Tobin Spratte

9.1

Umbria on my drinking through my book on Italian wines. Like the white, unique regional wine made of 70% sangiovese, 15% typical red varietal of Abruzzo, 15% particular vine native to Montefalco. I'm going to guess these latter two are montepulciano and sagrantino, but clearly they didn't want us to know for sure.

Classic cherry profile of sangiovese with funkiness and earthiness. Bits of dried fruit. — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.6

This bottle is bound to make any day that much better. It’s young but composed with ample elegance and perfect balance. A true gem, even at this age. — 8 months ago

Chris Palmer

9.4

2012 vintage shared with us by Jim Deitch on Feb 2023 Florida trip — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

In 1877, Illario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundations of their dream to make Italian wines from the heart of Tuscany. Medium Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice. On the palate black cherry, blackberry and plum flavors with tobacco, pepper and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about three hours prior to service for color check and make sure the wine was sound since I was taking to a tasting. It was subsequently decanted about an hour prior to service. The 1998 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some slight signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing still, with notes of tart and ripe red fruits: Bing cherries, ripe raspberries, underbrush, new leather, spices, minerals, dry rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Everyone was stunned how young this came across. The fruit is still so fresh and the structure remains impressive. An evergreen wine and a perfect example why Priorat is so special. Drink now with some air and through 2038. — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) and Shiraz (49%). Dark Ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberry, eucalyptus, black licorice, bergamot, dark chocolate, violets and blackberry. Hint of roasted nuts on the expansive finish. Wonderful purity of fruit and a very soft texture for such a young wine. Incredibly well balanced. This wine will only improve with age. Taking @Bob McDonald’s advice and investing in more of this beautiful wine and laying them down in the cellar for a decade. A great example of how Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are fantastic blending partners. Thanking you so much Keith S for sharing this wonderful bottle with us. — 9 months ago

Carlos Gonzalez

9.6

Upon decant was frightened it was flawed. Heavy iodine and herbaceous must. Then…. 3 hrs later everything blew off and it reduced to a perfect Pauillac. Deep crimson claret light on its feet. Red fruits with a renovating acidity that was refreshing. Man what gorgeous wine time can make. — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

You're not 40 every day and I wanted a special wine to celebrate that special day. Fortunately the wine bar / open kitchen restaurant we went to had that special wine, amongst 400 references, that I had been desperate to taste for a long while. I didn't take notes so it's all from memory, but the nose is what I liked the most. Coconut notes, leather, cherries, coffee... I spent probably 15 minutes in total smelling that wine. The palate was great with some acid drive, some matter but not in an overwhelming way, some gentle, well integrated tannins in the rear, before a long finish with savoury notes, red fruits, coconut and that gentle grainy tannic layer. A great experience to top up a day to remember.
Oh and if you happen to be in Warsaw, Poland and be looking for a great wine place, make sure to check out Kontakt - wino & bistro. — 4 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Did not make it to 3rd hour of decant. Everyone drank it up quickly. Wine got better with each minute. — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A very dense Ruby in colour. Rich red and black fruited perfume with nuances of earth and dried fig - a lovely Margaux perfume. A beautiful mature medium bodied claret from an excellent vintage. Great length and perfect balance with sandy dry tannins. Would go on into the latter part of this decade but very irresistible now. One of the better 3rd growths which reminds us why we like mature Bordeaux. One of the “1001 Wines to drink before you die.” An excellent accompaniment to Rump Cap. — 2 years ago