1986 vintage. 5 bottles tasted for a 1986 vintage BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. This was up against other 1986's Pichon-Lalande, Beychevelle, Gruaud-Larose, Montrose and Cos. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Respectable sed. Effin pop and pour now. Right right now. The clear winner. So good with balance and enough fruit without having to reach or rationalize. If you're not able to access for 7-10 years, you should be okay. Delicious. 3.14.24. — a year ago
1989 vintage. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Expected sed. Nice fill and one of the better corks I've seen in the last few years on a 1989 BDX. This is, by far, the oldest CLG I’ve had. The first few years are always filled with tons of fruit, richness, a rounded mouthfeel and very supple. This was tasting more like an 80’s vintage of Pichon-Lalande with the feminine characteristics except for a little beefiness around the 1.25 hours, post-decant, mark. Consistently delicious throughout the 2 hour experience. Not improving and semi-delicate but seems like it’s got 3-5 years left in this room before strolling into another. 12.15.23. — a year ago
@Tom Garland : Well, hmm. Opened alongside a ‘95 Pichon LaLande and this left us scratching our heads.
Tried a glass at pop…uber locked up. Revisited after an hour in the decanter…improved. After two hours, it finally came alive. Needing some oxygen, this became a beautiful display of potpurri and dark floral notes…so perfumed. It fleshed out to show a sweeter espresso, dark cocoa, and ripe black fruit aromatically. Elegant and refined on the palate, with red and black berry fruit, spice, mineral/graphite and a savory truffle flair. Fine yet undeniable tannin at the finish. Undoubtedly still young, to my surprise. This may need another 5-7yrs to really get going, but I’m honestly not sure. From the few Maya wines I’ve had (including the ‘11 not too long ago), I expected fireworks. Odd. — 2 years ago
The 1984 Hess Collection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was revelatory, with a pleasant amount of bell pepper and leather joining ample black currant fruit, no one guessing its age was within 20 years. It reminded me of well-aged Pichon Lalande. I’ve had a number of magical California Cabernets from the 1980s and this joins the list. Oh, and it was listed as 12.5% alcohol, which I believe. — 4 months ago
Alessandro Dalle Carbonare
Very nice stony minerality. Very line and precise. It’ll improve with time. — 19 hours ago