineyard for a tasting with Kathleen, Jay and Josie Barton, Jenny Rhodes. A bit less tannin than the 2020. Bolder than the estate Pinot Noir. — 2 years ago

Martin Sher

9.5

Refined, perfectly controlled. — 3 years ago