Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Bit more lightening on the rim , more garnet . Touch more herbal on the nose with cedar , and grafite, much more lean and mineral on the palate. This takes quite a while to find its feet and benefits from quite a lot of air . In some ways a little unfortunate to be served between the 2000 and 1990 , which are a fuller , and more showy in style . However after a while this does show quite good length and balance , refreshing acidity . This is quite lean and mineral , focused and still pretty young . From now over the next 10 years. A little austere in style , reminds me a little of the 2005 in that aspect , though without that vintage’s intensity or density . — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Medium Ruby with quite wide garnet rim. More truffle , tobacco , violet , cassis and earthy notes. Takes a bit of time to get going and certainly shows a bit more age than the 2009. On the palate, more austere with dryer tannin than the 2009 , but very well balanced and classic in style . Cassis, blackcurrant , tobacco graphite notes . Some dry spices too . Quite fresh acidity , and slightly gritty tannin. Long , saline, graphite tinged finish. This is showing some development , but will improve further over the next 5 possibly 10 years and hold well a further 5-10 — 4 months ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2024/8. Still very young and rather dense for the style, but the spicy strawberry could and vanilla cheesecake are textbook for classical Rioja — 6 months ago

Steve Rura

9.3

Very good Rioja. Classic in style. Red fruits, dried cherry, herbal and a little earthy. With mushroom and tomato pasta. Let’s see how it holds up on day 2. Honestly too hot and humid for this kind of meal, but it’s what I have on hand!

Day 2: Still great, but became a little pruney. I prefer the freshness on day 1. — 7 months ago

Ericsson

9.6

The closest thing to true Bordeaux style red blend from Napa. This wine really accentuates the vintage and the terroir, along with fruit and soil. The Dominus Estate manages the vineyard via dry farming, relying on nature for water, making a profound difference on great vintages such as 2016. Find a good vintage Dominus and you’re bound to have one of kind. Cheers. — 2 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.6

Relatively light in color and structure. Very fruitfwd. Modern style barollo. — 3 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

The Selosse flagship that uses a solera style blend with vintages dating back to 1986. May 2016 disgorgement is just superb, explosively aromatic and infinitely layered with magical depth of Selossien flavors and such a singular texture that you just can’t forget. It wraps around the palate with incredible volume and concentration before giving way to a salty mineral laced finale with stunning length and persistence. — 6 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Quite light garnet , wide terracotta rim , more delicate and lighter than expected . High toned sweet , confected spiced strawberry nose, with a slightly smoky hint. On the palate sweet red strawberry , raspberry and red cherry notes , touches of spice and anis , but elegant and silky in texture , with very fine , rounded tannins and fresh acidity . This has good length , detailed and precise finish with anis , fruit pastels and almost chalky hints . Elegant and refined. Very distinctive, really quite unique in style , but very well made and enjoyable at the moment . Drink from now for the next 5-10 years. — 5 months ago

Will Stanley

9.6

The 2007 Vieux Telegraphe, enjoyed here from half bottle, encapsulates everything so wonderful about Chateauneuf-du-Pape, coming from very old vines on the fabled plateau of La Crau. Pungent aromatics; an ethereal cacophony of sweet cranberry, blackcurrant, strawberry, liquorice, blood orange, white pepper and garrigue (in spades), with airy elegance and poise. The palate follows in much the same style, graceful and welcoming, adding flecks of sweet vanilla. There is, however, a core of iron and solid structure that ties everything together. This is accomplished stuff, even in such a brilliant vintage as 2007, and this elegant, complex CNdP warrants a high score – and further ageing. — 6 months ago